Its been a crazy weekend and last couple of days. Youth on Friday night was great, another good turnout and we played mini olympic type games. Its crazy working from 9am-11:30pm, but it really has been great and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have been learning a lot and I think I'm starting to get into the flow of things a little bit. Saturday Allan and I just chilled and played guitar and watched the Australian Open. We also had a meeting for the youth worship team and it seems to be heading in the right direction. I'll be helping out on Conga's/percussion and maybe guitar every now and then. Sunday I gave my first talk in the youth on disciple making focusing on the great commission, I thought it would be a good way to start off the year. I kinda ran out of time, but people seemed to receive it well and I had some people come up to me afterwards to talk about some relationships, so I was pleased. I played my second 5-a-side soccer game that afternoon and the altitude is killing me, I can feel it in my lungs and in my muscles, its crazy! We managed a dramatic 4-3 come from behind victory and I got a brace (thats 2 goals if you were wondering) to open my scoring account for the season.

Monday I had the day off, so Allan and I chilled as he was nursing a hyper-extended knee from soccer. Then Linda, Anelle and Tyron (nel's boyfriend) came over and I cooked dinner for all of them. Tuesday was a day spent in prayer and reading, capped off by an amazing dinner at Bryan and Brons. Kevin and Jeff came over last night to watch Liverpool disappoint us once again (I think Robbie Keane needs a hug) and Kev slept over and then woke up way too early to go to bible college.

There was some tragic news on Monday as one of the elders at the church Dave Duke committed suicide. It was quite a shock and nobody saw it coming. This has really affected the church and needs much prayer, especially for his family, his wife and 3 daughters. The funeral is tomorrow (friday). Please pray for Pastor Forsyth as he will be performing the ceremony as well.

Another big prayer need is for the guys bible study, we had no one show up again on Wednesday, so Dave Edwards and I spent some good time together. The girls had a good turn out and a really good discussion, but it would be amazing to see some guys come out. 

A huge praise though is that I have a car!! a green Volkswagen Golf (one of the many Forsyth cars) so I know have some independence, it has truly been a blessing!

The first night of cell groups was a little disappointing, there was a good turn out for the girls, but somehow all the guys who were going to come couldn't, all on the same night. James, Dave and I still had a good time hanging out and playing some cricket. Pray for the cell groups, that they would grow become a part of the lives of the youth as this is an important building ministry for us. Yesterday I got a chance to spend some time with Linda and Chris which was awesome! One of my goals while I'm over here is to restore some of the relationships I lost before I left here, so it was great to catch up a little bit and reestablish relationship.We have gotten quite a bit of rain the last few days, so the skatepark is closed today which free's up some of my time to finish my talk for Sunday. We also had no power all morning (something not too uncommon) so I did lots of reading. Thomas a Kempis' The Imitation of Christ is quite possibly the best book ever written. My goal is to read it once a month while I'm over here. I have also had a good start to my school work, getting a good amount of reading done. Tonight is another night of DOJ and youth so it should be a good time, and Allan is staying at my place this weekend so i expect there will be some fun times and lots of dashboard playing on guitar!

Ah the ministry life, days full of meetings and work, nothing like your average 9am-9:30pm job! It really is the best though, there is nothing better than doing what you love to do and doing it all day long! We had a really good meeting with some parents who want to get involved in the race track and skatepark which will be a huge blessing to us and will free the youth to do more relational ministry instead of work (being marshals, regestration etc.). Last night was also my first church leadership meeting, not the most exciting event ever, but it is good to see how things are working and what is going to be done in the future. Today I got to hit some golf balls with cheap clubs with Sean and Dave and I think I've had enough with golf for a while (after shooting 130 at eagle canyon!). I also worked at the Park and started my first talk to the youth, on discipleship. Tonight is also the first week of Cell groups for the youth so hopefully there is a good turn out and all goes well. Gotta head down to the A-frame (youth building) in a few minutes for that.

Well it has been a week since I left the cold frigid America for the warmth and just overall loveliness of Africa. I really have hit the ground running since I got here and yesterday was a most welcome day off. The first night of youth went really well, I’m not in charge of anything yet, just overseeing things and being up front. It was really strange being there again after 3 years and not knowing any of the kids, but it’s a good group and I am looking forward to getting to know them. Dave and Michelle’s wedding was beautiful and everything went really well (except that I didn’t know I had to turn on the mic so there is no sound for the first bit, but nothing some crafty editing can’t fix). It was good seeing old friends and catching up. So Dave is gone and I am all alone, but I have a cellphone and am working on getting a car, so things are coming together.  

First few days

I arrived safe and made it through passport control without a problem and I am still a permanent resident of South Africa! Jet lag has been pretty bad, yesterday I went to sleep at 2 am and was wide awake at 6 am!! Last night was much better though. Yesterday Dave and I sorted through the youth office and threw out a lot of junk and rearranged it so it looks all pretty and with a few additions its gonna be awesome (especially the quote wall: "ministry is a lifestyle"). Last night was the wedding rehearsal, so I went with as I am the filmer for the day. I also got to spend some time with the Forsyths and it was good to be home! We played golf today and I got a little burnt, it was pretty hot, but really good. Now I'm off to youth and my first night of ministry!