The Planting of a Seed

We had the privilege of seeing David Helfgott in concert at the University of South Africa last night. He was amazing! He is certainly not the typical concert pianist, talking to himself and making noises the whole time he's playing. When he finishes a song he runs off stage and then runs back on again. People put up with his eccentricities because he's such a fabulous musician. Which got me thinking...

Everyone is great at something, right? So what's the difference between a David Helfgott and everyone else? Is it that he was able to "specialise" in his strength instead of having to be "average" at everything? Maybe someone noticed his strength in music and said, "Let's focus on this and help you reach your potential."

So many of us focus on being well-rounded adults, having a good general knowledge base, but I wonder if sometimes that leads to mediocrity? What if we're all the equivalent of a buffet restaurant - a place where you can eat anything you want but nothing is particularly brilliant - when we were meant to be specialised, five-star restaurants instead?

I just finished reading a book called The African Way, by Mike Boon, about the power of interactive leadership. He ended the book by saying this: "My belief is that every person is capable of unbelievable achievements, and that the underdevelopment of individuals - of human resources - is a direct reflection of inadequate leadership."

Food for thought, isn't it? I never wanted to be a leader until I read that.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is the third anniversary of our moving to South Africa. I can't believe it's been three years already!

The past year has been filled with transitions - joining a new mission organisation, learning new jobs, meeting new people, and watching our kids mature.

We've had an amazing adventure the past twelve months that involved traveling home last Christmas to see our family and friends, volunteering at the hospital during the strike, and learning new (and often uncomfortable) levels of faith and trust in God.

But the truth is, Pretoria is also home now. And despite the rocky road and challenges we've encountered, we know this is exactly where God has called us to be and we wouldn't change it for anything.

People often ask us, "Why on earth would you leave California and move to Pretoria?" The answer is simple - because there's no safer place to be than inside the will of God. And besides, we love it here!

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declare the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " - Jeremiah 29:11

A Flower the Size of a Whole Bouquet

This is a king protea, national flower of South Africa. Isn't it beautiful?

Monday Mornings With Auntie Hope

I went to see Auntie Hope at the retirement centre yesterday. She doesn't remember who I am each week (a symptom of the Alzheimers), but she still invites me in and offers me a cup of tea, which she serves in her best china.

This week I brought a package of biscuits, and as we had our tea I listened to her talk about World War II from a South African perspective, growing up in Pretoria, and whether or not she remembered to feed her cat.

When I asked her how she was feeling, she used an Afrikaans word - dwaal - to describe herself. I asked her what that meant and she said, "It means that I can't tell whether I'm up or down. I just don't understand why I'm here. I have four children; why can't I live with them?"

The problem with Auntie Hope is that she doesn't remember that her family brings her home every weekend, that they love her very much, that she has many friends at the retirement centre and that people visit her. Consequently, she is incredibly lonely. Alzheimers is a terrible disease.

And that's when it hit me: I suffer from a "spiritual" version of Alzheimers. I often forget that God is faithful, that He provides, that He is always with me, and focus instead on the present moment. My perspective is skewed and so I do not have a firm grasp on the truth of my reality: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23

Thank you, Auntie Hope, for teaching me another lesson - just by being you.

Pause

" 'We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.' And all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood before the LORD." - 2 Chronicles 20:12-13

Sometimes, even when the answers aren't there, standing before the Lord is the best place to be. Waiting, listening, worshiping.

Torn

It's a strange feeling, trying to resume normal life, trying to go about regular chores, when the strike is still on and there is so much need. We went to a rugby game last night, and while we had a great time, I felt twangs of guilt. But on the other hand, it's not good to work yourself to death. One needs times of rest and refreshment. It's just that... when a country is in times of crisis, how much rest do you allow yourself?

I want the strike to be over. I want to volunteer at the hospital, but I have a job that I've been putting "on hold." I want to life to be back to normal. And I wonder... how many people all over the world wish that? I think of people in Afghanistan, Haiti, Pakistan, Iran, who just wanted life to go back to the way it was, but have had to adjust to a new "normal." Often, these new "normals" aren't ideal, or even good.

So how do you juggle doing what's best for your family, what's best for you, and what's best for mankind? Because lately, I really don't know.

Thursday Quote

"He looked at Big Lou, whose back was turned to him, and suddenly he felt a sense of her human frailty, her preciousness. For the most part, we treat others in a matter-of-fact way; we have to, in order to get on with our lives. But every so often, in a moment of insight that can be very nearly mystical in its intensity, we see others in their real humanity, in a way which makes us want to cherish them as joint pilgrims, almost, on a perilous journey." - from The World According to Bertie, by Alexander McCall Smith