We weren't really ready at first, but the dogs never really were.
The last one is definitely the best. I am truly blessed.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Family Pictures...
Those of you who supported us during 2013 should have received a Christmas card. We thought we should take a new family photo with our "children." I thought I would just post some of the "negatives" that we got along the way.
We weren't really ready at first, but the dogs never really were.
The last one is definitely the best. I am truly blessed.
We weren't really ready at first, but the dogs never really were.
The last one is definitely the best. I am truly blessed.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Dancing in the kitchen...
17 November 2013
Poetry. I suppose that’s the only way to describe it; sitting on the porch, watching the sun sink slowly behind you while the big, yellow moon swings above the opposite horizon, losing circumference as it gains altitude. It’s the birds singing their goodnights from tiny branches atop trees. The smell of wet earth after two days of rain and that crystal clear sky after all the impurities that accompany a drought-ridden sky are washed away.
Poetry is dancing with your wife in your kitchen that is not nearly as clean and perfect as the movies; the slight feel of grit under your bare feet and fresh bread on the cutting board. Holding her close and floating in circles while Over the Rhine’s “I Want You To Be My Love” plays softly from your phone on the countertop and your two Great Danes stretched out on the cool tiles looking on with disinterest.
Kind of hard to believe that 48 years ago, American troops were fighting for their lives half a world away in the Ia Drang Valley. My heart goes out to all the wives whose dance was replaced with a telegraph and a life forever changed.
Poetry. I suppose that’s the only way to describe it; sitting on the porch, watching the sun sink slowly behind you while the big, yellow moon swings above the opposite horizon, losing circumference as it gains altitude. It’s the birds singing their goodnights from tiny branches atop trees. The smell of wet earth after two days of rain and that crystal clear sky after all the impurities that accompany a drought-ridden sky are washed away.
Poetry is dancing with your wife in your kitchen that is not nearly as clean and perfect as the movies; the slight feel of grit under your bare feet and fresh bread on the cutting board. Holding her close and floating in circles while Over the Rhine’s “I Want You To Be My Love” plays softly from your phone on the countertop and your two Great Danes stretched out on the cool tiles looking on with disinterest.
Kind of hard to believe that 48 years ago, American troops were fighting for their lives half a world away in the Ia Drang Valley. My heart goes out to all the wives whose dance was replaced with a telegraph and a life forever changed.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Withered hands and wild-eyed wonder...
I was in town shopping and the man running the check out line had a withered hand, drawn up in a half claw against his chest; more like a T-Rex fore claw than a man’s hand. My initial feeling was pride for the man because he was working; not allowing a disability, a physical setback to keep him from living life. He didn’t seem worried that people might stare at him, or might whisper when they walked past his checkout line.
However, when I got in the car and was driving down the road I suddenly thought about the story in the Bible where Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, in a synagogue, on the Sabbath day. It struck me just how visually astounding this miracle would have been. To see a man with this bent up, withered, claw-like hand, pull it out of his robe whole; muscled forearm and complete dexterity where twisted wreckage had been.
Then I thought of the Pharisees and that in the midst of this miracle, faced full on with wonder, the only thing they could think of was that it was the Sabbath and that this was somehow impermissible. No compassion, no love, no wonder. Their hatred for Jesus and their tenacious grappling for power and control left their hearts so shriveled that they had lost their sense of wonder.
No love, no compassion, no wonder…not even a whisper of excitement, of that childlike intensity and wild-eyed wonder at the seemingly impossible. They had lost the impetus in the search for truth and traded it for the form; traded sorrow for crepes and shrouds, joy for hollow laughter and banal jokes. It reminded me of what C.S. Lewis told us in “The Great Divorce” through one of the Bright People, trying to reason with a Ghost who had lost all true reason in the pursuit of human wisdom.
“…Once you were a child. Once you knew what inquiry was for. There was a time when you asked questions because you wanted answers, and were glad when you had found them. Become that child again: even now.”
Jesus came to remind them of something written in their own Pentateuch. Deuteronomy 7:7-8:
“It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, (8) but it is because the LORD loves you…”
As I drove away and thought of that man with the lazy eyes and the withered hand, I thought of Christ and how he loves us so much that he reminds us time and time again by example to keep first things, first. As humans we seem predisposed towards the legal; towards a list that tells us we can do this and this and make it. We are objective creatures and indeed truth is by nature objective, but it is an objectivity beyond our control and that makes us nervous. The Pharisees wanted to autonomy and this new Truth (which was really Ageless) threatened their autonomy and so rather than see the wonder in the miraculous, the heart of a Father that SO LOVED THIS WORLD, they chose instead to plot and scheme behind closed doors and murder the Son of God.
BUT, do we not in our own way plot and scheme behind gilded doors of our souls and justify our actions and nullify our laws because we forget we did nothing to merit grace and can do nothing to maintain it? It is interesting is it not, that the sum of all commandments is wrapped in Love. On these hang ALL the law and the prophets.
However, when I got in the car and was driving down the road I suddenly thought about the story in the Bible where Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, in a synagogue, on the Sabbath day. It struck me just how visually astounding this miracle would have been. To see a man with this bent up, withered, claw-like hand, pull it out of his robe whole; muscled forearm and complete dexterity where twisted wreckage had been.
Then I thought of the Pharisees and that in the midst of this miracle, faced full on with wonder, the only thing they could think of was that it was the Sabbath and that this was somehow impermissible. No compassion, no love, no wonder. Their hatred for Jesus and their tenacious grappling for power and control left their hearts so shriveled that they had lost their sense of wonder.
No love, no compassion, no wonder…not even a whisper of excitement, of that childlike intensity and wild-eyed wonder at the seemingly impossible. They had lost the impetus in the search for truth and traded it for the form; traded sorrow for crepes and shrouds, joy for hollow laughter and banal jokes. It reminded me of what C.S. Lewis told us in “The Great Divorce” through one of the Bright People, trying to reason with a Ghost who had lost all true reason in the pursuit of human wisdom.
“…Once you were a child. Once you knew what inquiry was for. There was a time when you asked questions because you wanted answers, and were glad when you had found them. Become that child again: even now.”
Jesus came to remind them of something written in their own Pentateuch. Deuteronomy 7:7-8:
“It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, (8) but it is because the LORD loves you…”
As I drove away and thought of that man with the lazy eyes and the withered hand, I thought of Christ and how he loves us so much that he reminds us time and time again by example to keep first things, first. As humans we seem predisposed towards the legal; towards a list that tells us we can do this and this and make it. We are objective creatures and indeed truth is by nature objective, but it is an objectivity beyond our control and that makes us nervous. The Pharisees wanted to autonomy and this new Truth (which was really Ageless) threatened their autonomy and so rather than see the wonder in the miraculous, the heart of a Father that SO LOVED THIS WORLD, they chose instead to plot and scheme behind closed doors and murder the Son of God.
BUT, do we not in our own way plot and scheme behind gilded doors of our souls and justify our actions and nullify our laws because we forget we did nothing to merit grace and can do nothing to maintain it? It is interesting is it not, that the sum of all commandments is wrapped in Love. On these hang ALL the law and the prophets.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Home Visit
It's been nearly two years since I left the cold New York coast behind and headed into the sunrise on a South African Airways jet. A lot has changed, but coming home I find many things are blessedly the same.
It's nice to be in my old home with my wife and enjoy the familiar sights and sounds. Delani and I are greatly enjoying our family and looking forward to being with my two sisters as well when they fly in.
Three weeks isn't very long, but any time with family is good whether short or long. Until next time I post; Merry Christmas and God bless from Jeremy and Delani.
It's nice to be in my old home with my wife and enjoy the familiar sights and sounds. Delani and I are greatly enjoying our family and looking forward to being with my two sisters as well when they fly in.
Three weeks isn't very long, but any time with family is good whether short or long. Until next time I post; Merry Christmas and God bless from Jeremy and Delani.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Ash and donuts...
Sometimes life in mission work is frustrating. Some days I want to quit and go back home, find a 9 to 5 and settle down to raise my 2.5 kids and live the American dream.
Sometimes. Only for a moment.
There is nothing wrong with that life for those to whom God has called, but I knew a long time ago, I could never do that. The moments that I want to walk away and move to a place that gets my sarcasm and where a real donut is never far away. Where a plunger is something you use in the toilet and you don't have to live in a house with more security bars than a small town jail. These moments God quietly shows me that I am wallowing in a maudlin self-indulgence.
If I am crucified with Christ and my life is no longer my own, then all thoughts of sacrifice and deprivation are deceptive and hellish at best.
It is not always easy, but when a student that has truly been a child of hell the entire last term looks at you for the first time with clear eyes and a bright smile and clarity in his soul...
Well, let's just say the thoughts of that donut turn to ash and anything you thought you laid down to be here rusts and fades into the dirt and weeds again.
Sometimes. Only for a moment.
There is nothing wrong with that life for those to whom God has called, but I knew a long time ago, I could never do that. The moments that I want to walk away and move to a place that gets my sarcasm and where a real donut is never far away. Where a plunger is something you use in the toilet and you don't have to live in a house with more security bars than a small town jail. These moments God quietly shows me that I am wallowing in a maudlin self-indulgence.
If I am crucified with Christ and my life is no longer my own, then all thoughts of sacrifice and deprivation are deceptive and hellish at best.
It is not always easy, but when a student that has truly been a child of hell the entire last term looks at you for the first time with clear eyes and a bright smile and clarity in his soul...
Well, let's just say the thoughts of that donut turn to ash and anything you thought you laid down to be here rusts and fades into the dirt and weeds again.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Time-lapse...
Sometimes life is like a time-lapse shot in a nature film. Life has lately been that way, so I suppose you won't mind if the catch up on how life is going also follows somewhat of a time-lapse kind of momentum.
The dining room...
The fireplace...
The living room will come next...
The dining room...
The fireplace...
The living room will come next...
To summarize...
Tomorrow starts a new school term.
That in itself is a very loaded paragraph so I needn't say more on that subject. This past week has been a very busy week for me; much less of a holiday and much more of my own personal version of "Extreme Home Makeover" without the volunteers. I encouraged Delani to go and visit her mother for the one week we had off because otherwise she wasn't going to see her until next April since we plan to go to the US for Christmas. It turns out her mother will come visit in November, but only for a weekend so I am very glad that Delani went. I spent the week (minus last weekend) working on things that desperately need finished in the house.
She is home now and I am sitting on the front porch watching the late afternoon sun lay long shadows across the lawn. I was contemplating all that I have done on the house we live in and all we will still need to do. Every time that I do this I am overwhelmed at God's provision and goodness. It has required a lot, but it has been such a wonderful learning curve in the process.
There is a long list of first things for me with working on this house; brick-laying, plastering, laying tile, making tongue-and-groove flooring, building a cabinet, and making a bed from scratch with steel. Anytime I want to think myself terribly clever for any of these things, God reminds me of all the help He sent along. Little bits of advice from older wiser men that you forget. Perhaps it was one little bit of advice, but without it, the entire project would have been a flop.
God has provided the funds. Like the bed I just finished. Friends of ours gave us money to be used on a bed or just what we needed. It was around $130. I used it to buy steel and with a lot of work, we had a nice bed for less than $200 dollars that should be on its feet longer than me.
We have had the invaluable help of several people, mainly Steve Geise. Steve Geise is perhaps one of the most helpful, kind and godly men I have the privilege of knowing. When he knew that we needed help with the house so that we could get moved in, he cheerfully offered his services. He prepped the walls of most of the house (no small feat since they looked like a road map of cracks) and painted better than any professional I have seen. Every time I stop and think what would have happened if he hadn't been willing to do that, I realize that we would probably still be living in our friend's guest room with our belongings spread between four houses. He also helped me, along with Bro. Bokang, to strip the carpet glue off of the wood floors. That was a terrible job and he did it cheerfully, even staying late with me at times.
Any work I have done has had to be after ministry hours which doesn't leave much time and requires strength and stamina. God has given both in abundance. We have certainly not been building a palace over here, but simply trying to fix up a missionary's house with limited funds and God has provided.
So, sorry if it has seemed to some of you that spoke to me, that the house was all I do. Sorry to those of you who haven't heard from me if I seemed ungrateful for funds sent or prayers offered or words of encouragement. I am very sorry if it has come across that way. We are very, very grateful for all that our friends and family are doing for us so that we are able to minister here in Ladybrand.
We will try and keep posted a little more. If life ever slows down, I will try and start putting my many jumbled thoughts to "paper" once again. God bless.
That in itself is a very loaded paragraph so I needn't say more on that subject. This past week has been a very busy week for me; much less of a holiday and much more of my own personal version of "Extreme Home Makeover" without the volunteers. I encouraged Delani to go and visit her mother for the one week we had off because otherwise she wasn't going to see her until next April since we plan to go to the US for Christmas. It turns out her mother will come visit in November, but only for a weekend so I am very glad that Delani went. I spent the week (minus last weekend) working on things that desperately need finished in the house.
She is home now and I am sitting on the front porch watching the late afternoon sun lay long shadows across the lawn. I was contemplating all that I have done on the house we live in and all we will still need to do. Every time that I do this I am overwhelmed at God's provision and goodness. It has required a lot, but it has been such a wonderful learning curve in the process.
There is a long list of first things for me with working on this house; brick-laying, plastering, laying tile, making tongue-and-groove flooring, building a cabinet, and making a bed from scratch with steel. Anytime I want to think myself terribly clever for any of these things, God reminds me of all the help He sent along. Little bits of advice from older wiser men that you forget. Perhaps it was one little bit of advice, but without it, the entire project would have been a flop.
God has provided the funds. Like the bed I just finished. Friends of ours gave us money to be used on a bed or just what we needed. It was around $130. I used it to buy steel and with a lot of work, we had a nice bed for less than $200 dollars that should be on its feet longer than me.
We have had the invaluable help of several people, mainly Steve Geise. Steve Geise is perhaps one of the most helpful, kind and godly men I have the privilege of knowing. When he knew that we needed help with the house so that we could get moved in, he cheerfully offered his services. He prepped the walls of most of the house (no small feat since they looked like a road map of cracks) and painted better than any professional I have seen. Every time I stop and think what would have happened if he hadn't been willing to do that, I realize that we would probably still be living in our friend's guest room with our belongings spread between four houses. He also helped me, along with Bro. Bokang, to strip the carpet glue off of the wood floors. That was a terrible job and he did it cheerfully, even staying late with me at times.
Any work I have done has had to be after ministry hours which doesn't leave much time and requires strength and stamina. God has given both in abundance. We have certainly not been building a palace over here, but simply trying to fix up a missionary's house with limited funds and God has provided.
So, sorry if it has seemed to some of you that spoke to me, that the house was all I do. Sorry to those of you who haven't heard from me if I seemed ungrateful for funds sent or prayers offered or words of encouragement. I am very sorry if it has come across that way. We are very, very grateful for all that our friends and family are doing for us so that we are able to minister here in Ladybrand.
We will try and keep posted a little more. If life ever slows down, I will try and start putting my many jumbled thoughts to "paper" once again. God bless.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
House Update
After working late the other night cutting stones, I caught the sunset before it was completely gone. Here is the first glimpse of the house.
The next Saturday I needed to keep going so here are just a few pictures of getting sand, the view I have while working sometimes. My efficient concrete mixer and laying bricks for the first time.
And here is the house in daylight
The next Saturday I needed to keep going so here are just a few pictures of getting sand, the view I have while working sometimes. My efficient concrete mixer and laying bricks for the first time.
And here is the house in daylight
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Some day we'll teach at a small school and play and watch the snow fall...
Today we have a treat. The first snowfall like this in five years.
Naturally I was the favorite target.
Just a few snapshots from the iPod. The only sad part about it all; it's nowhere near Christmas.
Naturally I was the favorite target.
Just a few snapshots from the iPod. The only sad part about it all; it's nowhere near Christmas.
Monday, August 6, 2012
In this post I exceed my skill set...again
I last posted what I had finished by Wednesday evening when after much trial, I got the first plank in place.
Well, Thursday I spent some time calling around for router bits. Luckily, or perhaps Providentially, Tannie Hessie was in Bloemfontein which was the only place that had them. So between cellphone pictures and conversations with the rep over Tannie's cellphone, I managed to get the bits that I needed. Thursday night is always mission prayer time (although this time we had a birthday party for Christelle Gault), so I did not work.
Friday, however, the good looks of the company I brought increased considerably (no offense to Steve Geise intended). Delani working on her pantry shelves.
And I could get back down to working on the plank flooring.
I only finished two more boards that night, and then we headed back. The next day, Saturday if you've been counting, I headed to town about 6:30 am to pick up my friend, Bokang, who I have hired to help. I should have taken a picture of the morning because it was absolutely breathtaking as the sun came up over the Maluti mountains in the distance.
I got to work on the plank flooring which I finished with very little delay thanks to the new bits. While I was busy with that, Bokang went and loaded up sand and bricks to wall in the fireplace.
And a close-up
It is far from a perfect fit. Some sections of the boards were walked over for the last century and in the process lost about a quarter inch or more. So, it will take a bit of planing and sanding, but it is in and nailed down so other work can continue. I will include a picture of the original boards that I used so you can get an idea of why it has taken me this long.
While I was busy with that, Bokang had finished gathering the bricks, and he and Steve were busy with final preparations on some of the walls. Getting these walls ready has been a full-time job and Steve has really done an amazing job.
After lunch, Bokang and I went to collect stones for the fireplace floor. My original thought had been to use three layers of smaller flat stones to build up the floor. After discussing it with Uncle Johan, we decided to use just one more layer of large, 30cm high stones. Well, Bokang and I got them loaded and that is about all. Weighing hundreds of pounds, there was no way we would be able to move them in and maneauver them in place, so we abandoned that idea.
Just for scale, the Geise boys on the pile of stones.
So we took them back and loaded up smaller flat, finish stones for the last layer. One of the beauties of this project, is stones that would cost a fortune in the U.S.. are laying everywhere on the farm.
Bokang and Isaac helping me with the second layer of stones.
After which I tried my hand at cutting stones. Getting them to break just right can be difficult, but God helped and I didn't make any huge mistakes.
Thanks to Bokang's concrete mixing skills, we were able to get a few of the stones in before it was completely dark.
Hopefully by next post I will have a finished floor to show you. It is really hectic keeping up with the understaffed school and doing a building project, but God is giving extra strength and help.
As always, stay tuned...
Well, Thursday I spent some time calling around for router bits. Luckily, or perhaps Providentially, Tannie Hessie was in Bloemfontein which was the only place that had them. So between cellphone pictures and conversations with the rep over Tannie's cellphone, I managed to get the bits that I needed. Thursday night is always mission prayer time (although this time we had a birthday party for Christelle Gault), so I did not work.
Friday, however, the good looks of the company I brought increased considerably (no offense to Steve Geise intended). Delani working on her pantry shelves.
And I could get back down to working on the plank flooring.
I only finished two more boards that night, and then we headed back. The next day, Saturday if you've been counting, I headed to town about 6:30 am to pick up my friend, Bokang, who I have hired to help. I should have taken a picture of the morning because it was absolutely breathtaking as the sun came up over the Maluti mountains in the distance.
I got to work on the plank flooring which I finished with very little delay thanks to the new bits. While I was busy with that, Bokang went and loaded up sand and bricks to wall in the fireplace.
And a close-up
It is far from a perfect fit. Some sections of the boards were walked over for the last century and in the process lost about a quarter inch or more. So, it will take a bit of planing and sanding, but it is in and nailed down so other work can continue. I will include a picture of the original boards that I used so you can get an idea of why it has taken me this long.
While I was busy with that, Bokang had finished gathering the bricks, and he and Steve were busy with final preparations on some of the walls. Getting these walls ready has been a full-time job and Steve has really done an amazing job.
After lunch, Bokang and I went to collect stones for the fireplace floor. My original thought had been to use three layers of smaller flat stones to build up the floor. After discussing it with Uncle Johan, we decided to use just one more layer of large, 30cm high stones. Well, Bokang and I got them loaded and that is about all. Weighing hundreds of pounds, there was no way we would be able to move them in and maneauver them in place, so we abandoned that idea.
Just for scale, the Geise boys on the pile of stones.
So we took them back and loaded up smaller flat, finish stones for the last layer. One of the beauties of this project, is stones that would cost a fortune in the U.S.. are laying everywhere on the farm.
Bokang and Isaac helping me with the second layer of stones.
After which I tried my hand at cutting stones. Getting them to break just right can be difficult, but God helped and I didn't make any huge mistakes.
Thanks to Bokang's concrete mixing skills, we were able to get a few of the stones in before it was completely dark.
Hopefully by next post I will have a finished floor to show you. It is really hectic keeping up with the understaffed school and doing a building project, but God is giving extra strength and help.
As always, stay tuned...
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Work Continues...
Work continues on the house. I wish I could say that it is thanks to me, but the school keeps me too busy. Steve Geise has been helping me out tremendously. The brick walls look like a road atlas from years of settling and he has been diligently and patiently filling in all cracks and holes. He paints as he does many things, to perfection and so it has been such a privilege to have his help.
I mentioned that some of the floor was rotted. I tore out all of the rotted flooring and found several beams that were unuseable, so I purchased some wood and replaced the beams, but I still had a problem. Part of the floor was rotted as well and wood that is over half a century old is difficult to find a match for.
Johan van der Merwe gave me some of the Oregon Pine that laid in their house for a hundred years before being pulled out of one of the rooms. For a guy who loves history, it is hard to cut into a board that is at least around 110 years old, knowing that it is in every way, irreplaceable.
So, as I mentioned in the last post, the floor, or part of it was rotten.
So, I replaced the beams.
but first I had to go to Build It (Ladybrand's version of Lowe's) where the staff sectioned off the area, donned safety goggles, and with a power miter saw cut the precise lengths I asked for...well, not quite.
A couple days ago, before I started with the wood floor, or rather during the process of getting lumber, etc; I began on what will be the stone floor for the homemade wood stove I am going to make.
We are trying to save money where possible, so reusing the lumber, despite the extra work, is necessary. I started ripping the smaller planks out of the old boards.
Then I started using a router to cut the grooves into the planks
but that wasn't long lived. I think I got three and a half done when this happened
Somewhere in there was coffee break where I pondered my predicament. After all, I was about thirty minutes from a town where absolutely nothing is open and they don't sell the bits I need anyways.
So with a table saw, a leatherman, and a Craftsman scraper tool that my dad gave me, I managed to cut a "tongue" into one of the boards and get it in place. I couldn't leave without at least something to show for my effort.
Stay tuned...
I mentioned that some of the floor was rotted. I tore out all of the rotted flooring and found several beams that were unuseable, so I purchased some wood and replaced the beams, but I still had a problem. Part of the floor was rotted as well and wood that is over half a century old is difficult to find a match for.
Johan van der Merwe gave me some of the Oregon Pine that laid in their house for a hundred years before being pulled out of one of the rooms. For a guy who loves history, it is hard to cut into a board that is at least around 110 years old, knowing that it is in every way, irreplaceable.
So, as I mentioned in the last post, the floor, or part of it was rotten.
So, I replaced the beams.
but first I had to go to Build It (Ladybrand's version of Lowe's) where the staff sectioned off the area, donned safety goggles, and with a power miter saw cut the precise lengths I asked for...well, not quite.
A couple days ago, before I started with the wood floor, or rather during the process of getting lumber, etc; I began on what will be the stone floor for the homemade wood stove I am going to make.
We are trying to save money where possible, so reusing the lumber, despite the extra work, is necessary. I started ripping the smaller planks out of the old boards.
Then I started using a router to cut the grooves into the planks
but that wasn't long lived. I think I got three and a half done when this happened
Somewhere in there was coffee break where I pondered my predicament. After all, I was about thirty minutes from a town where absolutely nothing is open and they don't sell the bits I need anyways.
So with a table saw, a leatherman, and a Craftsman scraper tool that my dad gave me, I managed to cut a "tongue" into one of the boards and get it in place. I couldn't leave without at least something to show for my effort.
Stay tuned...
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