Hey guys,
This year we are doing a cycle tour to Kosi Bay and back. You might remember that last year we did a ride from Jburg back to Wesley which brought in R 25,000, largely thanks to Rainbow Chickens. This year we're doing 1,100 km, almost twice the distance of last year, hoping to raise funds for commUN1TY again. We leave on the 22 November, arriving back on the 30 November. Averaging a little over 140 km per day. It's gonna be tough, but always worth it with a noble cause in mind.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
frustrations and faith
the frustrations we are facing seem like mountains but
Matthew 21:21
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
some days it seems we are getting no where other days it seems like nothing can get in our way, Lord if this is your will guide us in our decisions and the plans we make, let them be yours.
but God does send angels :) who come with wisdom and experience.
we have egg laying chickens now and optimistically look forward to providing the children with eggs..
our next mission - getting proper gas cookers and food prep stations out there.
Matthew 21:21
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
some days it seems we are getting no where other days it seems like nothing can get in our way, Lord if this is your will guide us in our decisions and the plans we make, let them be yours.
but God does send angels :) who come with wisdom and experience.
we have egg laying chickens now and optimistically look forward to providing the children with eggs..
our next mission - getting proper gas cookers and food prep stations out there.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
What makes a community?
@chrisguillebeau with a brilliant relevant post on what makes a community. http://bit.ly/jqZwC
A community is a group of people united through a common struggle with the same stories.
In Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and surrounding areas our struggle is against poverty and injustice. In many places we have visited the struggle underneath the poverty line is a difficult one and that is only what we have seen on the surface. The same stories just with different faces are brought to our attention during our visits and this can get disconcerting but it makes me think of the following story...
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young girl, and that what she was doing was not dancing at all. The young girl was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young girl paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young girl, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young girl bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, she said, "It made a difference for that one."
Thnaks to Loren Eiseley
A community is a group of people united through a common struggle with the same stories.
In Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and surrounding areas our struggle is against poverty and injustice. In many places we have visited the struggle underneath the poverty line is a difficult one and that is only what we have seen on the surface. The same stories just with different faces are brought to our attention during our visits and this can get disconcerting but it makes me think of the following story...
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young girl, and that what she was doing was not dancing at all. The young girl was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young girl paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young girl, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young girl bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, she said, "It made a difference for that one."
Thnaks to Loren Eiseley
Monday, May 18, 2009
Hope & Perseverance
"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5: 11
"Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working."
We just have to keep on going, keep on moving closer towards our goals no matter what challenges we face. We must stay true to our vision, to helping the less fortunate and showing them God's love because if we don't then who will.
"Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working."
We just have to keep on going, keep on moving closer towards our goals no matter what challenges we face. We must stay true to our vision, to helping the less fortunate and showing them God's love because if we don't then who will.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Storm-water Runoff
Thinking Big..
It's a big, dirty world out there. Someone is going to have to clean it up..
This guy wanted to make something that helped the environment, He has found a way to improve cities and the world.
Think big, clean up after yourself first..
http://bit.ly/T4Le1
It's a big, dirty world out there. Someone is going to have to clean it up..
This guy wanted to make something that helped the environment, He has found a way to improve cities and the world.
Think big, clean up after yourself first..
http://bit.ly/T4Le1
Sunday, May 10, 2009
radiohead's all i need
radiohead - all i need
this is happening as you watch//
and i bet you can relate more to the image on the left//
somethings cost more than you realise//
Saturday, May 2, 2009
CommUN1TY Broadcast at Wesley Methodist Church
Hi All
May is mission month at Wesley Meth and so the sermons and services will be focused around this very important topic.
CommUN1TY will be presenting this Sunday 3 May at all three service's.
Wish us luck, that we may speak into the hearts of those attending to show how much of God's work has been done and how much more needs to be done.
May God's love be with you..always..
May is mission month at Wesley Meth and so the sermons and services will be focused around this very important topic.
CommUN1TY will be presenting this Sunday 3 May at all three service's.
Wish us luck, that we may speak into the hearts of those attending to show how much of God's work has been done and how much more needs to be done.
May God's love be with you..always..
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Aerial View of Zinakekele
I did visit Zinakekele this last week end. I was just a few hundred feet above you. I took these photys from up top. The little community looks pretty cool from here. I heard the visit was rather awesome at ground level too, so well done to everybody who went.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
a shade of blue - 25/04/09
as promised via twitter here is an update of our visit to zinakekele yesterday,
a shade of blue, not necessarily a bad shade but a shade regardless,
left church around 9am or so, all 12 of us, a manageable number, not too many, not too few.. just right:) we took out blessed hearts and hopes, a guitar, groceries and about a ton of easter eggs:) ok not a ton but close:) ok not close but there were a lot of them! we shared the message of easter with all the kids and had an awesome time in the sun playing all sorts of games, was great to see MJ again! she is doing alright still battling with her leg but we have given her a mission to get it sorted our as soon as possible:)but we're going to try make it easy for her. we spoke about accountablity and food management, MJ now feeds about 30 or so kids breakfast and dinner daily and between 80 & 100 people lunch daily:) she is an angel with out wings! our next visit is going to be on the 23rd of May looking forward to it! will keep you guys updated!
everyone in a circle//why did Jesus die for us and why the easter eggs
a little princess trying to open her easter egg
what you looking at??
enjoying an egg of chocolate goodness
we are all made clean by the same cross
a shade of blue, not necessarily a bad shade but a shade regardless,
left church around 9am or so, all 12 of us, a manageable number, not too many, not too few.. just right:) we took out blessed hearts and hopes, a guitar, groceries and about a ton of easter eggs:) ok not a ton but close:) ok not close but there were a lot of them! we shared the message of easter with all the kids and had an awesome time in the sun playing all sorts of games, was great to see MJ again! she is doing alright still battling with her leg but we have given her a mission to get it sorted our as soon as possible:)but we're going to try make it easy for her. we spoke about accountablity and food management, MJ now feeds about 30 or so kids breakfast and dinner daily and between 80 & 100 people lunch daily:) she is an angel with out wings! our next visit is going to be on the 23rd of May looking forward to it! will keep you guys updated!
Friday, April 24, 2009
conversations on giving
it seems all of my conversations of late have been around the topic of giving, every aspect of it, giving time, giving money, from the reasons behind the act to its foundation in scripture to making it a practical daily action for people who have more than enough to give to the less fortunate, is it a perception that needs to be change in our minds? is it someones fault? today i met so many people in need, i drove past some i should have stopped and helped.. went to an amazing food bank and soup kitchen today, the give without question if you're in need they're there for you. made me think about how i give//about how to live//what are we giving?
Monday, April 20, 2009
paying the poor
intrigued by a recent post, if you pay people to be poor, you'll never run out of poor people by dan hannan
"this big idea is very simply stated. Poverty is not simply an absence of money. rather, it is bound up with a whole set of other circumstances: lack of qualifications, demoralisation, family break-up, substance abuse, fatherlessness. it follows that you do not end poverty by giving money to the poor.. ..only when you tackle poverty holistically will you facilitate meaningful improvement."
if we really want to help we need to make sure the money we give is being used to change a situation for a group of people and not to enable the poverty to continue, it comes down to a level of commitment.. how much are you willing to commit when you give money? does the transaction end when the money leaves your hands or do you ensure it makes a meaningful change?
i think of it like this>
what rog(return on gift) can you give to the poor person? will the gift keep them where they are or will it help them improve their situation? where does your giving start and where does it end?
Gandhi - “Poverty, is the worst form of violence.”
"this big idea is very simply stated. Poverty is not simply an absence of money. rather, it is bound up with a whole set of other circumstances: lack of qualifications, demoralisation, family break-up, substance abuse, fatherlessness. it follows that you do not end poverty by giving money to the poor.. ..only when you tackle poverty holistically will you facilitate meaningful improvement."
if we really want to help we need to make sure the money we give is being used to change a situation for a group of people and not to enable the poverty to continue, it comes down to a level of commitment.. how much are you willing to commit when you give money? does the transaction end when the money leaves your hands or do you ensure it makes a meaningful change?
i think of it like this>
what rog(return on gift) can you give to the poor person? will the gift keep them where they are or will it help them improve their situation? where does your giving start and where does it end?
Gandhi - “Poverty, is the worst form of violence.”
Sunday, April 19, 2009
abundance
if you are not generous with a meager income, you will never be generous with abundance. harold nye
harold hit the nail on the head there, another great quote to get us thinking, constantly evaluating how much we give, if you are reading this post, this line right now, you have abundance/surplus.. what are you going to do with all of it?
may we never forget that feeling of giving, that internal smile of joy..
harold hit the nail on the head there, another great quote to get us thinking, constantly evaluating how much we give, if you are reading this post, this line right now, you have abundance/surplus.. what are you going to do with all of it?
may we never forget that feeling of giving, that internal smile of joy..
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I am 1
“I am one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something; I will not refuse to do something I can do.” - Helen Keller
Monday, April 13, 2009
a perspective on giving
giving and its three stages visited..
what stops you from giving?
http://tiny.cc/givegivegive
what stops you from giving?
http://tiny.cc/givegivegive
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
commUN1TY on twitter
we are on twitter..
have found it brilliant connecting to other npo's
there have been some insightful nuggets of information shared by the people and organisations we are following
some of are favourites on twitter are//
http://twitter.com/nonprofitorgs
http://twitter.com/acumenfund
http://twitter.com/Everywun
http://twitter.com/therescue
want to be apart of our conversation??
you can follow commUN1TY @ http://twitter.com/commUN1TY
have found it brilliant connecting to other npo's
there have been some insightful nuggets of information shared by the people and organisations we are following
some of are favourites on twitter are//
http://twitter.com/nonprofitorgs
http://twitter.com/acumenfund
http://twitter.com/Everywun
http://twitter.com/therescue
want to be apart of our conversation??
you can follow commUN1TY @ http://twitter.com/commUN1TY
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
new mission complete
well done everyone! it is now afternoon and our mission is complete we have managed to support the sloth bear for a whopping 5 hours, raising awareness and Hope for the little creatures:)
thank you everyone - you can now carry on with your lives.
thank you everyone - you can now carry on with your lives.
new mission
it's a new month and therefore commun1ty has decided on a new mission,
something close to all of our hearts.
the sloth bear foundation
is a battling organisation that protects and preserves the endangered sloth bears and their habitats from destruction.
we feel that this is logically the next step for commun1ty.
shame, some of the bears are forced to eat nuts, fruit and small insects.
this morning marks a change in the way commun1ty views Sloth bears.
just the other day we heard of a story we a sloth bear was separated from it's mother as it was taking from a zoo in mexico and placed into a a small forest in south america. we need to be apart of the solution.
more updates coming soon.
something close to all of our hearts.
the sloth bear foundation
is a battling organisation that protects and preserves the endangered sloth bears and their habitats from destruction.
we feel that this is logically the next step for commun1ty.
shame, some of the bears are forced to eat nuts, fruit and small insects.
this morning marks a change in the way commun1ty views Sloth bears.
just the other day we heard of a story we a sloth bear was separated from it's mother as it was taking from a zoo in mexico and placed into a a small forest in south america. we need to be apart of the solution.
more updates coming soon.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Pray for Hope
this week we pray for Hope
Hope for our country, for the people won't ever read this
Hope for our generation of youth who want to help the less fortunate
Hope for those who are last, the broken.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” // Albert Einstein
Hope for our country, for the people won't ever read this
Hope for our generation of youth who want to help the less fortunate
Hope for those who are last, the broken.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” // Albert Einstein
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
the one campaign
another brilliant find thanks to twitter!
the one campaign
a campaign committed to fight extreme poverty and preventable diseases
go on show your support//you can help change the world
the one campaign
a campaign committed to fight extreme poverty and preventable diseases
go on show your support//you can help change the world
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Hoongle
this won't cost you a thing but you can help feed someone in need
i don't google anymore.. i hoongle.. yes i know its weird to say but hey
its the best idea i have seen on the web in ages!!
www.hoongle.com
in support of the UN World Food Program
i don't google anymore.. i hoongle.. yes i know its weird to say but hey
its the best idea i have seen on the web in ages!!
www.hoongle.com
in support of the UN World Food Program
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Are You Chiken?
This Saturday morning a few of us are making the trip up to Zinekekele to finish up the chicken coop. We'll be taking up laying mash as well as 15 hens that can produce our goodies. We'll also be touching up the coop, ensuring that when we leave in the arvo, they will have a fully functioning coop, and hopefully not long after that we will have the arrival of the first egg. AWESOME AND EXCITING!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
thought
it was freezing today
a shock of cold weather smothered our small suburb
i was cold inside and i had plenty of clothes on and plenty of food
i wonder how everyone is doing out there tonight
all those without enough clothes or food
is any it good just to sit and think about it and then
forget them before i climb into my warm bed
winter is coming soon
how can you help someone in need?
a shock of cold weather smothered our small suburb
i was cold inside and i had plenty of clothes on and plenty of food
i wonder how everyone is doing out there tonight
all those without enough clothes or food
is any it good just to sit and think about it and then
forget them before i climb into my warm bed
winter is coming soon
how can you help someone in need?
Monday, March 16, 2009
pray for MJ
please can we all pray for Mary-Jane (MJ)//
this year she has been battling with her right leg//
we are not 100% sure of the cause but she has been treated and unfortunately she is still in pain//
please pray for her leg and general health as we feel she is the beacon of Hope out there the others cling to//
looking forward to seeing her this weekend//
thank you
this year she has been battling with her right leg//
we are not 100% sure of the cause but she has been treated and unfortunately she is still in pain//
please pray for her leg and general health as we feel she is the beacon of Hope out there the others cling to//
looking forward to seeing her this weekend//
thank you
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Say Hello to a Homeless Stranger... and Make Their Day!
We all function with this perception that we're not allowed to talk to people we don't know. In particular, I am talking about people who are homeless. How many of us when we see a homeless person outside a shop or take-away place just completely ignore them as if they don't exist. Stop for a second and ask why this is so!
So here's the challenge! Next time you come across a homeless person... stop! Take the time to acknowledge their existence. Then say hello. Ask them their name maybe. See if you can assist in any way, maybe buy them some food when you're getting your own in the shop. Most importantly, share some of God's love with them. We are no better than them, and God made us all equal, regardless of circumstance.
2 minutes of your time could easily result in that stranger you just spoke to believing in the concept of hope for a better world once more. And trust me, it will brighten up your day too and the simple answer as to why - you are embracing the concept that all people possess a very special thing called value, which God has placed on everyone's life.
So go on, do it... because we are 1!
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Chicken Complex
The most recent development at CommUN1TY is the construction of a chicken coop. Sarah M and Lauren H came up with idea after being disturbed upon hearing about the lack of protein that the Zinekekele community receives. They recruited the help of Ron Bennett, along with Stuart Nixon, Paul Hellberg and Matt Holmes. Many thanks goes out to Ron for the use of his equipment and his help with planning the project. In just one week the coop was built. Last Saturday (28 Feb), the coop was brought to Zinekekele and assembled. All we need now is the chickens, which will get brought up shortly. Zinikekele will benefit in the form of selling the eggs, as well as eating them themselves.
Thank you Lol and Se for your initiative and tight deadlines.
Thank you Lol and Se for your initiative and tight deadlines.
Monday, March 2, 2009
commun1ty core & this year
the commun1ty core or the 'cc' has a job on its hands..
in it's first financial year we raised just over R60 000 rand, which for a relatively small npo was amazing and just proves that the Lord wants this to succeed because He provided for us big time in so many ways..
we have a goal of topping that and getting closer to the figure of R100 000 this year, we are so thankful to everyone who contributed, every rand counted and was spent on the less fortunate, we have made a lasting effect on the commun1ty of Zinakekele..
we have loads of ideas and the support of an awesome church so this year is going to be a year for 'the least of these' and we pray we are good stewards of all the love gifts and donations..
we live in hope & lead with love
the cc
in it's first financial year we raised just over R60 000 rand, which for a relatively small npo was amazing and just proves that the Lord wants this to succeed because He provided for us big time in so many ways..
we have a goal of topping that and getting closer to the figure of R100 000 this year, we are so thankful to everyone who contributed, every rand counted and was spent on the less fortunate, we have made a lasting effect on the commun1ty of Zinakekele..
we have loads of ideas and the support of an awesome church so this year is going to be a year for 'the least of these' and we pray we are good stewards of all the love gifts and donations..
we live in hope & lead with love
the cc
Thursday, February 26, 2009
challenged
at our church we have been challenged by how much we give..
how much time do we give..
how much do we give to each other..
how much do we give to those in need..
are we doing what is best for our selves or what is best for each other..
"for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
luke 12: 34
how much time do we give..
how much do we give to each other..
how much do we give to those in need..
are we doing what is best for our selves or what is best for each other..
"for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
luke 12: 34
Monday, February 23, 2009
we know
we know what we have to do and we are going to do it//
we have been blessed with gifts
now it's up to us to use them to the best
of our ability to serve our brothers and sisters in need//
they wait so patiently for us..
we have been blessed with gifts
now it's up to us to use them to the best
of our ability to serve our brothers and sisters in need//
they wait so patiently for us..
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
2009
2009 is going to be huge for commun1ty
just you wait and see..
in 2009 focus is the key..
there is a website coming so brace yourselves!
just you wait and see..
in 2009 focus is the key..
there is a website coming so brace yourselves!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
