Starting with Rest....

Forgive me everyone, but my normal website and blog are down - and I am not able to fix them from here. I figure the name of this blog still fits so I will continue to blog to this site while I am away. So the African adventure has begun with three much needed days of rest. After an intensive Master’s program, a large move, starting new jobs and a trans-atlantic 24+ hr flight... it was exactly what we needed. Kate and I first visited Capetown five years ago on our first trip to Africa together. We loved it then, and those feelings haven’t changed. As much as we wanted to revisit all of the great tourist attractions, we chose to take a more mellow approach. A dear friend I met last year while in South Africa and her husband, Erika and Dup, live in Capetown. They were so gracious and amazing - they lent us their car so we could get around, took us out for dinner to one of their favourite places in the city to view the sunset over table mountain and eat real South African cuisine, invited to a gathering of their friends (Happy Birthday Erika!) and welcomed us into their home. The hospitality of South Africans never ceases to amaze me, and this was no exception. It was such a great combination of touring and exploring the beauty of the city, while spending time with locals - where the depth of a city is found. The passion for Jesus amongst this couple and their friends was fantastic. During the party, one person recounted the story of David with passion as if he had just read an epic story - which in fact he had! It was the kind of passion you hear people talking with who have just watched a great movie! I was inspired. I am often challenged by the feelings of “what do I have to give” when I come to Africa. Many people I have encountered here have faith with a substance that inspires me.... I often learn so much from them. This is the greatness of the kingdom of God. We all bring our gifts together, learn from one another, and are each blessed differently in the end. As I write this we are sitting in the Nairobi airport, on our way to Uganda to begin working on the Primary Healthcare Initiative. We are excited to meet those who have asked us to come, as well as our dear friend, Heather, who we will be working with. I feel as though I am the boy in the bible, bringing my loaves and fishes - some experience, some medical knowledge, a desire to walk in the calling I am created for, with a God I long to know deeper. It is my prayer that as we humbly offer our time and skills that God has gifted us with, He will use them and multiply them for His glory. In the meantime, He continues to meet all of our needs and bless us through those we meet. See pictures here