Nice Try… (musings on the RWC19)

Some musings of South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

South Africans in SA:
My news feed has been flooded with celebratory posts of SA winning the Rugby.
There are definitely moving stories about players in that team.
It’s been great to see footage of the rainbow nation enjoying the winning in shopping malls, and bars and other places.
It’s good to see the unity among the different races and cultures.
Madiba was onto something in 1995.
God can use sport. To unite people.
(And that’s true of every nation – not just South Africa!)

It’s been so cool to see groups like #Imstaying
Taglines such as #strongertogether

But once the euphoria of this weekend’s win is over…
That’s when the hard work begins.

It’s been 25 years in the “New South Africa”

There is still a lot of work to be done.

Monday comes with frustrations
Bad administration
Racist struggles
EFF and ANC issues
Corruption.
Financial inequality
Crime

It’s all still there…

The hard work is not over!
Let #strongertogether and #Imstaying not just be buzzwords and Facebook groups.

May it be part of your philosophy too…

Saffas in the UK:
Been cool to see the saffas in London and other pockets all over this amazing country celebrating the win! Fantastic!

It’s a massive feat! Our team wasn’t looking convincing throughout the tournament.
So, yeah we do have bragging rights in the work place – tomorrow.

Be kind though. No one lines a boastful winner! 😉

Our hearts may often be “home” but actually the UK is now our home too.
We have both feet and our lives here too.

And remember this land is also a land of diverse culture. One needs to just walk down a street in London or even small towns around this island.. and hear the various accents…

Truth is, it’s a good game.
It’s a good win!
But it really is just a game!

There is a lot of work to be done, everywhere.
Each country has it strengths and weaknesses!

Let’s be part of it’s strength!

Psalm 24: 1
The earth is the Lord’s and everything it it.

I really like that! 🙂

As a believer, I belong to Another.

Hmm, I really didn’t know how to end this blog…?

Let’s be spirited and kind people wherever we are.
I am thankful for my 35 years of SA heritage.
But I am thankful for many opportunities and safety and travel and life here.

Let me be share goodness and kindness in any field, I may found myself.
Not just as a pastor in a church…

My (worldwide) community

Yesterday, in Johannesburg as Catherine and I met up with Sharon; one of my friends I have I gained over my life journey so far, I am moved and feeling nostalgic with all the people I have met during my brief life; thus far.

I have served in various churches, lived in different towns… growing my friends, family and worldwide community.

The greatest thing about serving in any church is the community you discover and develop and sometimes some of those folk, will stay on in your life as the years roll by.

From influential youth ministry relationships
To go ‘Saffa’ friends living in the UK
To other friends scattered around this rainbow nation and other countries in the world.
To people during my ski season or PGL antics
To other events such as Arrive in Africa.

I am thankful.
The hardest part of leaving a town, is having to say goodbye to all those good people.

But thanks to email, whatsapp, Facebook and Skype I have managed to stay in touch and keep many of these friendships growing.

God, thank you for the all these incredible people in my life.

Bubblegum on my boots (Springbok Nude Girls)

So my friend Ryan and I had an awesome time in London on Saturday.
We got to watch one of our favourite SA bands.. the Springbok NUde Girls.
(No it’s not a porn show)…but it was a rocking gig indeed!

here is video footage of the gig:

forgive the sound quality
i was right in front of the speakers
my new camera could probably not put up with the loud volume

the video is a montage of
1) I love you
2) Genie
3) Bubble Gum on my boots

It was super to be rocking out classics such as Little, Totally Committed and Managing Mula, Giant Love Affair & Blue Eyes.

Was nostalgic and lekker to be surrounded by Saffas hearing their accents, and dancing with fellow country men and women (who wear far less make up..so natural)

a good night indeed…