I have been meaning to update my blog for a while now but recent events have left me shocked and raw. I have been staring at this black page for longer than I care to admit. I am not truly composed enough to deliver myself properly so please forgive me as I stumble through this but I have prolonged it for too long, I have news I need to share with everyone.
Firstly I would like to start by explaining the situation that has knocked me over so. One of the guys in my youth died a month ago. He was learning to fly, quite literally, when something went wrong and the plane crash, both him and his instructor were killed. Some of you may have known him and have been sharing my grief over this past month. For those of you who did not know him I will try expand on the situation. Dylan was 15 years old and served in the junior youth, which I help lead. He lived with his aunt and had a complicated family history, as well as a love of adventure and a caring heart. He and I had become close since I moved back to Cape Town and we would often spend hours chatting about life and its many avenues. He was someone in whom I saw great potential and possibilities. I served along side him for four years, and lead him for another year. He was a boy of greatness, of this I have no doubt.
The fact that he was so quickly ripped from this world has torn many of us asunder. As I have watched the youth, and others, fall apart and try reassemble themselves this past month and it has caused a similar fracture in my own life. The first torrent of emotions caused me great grief and anger but as I moved past them, as well as preaching on it to the youth a week later, I found that a emptiness within me. I do not fear death, but it has a heavy effect all the same. I have been victim to fitful nights and resentful days. He was not perfect but he was a light in this often too dark world.
Prior to this, thankfully, a new development occurred in regards to my future and studies. As many of you know I have been looking at going to BSSM (Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry) to study for a year or two before I try and fund my psychology studies in America. This is because I want to serve God and I know BSSM would be a great place to grow with God. It seems, however, that God has better plans for me as I have been given the opportunity, by my gracious mother and grandfather, to study here in South Africa. It is something I prayed and fasted over, as it is a big change to commit to studying here when I have been so eager to go and see the world. I brought it before God and gave it over to Him, at which point I felt that I would be able to serve Him better here as I grow and learn.
Please do not misunderstand me. I have not forgotten my dream, nor have I succumbed to laziness or comfort. I serve my Father and do His work. I feel that I would be foolish to pass up this opportunity to study now and serve where I am needed. The rest of the world will continue to spin on but I do not think that I am prepared to leave behind the church community that I have become so much a part of as it grows and develops. I have no doubt I will be in a foreign country doing work for God one day, but it seems there are other things to come before that.
My main interest is studying at SACAP (South Africa College of Applied Psychology) which offers a rigorous BPsych degree that after 4 years leaves you ready and licensed to practice with honours and 200 hours of experience. This is where I hope to study as they focus on small, interactive, personal classes with hands on experience. Maybe in five years time I'll be talking to you from the other side of a notepad, wouldn't that be something.
On a similar, local topic, I would just like to update those who are interested in on going of my church life. I co-lead our junior youth (grade 4-7), working along side a great lady I help run our program, organise our functions, and co-ordinate our teenage volunteers who number over 20. It is a great honour to work alongside Liane and the teenagers on a Friday to minister to the +50 kids that attend EPIC (the name of our youth) as well as on a Sunday with 3D (grade R-3). It has filled my heart with great joy watching them, both the children and the teenagers, flourish within God. I have grown very found of the youth I both serve and serve alongside.
That is the majority of my news. I apologise again for my delay in letting all of you know, I hope you can overlook the delay and roughness of my post but I wanted to get it out there all the same.
May God bless you and keep you.
Below are some photos from my recent adventures if you are interested, I apologise for the mumbled order.
