How Rassie's Springboks Won The World Cup By Cracking The Culture Code

I'm picking up where I left off in my last post, which is to say, having reached the other side of 40, I seem to have developed a new found admiration and respect for team work.

Of course, it's still important to me what that team does, but it has become equally important to me, to no longer dare great things on my own. And this was never more evident, or more beautifully captured for me, than in Supersport's 'Chasing the Sun' documentary of the Springboks' 2019 rugby world cup (RWC) win in Japan. 

Not only did the documentary reignite my awareness and appreciation for teamwork - especially within a South African (and God's favourite country) context, but it reminded me of all that is possible against great odds. Or as Daniel Coyle so brilliantly wrote about it his book, of what's possible when you crack the 'Culture Code'. And that's exactly what Rassie Erasmus' 2019 world cup Springbok team did. In fact, I think they did a lot more than that... 

Because something that South Africa at every level in society needs, is a good understanding of what a winning culture looks like, works like, and can perform like. This was actually the real gift the Springboks gave us 18 months ago, and one that Chasing the Sun (CTS) so brilliantly unwrapped for us 6 month ago.

So, if you find yourself playing a part in any team (on the field or off it), and if you possess the desire to perform better as a unit, then I would most sincerely recommend you watch CTS and / or read Culture Code by Daniel Coyle. Alternatively, your can carry on reading below for my summarized combination of both, as illustrated through 6 indispensable and RWC winning attributes.

Here goes;

1. To BELONG...
1. Chasing the Sun (CTS) got its name from a speech delivered in 1999 by then president, Nelson Mandela (quote) "I am the product of Africa and her long-cherished dream of a rebirth that can now be realised so that all of her children may play in the sun."
2. Rassie was the 1st Springbok coach to openly talk about and discuss the transformation requirements / agenda with the players themselves, in a team setting. Nothing hidden, nothing excused. He was also the first coach to appoint a black Springbok Captain (Siya Kolisi), and the one to have spoken the most broken and colourful English I have ever heard.
3. Picking up on Mandela's dream for the children of South Africa (above), interestingly enough, it was Kolisi himself who went public with his views on the 2019 RWC target of 50% black player representation, by stating; “I don’t think he [Mandela] would have supported that [quotas], but I don’t know him. I would not want to be picked because of my skin colour because that surely would not be good for the team, and the guys around you would know."
4. But all opinions aside, it was what it was, and both the coach and captain knew it. But that's obviously not all they knew, because what becomes very clear, very quickly in CTS, is that there was a job to do. And that job was to win rugby games in a green and gold jersey, not in a white, black, pink or purple skin. Rassie (and clearly Siya) made this crystal clear right from the beginning. Rugby was the reason they were going to Japan, whatever anyone else thought or said.
5. And so if Rassie belonged because of rugby, and Siya belonged because of rugby, then so did every other member of the 2019 RWC squad. Whether or not Siya believed that he would become the 1st black Springbok captain to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy, or Mapimpi & Kolbe believed they would be the 1st (never mind black) Springboks to score tries in a RWC final, we'll never know. But what we do know, is that belonging comes before believing, and Rassie and Siya settled that upfront. 
6. Belonging is not rooted in a transformation committee, but in team unity, founded upon the values of honesty, vulnerability, understanding and purpose.
   
   
   

   
   
2. To BELIEVE...
1. The Springboks might have lifted the trophy in Japan, but that's not when or where they 1st started winning the 2019 RWC. Rassie shares a story about one game in particular, that set the Springboks on their path to glory, long before the tournament began...
2. For Rassie, to truly believe you can win a world cup, required one critical victory in particular... The most difficult of all. To beat New Zealand, in New Zealand, in September 2018.
3. The Springboks had lost 2 test matches in the run up to that Wellington test, and to put this in perspective, Rassie later stated that he would have resigned as coach were the Springboks ever to lose 3 matches in a row. 
4. The story goes that the Springboks beat the All Blacks 36-34 that day, in arguably one of the greatest victories ever achieved by a Springbok team in New Zealand. It also happened to be the day that they 1st truly believed they could win the RWC in Japan.
5. But this belief was not based on sentiment or hype or hope. Instead it was forged by the will and ability to perform as the superior team, in the harshest environment, under the most intense pressure, together.
6. Belief is not rooted in hype or false hope, but rather in the ability to call your giant by name, look them in the eye, and then conquer them together.
   
   
   
   
   
3. To be WRONG...
1. Interestingly enough, the Springboks 1st game of the RWC was against none other than (you might have guessed it), NZ. As can be expected, it lived up to all expectations, all except a South African win that is. The Springboks lost 23-13.
2. Never before had a team lost a game in the pool round and gone on to win the RWC. The Springboks knew that. Rassie knew that. But it's something he said to the players immediately after that game, that struck me.
3. In a very dispirited and heartbroken change room, he offered words of encouragement for a Springbok 2nd half win (10-6), and then said he would need to go over the recording to learn more, and understand where he'd f#cked up. Huh?
4. Rassie, just hold on a second... What about the team!? What about their ill-discipline? Their missed tackles? Nope, nothing about that. But then we all know how much easier it is to own your stuff, when someone else is owning theirs. And own it they did.
5. The acknowledgment of messing up is not rooted in weakness, but rather a vulnerability and humility that inspires others to do the same.
   
   
   

   
   
4. To be CLEAR...
1. The Springboks faced Wales in their semi-final on route to the final. A team they had lost to in their previous 4 encounters. Picture running out to play a soccer game against the team that beat you 4-0 last month. Confident? No.
2. But that's not the attitude the Springboks adopted, because there was something that their coach told them, that they really needed and wanted to hear about Wales. Allow me to share a personal story of mine that helps makes this point. 
3. Many years ago, I was attending a birthday party for one of my school under 12 rugby friends, when suddenly the hosts (sausage) dog took a big juicy bite out of my calf. I was most upset (and eina!) by this unprovoked attack, and decided to immediately report the incident to my father (also present at the party).
4. I must say, I was quite surprised (but could have not been more liberated) by dad's response. Having taken a moment to process my account and eye out the offender, he simply said I should go bliksem (thrash) it (the dog) back, and agreed that the swing bat I was presently holding, would do a good job. Needless to say, I ensured that sausage dog was very sorry it bit me, and for some reason, I've never forgotten the incident since.
5. Well actually, here's the reason, and it's well captured by Rassie's instructions to his Springbok team who had been bitten by Wales on too many occasions to remember. Boys, you're bigger and stronger than them, so let's f#ck them up physically. Not quite Sunday school material, but that's not the point. Instead, it was a message that related directly to what the Springboks needed and wanted to hear, more than anything else in the world. And that's exactly what they did. 
6. Clarity of communication isn't rooted in well spoken or chosen words, but rather in a message that speaks to the heart, reminds you of who you are, and what you are capable of.
   
   
   

   
   
5. To be ONE...
1. There are so many plays in a rugby game, it's sometimes difficult to isolate exactly when and how a game is won and lost. This is especially true in a high pressure, tactical, and evenly contested game, which was exactly what the Springboks 2019 RWC semi and finals were. 
2. However, with the advent of detailed post match analysis, and Chasing the Sun's behind the scenes interviews, it became increasing clear to me, that South Africa's real ace at the RWC (alongside Handre Pollard's right foot) consisted of 3 words... The Bomb Squad!
3. The Bomb Squad (aka the Springbok reserves) consisted of 8 players, like every other team. However, the key differential with the Springbok reserves, was the 6/2 forward/backline split they used. To put this in perspective, that's 6 brand new pairs of forwards legs and arms, that could be called on at anytime to deliver in the last 2 games of the tournament... And they were called, and they did deliver!
4. But what you need to know, is that this very risky 6/2 split, was only made possible because of one man. The same man only started 2 pool games in the RWC, despite being one of the best and most experienced backline players in world rugby.
5. Or said another way, Frans Steyn's ability to play every backline position (except scrumhalf), coupled with his willingness to serve the team by simply warming the bench and mentoring the youngsters, made him the real ace in Rassie's deck (despite not even playing a single minute in either the semi or final).
6. And Frans wasn't alone, because Rassie ensured that every squad member had a role to play, in somehow supporting the guys who ran out onto the field. This Springbok team came to understand that game time was simply playing your part on the field (while others played theirs on the bench or off the field). And in the end, it was 2 bomb squaders off the bench, that made all the difference when it really mattered...
1. Francois Louw won a critical turnover in the semi against Wales to force a penalty in the Springboks half, which lead to a penalty in the Wales half, that won us the game.
2. Malcolm Marx was the set of lighting (hooker) hands that passed the ball to put (Lukhanyo) Am & Mapimpi away, for that unforgettable chip / catch / pass try in the final against England.
7. Being one is not rooted in giving your personal best, but rather in playing whatever part best serves the team... whatever, whenever, wherever, however that needs to look.
   
   
   
   
   
6. To be HUMBLE...
1. It's no secret that Siya Kolisi, the RWC Springbok Captain, is a Christian. This is obvious when you see him kneeling in prayer in his changeroom cubicle, or by the cross he draws on his taped wrist before every game.
2. But here's the secret I think many South Africans have missed about Kolisi. There's a scripture in the Bible that says 'For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his (God's) ears are open to their prayer' (1 Peter 3:12).
3. I'm sure you'll agree with me, that there are few greater marks of righteousness, than humility. In fact, it has been said that humility is the soil in which all virtues grow. On two occasions during the 2019 RWC, Kolisi exhibited a level of humility that I've never seen before, and here they are;
1. Recall the game that the Springbok's lost to the All Blacks in their RWC opener. Well, there was a moment when they were looking down the barrel, having conceded 17 points in 10 minutes, trying to gather themselves behind the posts. And so naturally the captain must speak. And speak Kolisi did. He asked Duanne Van Meulen, Springbok no. 8 veteran, to address the team instead.
2. At the world cup final award ceremony, having received their winning medals, the great moment had at last arrived, and Kolisi was presented the William Webb Ellis trophy. Surely, the crowning moment of any mortal South African man's life. But it was in that moment, that cameras show Kolisi looking to Faf de Klerk (the indomitable Springbok scrumhalf) alongside him, and gesturing if he would like to lift the trophy instead (which Faf of course declined).
4. These 2 incidents confirm for me at least 1 thing... that the Springbok captain is a righteous man, that the Springbok captain's prayers were heard, and that the Springbok captain's prayers where answered! Of course, I know that the Springboks have won 2 previous RWC's without Kolisi, but there were no tries by a Springbok in either of those finals, never mind by a black Springbok, never mind by 1 from rural Eastern Cape with no family left to celebrate him scoring it (Mapimpi).
5. To be humble is not rooted in thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less, and perhaps a little more of the one who scripted your story anyway.

Is it any coincidence then, that Daniel Coyle's book 'Culture Code', highlights all 6 markers mentioned above, as proven keys to a winning team culture. Perhaps that too, was a prayer of Siya Kolisi's?

Learn the markers South Africa, and you too can go play in the sun a little!

Nkosi Sikeleli iAfrica! 

Journey or Destination - so which one is it?

It's been 7 months since I last blogged, and the post prior to that was a full 14 months ago. But this wasn't always the case, because when I look back over the past 6 years of this blog, there's an interesting trend that has emerged...

• 2015 & 2016 - 20 blog posts in total
• Life was full of adventure, faith was food, and everything was possible...
  
  
• 2017 & 2018 - 6 blog posts in total
• The novelty of our big move now gone, life kicked in again, and to quote my brother, 'everything becomes a 9-5 eventually'
  
  
• 2019, 2020 & 2021 - 4 blog posts in total (averaging a full 1,33 posts a year!)
• Dannean and I have both turned 40 (say no more), and seem to have come full circle. Acceptance of reality has truly kicked in. Did I mention we tried to fire up the adventure again in 2020 (unsuccessfully)?

So, what's going on here? Well, that's a question we've spent the 1st half of 2021 trying to answer... With mixed success I guess, but then life's a journey not a destination, right? But if this is true, shouldn't we just toss out the 10 year vision (included below) that we carved out as the basis for our Walkerville adventure 6 years ago? I mean, isn't life too unpredictable and uncontrollable to put a peg in the ground 10 years in advance? 

Or maybe vision is a combination of both the journey and the destination, and maybe it's the journey that's so unpredictable and uncontrollable, but the destination that can be pegged? Anyway, enough with the theory, let's take a look at where we actually find ourselves currently...

As evident here, the destination we settled on for our 10 year vision was a TRANSFORMED COMMUNITY, made up of a number of key inputs or building blocks you might say. The 3 inputs highlighted in red, represent the ones that should have already been achieved (by year 6). The remaining 4 blue inputs, represent those in the pipeline (that need to be achieved in years 6 - 10).

Well, if the proof is in the pudding, let's take a look at how things stack up 6 years in...

• OTHER FAMILIES
• The community farm we live on (The Field Berry Farm) is made up of 19 of these (families) currently... But this is purely a function of accommodation (not a shared vision). In fact, I don't think we've ever intentionally shared this vision with any of them.

• OTHER BUSINESSES
• My business is that of a sole proprietorship (1 man consultancy). No job creation here, but it does pay the bills (mostly), and certainly provides my greatest currency in abundance - time. As we well know, it's all pie in the sky until it's in the calendar.

• TRANSFORMED MEN
• I have started 2 ministries with this in mind - Called2Conquer & Strive2Thrive. This has taken years of sowing, and (to be very honest) provided only a couple weeks of reaping. In other words the impact or fruit hereof, has been pretty underwhelming. Scripture tells me to be faithful with little, and I like to think I have. But scripture also tells me to measure my success by the fruit (or lack thereof) (or maybe the tree just isn't fully grown).

• Partnerships
• Informally, I guess we've had too many partners to mention (in a friendship, support and learning context), but formally, there are no MoU's or Agreements in place. Although I'm not sure that contractual partnerships are the answer either. Community is more rooted in shared friendships, values and purpose.

• Farming
• No bumper crops personally, but I can make good compost, and have grown some very tasty tomatoes and fiery chillies! Subsistence and commercial farming however are 2 very different animals, and I'm not quite sure which one I meant 6 years ago (or which one it should be 6 years later). Regardless, the Berry Farm continues to go from strength to strength, and on top of that, just finished planting 6 hectares of orchards, with 6 more in the pipeline. 

• Schooling & Training
• This is interesting, because it's actually my current project or business plan, being a future school concept called Eduship. Eduship is a hybrid of the traditional and homeschool education models, being an affordable, accessible, school in a classroom, franchiseable, American Diploma based, middle and high school offering. Quite a mouthful right!? My prayer (God willing) is to pilot such a school on the farm in 2022. Watch this space!

• Transformed Church
• It's also interesting to me that this input comes last on the list. As with TRANSFORMED MEN (above), I'm not sure what this would / should actually look like to be honest. That's not to say I don't have some ideas, but I'll spare you those for now, suffice to say, what I know for sure; is that Jesus is King, and his Big Daddy loves me.

So there we have it... A pretty wayward journey, and an unreached destination. Perhaps this then, is the obvious and best explanation, for the meteoric decline in our blog output over the past 3 years. In saying so however, the Lord has seen to it that I was born with my glass half full, and so true to form, there's still 3.5 years to go (before the lady with the fuller figure sings her song). Dannean on the other hand, being more of the pragmatist, tries to keep my head out of the clouds, while continuing to be my greatest fan and friend. I thank you darling.

Which brings me to my (current) conclusion on the matter, and that is, the skill of accepting reality like a pragmatist, but rejecting the status quo like a protagonist, is only truly learnt by testing (which is not for sissies). Or as my good friend Teddy Roosevelt put it, 'the credit belongs to the man / woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again...' I love this quote, of which I have included the full version below, however, as powerful and moving as it is, there remains something remiss about it for me. 

And that's this; the older and more pragmatic I become as an individual, the bolder and more optimistic I become for the role of team (vs The Man). To be honest, I never have been much of a team player - team sports yes - but putting the team 1st - hell no! In my own defence however, I have been given the spiritual gift of Leadership (that's not a joke by the way), which certainly doesn't make the job of following any easier!

Anyway, more about that (and how much I learnt from the Springboks RWC victory in Japan) in my next post. Thanks for reading ;)

God bless!

What we have here... is Covid 19!

This post picks up where I left off 8 months ago... That is, pretty disillusioned and confused with what the 6 months prior to that had served up. That is, I felt we'd held up our end of the deal, but God had seemingly dropped the ball on His side. Because our much hoped for SA roadtrip got a puncture before we even started, followed up by a last minute u-turn on an amazing job opportunity for an American NGO in Nepal. 

And then, 1 month later, we got our answer... Covid 19. Because let's be honest, a road trip around SA during lockdown wouldn't have exactly worked (duh), nor would of a job in a foreign country, working in schools (double duh). In fact, those 2 options would have likely been in the top 5 worst 'stranded family' scenarios around! Of course, it would have been great to have known all of this in the middle of 2019, but I think if we're honest, knowing the future wouldn't be all it's cracked up to be. And besides, on all accounts, we've spent the last 7 months with our bum in the proverbial 'lockdown' butter. 

I mean, for those who know where we live, there's not much explanation required, but for those who don't, allow me to elaborate. We live on a 20 hectare community farm in the South of Joburg. That is, it's a farm that grows raspberries, enjoyed by a community of 20 families each renting a standalone house on the property. Accordingly, outdoor movement or exercise was not limited, nor was our ability to practice neighbourly distancing (a more practical version of social distancing👌).

However, without a doubt, my most 'practical' testimony coming out of Covid, being an independent, non salaried, contractor, is how I managed to hit budget 5 of the past 7 months, when I could hardly make ends meet over the same period last year. I can clearly recall a fairly nervous conversation I had with God in early March, relating to my Covid financial prospects... and was greatly surprised when He reminded me that He in fact offers short term insurance... Of which I was delighted to learn, that my premiums were fully paid up for the Matthew 6v33 income protection plan!😅 

If you're unfamiliar with this policy, I want to tell from experience, it pays out very well, includes no application forms (a handshake will do), and comes with a set of additional benefits even Outsurance would be proud of! But our budget aside, lockdown really did show me the benefit of living a simple, uncomplicated and quiet life! No big business or division to manage, no hard job/salary cuts to make, no church doors to close, no school to manage, etc... Just me and my household.🙏

Not that my goal in life is to underachieve, but that our default today, certainly as gen X's (and probably Y's too), is to take on more and more responsibility. I think in many ways Covid undid that for a while, and showed all of us that life under 'my' control, really is a myth. Or do we still seriously believe that the galaxies, systems, planets, stars, seasons, rhythms, and life itself, are an uncontrolled and undesigned piece of work? No, you need real power to control, and real genius to design from scratch. Perhaps then, Covid offers all of us the opportunity to consider the sun, and human eyeball, afresh... (But I digress!)

In the remainder of the post, I thought I'd share some of what actually was in my control in lockdown, and how it has been a blessing to me;

• As mentioned, farm life offers open spaces, add a pair of running shoes to that, and there was no reason not to overcome the Covid spread! In fact, I read a quote yesterday on self discipline that blew me away... 'Self-discipline is being your own biggest fan'. I also learnt that self-control is the foundation for that. Anyway, my point being, that I set a goal of running a 3.30 2km (split) sprint (around the farm), trained through the winter, and ran a 3.39 2 days before spring (a PB for me). In the process I also dropped to 73kgs, slightly above my school leaving weight!😎

• I managed to continue immersing myself in the world of education, got my Google Educators (level 1) certificate, and am on track for level 2, and formulating a business plan (BP) for a school I carry deeply in my heart and head (the BP is to see if it should be in my hand!). In a previous post I shared how I almost took a position with a foreign NGO in the education field, but in retrospect I think that was ill timed (obviously), but also somewhat ill-placed. Time will tell, but my roots, my heart, and my people remain in SA. I am already a sojourner once over, must I really double up on that? (Anyway, God knows). Watch this space (especially if you have kids👌) (And here's the concept for anyone interested) 

• It remains no secret, that my 1st love is discipleship, that is trying to figure out how best to follow the One really in control (refer to previous point above). In this regard, I felt it overdue that I make some videos, and convey in another (more engaging (and lazy?)) medium, what God has taught me and placed on my heart. In this regard I completed my Called 2 Conquer War Room series, and hope it will be helpful to other disciples on their sojourn. You can decide for yourself here if you like. 

• As Dannean and I, and anyone else married (never mind with kids) well knows, lockdown brought about a new need to resolve conflict constructively😆💥 Anyway, we've certainly had plenty of practice in this over the years, but hadn't done something 'for us' in some time. And so with every man, woman and their dog going online, we were spoilt for choice, and ended up doing this discipleship course with a very cool crowd in the States. This has helped us move closer together spiritually, by being more intentional and purposeful in understanding God's design in, and seeking out His purposes for, marriage (which includes something else we didn't design, and can't control - our spouse!). 13 years married this year, to this babe...

• Lastly, a long time passion of mine has been mentorship, of which over the years I have been involved in different capacities, shapes and forms. On this note, and for any men out there wanting to volunteer in something worthwhile, check these guys out (where I currently volunteer). Anyway, as we all know, jobless youth, who amount to tens of millions of people in our country, is probably one of the most heartbreaking realities (each one with a story) in SA today. In this regard, I was asked by my good friend and Emthonjeni founder, Trevor Nthola, to run a ' Strive 2 Thrive' workshop for 10 guys and girls from his orphanage down the road (in Orange Farm township). It was a wonderful milestone in my life, and of course I pray in the lives of these youngsters. If this is a burden you bear in some shape or form, here's a copy of the presentation and I'd be happy to workshop it again anywhere there's a need!

Anyway, thanks for reading, and while on one hand I'm mindful of the bigger, more important issues all around us in our country (world) right now (and consequently how small and insignificant this post is in that context), I'm reminded and convinced, that each life and story still matters (at least to the One really in control!). 

Besides, a little light shines all the brighter in the darkness. 

Shine on friends, Nkosisikele (God Bless) all of you! 🙏💙✝️

What we have here... is a failure to launch!

I woke up this morning with such a longing to write again... That is blog again about where we find ourselves in our life's journey. My last post was 6 months ago, and was filled with much hope and exuberance at the prospect of taking a 1 year road trip through South Africa. So sure and excited was I by this dream of ours, that we even created a new blog entitled 'Tata-Ma-Mzansi-Adventure', and boldly shared our plans far and wide. I think at the same time we were glad to be seeing this blog (Our Walkerville Adventure) come to a close, and to move on to newer and better things. Not that the last 5 years haven't been awesome, but it just felt like we were running out of railway or steam (I'm not sure which one), and needed a change. A fresh perspective, a change in direction (career for me), as well as the pursuit of other stirrings deep in our hearts (you can read more about this here - relating to our dreamed of SA roadtrip - https://mzansiadventure.blogspot.com/)

Anyway, in the end - that is having spent 6 weeks trying to borrow the R200k we needed to buy the caravan, and kickstart the adventure - we came up R120k short. Eish. That certainly was not in the script, which was quickly replaced by awkward conversations about how we must have heard wrong from God, and how best to pay back all the money we had just borrowed. Eish indeed! Needless to say, I'm quite an upbeat guy, and so I remained convinced that it was rather an error in destination (than in adventure) on our part, and God would surely be sending the updated memo shortly. In fact, I made it clear that the memo should arrive before the conclusion of 2019. The bible says ask (in faith) and you shall receive, and I for one was going to make sure I wasn't short in either department!

And sure enough, in the middle of November last year, God answered (through a good friend of mine) in the form or an incredible job opportunity! For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to get more involved in education (in some shape or form), and it just so happened that this job description ticked all the boxes I could have ever dreamed of... Well, almost all of them (but I'm getting ahead of myself). There was however 1 significant kicker (X-factor), and that was that the job was beyond SA borders... Far beyond! In Nepal (where people go to climb mount Everest) beyond, to be precise! 

And so began the challenging mental and emotional ascent, of deciding whether or not it was indeed our time and call to leave SA, and go on to a much bigger adventure than even a caravan trip around SA. For me, there was little doubt that this was our destiny, but we decided to take a more pragmatic approach, and simply let the interview process run its course, and essentially wait for them to chose me (and not the other way around). And surprisingly enough, a little more than 1 month later, they did... And told me the job was mine if I wanted it.

As you can imagine, this precipitated a massive amount of celebration and expectation on our part, believing that our ship had at last come in, and we were indeed bound for the adventure of our lives, all the while doing it in submission and service to God and His Kingdom (we hoped). It really felt like we had the winning spiritual lottery ticket! And so once again, friends and families were informed, that instead of a caravan trip around SA, we'd be heading off to Nepal to work for an American NGO, doing awesome work on the front lines of education. And so, needless to say, 2020 dawned full of awe, adventure, faith and excitement! Well almost... because the last piece of the job puzzle, that of salary expectations, still remain untested. This was not by accident however, as in my earlier review of salary bands and company remuneration policy, this appeared to be the last thing to worry about. Eish, wrong again! 

Because what I had not anticipated, was that those salary bands actually applied to self-funded US expats, and my salary band was instead bench-marked on non-self-funded, non US expat factors. Not to say that it was a cheeky salary offer, but simply too little security for us to relocate our entire lives, to a foreign country, with a foreign language, in a foreign culture, for a foreign employer, in a foreign job - only to break about even! And so for the 2nd time, in just as many months, the door closed, and to be honest, our hearts just wanted to break. It felt like something had died. And sure, it wasn't a person or beloved pet... but rather a dream. And yet dreams are somehow perhaps a more dangerous death, for therein lies our hopes and aspirations for the future...

Anyway, fast forward 1 month, and here we are... back in Walkerville, only this time a little less adventurous. We've put the kids into school up the road (no more homeschooling), gone back to our little church down the road (no more home / men's church), and plugged back into our beautiful Field community (which is still a piece of heaven on earth). For work, I simply picked up (where I almost left off) paying the bills by contracting to my buddy's business in Sandton, and Dannean will likely get some part time work when the kids have settled into normal school. And so, for the 1st time in 6 months, I feel like I have sufficient tranquility, perspective and capacity to write again... To be me again.

I think one of the reasons I love writing so much, is that it really helps me to process life. It helps me to organize my thoughts, and constructively verbalize my emotions... which up until recently, sounded a lot like this; Lord, what in heaven's name was that all about!? What of all our hopes and dreams, energy and effort, to travel our beloved country, or work for a great foreign based NGO? Not forgetting we did our very best to do it all in faith, and with pure motives Lord... Seriously, what gives!? Fortunately for me, all of this (ranting) is actually not hopeless rhetoric, for if there's one thing that the past 18 years of walking with God has taught me, it's that He's got answers... very good answers. And even though his answers are more often questions, they never fail to lead me beside still waters, or restore my soul... for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23). 

In conclusion, there's a 2nd thing that the past 18 years of following the Lord has taught me, and it's never to judge God too soon. So I will be reserving my judgement (of the past 6 months) for a little while, and be back with a followup in due course. Until then, Our Walkerville Adventure must go on! Come pay us a visit on the south side whenever you like.

The Great Debate: Should We Stay or Should We Go Now?

SOUTH AFRICA. A country of extremes. 

Charles Dickens could have been describing present day South Africa in his opening lines in A Tale of Two Cities. Truly, for us, it is "...the best of times, ... the worst of times, .... the age of wisdom, ... the age of foolishness, ... the epoch of belief, ... the epoch of incredulity, ... the season of Light, ... the season of Darkness, ... the spring of hope, ... the winter of despair...". We are extreme in wealth and extreme in poverty, extreme in kindness and extreme in brutality, extreme in faith and extreme in despondency. Sometimes I want to harden my heart to all that I see around me and at other times I want to weep with helplessness. And yet, because there is ALWAYS a 'YET', South Africa beats in my veins. It drums in my ears. It floods my senses. My heart and blood beat with the rhythm of Africa. I am in South Africa and South Africa is in me!

I recently had to humble myself and apologise to a dear friend of mine. We had been talking, last year, about South Africa and decision making around immigrating. I had very strong opinions on this; strong opinions that centred around "never", "don't run" and "make sure you are in the will of God". Basically I took it as a personal affront when anyone, especially a close friend, suggested that they were thinking of leaving South Africa. You see, had you asked me at the time if Sean and I would EVER leave South Africa, my answer would have been a very emphatic NO and NEVER. I am not usually the eternal optimist about things but somehow when it comes to SA, reality goes out the window and it is all rainbows and bluebirds.

So what changed?

Well, nothing but also everything.

About two months ago I was having a conversation with another friend of mine about our country. I will not go into detail (as it is not necessary) but the conversation threw me a little (okay, a lot) and I felt like the world changed colour for me. The conversation had been to inform me of some of the political undercurrents happening around South Africa; this was a good thing, as I see now that I can be pretty naive! It caused me to do some research and have some broader conversations with Sean and other friends. Instead of simply skipping optimistically through the South African cosmos flowers I had to ask myself some hard questions; not only in a South African context but also in a world and Biblical context. It was helpful. It was good. And my world recoloured itself again - not quite back to rainbows and bluebirds but back to an optimistic reality.

It was this same conversation that triggered me to ponder over and to ask myself the BIG question about our (cue Johnny Clegg) "cruel, crazy, beautiful" country: Should We Stay or Should We Go?

The day after my world first changed colour I joked with Sean about moving to Ireland (he has an Irish passport). His answer: "Ireland doesn't need us". That got me thinking. What are Sean and I doing, in South Africa, that is making such a huge difference anyway? We desire to make an impact, we want to be used by God to serve people and to help make a difference, but up to now not everything has worked out as we envisioned. So ultimately we are just living our lives. We could "just be living our lives" anywhere, including Ireland. As one question lead to another, I got to asking myself some fundamental questions about the way we choose to live in this precious but broken country of ours:

Do we really make enough of a difference just by loving the people around us? Is it enough that we treat all people with dignity and respect and that we teach our three children to do the same? Is it enough that we teach our children about the injustices of the past while we try to work through our own biases at the same time (I believe that we are all a work in progress)? I don't know for sure, but I would like to think the answer is yes. Yes, it is enough!

The truth is we count the cost whether we stay or whether we go. If we go, we may always feel like foreigners in another land, our hearts may always yearn for the smell and sound and feel of Africa. If we stay then we had better be prepared to fight. I don't think anyone can deny that, despite how far we have come since 1994, there is still a lot to fight for. But how do I "fight"? I cannot fight for all South Africans, I cannot fight for change in parliament but I can fight for our country in my own small way. Every. Single. Day. I can pray. I can vote! 

I can fight to change someone's perception of me, a white woman, and hope that as others do the same (and I know many friends who are) mindsets will change and perspectives will be challenged. 

I can fight by asking the question: "What do you mean by that"; in this way issuing the challenge to think more carefully about stigmas and biases (my own included!). 

I can fight by teaching myself and my children to speak isiZulu, the language most widely spoken in South Africa. My hope is that, by speaking to people in their language, or at least a language widely spoken and understood, we can indeed speak to the heart (Nelson Mandela).

I can fight by treating the people who help us in our home as extended family (which they are) and by paying them a living wage. 

I can fight by reading and educating myself on how the pain of the past has translated into the pain of the present (yes, white privilege). 

I can fight by letting my heart remain soft, by letting God move my heart to the plight of orphans in this country and by practising the star fish theory - I cannot help everyone, every day, but for every person I can and do help, a difference has been made. 

I can fight by intentionally living around and surrounding myself with people who are different to me; people who I can ask hard questions and who will answer, knowing my heart and intentions. People who my African-Princess daughter can identify with and look up to, people who (if I allow them to) can challenge me to be a better me.

So the bottom line of the great debate is this: we (our family) choose to stay (for now). Because while we still have breath, we can fight in any of the ways mentioned above. And if we can still fight then we still have hope. And if we still have hope then we believe that we can make a small difference and we can trust that a lot of small differences can make all the difference. And faith for this is enough! It would be amiss of me not to add that over and above this faith, we do not feel God has called us to be anywhere else other than South Africa. Yet. I add 'yet' because for the first time I realise that as much as I have never felt we would live anywhere other than here, I also realise I could be wrong and ultimately we will go where the will of God leads us.

For those who have left South Africa, I am sorry if I ever judged you unfairly for it. I honour your decision to do what you feel is best. I absolutely love this piece of writing (above) entitled "Africa Smiled" because it is true. Whether you go or whether you stay, Africa is in you; South Africa is in you. And as much as you can leave in body, can you truly ever leave Africa, South Africa, in spirit?

To end I leave you with a poem by C. Emily-Dibb. I dedicate it to you, whether the Great Debate is a conversation you have had, are having, are yet to have or never need to have. For me this poem captures, in words, some of the spirit of South Africa and everything this beautiful country is. It is just a small, imperfect taste of what can never truly be understood about this country unless it is felt, heard and seen.



Disclaimer:

1. These are my own thoughts, feelings and opinions entirely. I do not expect that everyone reading this will agree with everything I have said. And that is okay. 

2. About a week after starting this blog post, Good Things Guy shared a post with a similar name and of a similar nature. I decided to keep mine as is but the one shared on Good Things Guy is certainly worth a read. Read it here... https://www.goodthingsguy.com/opinion/stay-or-go-south-africa/?fbclid=IwAR2YpXu38d-pxFneB8sm_qYNBprKT2lzEE2RYtztMnyceX1h-EkPUjdHz2U

3. For an excellent (slightly older) blog post on paying a living wage, written by Nigel Branken, please click https://www.neighbours.org.za/blog/how-we-came-to-pay-a-living-wage9498794?fbclid=IwAR1QuoB2QUuS5-3jD92y2Tp0A85RBxrTwJsuqALlUTYb-d0XRMbDW2UOTjc

4. For more food for thought and an excellent blog post by Dalene Reyburn on South Africans and emigrating, read https://dalenereyburn.com/2015/03/09/for-the-south-africans-how-to-know-if-you-should-emigrate/

3 years into our Walkerville Adventure... And here's what I know (part 2)

With 3 and a half years under the belt since we emigrated moved to a farm 30km south of JHB, I thought a review of some of my biggest lessons to date, might make for a worthwhile post... but you can be the judge of that. Because I'm such a good student (or rather have a lot to learn), I've shared my top 10 lessons to date - broken down into 2 posts. The 1st 5 lessons were covered in part 1 (my previous post), with the remaining 5 covered here below...

• 6. God Cares - Our 3rd child, Izabella-Joy, is adopted. She's almost 3, and about as much work as both the boys put together. This of course (as I have come to discover) is a girl thing. She knows exactly what she wants, when she wants, where she wants, and how she wants it (with cheese). I'm trying to take this in my stride, but to be honest, the only thing that gets me through some days, is the fact that I'm going to get a whole lot of lobola for her (this of course is a hidden benefit of adopting a black daughter in South Africa!). 
• Anyway, one of Dannean's biggest concerns about adoption, was how we would know who our child was meant to be. After all, it's not like going shopping at PnP! My concern on the other hand, was less about choice, and more about the cost. The solutions to our challenges came in what can only be described as God's care packages. In the run up to us adopting, Dannean had placed little pairs of shoes all around the house, as a reminder for the boys that she was 'heart pregnant' (not tummy pregnant) with their baby sister (we had decided on a girl by then). 
• After a couple bumps in the road regarding finding the right adoption facilitator / process, we eventually came across Susan. At our 1st meeting she informed us that there was a little girl we might be interested in... with a slight proviso - she was born with clubbed feet. "Did someone say feet?! Because we've got a whole lot of little girls shoes decorated all over our house!" (and so it was that our daughter found us). Regarding the cost, well that's another story. Suffice to say, a Kruger Rand that Dannean was given by my gran 10 years prior, and which (up until that point) had somehow (miraculously!) been entirely forgotten about, was what got us through in the end. Go figure. Lesson 6: We adopt, God places, God pays.

Izabella-Joy in looks and personality... Front and centre!

• 7. Church is optional - At the end of 2017, I presented my (then) church elders, with a vision document describing and motivating for a church with different priorities, practices and principals (http://www.called2conquer.org/). By then the writing was already on the wall (or perhaps I should say on my heart), and not long after we left our church family (and many special friends) to explore a different expression of the faith. In this instance, in search of one built and centered more intentionally on the cornerstones of biblical discipleship and community. One year later, and not much has changed since then... We're still not in any formal church structures, and we continue to pursue the implementation of the same vision - even if it's only a handful of us doing so. But the lesson here has been an interesting one...
• Over the past year, our faith and love of God has not diminished at all. In fact and on the contrary, not participating in the numerous church gatherings and services we previously did, has forced us (me in particular), to take a healthy measure of responsibility for Dannean's and the kids' spiritual well being. This has forced me to be more creative and intentional in my role as 'priest' (lead discipler) in our home, as well as provoking me to become even more disciplined and proactive in my discipleship journey with other brothers and spiritual mentors. At the same time, it's been quite liberating to know that our lives would not fall apart without the 'covering' of a local church, and that God is big and good enough to make provision for the exceptions - especially where the desire is to see a more fruitful and faithful version of His Kingdom come! Lesson 7: Loving the triune God - essential, church membership - optional.

• 8. God replaces - God gives, and He takes away (Luke 19:24), but my experience has taught me to phrase this truth a little differently. That is to say, God is good, and he's in the business of giving out good gifts (James 1:17). However, sometimes to enjoy a new gift, we have to give up/away an old gift first. This is something I have experienced a great deal of over the past 3 years - although at times I honestly wondered if God and I were even in the same universe (never mind on the same page!). The answer to this question, has almost always been the same... And it's got a familiar ring to it - given that I use the same phrase on almost a daily basis to my sons... That is, have a little patience pal!! 
• To prove my point, here are a couple of examples (obviously with the benefit of hindsight!)...
1. My job with my previous employer (abruptly) ends, but is replaced the same day with a better job in my friend's company...
2. We leave our church in the north due to conflicting theologies about the poor, and our replacement church (in the south) asks me to head up the ministry to the poor...
3. My Jetta TDI's engine breaks, and is replaced a week later with a double cab my father bought me (without even knowing about my broken car)...
4. Our previous landlord evicts us from his property, only to be replaced with a lease at the amazing community farm next door - the very same month we had to move out...
5. We eventually sell our Sandton flat because we simply can't find a tenant, only to use the money to totally revolutionize the way we now manage our finances, while at the same time having the resources to invest in a series of special projects and people close to God's heart... 
• Anyway, you get the point... one minute we're left wondering, Huh? The next day / week / couple months... it's all 20/20 vision. Like I said... replacement theology! Lesson 8: God takes away, God replaces, God is good, God knows best.

My double cab that carried 11 of us to Angus' prayer meeting last week (thanks dad!)

ps. it woudn't have been quite the same in my Jetta ;)

• 9. Entrepreneurs#%t - Excuse my table manners, but anyone who has bought a ticket for the roller-coaster ride that is becoming an entrepreneur, will understand where the s#%t is coming from! At last count, that is since moving out the city, I have started up 5 different businesses - motorized bicycles, vegetable farming, online business mentorship, online picnics, and most recently (at least in theory) hand stitched leather production. I've included the associated costs / inputs of these industrious exploits of mine here below; 
1. Motorized bicycles - R50k / 200 hours 
2. Vege farming - R10k / 300 hours 
3. Online mentorship - R30k / 300 hours
4. Online picnics - R40k / 500 hours
5. Hand stitched leather - R0k / 16 hours
• In summary... Total (input) costs = R130k + 1316 hours. And total outputs... Wait for it... Well, as my old friend Dion Wessels would say, they closed down at the opening sale! But please take note, that at least by business number 5, I've learned to close the business BEFORE spending any money! Anyway, my point and lesson in all of this... Starting businesses ain't for sissies (or dummies - like me perhaps), but there's really only one way to get better at it (as 1st famously quoted by John Maxwell) - 'learn to fail forward'. 
• So why am I hammering on about starting a business anyway? Well as we already know, so much of our country's challenges and legacy issues, hinge on unemployment (in all its shapes and forms). But there's more to it, because this plays out very badly in the majority of South African households. Not to say that having a job is the silver bullet to all our social issues, but I would say, having a job AND being able to live at home, probably is. The 2 graphs included below (as extracted from The State of SA Fathers report) have reference, and underlie one of the gravest ills facing our society today - that of absent fathers.

• This therefore remains my one main motivation to startup business no. 6... That is to create a job and be a business mentor. However, it's going to take a whole lot of us already engaged in the economy, to turn the rudder on the titanic that is our current state of families without dads. Just think, that's 2 out of 3 kids (and their moms) in SA, that know little to nothing of the provision, protection and presence of a father (or husband) in their lives...
• By God's grace we haven't hit the iceberg yet, but if the ongoing unemployment and migrant labour rates are not divided by at least 2 (ideally by 4) in the next 5-10 years, this Titanic is going down. Lesson 9: Start a business, fail forward, create a job, send a father / husband home.

• 10. Mentorship Majors - Ever since I stumbled upon mentorship some 15 years ago - as a volunteer with the AEC (providing township kids with bursaries and mentors) - I've fallen more and more in love with the concept, practice and proof, that mentorship changes lives. As a totally under-exposed and over-privileged product of the very new South Africa, I moved up to Joburg in 2003. I had never set foot in a township, let alone played mentor to a 14 year old kid from Alexandra Township. In hindsight however, this dramatic immersion, into an unknown world, would become one of the foundation stones of the life I know and live today.
• And so even as I write this, I am immensely grateful to God, and some very special men, to be involved in an organization called The Character Company (TCC) - which has as its focus the raising of boys (with absent or no dads at all), to be good men - (https://www.thecharactercompany.co.za/). Currently, I find myself involved at multiple levels in a boys home / shelter located in Berea, JHB city, which we have partnered with, in providing (those boys who want to be mentored) mentors. The lessons in this regard, have come thick and fast, but here's my no. 1 takeaway...
• Ironically (but very biblically) it's been in embracing these 'costly' exercises or activities, of sacrificing some of myself for someone else, that I have received a different perspective on (South African) life. A perspective which has actually protected me from a hardened heart (in an often divided, stigmatized and ignorant society). Actually, in some ways serving those in genuine need works a lot like being inoculated as a child... That is, if we remain unexposed to the 'sicknesses' around us (think poverty, abuse, racism, inequality, etc), we never actually allow ourselves to become 'infected'... And thus immune. 
• In the same way, how can we ever hope to become united as a nation, without sharing and investing in one another's lives? Choosing a life of service has totally altered my perspective and appreciation for how much I have to learn, and how much I have to give. And herein I am convinced, is so much of what it actually mean to be proudly South African, and advancing God's kingdom. Lesson 10: Serving one another is our inoculation against our 'sick' country.

https://www.thecharactercompany.co.za/

On camp with youngsters form the boys home we've been able to support

So there we have it... 3 years down in our Walkerville adventure...10 more lessons in the bag. Please forgive me for any overshare or opinion projection - but I guess I'd rather have my heart in my mouth, than my foot (even though it's probably both) ;)

In Summary:

Part 1 - 

• Lesson 1: God loves faith, honors His Word, and always provides. 
• Lesson 2: You don't find time, you make it, you don't lose time, you waste it. 
• Lesson 3: God loves courage, protects His kids, and commands His angels. 
• Lesson 4: Budget, with faith, give loads, buy cash. 
• Lesson 5: Write it down, dare to walk it, maybe someone follows (or maybe not)

Part 2 - 

• Lesson 6: We adopt, God places, God pays. 
• Lesson 7: Loving the triune God - essential, church membership - optional.
• Lesson 8: God takes away, God replaces, God is good, God knows best.
• Lesson 9: Start a business, fail forward, create a job, send a father / husband home.
• Lesson 10: Serving one another is our inoculation against our 'sick' country.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! 
- Psalm 27:13-14

3 years into our Walkerville Adventure... And here's what I know (part 1)

With 3 and a half years under the belt since we emigrated moved to a farm 30km south of JHB, I thought a review of some of my biggest lessons to date, might make for a worthwhile post... but you can be the judge of that. Because I'm such a good student (or rather have a lot to learn), I've shared my top 10 lessons to date - broken down into 2 posts (with 5 lessons per post). Here are the 1st 5...

• 1. God provides - this one comes to mind 1st, probably because if it weren't the case, I wouldn't have very much to write about. Blogging also doesn't feature very prominently on maslow's hierarchy of needs, and so clearly we still have a roof over our heads, and food in the refrigerator. I guess it's easy to take something for granted when you play by the rules. The fact that my idea of generating income outside the city, was to sell motorized bicycles and grow vegetables, is testimony to the fact of God's providence - given that neither of these brainwaves earned a single cent! In this case, my good intentions really had to be enough for God to work with, because there wasn't much else in the offering basket! 
• In practice, I have been blessed with two 18 month contracts which I have been able to fulfill as a business mentor and glorified off site administrator, on my terms, and in my hours. In truth, the most perfect work solution that I could never have orchestrated. Let me add, that having a contract, has not always meant having money in the bank, and so the number of times God's providence (through a combination of friends, strangers, SARS, and other unlikely sources) has carried us through (in the most unexpected ways), is simply actually the fulfillment of God's promise, to provide for his kids... Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (that you need to live) will be added to you." 

Lesson 1: God loves faith, honors His Word, and always provides.

• 2. Time is key - shortly after arriving in the south, God reminded me of one of the reasons we had initially decided to move... Time. That is, my desire to own it (rather than sell it), and to invest it (rather than squander it). This ultimately translated into a step of faith by electing to take a Friday 'Sabbath'. i.e. no work, no pay, plenty rest, plenty pray. (That rhymed nicely didn't it). But the truth is, what this redirected investment of 1 full day a week has brought into my life, over the past 3 years, is difficult to exaggerate. Quite simply, it has been life transforming, mostly because I've been able to allocate the time required to use and explore many of the talents, gifts and resources God has entrusted to me. There's a lot more I can say, and have said, about taking a Sabbath here:http://walkervilleadventure.blogspot.com/2016/10/its-about-time.html?m=1 - Suffice to say, it can only ever be done in faith, and is intended to supernaturally refresh / rejuvenate our spirit man. 
• My parting thought on time, is that it's the great tester. That is - as is the case with money - what we spend our time on, is a much more accurate measure of what we desire and believe, than what we might think or say. It truly is a tragic day for anyone, most especially a believer, when we have run out of things to do with our time. For the needs of people have never loomed larger, and the love, creativity and resources of Christ to meet these needs, have never been more abundant. 

Lesson 2: You don't find time, you make it, you don't lose time, you waste it.

• 3. God Protects - moving out the city definitely caught us off guard. Not that it was unexpected but wide open spaces, with lots of dark places, is the stuff an over active imagination feasts on - especially when mixed up with farm murder headlines, and our no handguns household policy. Sure we've had some stuff stolen, but it was just stuff, and no one has ever entered our house who hasn't been invited. The move outside the city, also enabled us to face a fear so many in South Africa live with on a daily basis - crime. By face it, I mean we were left with no other option, other than to rely on God's protection. Let me explain...
• The farm we initially moved on to had a broken electric fence, with our homestead having no alarm, no dogs, and no weapons. To be honest, I don't think we slept for the 1st 3 nights at all. It took me 6 weeks to build up the courage to sleep on my (preferred) left hand side, knowing my right (exposed) ear doesn't work as well as my left ear. But it was during this scary period, that we were left with no choice but to trust God for our protection. Does that mean we're immune to violent crime? No, I don't think we're immune to anything that God can use for our good and his glory (Romans 8:28), but I do know He hears our prayers and orders his angels to take care of His kids. Three years later, we now have dogs, alarms and an armed guard on the farm, but that's just precautionary, because God has already shown us where our help comes from (Psalm 121). 

Lesson 3: God loves courage, protects His kids, and commands His angels.

• 4. Master Money - When I think of Jesus ministry there are a couple things that specifically stand out for me. One of them was his attitude toward money, and His teaching about money. In fact, I recently wrote another blog post on this topic in a bit more detail here - http://www.called2conquer.org/c2cblog/wealthy-to-be-or-not-to-be - however if you'd prefer the executive summary, please read on... The bottom line? Master money, because if you don't, it'll master you (and it's a very cruel master).
• Dannean and I are blessed, because as much as we come from 2 families who are at polar opposites (in almost every respect) on the money spectrum, we have been able to unite in our approach to taming the money beast. In this regard, there are 3 cornerstones to our money philosophy, which have been tried and tested these past 3 years. They have not failed us yet (not even close!).
1. Maintaining a meticulous and faith-filled budget - meaning every single cent is accounted for, and faith is clearly evident in how we spend / allocate it.
2. Sow with our heart, reap with our head - simply meaning to try and give away what we don't need, to those who do. Granted there's a little more to it, but I'll write a separate post about this shortly.
3. No debt - this may sound impossible, but it's not. Who said you can't rent, or buy a 2nd hand car? And if you can't afford it, accept that God doesn't want you to have it (and if you can, be sure that your neighbour doesn't need it more than you do...)
• Currently, we rent and have no plan to buy. This means that we are not limited in anyway by bond / bank related financial responsibilities (and you might be surprised to learn that renting can also be a more profitable option than buying - http://www.stealthywealth.co.za/2016/10/is-it-better-to-buy-or-rent-and-why-we.html). My current car was a gift from my father (so that doesn't really count), but we have no accounts in credit, although we keep a credit card for cash flow purposes. Holidays are 'cheap' because they're almost always at our friends' or parent's place, and we still camp, which remains arguably the best value for money in learning how not to kill to love your kids and still enjoy our amazing country.
• In conclusion, money has the power to define our lives - that's why Jesus spoke about it so much. It is strong and deceitful enough to easily muscle you or me right out of God's Kingdom if we're not really careful. Managing a budget, giving it away, and avoiding the banks golden handcuffs, are key weapons in slaying the beast.

Lesson 4: Budget, with faith, give loads, pay cash.

• 5. God leads - I always thought it was me who was supposed to lead. Not that God had to follow (although I'm sure I'd have no problem with that), but rather that I needed to have a plan, and that plan needed a man, and no guessing who's the man. For example, I have drafted 2 relatively comprehensive vision documents over the past 3 years, and distributed them quite liberally, hoping and expecting my 'followers' to emerge...  Well, this hasn't exactly been the case. In fact, my only real 'followers' currently are my wife and kids (and that's because they have to be!). Not to say that there's no merit in what I've envisioned, but rather a very good lesson... And that is...
• It's one thing to theorize, contemplate or debate a subject, but it's another thing entirely to actually put what you believe into practice - that is to walk our talk. In other words, if I really believe what I'm spouting, then what am I actually doing about it? I've come to learn that God leads in practice, not in the classroom, He leads on His terms, an not on mine, and He loves to know how much of my talk I'm actually willing to walk? Which brings me to my current walk, and...
• Called 2 Conquer (C2C) is a vision for a different type of church, but in keeping with the New Testament definition of Church, this presupposes a vision for a different type of Christian... Anyway, you can read all about it in the link below, but suffice to say, I've had to move beyond the theory of a different kind of Christian, to actually sweating / becoming it myself... In reality, it's mostly about getting back to basics, and trusting God at His Word - which is really the story this blog is supposed to tell. A story of finding freedom and significance beyond the status quo, that is walking with God by living lives of faith, rooted and grounded in the love of the Father, and the promises of His beautiful Son.

Lesson 5: Write it down, dare to walk it, maybe someone follows (or maybe not)

http://www.called2conquer.org/

Part 2 follows here>>>