I never imagined (my last decade)

I never imagined (my last decade)
4 August 2010

When I was like 16 or 17 I remember discussing with a friend the plans we had for our lives. I said at aged 23 I’d probably leave home and get my own place. And by 25 I would be married. Well that all turned out differently.

“When I get older I will be stronger, they’ll call me freedom just like a wavin’ flag”
(K’Naan)

Ephesians 3:
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

A guy I worked with last year (Sean Ingram) suggested that I write something cool about turning 30. So I have actually been thinking about it and came up with this.
I thought about my last decade of life and have to blatantly say “I never imagined” the life I have lived and things I have seen and experienced through the last 10 years.

I really am a lucky man. Or as they say, I have been blessed. Indeed!

I quote this above verse, even if it may be a little out of context, it still rings true for me, the first part: God can most certainly do more than we ask or imagine.

These are my 10 years, this is my story:

The bracket parts of this decade are significant for me. When I was like 19, some friends and others gave me the nickname (ish) “Jesus Freak” because of my passion for Jesus. That was a cool label indeed. Back to that the classroom conversation in school; I also did not realize I would serve God as a youth pastor. I was quite shy at school. I never thought the reality of God would have a huge life changing impact on my life.

So at aged 20 I started ministry in a small South African town (Ladysmith) and now 10 years later aged 30 again I am starting up youth ministry (and more) in a town in the UK (called Bicester, near Oxford).

So this last decade is bracketed but the hand and blessing of God. (Well, that’s how it has felt.)

When I was 20 I never knew I would be a Youth Pastor for 8 years of the decade I was entering. I never thought I’d experience the warmness of a small town (Ladysmith) and its cozy people. I never knew I would live in the cool costal town of East London. I never knew I would get to have the coolest youth group with such awesome diversity, out the box thinking, creativity and hospitality that I met and still love of the East London folk. (Folk, it’s taken me awhile to get attached to that word.)

I never knew I would get to go snow boarding in the French Alps and let alone live in the village of Tignes (in the Alps) for 5 months.
I didn’t think about meeting so many different people from different countries. All my English mates (friends), Michaela (from Deutschland), the Belgian girls (you know who you are).

I didn’t dream of getting to see Belgium, Scotland and some of Germany. In Belgium I went caving like 30 metres and even more below ground. I was below the earth’s surface for 6 hours. It was so intense and squashed in there. Almost like a wonderland of sorts.

In school we spoke learnt about the Pyramids and the white cliffs of Dover. I got to visit Dover and see the cliffs from a Ferry crossing the English Channel. I got to see the Pyramids from the air as I flew into Egypt for my connecting flight.

In this past decade I got to explore my beautiful home country of South Africa. I got to see the spectacular sights of Mpumalanga; I got to hike in the Drakensburg Mountains. I woke up once and remember seeing a blanket of clouds stretched out before me for as far as the eye could see.

I got to spend a New Years in Mozambique where we literally bunked on beach sand and where I recall clearly the constant bass of house music for 2 days straight (non-stop.)

I got to experience sundowners out in the African bush witnessing the beauty of the setting African sun.
I have seen many wild animals in top class private game lodges.
I remember walking to breakfast in Botswana (Khwai River Lodge) seeing a Leopard walking along across the river from me.

I have bungee jumped. I have sky dived. I have down the superman jump across the Gorge in Graskop (South Africa). I have done a bridge swing.

I have had “an office” which consists of standing in an abseiling tower lowering down kids with the view of the ocean on the horizon. (Near Hastings, the south of England)

I have seen the sites of London, been out in London. But don’t have a t – shirt. (I am not the kind of tourist)

I got to attempt surfing at super tubes in Jeffrey’s bay. I did get cut up on my legs. Oh well. I recall another surfing incident on the south coast (KZN) waiting for waves and having a pod of dolphins swim among us surfers, so close I could touch the passing dolphin. I then looked out toward the approaching wave and saw 4 dolphins riding the wave toward me. Incredible!

I recall freezing my butt off on the ski chair lifts on my way to a high up ski run (piste). I then remember feeling so alive as that fresh breeze of the French Alps brushed across my face as I raced down on my board down the slope. Wow!

I have seen poverty. And I have seen the deep joy among those poor people. I have had the honour of being part of the team who ran a holiday club in a poor community and sensing the joy and love for life that those children had. I smile at the fond memory of hearing them worship in their native tongue.

I have been so blessed to be part of moments or to witness from a near distance… when young people have handed over their lives to the beautiful grace of God. Those powerful deep moments have no words to describe the sacredness of them.

I have seen many awesome bands such as Billy Talent, Funeral for a Friend (twice), Rise Against, Dave Matthews Band (my favourite band of all time – so far), Snow Patrol, 30 Seconds to Mars, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, 100 reasons, Linkin Park, Metallica, Limp Bizkit, Bullet for my Valentine, Jars of Clay, Oasis (I am ashamed… definitely maybe), Good Charlotte. I am sure I have not mentioned them all.

I am also stoked to know that some more bands are on the nearby horizon for me to experience such as Blink 182 (yes, you read correctly), Paramore, Biffy Clyro, The Kooks and Placebo

Okay and the credits to the great SA bands I have seen too: Perez, Squeal, Boo, Tree 63, The Led, Battery 9, Johnny Clegg (he’s sort or known as a South African performer), Ladysmith Black Mambazo (a live street performance), Harris Tweed (now, Dear Reader), The Parlotones, The Finkelstiens (R.IP.), Just Jinger (Ginger), Prime Circle and Henry Ate. Oh and Exit the Fall (my brother’s band)

I am reminded of looking up seeing a vast number of stars and sensing God smiling down on me.
I have had moments where I have felt so alive and passionate and … not even sure what to say here.

I have an awesome relationship with my brother. He is my best friend. We have been up to many shenanigans together and planned some kick ass adventures.

I have been blessed with incredible friends all over the world. I will not mention them by name as I fear to leave one of their names out by accident. But you all know who you are.

I have laughed until I cried. I have had some incredible life changing conversations. I have had some good wine (I think, hope I was not to drunk to realize)

I recall many moments when I have felt so free.
I have learnt and seen many unusual things. I have made big mistakes; and thankfully have learnt from them.
I have thought out of the box.

I have been healed from being emotionally hurt. Yes, I feel I have experienced life in this last decade.
I have been given many cool things. Excellent Birthday and Christmas gifts, been given a laptop, been given a car and best of all; been shown grace and life. (Jesus’ gift to me)

I have experienced beauty. I have had a glimpse of love. My parents have been so good to me.

I never imagined sand boarding, snow boarding, jumping into the pool at Bat’s cave’ lying up looking at the stars. Some of these almost seem expected. But the places where I have experienced them are priceless. For instance I remember swimming in a random dam on my friend (Daryl’s) farm. It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere.

I have been part of the healing process of a country once divided now heading towards unity.
I have been home and part of the vibe as my beloved country has hosted one of the biggest sporting events: the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010.

In Durban at the fan Park, I have stood on the beach, sand trickling through my toes as I watched Bafana Bafana score 2 great opening goals against France.

It was a beautiful moment of unity with black, Indians, whites and foreigners all standing together.
“Ayoba” and “Jabulani”, we are headed toward healing. (God, it seems like a repeat of the history of the early Israelites.)

I know I have not covered all the 10 years of this past decade in a mere few words above.
But I am thankful I got this time to reflect on my life and I hope this has inspired you to look back on your life in gratitude and with hope.

In the words of POD (check that band out)

“Every day is a new day, I’m thankful for every breath I take. I won’t take you for granted. So I learn from my mistakes.” (Alive – off the album, Satellite)


The adventure continues, God take my hand…


(Thanks for reading this. If there are grammatical errors, I do apologize. At the time of concluding this, I don’t feel like checking.)