BigBlog

Today my daughter passed her driving test and got her Provisional Licence (P).  I am so proud that I have been able to teach her to this level, just like I was when I taught her how to ride her push bike.  Now let the fun begin - worrying every time she goes on the road by herself, soon she will be asking for a car of her own....I dont know!  Regardless, it is a good feeling to see my baby grow!  

Today, I deleted the posting I made last year with the title  'I am an African' - an edited version of a great speech by Thabo Mbeki, the current President of South Africa.  I just could no longer find a shred of moral ground to embrace the man.  Three things have finally done it for me:

1. His not so thinly veiled support for Robert Mugabe
2. His denial of xenophobia attacks by South Africans against fellow Africans
3. And to crown it all his unprecendent blunder of announcing the death of a fellow President  of another country - Levy Mwanawasa based on romour.  The least he could have done was to confirm with the Zambian government or wait until the Zambian government  informed their nation - I am sure there is some protocol to such things. 

I am so very disappointed with the man I once held in such high esteem.

Enough said.

Last year I posted an edited version of that great speech "I am an African" made by the then Vice President of South Africa, at the adoption of the new constitution in May, 1996.  It was a potent speech full of poetic prose and deep in content of hope for the people of the rainbow nation and Africa to march forward together as one.....as he said in that speech, "...today, it feels good to be an African..." 

Today, I am struggling to embrace both the man and the message - I am so dissilusioned by the nightmare that has become of that optimism.  Zimbabwe is burning, thanks in part to the ineptitude or collusion of the  Southern African leaders more inclined to support their liberation comrades at the expense of the masses. 

And now the madness going on in South Africa, where people have reduced themselves to the level lower than that of animals...I never thought I would live to see such barbaric acts...cry, the beloved country!

Christmas season is an appropriate time to share with you what life has been for us as a family this year.  It is a special time because of the opportunity to reflect on the supreme love and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus in becoming one of us, Immanuel, God with us.  Christmas also affords us the opportunity to reflect on God’s blessings to us in giving us people who are very special – our family and our dear friends.  It is a privilege to share with you what life has been for us this year.    

 My wife, Aggie

February saw us take the long drive to Brisbane to celebrate Aggie’s graduation from the Queensland University of Technology.    True to form within a month or two after completion she was enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Newcastle.  She has just finished her literature review and is working through the next stage of her program.  And so the journey continues… Back to the Brisbane escapade, we took the opportunity to have a short holiday on the Gold Coast where the girls enjoyed the rides at Movieworld and Dreamworld.  It was a good break for everyone, especially at the start of what was to be a very busy year.  

Taonga

The other milestone has been Taonga going through and finishing her School certificate (year 10)….very busy year capped with a lavish school formal and camp.  She is looking forward with much fear and trembling to her two year senior High School.  In between Taonga auditioned and got into the senior vocalists for the 'Star Struck' show which brings all the public schools in the region together for a three day music and dance extravaganza.  .  Taonga also got her Learner’s licence and is currently making progress in her driving lessons under the instruction of yours-truly.  

Lusungu 

Lusungu has just finished her final year in primary school and is going to High School next year. We thank God she was accepted at a selective high School for academically gifted children.  Lusungu has also had an enjoyable year singing in the Australian Youth choir which has seen us go for performances in Sydney several times this year – the biggest highlight was the performance with the Keystone Boys Choir from Philadelphia, USA.Lusungu also got accepted into the 500-strong choir that provided backing vocals and background props for the Star Struck show. 

 Elizabeth

Elizabeth has had a very enjoyable year 3 and her overall school performance has been excellent.  She performed very well in her year 3 state numeracy and literacy exams and is looking forward to a great year 4.  Beth continues to challenge us all in matters of faith and prayer.  As it happens with the last born, she rules the homestead, and her big sisters think she is spoilt.  . 

 As for me, well, what can I say, it’s work and work and more work….busy year for our mine as the company has set upwards moving targets for the mine to achieve…very exciting times too!.  The Lord continues to sustain me and granting me the enabling. 

Our local church, New Lambton Baptist Church, celebrated its 80^th anniversary. The church also had a Sunday school driven focus on Zambia, particularly the orphans in Zambia.  It’s been great to see the children’s ministry grow.  We continue to enjoy God’s blessings via the pulpit ministry of God’s servant our Pastor.  We also continue to enjoy the fellowship of the saints who are very special to us. 

The biggest excitement, I guess, has been the construction of our house in April this year, not without frustrations sometimes, though!  Aggie is happy she had direct input into what she wanted for her house – it is now the big job of mowing the lawn and keeping Aggie’s garden in shape – the grass grows so quickly! 

…And thank God summer is here and the girls just love taking a dip in the pool… 

Sunday morning starts, like most of my sundays, trying to persuade the women in my home to quicken the pace of getting ready for church.  By the time everyone is in the car with one thing or the other missing, I am a bundle of nerves and we drive to church, pushing the speed limit to its limit, in silence with no one daring to say a word.  I drop off everyone in front of the church while I proceed to look for parking.    By the time I get into church I have to walk the long 'mile' to somewhere near the front where my family has, contrary to my pleas, made themselves comfortable.

But then once I settle down suddenly all the pressure and stress of the week  and morning just melt away - I am at home, singing and worshiping the Lord together with all the saints.  My youngest daughter cuddles up to me.  In the sanctuary, I find that peace which passes all understanding and my perspective on issues becomes realigned and clarified.  Such is the power I experience in the sanctuary - it is like God just whispers peace to my heart and everything becomes still.  I thank God that in his sanctuary he draws me near to himself, unworthy as I am - and there I find a place of quiet rest.