The second BEST book you will read this year!

I just finished the book THE SHACK by William P. Young. This is such an excellent book. I was hooked from page one and just couldnt put it down. I even read while in the back of a car - for someone who gets car sick this is a big achievement.

I recommend all you readers in blogland to get a copy of this book and be challenged. Yes, it might be controversial...but i learnt new things about God. THis book challenged my thinking and preceptions of God and also forced me to sort out why i am doing the things i am.

TAIWAN!!!!!

After 15 hours of traveling and one continent later, three tired shiplings arrived at Kaohsiung airport to meet our forth team member. I aint a fan of budget airlines...we had to fight to get our few extra kilos on the plane. Who's idea was it to limit girls to 15kg for an international flight anyway...obviously someone who hasnt flown before!
I had a great time trying to force my long legs in to a small space a joker decided was the legspace.
Anyway...
We are in Taiwan and had the opportunity to visit the place the ship will berth (park) in later this year. I have been here before and just driving through the surrounding area reminded me of the many good times and great ministry i was part of during the last visit to Kaohsiung.
I look forward to see what God is going to teach me through this line up.... I will keep you updated.

The dad shaped hole

As you read the post i wrote on the 4th of December you might have wondered what is going on. Well i would only explain it as a difficult relationship between me and my dad. I love him so much but i don't like him at the same time. Our relationship, or should i say our lack thereof, has hurt many aspects of my life. I struggle with building relationship because i am scared that people will not like me. I don't know how to behave around guys and often just turn into a silent witness, not saying anything and just watching. I also recently discovered that my overeating stems from our relationship. Yes...i am trying to fill this dad-shaped hole in my life, with food, chocolate, books, movies and did i mention food? I know that this hole should only be filled by God and this is the quest i am currently on. I am reading a book (long miracle-story of how i got it) called "A Dad-shaped hole in my heart. How God wants to heal the wounds caused by your earthly father". Long title but it works. So i am reading through this book and i am realizing everyday how little i know my dad. So i will attempt writing letters asking him questions and i am hoping that he will answer them. In a way the last drawing i posted was also about him...he was one fo the cords holding me back.
Enough seriousness for tonight...

Far too long...so here is an update:

Greetings...

I realise that the time between posts seem to get a little longer. I have attempted many times to update my blog but living on a ship that has struggling connection, sometimes hinders the process. Since the thingy is working tonight i will make the most of it and bring you up to speed.

I am currently on the ship which is berthed in Cebu PHILIPPINES. This is our second visit to this exact port since i joined 3 years ago. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I can't believe that i have preservered for so long. At times it gets pretty lonely on this ship. Yes, i know with 320+ crew it seems impossible but believe me...it happens. As you might remember i have been working in the Advanced Preperations team for the last year. This means i spend more time off the ship preparing for it to come and visit the various ports, than i actually do on board. Whenever i get back onboard it feels a little different. Most of my friends have left and only a handful remains. Bittereinders my afrikaans teacher would have termed them.
Anyway, i am about to head out to another line up. I am in a team with 2 of my best friends plus a girl i do not really know. We will go and do the preparations for Taiwan. I am so excited but scared stiff at the tought of working in a country were barely anyone speaks english! I know that i know that i know that God will be the One Who gets me through this. Hopefully i will still be sane at the end of it...
I have spent the last week preparing to leave and the departure is only a few days away...(insert scary sound here)

Magda, my bestest best best friend, is in the line up team for this port. She has spent 7 weeks preparing for us to come. When i saw her on the quayside i had to bite my lip as not to start crying. Praise the LORD for friends! It has been so good to sit and chat, to drink Rooibostee (the best tea you can ever have!), to hang out at starbucks and just to hug. It is amazing how deep our friendship run. I can look at Magda and she can read my eyes and react in the necessary way. Oh...Praise the LORD again for Magda.
Magda's parents just joined the ship. It is not common for parents to join the ship 2 years. Especially since their daughter is still serving onboard. It is so humbling to see them leave everything (their eldest daugther and son as well, house, car, business...etc.) to come and serve here onboard. I am enjoying hearing their stories.

Coming back to Philippines. This country is so difficult to...take in. There is poverty that overwhelms you from the first step off the gangway, and for 60 Pesos you can get to the biggest shopping centre in town. It is crazy...but in many aspects it does remind me alot of South Africa. South Africa (my homeland...the motherland...hahahaha) is full of potential yet so raw. Just like SA, the Philippines is also a melting pot of cultures. I miss South Africa. Mixed emotions i have about my home country, she said in her Yoda-like voice.
I recently watched "Power of One". In this movie an american guy plays the part of an English South African. (This doesnt make sense to me but hey...it was still a good movie and i recommend it to anyone who hates racissm.) I loved seeing Ian Roberts (SA Afrikaans actor) in the same movie as the current James Bond. I loved hearing the raw afrikaans accent cutting through the english. I also loved seeing the smoke stacks that characterize the Gauteng skyline.
O how i miss home.

2008...highs and lows

Reflection time!!!! This has been a great year. Lets recap:

Highs:
* Celebrating my birthday with my family.
* Doing my first line up in Wellington NEW ZEALAND (dream come true)
* Meeting the most beautiful people in Wellington.
* Meeting John Smit and Dick Muir in NZ and seeing them play the All Blacks live!
* Visiting Australia and seeing how God can use our old ship to reach the Aussies.
* Going to Singapore with a great team for my second line up!
* Friends...
* Family

Lows:
* The rejection our line up team faced in NZ.
* The ridiculous standards set by a certain someone from a certain country down under.
* Double standards...

a new year...a new blog

So many things has happened since my last blog. Sorry for not updating it earlier. I have had some trouble signing in, but as you can see it is sorted now.

I am glad to report that i finally finished my artwork :

Reaching out – holding back
December 2008
Ink, pencil, tip ex and acrylics on paper

This HEartwork is about how our fears can hold us back.
In the drawing you see the hand reaching out to the Light (which represents God) and how the chains and rope holds it back. The fears that are holding me back is the fear of getting hurt.
My earthly father has not been the most loving person in the world and he has hurt our family very much. This fear keeps me from giving everything to God as i am scared that He might hurt me too. This doesn't make sense, i know...but when does it ever do?

I am currently working on my second piece and will post it as soon as i am finished. I have set a goal for myself to get one artwork done per month. Lets see if it is possible.

I found out about a week ago that i am going on line up to Kaoshuing TAIWAN at the end of January. This will be my first line up in a country where people do not speak the language. Lucky for me (it is a such a great blessing and has nothing to do with luck) i am going with two of my best friends: Roopa and Lenhert. I just finished a line up with Roopa and i am still looking forward to work with her! This will be my first time working on a line up with Lenhert - i do hope our friendship survives this.

To all my friends in Blog land i would like to wish you a blessed new year.