A Champion People

 

For one brief moment of eighty minutes or so South Africa could take its eyes off of itself and gaze at the spectacular event of the final 2019 Rugby World Cup played in Japan this year.

What a transportation into victory !   From the constant media reporting of the murky pit of poverty and its seedy ripple effects in weary worn communities,  unsavory, corrupt politicians, and the Government of the day which has failed to deliver good services to its citizens,  the Springboks, the South African rugby team, has succeeded in delivering  the sweet taste of victory, by winning, decidedly so, the sort-after World Rugby Cup in 2019. Winning this World event surely must imprint the message on all South Africans, we are “stronger together”  and, with hard work and dedication we can, and will achieve anything we set our minds to do.
A message that will thrust us forward in re-building the nation with honest scales and firm foundations.

It was a brilliant game of rugby, executed by a brilliant team in brilliant green and gold gear.   Many South Africans were glued to their TV sets or noisily cheered on in fan clubs.    In the build up to the game the day before, the newspapers and local TV stations did their bit by showing ordinary local people expressing the support for the Boks – people from all walks of our varied South African ethnic groups.  I realised once again the big heart of South Africans.

Yes we have come from a hard history where we have had to learn to live in harmony with each other – not an easy task, as we are all a people of passion, where sparks often fly and expressions lead to misunderstandings.    But in essence, apart from some who are resilient in their self-absorption and greed, we have done this, the ordinary people of South Africa with big hearts at their core.

 

And sport, especially Rugby, has helped us cross those bridges to national pride and unity, that is so essential in becoming a champion people.

It  is for that reason I am all for nationalism and not globalisation, which could rob us of our origins, our identities and most sadly –  our passions, leaving us eventually only with being a number – e.g. Citizen 666 !

Thank you Bokke for winning, doing us proud, and leading the way for a champion people to emerge.

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Care Mozambique

 

The dream of the Care Africa project, has had a little resurrection moment, and its enthralling to see it happen.

The recent floods in Mozambique drew a post from me, and the response of one of my friends Gene Jordaan, ushered in a flow of sequenced events that have enabled me to have my wish come true.

Gene was moved by the dire effects of the floods on the people, that she sprung into action and contacted some relief organisations, to assist with the logistics of getting a collection of goods to the victims of the floods.

I was able to make up a range of stationery for the school kids, vegetable seeds and Bibles.  Mission Aviation Fellowship liaze with Mercy Air who fly out to Mozambique, and deliver goods.

But amazing was the flow of events that have enabled this to happen.
Out of the blue Maxine Holm of MAF called to thank me for the donation for Moz, and it was then that I asked her how I could get a care bag to them for their ongoing relief campaign for the flood victims – where there is still a great huge need.    It just   ‘so happened’  that one of their representatives was in Durban at the time, I could let her have the care bag.    I met Natalie and gave her the bag, which she duly took up with her to Johannesburg.

Out of nowhere came the answer to my prayer to get a care bag to Mozambique – an almost impossible logistic for one person.   It was such a small donation, Gene’s small instigation of love,  such a small care bag, such small co-incidences, that made up the answer to my prayer.  Little miracles all in a row indeed, that almost blew the seams of my heart, to see God working  in the circumstances of life.

Furthermore, I’m told that there are Churches in Johannesburg that want to come together to plan a trip to Moz, to take goods and help the people there to start rebuilding their homes and their lives  –  the Church still working !   It’s so heart-warming to know that it is God’s love and the care of His people that makes the world a better place.
Never  underestimate the far-reaching love of God, and the effects of small acts of love and answered prayers.

Easter Sunday is about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.   It is sweet, it is pure joy and it speaks of victory over death.
May you know, first hand, many little resurrection moments in the days and months ahead, through the circumstances of your own life, and be sure of the goodness of God.