Breaking Bread

Last night many moons ago, Jesus and his disciples met in a small room for the seder meal, and this morning our Connect group met to break bread and have a meal in remembrance of what this day is all about, the day that Jesus gave up his life for me and you. 

George Bizos

George Bizos was the guest speaker at the Belgium Campus' 2018 Academic Opening Ceremony. I nearly didn't make it as this afternoon was a disaster of note, but I was so happy that I made it although 15 minutes late, but made it none the less.

Matthew's residence room has this small cupboard with hanging space and no shelves which is kind of lacking. He also needed a laundry bag so I stopped at Makro, which is what we call Walmart here to buy him a set of 3 draws and a fold away canvas laundry bag. Then set off to Pretoria for the Open Ceremony. But I didn't get far.

Thick toxic smoke started pouring out from the vents of my vehicle. My Ford Bantam pickup was on fire so I quickly pulled off to the side of the road, grabbing my phone and wallet I jumped out to safety all the while coughing my lungs out. Smoke continued to filled the cab but I could not see any flames. I saw that there was a petrol station nearby which will have fire extinguishers. So I opened the door and pulled the catch of the engine bay. I know that you shouldn't just open the bonnet which will only give oxygen to the fire but I didn't see any smoke in the engine bay so armed with a extinguisher I opened the hood. No fire in the engine bay, thank goodness but then it must be a electrical fire under the dashboard so I quickly unplugged the car battery which should stop the fire going any further. Still no flames but the smoke dissipated.

More problems that I just simply can't afford. So I phoned Discovery Insure, my insurance company and they sent out a recovery vehicle but they insisted that it was a mechanical problem and they won't cover it. What? I was upset! After disputing that claim, they agreed that they will tow my pickup to one of their yards and get the assessor and fire specialist to check the car out.

In the meanwhile I can get a 2 day courtesy car from Avis but by this time it was 4pm, the closest Avis at Ontdekkers closes at 5pm, the next one at Lanseria which was too far away closes much later. And I had to be in Pretoria at 6pm. By this time I resolved myself that I just going be late. On the way to Avis, I spoke to their call centre only find out that Avis in Ontdekkers doesn't have a car for me and that I should go to Lanseria. Now this was in the opposite direction and over my limit of 40km for the breakdown service that my insurance covers. At this stage, I was just trying to forget all my woes, Avis and their bad service, just take me home, I will go by Vespa instead.

Climbed aboard my rocket Vespa, loaded a spare helmet in the top box for Matthew to take him home afterwards, the washing bag, I hooked up in the foot well, and the set of drawers I wedged between myself and the top box. And I was off, like a rocket. Vespa to the rescue.

So I made it safely, only 15 minutes late and sneaked in during the first musical intermezzo. And the 89 year old George Bizos was helped onto the stage. Thank goodness I din't miss this historic moment. I remember writing about him, how he at the age of 13 and his father helped 7 New Zealand soldiers escape Nazi occupied Greece. Things went wrong and they were adrift for 3 days before a British warship picked them up. Long story short, he ended up as a refugee in South Africa and would become the famous attorney for Nelson Mandela. And now Matthew and I sat enthralled as he softly spoke about the trails and tribulations of becoming a lawyer and then defending his friend Nelson Mandela against the apartheid regime. He ended by saying that these current land without compensation is against what Mandela wanted and he (even at his age) will continue the fight to preserve what Nelson Mandela has brought us.

All my troubles this afternoon just washed away and it was such a pleasure to shake George Bizos' hand afterwards. He spoke to Matthew asking him what course is he doing at the university. What a privilege to be with such a wonderful man.

Whale of a Time

We arrived just before our Connect group supposed to start to find that there was no room for us. The parking was jammed packed and we could not even squeeze Lynda's car in anywhere. We were contemplating just going home when George insisted that we park outside.

Outside! We wanted inside, not outside but George twisted my arm, so we parked outside with some reservations but it was our Connect group after all. And especially after a long day at work, all we wanted was to put our feet up and relax. And what a way to relax with our Connect family.

No where to put my feet up in the large lounge with the crowds and all, it felt like we were inside the belly of a whale. Oh you could guess it by know the topic was Jonah, Nineveh, the whale, the tree, and the worm. Yip there is a worm in the story, somewhere.

Brief story line, God tells Jonah to go to an enemy city called Nineveh and tell them that because of their sin, God will destroy them in 40 days. Now Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh as was afraid of them. Just let God deal with them and leave him be. So he went in the opposite direction and boarded a ship bound for Spain to get as far away from God as possible. While out at sea God then caused a great storm and fearing for their lives the sailors threw Jonah overboard when they found out that he was running away from God. Jonah was swallowed by a large sea creature, we don't know if it was a whale or even a big fish just leave it as a whale anyway 3 days later he was spewed out back on the beach. He finally relented and went to Ninevah and told them what God had said. The shock it must have been for Jonah to see the people of Ninevah repenting but Jonah wanted none of it so he climbed up a nearby hill overlooking Nivevah to watch God destroy the city. It was hot while he waited but God saw the people of Nivevah repent and He changed his mind. While Jonah waited, God made a tree or vine grow and give Jonah shade while he waited. Then God made a worm come along and destroy the tree, and Jonah was back in the relentless sun. Jonah was not a happy camper, and God rebuked him with these words, well close enough “Jonah, why is it that you are so concerned with this tree - a mere plant which is temporal, and for which you did not labour; and yet, you evidence utterly no concern for the hapless inhabitants of Nineveh?”

Oh that was longer than I wanted.

The story of Jonah was preached on Sunday at Centre Church, and this evening we unpacked it and discussed what it meant for us. Well somehow I managed to miss the Sunday sermon due to a leak that was discovered just as we were about to set out down the hill. Lynda and Bradley managed to go while I fixed the pipe. Anyways, the story of Jonah and the whale was drummed into us at Sunday School while the tree and the worm was preached a few occasions by the brethern that I knew enough to partake in the unpacking this evening. But I felt good just listening to others give their take on the story of Jonah and what it meant for them while Lance facilitated the conversation.

The Day After

It may be the first day of Day of our Lord 2016, it was surely the day after the party on auld lang syne.

We had a late start to the morning, sleeping in after our wonderful drive around the southern parts of Kruger National Park. We arrived at our family in Steiltes, Nespruit just before mid day, for a family lunch since we missed the Christmas day one. And this is what we found; everyone must have partied hard the night before.

Looking back 2015 has been a hard year and we are all glad to see the tail end of it, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Anyway 2016 is going to be a blessed year even if I don’t know what God has in store for me, all I pray is for God to give me wisdom so that I can make the correct choices. Here's to 2016!

Spray Cans

There was a young man, Mars, who just loved to spray with his little spray cans of colour. He would spray day and night, his graffiti colourful and bright surely would bring joy to eKayaMedia with such delight.

With the rattle of his cans, our reception transformed. No more black and white, our reception dull changed into a work of art before our very eyes.

Halfway to go with lots of more colours cheerful and bright till this baby is all rattled out...

Sunday Family Lunch

One thing which you can’t miss up when in the area is Sunday lunch at the folks. It is times like these that whatever family is around joins around a table for a mother’s home cooked meal.

Around the table from left clockwise are Danielle, Matthew, Jaen-Jurie, Hans, Theresa, Lynda, dad, and mom. Okay photos done, prayer, and now bring up the scrumptious grub.

Hashimoto's Syndrome

It seems that my sister, Theresa, is battling with Hashimoto's Syndrome down in Nelspruit because all the doctors down there just want to wait until the thyroid dies before they will do anything. After some good old fashioned internet search, my mom found a doctor up here that was willing to do the surgery now and save my sister’s life.

So Theresa and her husband came up to see the doctor at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre and tomorrow they are seeing the surgeon to find out if they need the operation now or wait till everyone is back from summer leave.

I wanted to ask Theresa that I wanted to be on her diet but I am sure Hashimoto is not a trifle thing after seeing Theresa wasting away. So having so many siblings in one place was a photo opportunity that could not be missed. So next to me is Anthony, then Theresa and George.

George

Someone once said that it doesn't rain it pours. My workload is piling up long side the medical bills. I am not sure how I am going to make it without stressing out too much but I will try my best to keep my head above water. I will not sink, oh no, not I. But the more the load piles on the more I realise that I can't do it all in my strength.

Today's photograph is of my brother George who I met after work to give them a hand.

Three Brothers

Yes, three brothers got together somewhere in Pretoria for a braai or as my northern readers call it, a barbeque. It was a beautiful winters day in Pretoria with a slight nip in the air but bright and sunny, perfect for a super villain, like me to have a braai with his two brothers.

I suppose with most families, there has been a lot of water under the bridge, but who cares as blood is always thicker than water. It was good to spend time with George as I haven't in the past as he was always gallivanting to Ireland, then to Botswana and now finally he is back from Iraq. As for Anthony, well when he is not in Pretoria, he is also on the road often although in an 18 wheeler or has the South African super rigs many more wheels. I kind of think so. Anyway the best in the photo above is the super villain, himself, moi.

La cravate rouge

After only getting to bed in the early hours of this morning, I wanted to call in a Duvet Day, a day when I didn't have to face a full work day. I just wanted to snuggle in the sack under the duvet. Ohhh, under the covers of the duvet was very alluring. So why don't you come up to the lab and see what's on the slab. I see you shiver with antici… pation. Officially you allowed four days a year as duvet days where you can call in without notice and say that you simply staying at home. But I have been off sick too many times these last few weeks that it would not have been appropriate so I crawled to work to do some coding.

Woe to me, my computer crashed not long after lunch, luckily I had been saving often so not much was lost and I soon was back on track. So what do you think of George's red tie? Now why didn't I get the memo that it was Red Tie Day? Not that I have a red tie but it would have given me more reason to call in that duvet day. Hot patootie, bless my soul! I really love this medication. Enchanté.

Oogle

Yes this is the SEO team that I have been working with the last couple of months.From left to right is Richard, Ockert, Vincent, George, Louwellen and me at the back. This is the team that is bringing home the bacon for George's plumbing and electrical companies. There is talk of a SEO company but is this the birth of Oogle?

Who's your Daddy?

The long week is downhill from here. It has been one tough week on a personal side of things so how about a bit of humour to lighten up my spirit.

A businessman who need millions of rands to clinch an important deal went to church to pray for the money. By chance he knelt next to a man who was praying for only R100 so he could buy his family something to eat. The businessman took out his wallet and pressed R100 into the other man's hand. Overjoyed, the man got up and left the church. The businessman then closed his eyes and prayed, "And now, Lord, that I have your undivided attention..."

Yes so now I have your undivided attention, keep me in your prayers as I try to stand back up on my own two feet again. Oh and if you wondering what today's photo is about, well I want to keep my job if that is okay with you.

Godfather

Finally a photograph of George but you can imagine my surprise when he walked into the office dressed like a mafia don. Curious as I was, trying to imagine the why but it is not my place to wonder but to continue with George's websites. This week is nearly over but my problems are still looming large but you know what they say about how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Our first Exhibition

Today was the opening of the Joburg Photowalkers first of many exhibitions. The response was incredible. It goes to show that we can and will. Here is Candice's husband George and their son Kelso at the exhibition. The exhibition is at the 12 Decades Art Hotel, 286 Fox Street for those who still want to view our photos as they will be up for a couple of weeks. After discussions today it looks like we will be doing a Meet the Tog in a couple of weeks time with live music and a website where the photos on display can be ordered.

George and Alison

George and Alison arrived for a visit from the states last Sunday but this is the first time I am seeing them this year. I bet they are happy to be away from the blizzards and snow. Here is Trevor, George, Alison and Brian enjoying a moment after BBC.