Lockdown 269

Lockdown Day 269 - 20 December 2020

Today this post will serve as a reminder and information package for tomorrow night's evening of spectacular stargazing that awaits us. All you need to do is pray for clear skies and start tonight to familiarise yourself with this event. I have also included a great 5½ minute video on the great conjunction. 

Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions happen every 20 years; the last one was in the year 2000. 

But these conjunctions aren’t all created equal. The 2020 great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be the closest since 1623 and the closest observable since 1226. 

2020’s extra-close Jupiter-Saturn conjunction won’t be matched again until the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction of March 15, 2080.

To me, this is God opening up His world for us to see, the indescribable greatness of His creation and countenance. Even unbelievers marvel at this. It boggles my mind how anyone can see all this and still think it happened all by chance. Tomorrow night will be a close encounter of the God kind. So show up and watch and listen, be tuned into His heart. 

https://youtu.be/2NAp1q_5YZs

#Ggt

Lockdown 268

Lockdown Day 268 - 19 December 2020

And so we left Namibia. The temperature at the border was 40 degrees outside. It went relatively smooth except for a hold up for gate passes, but soon we were speeding towards Upington. 

I decided to share some scenes of Namibia and this day on the road. After leaving Windhoek, our choice for lunch and coffee was to be at Kitchen 51 just outside Keetmanshoop. But we were to be disappointed by a closed gate and a less than desirable answer about being full although no cars were outside. So by the time we reached Grűnau we were hangry (hungry&angry). 

Arrival was after 5 in Upington at 42°C where the overnight accommodation Kalahari Rest made up for it with a powerful aircon and a heavenly shower. We decided to eat in and retire early, completely drained from the past 10 days. 

So here are a couple of scenes as we went along:

God's got this. Yes, even in the drought and in the nothingness.

Lockdown 267

Lockdown Day 267 - 18 December 2020

Our last day in Windhoek and the heat persists. Conflicted between saying goodbye and looking forward to start our life in our new home, I know there is a time for everything. And I feel what our parents must have felt all those years we lived far away. But this is life. And perhaps distance is the better thing. It makes for planned quality visits where time is purposefully spent together. 

All those years our parents visited us, we always saved the special outings for time with them. I remember how excited we were to see them and how wonderful it was to get a chance to chat as adults and learn from their wisdom. And oh, the many cups of tea we had around the kitchen table.... how precious those times were! 

So, with the kids on their way to Swakop,  and the youngest still visiting with an old  school buddy. we drive out to our friends Sonja and Leon where we will end off our trip to Nam. My built in timeline has been shifted and challenged like no other year. 

This will only be the 4th time I haven't been in Hermanus for the summer holiday. But, just like the previous 3 times, this one was worth every minute. And although Lockdown changed this planned winter wedding into a summer one, I believe God's providence and plans is better than ours. Every time. All the time.

This is why we can only look to the heavens and trust Him without reservation. As I watch Sonja feed the hungry warthog mother and her only surviving piglet in this drought stricken area, I realise they trust God for food and water to stay alive. I walk ond the bone dry ground and  breathe in the dry hot air, thanking God for the rain He will send at the destined time and praying He will allow this mother the grace and mercy to see her piglet grow up.

Once again, we greet Namibia with a spectacular sunset. And once again we say goodbye to Leon, Sonja and Rudolph. Our hearts are with you and look forward to a visit at our house. You are the stuff lifelong friends are made of. Your friendship means the world to us and words do not do your hospitality justice. We pray for you and with you for rain.#Gbwy

As I drift off to sleep, I silently praise God for allowing me to see my piglets grow up. I also offer up a prayer for those who already have family in heaven, we look forward to the day we will all see each other again.

#Ggt

Lockdown 266

Lockdown Day 266 - 17 December 2020

Another hot day. We busied ourselves with Christmas shopping, meetings and getting ready to pack. Our overnight bags need to be ready for tomorrow,  our last night in Whk. Tonight is our last night with the kids as they are leaving Christmas in Swakop with the in-laws. 

We visited the doctor for our travel Covid tests, for which we had to fill out two Pathcare forms, make payment and copies of our passports, all printed and ready. Now we wait and will probably have to collect the printed results before leaving on Saturday. 

Our day ended with dinner at Joe's Beerhouse, an iconic Namibian restaurant which is worth the visit.  Sporting a new menu, they still serve traditional German and Namibian dishes such as Eisbein with Rotkohl (Pork knuckle with red cabbage) and Spätzle (threads made with flour, milk, eggs, and salt). 

With a very informal vibe reminiscent of Oom Samie se winkel in Stellenbosch or Dassiesfontein Padstal between Caledon and Botriver on the N2, the rustic atmosphere and friendly people made for a wonderful experience.

With the clouds once again signalling rain (but no rain 3 days in a row), I pray for a shower to cool down the ground.

I pray a blessing over the bridal couple, wishing them all the best on their journey to a fulfilled marriage, knowing that the road is a good but challenging one. With God all things are possible and because they both walk in faith, this journey to holiness will shape them individually and as a team in the Kingdom of God.

#Gbwy

#Ggt

Lockdown 265

Lockdown Day 265 - 16 December 2020

Today it was the Nam Prez' turn. Fortunately the region will stay open for travel. So for us its a go for our Windhoek visit. For the newlyweds still renovating their property, life goes on between work and home. We are fortunate to share in many of the 'firsts' in their new home.

In this searing Namibian heat I made a vow to self: never again will I come here in the summer holiday. Swakop: yes. The rest of Nam: no. A million times no. If I can't fly in to Walvis Bay, I doubt that I will even drive. Even if the nothingness is beautiful. It drains the life out of me and sometimes it feels as if I have the proverbial nothing-right-in-the-left-brain-and-nothing-left-in-the-right-brain going on too.

If ever I wondered if I am a winter body, I now know I am. The thought of cold water swimming in the winter is a most appealing thought, especially this week. Suddenly I feel very sad for all those holidaymakers cooped up in their accommodations. With nowhere but the malls and shopping centres to go to for entertainment. 

The question arises why a mall would be less of a threat for virus transmission than the beach? Really? It just doesn't make sense. Not only does the beach have sun (virus killer number 1), salt water (best sanitizer worldwide) and proper ventilation (salty air and a breeze), but more space for social distancing too. 

A mall or shop does not have any of these perfect satisfactory conditions,  leaving its patrons exposed and at a greater risk for contracting this abominable virus. 

So the Prez has now decided to further compromise our health. Does he really think this measure will deter people from going anywhere and stay home because the beach is not available?

So tonight I offer up a prayer for all the holidaymakers who were looking forward to enjoying the sun, sand and ocean. I offer up a prayer for all beach related businesses like guesthouses and camping hire, especially surfing related ones. I pray you will find God and trust Him to provide. Because He is omnipotent and because He's got this.

Lockdown Day264

Lockdown Day 264 - 15 December 2020

And so our Prez felt the need for new reg's. Many people were worried, as were we here in Nam. Tomorrow their Prez will address the nation of Namibia. In SA the sales of alcohol is restricted to 4 days a week (save for wineries, thank goodness) and curfew is lengthened, many beaches closed. 

To me these are measures that should have been implemented long ago. In saying that though, I realise life is a changed phenomenon. And still there's that no-control thing hovering "discreetly" over it all. Again, the whole world is in a grip that is being tightened once more.

If I were a filmmaker with apocalyptic interests, I would feel it and want to make the most relevant movie of our time.

Waiting for our car to be cleaned,  I sat watching "normal life"  happen as masked people pass by with their own agendas and christmas lists, the weirdness of it all just struck me again.

We are becoming a faceless society and even though we rebel against it every day, we still keep complying. I wonder if it isn't just all a fear driven fetish. A kind of hellish conspiracy to mind-control and world domination.

And then God reminds me of His providence, presence and plans. Of His mercy that is enough for me. Of the promises in His Word that shine like rainbows in the night. And I know His footprints are before mine for me to step in and follow Him.

"But He answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and My power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me."

2 Corinthians 12:9 

#Ggt

Lockdown 263

Lockdown Day 263 - 14 December 2020

And so the rest of our short holiday has started. Visiting with our kids and catching up on the many moons we haven't seen each other is on our menu.

With the fresh memory of the wedding as a backdrop for a good time, we look forward to making another batch of memories to be treasured.

I shall carry the memory of this wedding weekend for a long time to come for many reasons, of which Alna & Ian are one.

Thank you for allowing us into your home and hearts, for giving us a place to do our thing with all the wedding commitments we had going on. For all the late night chats on the stoep and the early morning coffee in pj's. Your Godly hospitality and firm faith was a ministering light of love to us.

Another reason is our Nam friends and my Bestie who came from all over to share in our kids' joy. You all know who you are. For my family in Hermanus and Alkmaar (Netherlands) and Renate & Faan in Mauritius who were here in spirit, plus everone else who just wanted to share in this special time in our lives who took the time to send us beautiful  congrats messages: you helped make this the sterling event it was, bless you all.

And then, of course the ocean, the Swakop vibe and the dunes. Unique and strikingly different, it just moves into your spirit and camps in the amygdala without asking permission.

This is the stuff of Godly favour and heavenly grace woven into the human spirit, bearing witness of His presence, favour and love.

#Gbwy

#Ggt