All I got was this keyring

All I got was this keyring
13 September 2009

So I promised God I would write this. God is working in the everyday things and parts of our lives. I have to share this for myself to ponder yet more to hopefully inspire you to see God in the details of your own life.

So recently, I went for an interview with a pretty big Ski Season Company (will keep them Unnamed for respect’s sake.)
Well, 2 weeks have gone by since that interview, sadly I have been unsuccessful in getting a job with the company.
Hmmm, the cynical look: so I went to an interview. And never mind “been there got the t-shirt” I can say instead “been there, got a sticker and this key ring” Yet that is pretty cool actually! I do actually collect key rings. And I like putting trendy stickers on my laptop too.

So how was God in all of this? Well I was sitting in my room one afternoon and I got a call on my phone. (I hardly get calls...haha, my sad life) And this company ask me to come for an interview on the following Monday.

Turns out I had leave from that following Wednesday for a week because of my Belgium trip. Would my employing company give me that Monday off?

I begged and pleaded with the Management and I got that day off. (My persistence reminded me of the Parable of the Persistent Widow.) See Luke 18: 1-

Then it turns out that someone else from my centre (where I work) was also going for the interview. So God provided transport for me too.

After a long drive there, squeezing in a hair cut, I get to the really well led interview. The ski industry got me excited. We were told that out of 220 applicants only 30 people got selected for the interviews. (That’s a pretty good achievement!) Thank you God for an ego boost (haha)

Thing is, in the room with the four members of management of that Ski Company, where I was being interviewed... they said, my name was actually on the reserve list to come for an interview. Wow, was that the hand of God getting me through on this day. (Yes, I believe so)

Also the confidence I had in answering the questions during the interview. (“God alone is my rock and my refuge” – Psalm 18)

I thought I may have had this job in the bag. But sadly 2 weeks later, I don’t. YET I do have a job with another Ski company. So you may wonder why God sent me to the first interview.
And I think of possible reasons could be:
(I love the way our finite minds try to put God in a box and understand Him completely)
Maybe we should embrace the beauty is His mystery.

i) Maybe God wanted to show me He has His hand in the affairs of my life. I must just trust Him.
ii) Maybe the confidence I gained from that first interview needed to be carried onto my 2nd interview, where in fact I walked out of that interview, having a peace that I had the job.
iii) Or maybe my presence or my “Jesus” nature (hopefully) spilled into the lives of the people I met on the way / at that interview. Who knows?

Yet, now with this job I have with this particular company I feel very peaceful about it. I also feel very excited. I feel that God may want me there to see a certain beauty of His: the splendour of the French Alps or to impact someone’s life. Or maybe for me just to enjoy an adventure whilst learning to ski and snow board. Yet all along in these moments and memories of my life, God is growing a call and a hunger to serve Him in this world.

I am always comforted by the verse:

Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Some things in our lives happen for reasons we may not at present understand or clearly see why, but I believe for those who love God and are not shamed to call him: Father, He works for the good of us in all situations that life brings us.

Thank you for reading.

Delicate Arrogance (or they could call it careful confidence)

Delicate Arrogance (or they could call it careful confidence)
4 September 2009

My head is full again. (As if I expected anything less?)
I write this out for clarity for myself. In my written words, God does seem to answer me.
For those who read this, maybe you have some wisdom to share, otherwise, like Job’s friends, just sit there as I reflect out aloud.

I left the ministry in Dec 2008. I still regard myself as a pastor... without youth or a congregation. Each week, I write my Sacred Spaces and do hope they inspire someone.

I wanted to travel and see if I could follow other avenues that interested me. The Music industry: Managing a band or organising music events.

I didn’t leave the church because I was upset or even tired. The break has been good. I guess I left because I felt obedient to God to pack my bags and leave SA. I have been doing my best to go in God’s way this year. I’ve been praying about most aspects of my life and asking God to open doors for me, of where I should go.

I thought it would be good to do something where “my audience” (or focus) is not youth.
But, the odd thing is that for the last 4 months I have been working with kids at an Outdoors Activity Centre (God’s sense of humour?)

As the year has gone by I feel a call within me growing to be a pastor again.

There are many things that call me back to full time ministry:

-Rob Bell
For about 2 years now I have been reading books and listening to podcasts and watching DVDs by this awesome American preacher. I have enjoyed his wisdom and consistency. When I hear him pray and preach and hear what his church is involved in, in the community (world), I can’t help but feel called to be a pastor too. A minister of change

-Justified “To Live”
There was this Christian band that had a song called To Live...and well the lyrics draw closer to my call:

“So reach up and take His hand
And see Him change your life around
That’s all I want for you, is to live, to actually live.”

This God I love and so many others too...is for real. Its time to live for Him and show the world His grace and goodness and love...

-CS Lewis
I just finished reading The Great Divorce. There was a part on page 106. That just challenged me. What if I truly focussed on God? If I looked to Him... If I decided I want to do more of what He wants in my life. If I go now into ministry;
The line from the book is:

“But you and I must be clear. There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.”

-Death of Barry Marshall (recently)
Recently there was this pastor who died. When I was a teenager (19) I was inspired by the way this guy saw the world and how he involved Jesus in it. Because of him, I wanted to be a youth pastor and 9 years later I have been a youth pastor for 8 of those 9 years.
With his death, I feel I need to rise up again and lead His people. The world needs agents of grace. I can be that.

YET:
There is one big thing that stops me. And this is the thing that bugs me a lot.

I’ve been in many social engagements where I have been asked what I did in South Africa or what I have been doing in my life. And my response never seems to be a confident one.
I almost excuse the fact that I was a Youth Pastor.

I was involved with changing the world of some young people (and I still want to excuse it.)

It’s almost as if I am apologetic about working for the church.
I act as if my ministry made no impact. It could seem I am ashamed of Jesus. (I know that’s not the case)
YET when people ask me if I am religious, I reply with “I don’t like the term religious” and maybe try butter up (or smoothen out) what I did as a Youth Pastor.

I know I can see it: (Those who can’t are ignorant and rather stubborn.) The world is hurt. The world needs a clear truth. The world needs a Saviour. Why am I walking away from that?

You see this is where the delicate arrogance comes in:
Surely I should see my job as a youth pastor (minister) as critical. As one of the most important jobs in the world

Yes, the world may not recognize it, but they live according to one reality. A warped one
As Christ followers, it’s as if we live in 2 realities or more a merger of two.
And I have seen evidence of God. His created world speaks so loud to me. The diversity of beauty and people...

I never want to be proud of arrogant but I want to back into ministry when I am unashamed of my belief in Jesus and working in the church among young people and older ones too.
There are many pastors out there. BUT how many good (real) pastors are there out there?
And dare I to be arrogant, but by the grace of God, if I set my life and heart to this... I want to go with Him and change the world.

EXTRA:

A thought about my focus:
I thought it would be healthy for me to change focus and not work with teens but rather among adults.
BUT maybe I am fighting a call. As some are called to be teachers and work with that age group maybe I need to work with young people.
And maybe that adds an importance because I am with young people, coaching and inspiring them in their critical years of development.
And look through the bible. God used young people. (It’s almost as if I have this stubbornness to work with adults only.) BUT God can use me effectively with young people and in turn a whole church. So in a sense my little argument is rather pointless.
I am child like too and don’t want that taken away from me when I have to focus solely on “matters of consequence” (a reference to The Little Prince.)

A thought on other things I wanted to try:

1) Event Organising. As a youth pastor I will get to plan some pretty big things in time.
2) Music Industry. Who knows with God’s influence I could be involved with planning huge music fests.
3) Writing. With the avenue of the Church I will get a chance to publish some books.


So after writing this I feel I have more clarity about my calling into ministry.

An ode to Barry

So long Inspiration.

(Ode to Barry Marshall)

3^rd September 2009

What to say?

I can’t pretend that we were very close

Never shared home dinners together

But maybe in Christ things are different

I remember a crowd 250 strong

And you standing in front

Saying we could worship God

Like the band; Sting…using “silly words”

So we sang: “na na na na na…

Every move I make I make in You”

Then on the steps of a dining hall

At a Youth Pastor Bash I recall you

Playing Dave Matthews songs on a guitar

There was something about the way you spoke of Jesus,

About our God, who has become more and more real in my life

Because of your outlook on life and ways of including Jesus in this life

I became a Youth Pastor… 9 years ago.

Thank you for being an inspiration!

Just like that, you are gone

Did you wake up that day knowing it was your last?

It’s sad to say goodbye

Yet in the non cliché way we rather say…

“See you later”

Death has no sting, it has no final say

It’s a sort of entrance way to yet more of His goodness

The world is hurt

The world needs good and real godly leaders to lead its people

With your passing, there is now one less

In my humble way, I feel a sense of urgency to serve God again.

To speak and serve in love and truth

Barry, thank you.

Changing Blogs

So today I have transfered to this blog.
Its exciting to have your own blog.
I do hope to inspire and encourage people through my written words.
I think blogging can be an effective way of "reaching the world"

A cup of coffee (or tea) and a little space to read some thoughts of us.

I have a simple motto for myself: "Live well and Live Inspired."

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Short Stories (The Comedy and Serious)

Short Stories (Comedy & Serious)

30 January 2009

I like to write and I like to learn from this life. We’re living in a classroom of many lessons and odd characters. We need to look out for the lessons and then to break the monotony of the lesson; we need to find humour too… here are some of my stories…

1) Answered Prayer (Laptop)

I was coming home from a weekend with my dad in St Albans. And on the way back into London on the train, I fell asleep. Suddenly I woke up in a fright, and saw that I was at my stop… I rushed out of the train and ran up the stairs, stopping dead in my tracks. “Ah crap, I left my laptop on the seat in the train”

Running back to the train, the doors closed; I was too late.

So immediately I went to the info desk and asked the people to please stop the train and get a ground staff to fetch my bag.

The question racing in my head: “What if someone steals my laptop?”

I was bleak. The guy at the info desk said it will take a few minutes for train to get to next stop. I was worried… so I just closed my eyes and started praying. I asked God to help me, let the world be honest, and you know what, while I was praying a gentleman came to me and said: “They have your laptop”

I was so relieved! I know you may want to call it good fortune, but that’s where I always give credit to our good God.

God answers prayers!

2) Eat the Rich

If it were a date, this would be such a classic disaster. A friend of mine, from SA, was in London on the past weekend. And well, her family had invited me for breakfast on Saturday morning. To a posh place called: La Fromagerie.

Rule 1: Beware of eating in places, where u cannot even pronounce the name of it?

I had gone out the night before and had got home super late, so was really tired, only had 3 hours sleep… nearly not enough after a night of party.

Rule 2: If on a date (luckily it was not) have enough sleep, because otherwise you act out of stupid mode J (wait I do that most of the time anyway?)

So, I don’t know… I’m just a regular guy and went with my friend and her parents to this place. On the way, the dad “hollered’ for a taxi (yes, I just used that word!!) and then the taxi came, and I wish you could picture it in my head… my friend got it, then the mom… and then like, heck where was I supposed to sit, I thought well in the middle of the mom and dad… then they felt awkward, luckily my friend, told me to sit on this fold out chair that I hadn’t seen… wow, how embarrassing!

Rule 3: Having manners in stepping into a taxi can backfire… its very man for himself in a cab, just jump in first!! Saves you from awkward situations

Then at the breakfast place without paying attention; I ordered this meal that was called “something” farmhouse breakfast. I thought: “Cool, some bacon and warm fried eggs.” How wrong was I! Instead I got this streaks of cold meat and 3 different types of bitter cheese…and like so much bread… for a possible army… and yogurt that tasted so bad… haha…yet I was super amazing at pretending (I think I did pull a face though) and ate most of the meal… the longest meal I had to endure… after 3 hours of sleep and a headache! Haha

Rule 4: Don’t order from a menu when you don’t know what the items are

Rule 5: Don’t take an uncultured boy to a cultured place… disaster!!

The end

3) Hair like spaghetti

I have only been in London for less than a month and I am sure I will see many strange things in time to come; here is one of my first odd encounters…

I was on the tube the other day off to meet some friends for drinks.

On the way there I saw this attractive girl sitting opposite me… and what she was doing was far from attractive… she actually reminded me of the brunette from The Breakfast Club (movie). She was pulling out here split ends and then putting them in her mouth, sucking them in as if it were spaghetti. Then she would swish it around her mouth a bit and then swallow. That girl definitely had some issues and a huge hairball in her mouth. God bless her too! J

4) And you can’t even give Him your free time? (You of little faith)

I have been unemployed for the past month. I have done a few things to find a job. I have gone online and applied, I have dropped off my CV. But have I prayed? Some people say that we should, put out effort in and look; and I totally agree with that. But we so often, leave out the supernatural response and favour of God. We act a lot yet we don’t even attempt praying.

I have had a lot of free time to have quiet times with God, to worship Him you know, and to read His word and discover Him, yet I opt out and do other pointless things. I can’t seem to sit at His feet.

Just thinking out aloud…

5) Incredible Dad

I don’t know who came up with it, but there is something known as the 5 languages of love. And each of us operates well in 2 of them. Once we know each other’s love language, then we can love them well.

So basically I know to serve and encourage my dad, is to love him.

I went to visit him, with a new mind set and in prayer. And the weekend was awesome for me and for him.

You and I, able people take a lot for granted. The things I helped my dad with made me realise how incredible he is when he does all this stuff on his own.

From buttering toast, to opening tins, to frying things in a pan, to folding letters and sealing envelopes…

My dad is recovering from a stroke that he had just less than 2 years ago… and he has no usage of his left arm and left leg. He is doing physio, and working on getting movement and life back into those limbs… but that will take some time.

From zipping up his jacket, to putting on a glove and riding his mobility scooter.

All this is done with one arm. You try living with one arm for a weekend, you’ll learn a lot.

I went to gym with my dad, and we had a freestyle (crawl) race in the pool, with one arm, and I was impressed, my dad swam pretty fast with one arm, keeping up with me.

Then to see him pull himself out of the pool unaided… was incredible.

My dad has chosen to be a victor and not a victim of his situation.

A Modern Christmas Tale

A Modern Christmas Tale

25^th January 2009

It was Christmas Eve; the 3 of us were on our way home from a lovely dinner that we had with our parents (we had arrived earlier to dinner in 2 cars) that night and one of the cars had broken down. It was rather annoying… why did we have to have car problems on the night before Christmas…

It was a long time ago in Bethlehem, their feet were covered with dust; they were struggling to keep their eyes open; it had been an incredibly long day for them. She was pregnant and almost due. He wanted to provide a comfortable bed for her. She was so craving to her rest her weary aching body in a relaxing room. The inn was full; all the receptionist could offer was a dirty stable. The audacity of even offering that… their night before Christmas… the day before their son’s birthday…

Christmas Day, my brother and I were late for church and as we approached the service we saw that the car park was full and thus had to park further away from the church. We decided to take this footpath shortcut up to the church, it was overgrown with weeds and well we had to climb through all of that… and jump a wall to get to the church service. We wanted to go to that service, it was Jesus’ birthday and we wanted to celebrate that. We were determined to get there… to see and remember Jesus…

Shepherds heard about Jesus from some angels. They went to explore and see Jesus. Nothing will stop them. Jesus the King of the World has been born, why would they want to miss an occasion like that? Likewise in an extreme way, some wise men followed a star to know where Jesus was born. Both these groups of people would do all they could, even if that meant “having a little faith” to see and meet Jesus…

Our day of Christmas was an eventful day, from one thing to next; we were surrounded by people throughout the day, and as that day came to an end, I rested my head on my pillow and thought to myself, “what a day!”

Mary & Joseph, after a long day of visits from many people (and surrounded by farm animals) and after hearing prophecies of their new born son… as that day (Jesus birthday’) came to an end I think they possibly could have thought the same thing: “What a day!”

What happened after that day? Jesus’ birthday, well Jesus had another birthday and another one after that and so on and so on, until at the right time, God’s time… Jesus started speaking and living out the truth and love that God Almighty (His heavenly Father) had sent him down to show and share. He started when He was 30; so what was going on in those 30 years while Jesus was growing up? God was not resting; God was still reaching, preparing the hearts of Jesus, and of His people…

Christmas 2008, has come and gone…The January Sales have come to an end, people work on losing their Christmas weight gained… people go back to work and to school… and it seems as if Christmas didn’t even happen. What is happening? God is not resting, God is still reaching, and with His Holy Spirit and the gospel of Jesus (preached by ordinary people like you and I) still preparing the hearts of His people…

Up to now

Up to now

12 January 2009

Call this a journal entry, call this comedy, call this drama…or rather just dial prank phone calls and read on…

So now I find myself 12 days into a new way of a life, a new year, a new chapter and new observations about myself, life and faith.

I was falling asleep but had to get up and write this. This is no teenage “dear diary” because “Diary” would be an unfortunate name to have.

When I ponder my goals for coming to UK, I knew God asked me to leave my beloved country of SA to explore His world. Yes, this whole world still belongs to Him and He is everywhere, but how our finite minds tend to lose track of that.

Day 1: 1^st Jan 2009… I find myself pondering in the airport waiting for my flight to Heathrow after having the awesome opportunity of getting out the airport and seeing the incredible infrastructure of Dubai.

I got to see some of the Dubai Greats: Fancy hotels, drove on one of the Psalm Islands and noticed the cleanliness of this wonderful Arabian country.

Comic moment: “My dear family and friends, why did you not tell me that I looked like a drug dealer wearing a beenie?” haha! But thankfully, the good God was on my side and the Dubai Customs let me out of their airport.

The words of POD came to my “my soul is alive and so are you” as I waited for the connecting flight.

Day 7, “choo choo” goes the train (cheesy, but you’re still reading aren’t you…) and I look out the window, it feels like I’m in a fairytale: the snow looks so pretty on the ground and on the roofs of some of the houses.

The day before I found myself declining a job, at the interview I knew God didn’t send me across the world to do a very similar thing to what I did in East London (South Africa) last year… because in that case, I would have gladly continue serving Him there.

So this is the “free falling” that Ken, my awesome minister and colleague spoke over me.

Classic, golf greens that are not green at all, but instead… all snowed in J

And I sit here thinking again (choo choo), all the voices of my caring and concerned friends… but God through it all I want to hear Your voice. Speak in that familiar voice of Yours please.

What do I do now? How do I feel significant in “this big machine of London” (quoted from a good friend)

Last year, each day (most of them, for real) I woke up knowing that my life was about making a difference in other people’s lives and now I feel “on hold” and trying to work this all out?

Yet this has only been 12 days of my life here… and I sense some dark nights of my soul… oh Light, light up that lamp at my feet, that you promised. Maybe my worth comes now not in what I do, but in who I am, your beloved child, yes, You still see me here on this road in this huge place.

I am the “wondering wanderer” that’s the words you spoke to my heart. I am here to know that my worth never came from what I did; I have come to live here, because you asked me to… teach me to trust, teach me to hold onto hope.

Picture Perfect: the oldness is pretty; the “deadness” of nature at this moment looks stunning and full of promise.

Day 12, POD lyrics are in my head from Saturday “Every day is a new day, I’m thankful for every breath that I take, I won’t take it for granted”

To survive, You and I will always have our time together, okay? You are my heartbeat, literally!

I look back, all adventures have a sense of confusion and chaos, and an element of fear, but… Oh my God, the views are so worth it, the friends who walk with us. Thank You!

It may seem so simple: but my friends bought me draws for my clothes, God, this hospitality shows that You are with me, and always going ahead.

Sitting in a pub, laughing with friends, a moment so worth it.

God, thank you for what is to come… The pain, the glory… each day… I want you to know, I will love you, I will talk to you and as I rest my head… I want to be able to say, I worshipped my Good God.

So to all of you (and I’m talking to myself) look for beauty in a world where a pee costs 30p and a loaf of bread is like 65p. (Either I have gold inside of me or that bread is really unhealthy? haha) Interesting times are ahead indeed!

Faith & Fears

8^th November 2008

I’m in a moment now where I can breathe again. I’m in a moment where I need to reflect on my faith. As I get ready to put a coat onto my faith as well as preparing it for the exposure of the harshness of the conditions of the big monsters and weathers of life in the UK… how will I do?

Youth Pastors (what do they do? Haha) go thru ebbs and flows with their work load. Well, this week seemed to be one of my busiest weeks this year. With the start of new outreaches, packing and getting ready to leave my present home as well as the regular weekly commitments I was pretty busy. But I too, was busy in my mind. Thinking of the new chapter in my life beginning quite soon; the odds of getting a job and well; just thinking of being in a foreign land…

I’m excited for the adventure. But going with only limited resources, going to a new climate, new culture, new way of life, and trying to connect with my father, it all became very overwhelming and I felt rather anxious inside.

A bit of fear had kicked in! And then the good God reminded me of a simple word: faith.

“…the odds of getting a job…” Doesn’t He work far beyond and above the odds?

Is my faith real enough to hold on to the reality of who God is and that He is good to me, and that it is His plan for me to be stepping onto the plane and landing in a new place.

Today, I went for a surf and in God’s garden my fear was put in perspective and my faith was strengthened. While I was waiting for a wave; for the first time I got to see dolphins so close to me; like 5 or 6 metres away. And dolphins are like my calming animal. Was God calming my fear? Just know this, in God’s garden, wherever you may be in the world, is a sure way you’ll understand more of God. Whether it be waves, mountains or parks; let the splendour of creation remind you to hold on to faith in our indescribable loving God.

Faith is becoming a newer reality for me.

Faith and fear standing in a ring, sizing each other up… I decide to take a swing at fear.

By faith, I’m gonna see mountains being moved…

This Fast Pace

18 October 2008

If you have not seen the movie Eagle Eye, this thought may not make sense… but I write just to think out aloud anyway.

The movie is so fast paced. You sit on the edge of your seat the whole time wondering what is going to happen next. Where is the next place I need to go? What is the next sign I need to look out for?

The main actor wasn’t expecting to fall into this adventure. But, he had to act immediately and make sense of his role in the adventure along his way.

Just like the 4 children in the story of the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and also Prince Caspian (CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia)… they fell into an adventure they weren’t expecting. Through a wardrobe and through a vortex of some sort in the Underground (Narnian magic); they find themselves living an adventure that changed their lives for the better.

I guess I like adventure and often see myself in this huge adventure movie with significant scenes and moments and a crucial cast to my life in that specific moment or place.

I feel in my heart a scream for this Eagle Eye to continue doing what He is doing. And this Eagle Eye is good. His plan can be trusted. He won’t let me down. I feel secure in placing my trust in Him.

I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know who I am completely. But as I lived this fast paced adventure I will learn more than I ever thought I would. And in the serene moments I will have along the way, I will cherish them and rest and thank those who have played crucial roles in my life’s adventure.

I want to live well.

Making sense never made so much sense

16 October 2008

76 days and I will be in a new country, in the New Year starting a new chapter of my life.

I like the concept that each of us live in a Greater story. And we have the privilege of getting to know the Author in glimpses and measures.

I feel deep inside that I was made for more. But I’m not saying that my journey to discovering that call has meant nothing. Each page, each chapter written, each town I have lived in, I pray and hope I have made an impact on at least one person’s life.

The impact… for them to know that the Author exists… And we can know Him. And that His heart is good. The heart of the Great Author can be trusted. And during our life journey as we turn the pages from left to right; we discover we can trust and love Him.

So I write to reflect, to unfold a story. I am Darrel.

I am a collection of flaws, skills, vices and virtues. I am who He has made me to be.

As I sit here writing this, I think of my life journey…

Growing up in Toti, an insecure boy in this big world; moved to Ladysmith, a judgemental boy trying to discover what is right and wrong and doing my best to teach others and show them who Jesus the Author is. I succeeded and failed in many ways. Moving to East London; I came having learnt from my previous mistakes. I feel I have grabbed hold of the reality of God and I feel I have grown in leaps and bounds in knowing who I am and knowing who He is. I feel alive, truly alive. I am Darrel.

And I hope I have made an impact here too. Even if it’s just one person; it’s all been worth it!

I have echoing in my head often a title of a poem “the road less travelled”

That’s how I have often felt here in East London. I march to a different drum beat. People don’t get me. Occasionally someone has; and that has been awesome. (The Author wrote that in the script at the right time. He always does.)

As I turn the page, I pause and skim through the pages that I have been living through here in the past 3 years. I have met great people. And have made some profound friendships.

Alanis Morrisette wrote a new song recently that I feel describes me; I am a citizen of the planet.

I do have friends, but not necessarily in this town. They are all over the country and literally all over the world. The world is my stage… the world is in my story. So hence my desire to see the world; my desire to travel… It grows in me… everyday…

Spiritually I know I have grown a lot. But socially I feel I have died in some ways. So I know the next chapter will involve that development… I feel I hear the Author’s thoughts… it’s a privilege that He gives us a glimpse of His heart. Everything matters, everything is spiritual. (That’s a whole other thought to discuss sometime)

I am Darrel. I am ready for the next chapter.

But as I face this last chapter in East London; I will live it, I will write it well… because all good stories, need to end well. It has been declared in a Greater story.

Uncanny!

Uncanny (day I got my ticket)

15 May 2008

(About this blog. I started this blog site last week – 8 Oct 2008… but this first entry was born awhile back… welcome to my mind)

Waking up into a seemingly ordinary day, but the excitement in me I can’t contain. Booking a ticket and deciding on my flight plan is a big thing for me. I feel as if I’m growing up. (Who knows maybe I am?)

I have decided to stay for like 5 hours in Dubai as opposed to only 2 hours. Now I will get to see “another” country.

The adventure gets more excitement added to it.

For me, what is intriguing, knowing that over New Years I will be in the middle of the sky (Never have I done that before!)

My flight is not a direct flight as you have gathered… on the way to Heathrow we fly via Dubai. The uncanny thing is while booking the ticket and paying for it, I was thinking of seeing Emma (a friend of my cousin’s whom I know lives in Dubai.) As I was thinking that, the lady at Flight Centre (where I was booking my ticket) said to me I should see Emma when I’m there.

Heck; that is weird! (Or is this place way too small?) “Stop breathing down my neck!”

Then in the afternoon I go visit Jess (An awesome girl from the church) and while I’m there… she asks me to rescue the Pigeon that was stuck in the stairwell. Again for nature’s sake and up for a challenge I free the bird and it is saved.

And then I recall the first Sacred Space (Devotional type thing that I write weekly) that I wrote. I wrote about rescuing a Pigeon from the church roof. That was back in my old town, Ladysmith.

First Sacred Space- Rescue a Pigeon- Significant Life Event with starting Sacred Spaces

Book UK flight- Rescue a Pigeon- Another Significant Event – new life in UK approaching

Uncanny!