24

We're celebrating 24 years of marriage today and after dropping the boys at school we had a lovely champagne breakfast at Avontuur wine estate.

Twenty four years seem to have sneaked by but it has been an incredible adventure with God and each other.

Here's to the next twenty four!

A Day Of Privilege

Yesterday was one of those rare days in which one gets to see things that leave one with a real sense of being privileged.

As ever, it's always a joy to be running The Gathering's weekly soup kitchen, especially as we're getting to know some of the regulars and building trust with them. It's a very real privilege to be allowed into these guys lives.

The most amazing privilege for me yesterday was getting to see my real son in Joel, the Joel that no end of school exams and assessments will ever see.

Michael

I'd like to ask all our praying friends to pray for Michael, he had a mild stroke about 3 weeks ago and whilst he's up and about he's struggling with the loss of use of his left hand and he's a bit wobbly and has fallen a few times.

I'm gutted to see Michael looking so pathetic because he's far from being pathetic, he's a great guy, strong as an ox and always a willing helper.

Michael is a dear friend and a big blessing to us as a family and we'd love to see him restored to full health.

Releasing Sons & Daughters

Over the last few weeks at The Gathering we've had the joy and privilege of releasing some of our sons and daughters into preaching and it's not been a disappointing journey.

This Sunday Rejoice spoke with genuine wisdom and insight into the Kingdom of God and what are we seeing, based on Matthew 20, the Transfiguration story and Isaiah 6. Rejoice's word was both exciting and encouraging and it warmed our hearts to see how well she knows the Word.

Soup Kitchen

The Gathering began our soup kitchen tonight and we were really encouraged by the initial response and really believe it's going to become an effective ministry in the community.

We put the word out on the street but didn't formally advertise the soup kitchen and we had ten adults and three children come for soup. We also gave some to the pump attendants who are always very friendly and helpful, they were pleased to get some hot soup on a cold night.

Happy Birthday

Happy 12th birthday Joel.

What a great young man you're growing into, it's a privilege to be your parents!

The Gathering's New Home

We're delighted to be able to reveal our new home for The Gathering!

This is the Shell garage in Firgrove and the location fits so well with three prophetic words we've held on to over the last year.

Firstly, we had a word about moving out of Macassar High School, we didn't and we were tipped out!

Secondly, we had a word about moving to the outskirts of Macassar. Well Firgrove is most definitely on the outskirts.

Amazing Week!

What an amazing week!

On Sunday Shaddie and family joined with The Gathering and after he had ministered to us he felt God leading him to release us as a church from the past into the future. As part of this he asked Ziggy and Philimon to hold my arms up while we prayed and as Shaddie prophetically released us into the anointing of God's freedom, released mandates over us and blessing.

Mr Fry, Your god Is Utterly Utterly Evil!

This video clip is doing the rounds on Facebook at present and is causing a bit of a stir.

I first saw it on the Huffington Post website where it's become quite a sensation.

Bak 2 Skool

It's always a bitter sweet moment when the new school year begins.

I really need to get back into some kind of routine and crack on with stuff but I also love having my boys around day after day getting in the way, making too much noise and generally just messing up the place.

It's nice to have the freedom this morning to work in peace and quiet but I'm missing them already.

Both boys were excited this morning as they begin new grades with new teachers, though I think it's the thought of seeing their friends that truly excited them.

The Gathering's New Year's Braai 2015

We have been planning a braai for The Gathering on New Year’s Day for quite a while now but I don’t think any of us could have guessed just how significant today would be. The day dawned beautifully and quickly turned into the hottest, calmest day we have had in months – perfect for a braai. We had bought enough food to feed a small army, ordered a jumping castle for the children, tidied up the garden and had had a stern talking to Rosie dog to behave herself!!

What a day of fun we have had! One thing that is clear is that in a relatively short space of time we have grown into a family who love each other, like each other and who would do anything for one another – what a privilege! We haven’t heard so much laughter ringing out from our garden for a long time as children devised new ways to jump onto the jumping castle (yes really!); Ziggy fell out of the hammock(!) and the new Chairman of the Ministry of Eating was announced from amongst us!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and

a blessed New Year.

From all at The Gathering.

Joel At Busy Corner

Following Joel's school speech on homelessness and his challenge to his fellow learners to contribute deodorants for the homeless (See Local News), tonight was the night for Joel to go to Busy Corner and give them away.

Happy Birthday Eli!

Our beautiful, crazy little boy turns 9 today!

Nine years ago our Christmas was totally turned upside down by his unexpected arrival and today our little world-changer is still having that effect!

Happy birthday Eli
XXX

Ghosts Of Christmas Past

Having posted a picture on Facebook of Joel topping off our Christmas tree with the angel we thought it might be fun to revisit the ceremony from years gone by.

Local News

Recently our blog was criticised by some fools people who claimed that all we did on here was post snippets from the local press, so today we thought we'd post a snippet from the local press so they could feel justified in their smugness criticisms.

So here's a snippet from our local rag about Joel and his school appeal in which he encouraged his fellow learners to bring in deodorants for the homeless which he's planning to give out over Christmas.

So proud of you Joel!

Thankful Thursdays

Having launched The Gathering a few weeks ago we've wanted to spend time working on the DNA of church and what it means for us in our daily lives.

So last night we gathered for an amazing time of praise and worship and then we launched our Thankful Thursdays Challenge.

Ask for nothing, 
Give thanks for everything!

Miss You Dad!

I miss my dad!

My dad died 30 years ago today when I was all of 18. He was only 55 but looked much older as he'd been battling MS for twelve years.

They say it gets easier over time but it doesn't. All you do is put your loved ones out of your mind as much as possible. The hole left in your heart after they depart is never really filled! 

How many conversations do I wish I could have had with him. How much advice would I like to have asked of him. But more than anything, I wish he'd met Paula and my boys.

I don't have any decent pics of my dad but this is one of my favourites amongst the few that I do have. This was taken in 1952 whilst he was doing his National Service with the RAF at Biggin Hill.

Blessings!

I wasn't going to share this testimony but then I felt God speak to me on Sunday about not denying him, so here goes...

Almost two weeks ago we gave away one of our couches to some friends who were experiencing some difficulties. We had two couches and could survive on one so we were very happy to bless our friends. It was amusing when the boys got home from school and noticed the gap where the couch had been. Eli said in a sullen tone: "I suppose you gave it away.", we could see his little brain thinking about how much we could have sold it for.

Vandalism!

Twenty three years ago today we'd gone for a quiet day out with some friends and family. The day started brilliantly in church followed by a slap up meal together but then to ruin it all some morons individuals (we know who you are!) vandalised our car.

You can't trust anyone!

Mr & Mrs Mapanda Return

I had the joy and privilege of going to Belville to pick Ziggy & Mercy up this morning after their eipc bus ride home from Harare. They set off on Tuesday!

It's great to have them back and we're grateful to our awesome God for making straight paths for them. They belong to us (Tree of Life) and we're delighted to have them home!

Despite having been gone for just a few weeks I had forgotten what it's like chatting to good friends who are grounded in scripture, they truly are a breath of fresh air.