I last blogged in this series about five years ago, but just had to revisit it in the light of yesterday's fantastic celebration of Linda's graduation.
Each of my previous posts were anonymised, but today I'm naming, proclaiming and celebrating Linda for her faith, her perseverance and her never giving up, even when it would have been easier and more comfortable to do so.
- The Finnie family in Blighty, December 2021
- Dean and Paula pastor The Gathering together
- The Gathering
- Baptisms at The Gathering
- Preparing to serve at The Gathering's Soup Kitchen
- Soup Kitchen Welcome To 2022 lunch
- Serving hands - the heart of The Gatheirng
- Thankful Thursdays
- HOPE Home Based Care Team
- Gathering Ground
- Staying fit as a family
- The Helderberg - The prettiest of the mountains we face
Showing posts with label macassar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label macassar. Show all posts
Christians Abroad Visit
by
Dino
on
18.2.17
We've just had a 48 hour flying visit from Colin & David from Christians Abroad and have to say it was a great visit! It was pure pleasure to entertain them, to show them what we're busy with in our ministry and to introduce them to The Gathering and some other dear friends, including one or two old friends in Chris Nissen Park.
Life Is Cheap
by
Paula
on
3.1.17
We have been shocked again this morning as a church community by how cheap life is in Macassar and Firgrove.
Many of you will remember Linda's story from previous Road Shows in the UK. Linda lost 3 family members in a shooting incident that turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. Of course, the family have been through agonies as they try to process this and continue with life as the days and months unfold.
Many of you will remember Linda's story from previous Road Shows in the UK. Linda lost 3 family members in a shooting incident that turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. Of course, the family have been through agonies as they try to process this and continue with life as the days and months unfold.
The Passing Of A Legend
by
Dino
on
15.7.14
We heard on Sunday lunchtime that our 'dad' had died. Uncle Paul was a giant in the faith and a man we had grown to love very dearly.
I never had the privilege of meeting Nelson Mandela, but I did have the awesome privilege of knowing Uncle Paul and I now treasure the few occasions I got to sit with him and listen to his stories about his life and growing up in this amazing but divided country.
I never had the privilege of meeting Nelson Mandela, but I did have the awesome privilege of knowing Uncle Paul and I now treasure the few occasions I got to sit with him and listen to his stories about his life and growing up in this amazing but divided country.
Macassar Protests
by
Finnie Family
on
2.7.14
Recently I posted "Love Your Neighbour?" about some evictions in a local township and our attitudes surrounding the whole debacle.
Well for the folks in Macassar the issues just got very real and tensions will only rise in the coming months.
SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited) had obtained a court order to remove squatters from some land in Lwandle but they had no plan in place as to what to do with those displaced by this action.
Well for the folks in Macassar the issues just got very real and tensions will only rise in the coming months.
SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited) had obtained a court order to remove squatters from some land in Lwandle but they had no plan in place as to what to do with those displaced by this action.
The Best Start Ever...
by
Dino
on
28.2.14
2014 has been the best start to a year that I can ever remember.
That's not to say it's been perfect or without it's issues and problems, there have been plenty of those. No, it's been the best start ever because when I step back and look at the bigger picture so many amazing and wonderful things have happened that I feel incredibly blessed.
That's not to say it's been perfect or without it's issues and problems, there have been plenty of those. No, it's been the best start ever because when I step back and look at the bigger picture so many amazing and wonderful things have happened that I feel incredibly blessed.
Madiba's Legacy - What It Means To Us
by
Finnie Family
on
15.12.13
Legacy seems to be a hot-ticket these days as politicians and celebrities get concerned about what their legacy might be. Sadly few of those that get wrapped up in this nonsense seem to understand that we don't get to choose or decide what our legacy will or won't be. Whilst it's true that our actions and words shape any legacy, it is ultimately history with the benefit of time that will have the final say.
Thankfully Madiba never showed the slightest interest in the celebrity-esque manipulation of legacy. Madiba transcended that kind of nonsense which is why his legacy will only grow from what it already is.
So what does his legacy as it exists so far, mean to us?
Thankfully Madiba never showed the slightest interest in the celebrity-esque manipulation of legacy. Madiba transcended that kind of nonsense which is why his legacy will only grow from what it already is.
So what does his legacy as it exists so far, mean to us?
Women's Day Outreach 2013
by
Finnie Family
on
10.8.13
We recently asked you to pray for our Women's Day outreach on 9 August and are so thrilled to feedback now to you on how God awesomely answered your prayers!
Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us"; we know this in our minds but do we really actually "know" this as our experience?
Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us"; we know this in our minds but do we really actually "know" this as our experience?
Square Pegs
by
Dino
on
26.7.13
Having written a reflection post about our recent trip to Blighty I felt challenged to write a more truthful one. Not that I was lying in the previous post, far from it, but there was more going on than I wrote about and it's pretty important stuff.
We were both asked quite early on about what was different with this trip than previous trips back to the UK. This seemed to be born out of the fact that many folk commented on how happy and relaxed we appeared.
We were both asked quite early on about what was different with this trip than previous trips back to the UK. This seemed to be born out of the fact that many folk commented on how happy and relaxed we appeared.
From Britain With Love
by
Finnie Family
on
24.7.13
Tonight at our home group meeting we'll be showing the short film we made of the various responses folk gave to camera about our Roadshow presentations.
All we can say to those of you that spoke to camera is "Thank You!".
O Is For Oom Paul
by
Dino
on
17.4.13
Oom Paul is a great man!
At 86 there's not much in life he hasn't seen and having been married to Molly for a little over 60 years with loads of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren there isn't much he hasn't done.
I've had the privilege of sitting with Oom Paul on a few occasions and consider him to be my very own Nelson Mandela. I've never met Madiba and am highly unlikely to ever have the chance to, but sitting with someone like Oom Paul is just as great a privilege!
M Is For Macassar
by
Dino
on
15.4.13
M is for Macassar
I wrote a post on Macassar last year and rather than steal yet another post from last year's challenge I thought I'd have a go at writing something a bit different.
We still serve Tree of Life church in Macassar and spend a lot of our time in the community and we still love it! So in that regard nothing has changed and as a church we are still passionate about winning the community for Christ.
Tree of Life meets on Sundays at Macassar High school so it seems appropriate to focus on education in Macassar.
Education is generally a bit of a hot potato in South Africa and nowhere are the difficulties more pronounced than in Macassar.
I wrote a post on Macassar last year and rather than steal yet another post from last year's challenge I thought I'd have a go at writing something a bit different.
We still serve Tree of Life church in Macassar and spend a lot of our time in the community and we still love it! So in that regard nothing has changed and as a church we are still passionate about winning the community for Christ.
Tree of Life meets on Sundays at Macassar High school so it seems appropriate to focus on education in Macassar.
Education is generally a bit of a hot potato in South Africa and nowhere are the difficulties more pronounced than in Macassar.
Tree Of Life Turns One
by
Finnie Family
on
21.1.13
On Sunday we celebrated Tree Of Life's first birthday with a celebration with our family from Church of Love & Grace and it was a blessing to have Shaddie & Lisa with us from Simon's Bay Christian Church.
It was a great time of worshiping together but it was also a humbling time for us as Dean was appointed as lead elder of the church. We really feel humbled and privileged to be tasked with this role and we're very excited about where God is leading us and what he is doing.
It was a great time of worshiping together but it was also a humbling time for us as Dean was appointed as lead elder of the church. We really feel humbled and privileged to be tasked with this role and we're very excited about where God is leading us and what he is doing.
Our afternoon of donation sorting turned into an afternoon of mixed blessings.
We ended up with three boxes and a bin bag full of crap which will be going to the landfill. Happily though we've ended up with a couple of boxes and a few bags of decent toys and clothing which will be a real blessing when we take them into Macassar and Chris Nissen in the next few days.
We ended up with three boxes and a bin bag full of crap which will be going to the landfill. Happily though we've ended up with a couple of boxes and a few bags of decent toys and clothing which will be a real blessing when we take them into Macassar and Chris Nissen in the next few days.
Showers Of Blessing
by
Dino
on
29.10.12
What a great weekend!
On Friday we joined with Every Nation here in Somerset West for their conference. They were hosting a guy called Marc Dupont who despite looking like a skinny Robin Williams was very good. We were particularly taken with his exposition of the name El Shaddai meaning God who is able to do that which you can't do for yourself. That is definitely our experience!
On Friday we joined with Every Nation here in Somerset West for their conference. They were hosting a guy called Marc Dupont who despite looking like a skinny Robin Williams was very good. We were particularly taken with his exposition of the name El Shaddai meaning God who is able to do that which you can't do for yourself. That is definitely our experience!
TV Or Light?
by
Finnie Family
on
28.9.12
So we were on our way out last night and decided to pop into Macassar to see a couple from church to deliver something they had been waiting for for a few weeks. When we arrived in the monsoon like rain the house appeared to be in total darkness so Dean went to the door to knock and could see the light of the TV flickering through the window. It's always a joy to spend time with our family members and this visit was particularly special because of the delivery.
The house was in total darkness apart from the telly and the couple wouldn't put a light on because the stark choice was TV for the evening or a light on for a few minutes. After we'd been chatting for a minute we were aware of the floor moving, it was alive with children under duvets and blankets trying to keep warm whilst watching the telly and half the kids belonged to the neighbours.
The house was in total darkness apart from the telly and the couple wouldn't put a light on because the stark choice was TV for the evening or a light on for a few minutes. After we'd been chatting for a minute we were aware of the floor moving, it was alive with children under duvets and blankets trying to keep warm whilst watching the telly and half the kids belonged to the neighbours.
Here Comes The Bride..
by
Finnie Family
on
7.9.12
Last Saturday we celebrated the wedding of Philip and Maria with our friends from Simon's Town.
Once again it was a bit of 'weddings R us' as Paula was chauffeur for the bride and Dean was the official photographer.
We had a lovely day and a lot of fun and were totally spoilt by our dear friends from Simon's Bay Christian Church who laid on an amazing day.
Once again it was a bit of 'weddings R us' as Paula was chauffeur for the bride and Dean was the official photographer.
We had a lovely day and a lot of fun and were totally spoilt by our dear friends from Simon's Bay Christian Church who laid on an amazing day.
Joys Of Leadership
by
Dino
on
22.8.12
One of the great things about leading a church is getting to decide what is and isn't important in the life of the church.
One thing I've always believed strongly in but rarely seen modeled is leaders praying together. I've seen leaders all consumed with the business of leading but rarely seen leaders praying for the sake of praying.
I realise business is important but prayer is way more important than the mundane!
One thing I've always believed strongly in but rarely seen modeled is leaders praying together. I've seen leaders all consumed with the business of leading but rarely seen leaders praying for the sake of praying.
I realise business is important but prayer is way more important than the mundane!
A Tree Has Been Planted
by
Finnie Family
on
11.7.12
If you managed to catch up with Paula at one of her recent Facing The Mountain Roadshows in Weald or Cheadle you will have seen our latest DVD offering.
If you didn't manage to catch up with Paula, shame on you you can watch the film right here from the comfort of your own computer screen.
We hope you find it helpful as you uphold our ministry here in Macassar in prayer.
So get some popcorn, put your feet up and enjoy the next 16½ minutes.
Outreach Weekend - Pt 2
by
Dino
on
25.6.12
We had such an amazing time at our celebration meeting two weeks ago!
It was a real family time as Tree Of Life were joined by Love & Grace from Mitchell's Plain and Simon's Bay Christian Church from Simon's Town.
Graham's team from Mitchell's Plain lead the worship, Shaddie brought a great word and Tree Of Life organised the celebration and lead it. It's such a blessing to be involved in churches working together for the extension of the Kingdom!
It was a real family time as Tree Of Life were joined by Love & Grace from Mitchell's Plain and Simon's Bay Christian Church from Simon's Town.
Graham's team from Mitchell's Plain lead the worship, Shaddie brought a great word and Tree Of Life organised the celebration and lead it. It's such a blessing to be involved in churches working together for the extension of the Kingdom!
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