The Davies Update

Reconnecting...

2011-05-23T15:54:00.000+02:00

It has been a while since we have updated you on the Davies journey...

We are blessed by living in Africa, life is not as rushed, things just happen slower in this part of the world. Thus, decent internet access is limited and slow. We don't have landlines where we live and so have to navigate bad wireless connections.

To be honest, it has felt really difficult to sit down and put on "paper" what has been happening. These two things together have lead to limited connection to you.

So what has been happening?

Our team grows

Jen Chi Lee our new team mate arrived safely in SA on Jan 6th. Jen has been adjusting well to the context, culture and language learning. Jen initially lived with us but now has moved into Zandspruit. She is living with a family we have built relationships with and it seems to be going well. It is a gift to have her here and living in the community we work.

Faith Network??

The last time we wrote we shared that our faith network was in the middle of a discernment process. We asked folks to clarify how they were able to commit building a community together. It proved to be a helpful process although it has been sad to see many who don't live in our community decide to relate on the periphery. Unfortunately most are white folks and so the dynamic of the group has changed. With less ability for true friendship and reconciliation. Hopefully we will have other opportunities to relate cross culturally in the future.

The positive is that things have shifted more towards a faith community. Becoming a place where we are learning how to become a true community, to build friendship, to get into each other spaces and homes, to share...rather than just talking about issues.

The group is made up of younger folks who all seem to have a heart to see their communities change. We hope to build a community where these folks with great potential can be developed in their faith, and learn to engage our community together.

It has been good to see some folks realizing the need to take initiative and ownership for helping this space become what we want it to be. Our challenge is to lead by developing folks like Thabo & Anathi to reach out, empowering others.

Pray for us as we figure out how to help initiative and ownership to grow.

Partnership network

We have spent the last 2 years building relationships, learning culture and context, trying to discover what has worked and what has failed in terms of bringing lasting and sustainable transformation in Zandspruit & Cosmo city.

We are now bringing together like minded people, Pastors, NGO leaders and community people, who agree that the way things have been done have not worked and that we need a "new wine skin".

A saviour mentality from outside entities providing services and a dependancy mentality on the inside have lead to dysfunctional relationships. A local Pastor shared how he had recently been involved in an area where an outside church had been working into a poor area for 15 years. Nothing had changed. We don't want to work with good intentions for 15 years and see no change.

We long for a "new wine skin". We want to work with the local community to empower and build relationships of trust.

This week a group of 10 stakeholders are meeting together to decided how we want to go forward together to build something that will last. Something that will help create an environment that enables lasting and sustainable change through relationships built on trust and life giving partnerships. Pray for clear direction and wisdom as we lead in this space.

Family

Surprise, our family is unexpectedly growing! I am 14 weeks pregnant with our little surprise. We are continuing to adjust to the news and the practicalities of having 3 children. The only real thing we know is that this must be God's plan so we should be okay. In other family news, Keira is turning 4 in July and is very excited about being "even bigger". She and Jordan are learning how to play nicely together especially as Jordan has quite the strong personality, with very strong opinions. As a Mom I am stretched, and look forward to the days that I get to spend with other moms in the community talking about pregnancy and life with children, it truly is my highlight.

Our house continues to be a social center where we host many people and more recently we have broken into the "kid circuit". Many children from our street now consider our house the place to play, so once again I go from having 2 children to 6 children in the afternoons. They really are a lot of fun though and I am glad they all play so well together.

Follow us on twitter @badirammogo

With love,

Trevor, Chrissy, Keira, Joradan +1

A year in reflection...

2010-12-23T13:58:00.000+02:00

As we come to the end of our second year in South Africa we are amazed about what God has done and how he has invited us to join Him in the work of bringing his Kingdom to the Zandspruit/Cosmo City area.

We want to share some of it with you...

Highlights:
Derek in SA – It was great to have our supervisor and friend in South Africa to get a feel for what we are up to. Now when we Skype he has a better picture of what is going on.
Soccer World Cup – This was an amazing experience for our country and even better to share it with our reconciling community.
First time back to USA – This was great to connect with Servant Partners team leaders, family, friends and supporters. It was however tough for us translating our lives and we were exhausted when we returned.
Ora & Dijaba's wedding in Lesotho – This was an amazing celebration and experience of a rural traditional African wedding. We loved the singing and dancing and got to share life more intimately with our friends.
A place called home – After a long time looking, with our families help, we were able to purchase a home in Cosmo City. This is a blessing, especially to Chrissy, to have a stable place to call home. I can now walk or ride my bike to Zandspruit.
Mathieson’s – George and Dorothy from Australia joined us for 3 weeks and loved on our community and us. We are grateful for the way they listened and sacrificially shared their lives and invited each of us to see how God is in all of our stories, many of deep suffering and pain, and that in knowing God is with us we find our healing. God moved powerfully through them and in our faith community.

New wine skins to hold new wine
As we end the first 2 years is seems like God is inviting us to formalize some of the work we are doing and to provide some platforms from which to have greater impact.

We are in process of coming together under the name Ba Dira Mmogo. This means, “those that are working together” in Setswana. Thabo, Orapeleng, Andrea and Kgomotso are working together to bring people of the community together to see transformation happen in Zandspruit.

Youth: We are hoping to impact the youth through a post highschool program that hopes to provide a platform to raise up and develop future leaders of Zandspruit
Partnership network: We are working with Churches, NGO’s and other stakeholders working in Zandspruit to try and find healthy way to work with the community, create ownership and see more sustainable, heallthy change take place.

Faith network – Our faith community has grown in depth and we are at a point where we have decided to clarity expectations as we move forward. Through December we are asking everyone to consider their ability or desire to relate to the group. We hope this will free everyone up to express their intentions and then those who desire more depth will be able to move forward and shape the community together. We hope to create many other ways for those with less time and proximity to stay connected to what God is doing with us.

Ministering out of natural - Chrissy has be loving ministering more out of who God has created her to be. It has been good to be back in the clinics providing ante natal education to expecting moms. She is especially drawn to young first time moms who have little to no support and are terrified about the birthing process. We are looking forward to see where God leads as our kids need a little less constant attention :).

Some other things God has used us for…that aren’t our focus!

Helping bringing local Pastors to work together
Encouraging the community to stand up for themselves
Influencing other ministries towards focusing on relationships and empowerment
Investing in new marriages & healthy relationships
Teaching English
Sharing our home and many meals
Helped start a few businesses
Telling a different South African story
Teaching a friend to drive
Trying to model an honest marriage and invested parenting

Lastly some news from our family
Ah, Nature! What a blessing to be able to get away into nature. The first two weeks of December we were afforded the opportunity to go away with family and then on our own. Being in the bush was a great experience for our girls, Keira learning the names of all the different kind of animals and Jordan learning to point at . . .everything : )

We have enjoyed seeing our little family grow this year. Keira has been loving her preschool and excelling, as she came home with all “ A’s” on her little report card. She is also enjoying the challenge of swimming lessons. Keira keeps us on our toes with her questions about Jesus, other people’s behavior, and why she can’t be the leader all the time.
Jordan has been a joy as she is always full of smiles. She took us by surprise by only crawling for 2 months and then walking, then running after Keira and now, my personal favorite dancing! You can often see her with any object as a phone saying “ hi” or getting into the cupboards with a mischievous smile. Our girls are such an abundant source of joy and energy consumption . . . we wouldn’t change a thing.

Praise God for all he has done, we are grateful for your part in it all.

Merry Christmas

Trevor, Chrissy, Keira & Jordan Davies

Our girls

2010-11-25T11:21:00.000+02:00

Our time in the US comes to a close...

2010-09-20T20:16:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

Just a quick update.

Our time in the US has come to a close. We leave for South Africa early tomorrow morning.

We are looking forward to return to South Africa, grateful for all the connecting we were able to make but tired and not looking forward to the long travel.

We had a really good time with our spiritual director, gained some good perspective and tools for spiritual growth that will go a long way.

Our time in Portland was the most hectic, it was really fun to connect with many friends and donors but we over did it a bit. After Portland Keira was done with new places and regularly asked to go back to South Africa. We are so grateful for the Sommer's for hosting us and providing a base.

It was so encouraging how well we and our work was received. God is doing something good. We are hoping that our connections will turn into fruitful partnership.

Lastly, we had a our most restful time in Corvallis. It was was great to connect with Calvin Presbyterian and Faith Christian Fellowship Churches and then head out to the Oregon Coast mid week to rest and play. Thank you Ogles for the great gift.

We are now back in Seattle packing and gathering ourselves to a long haul. We leave tired of travel but even more convinced that what we are doing in South Africa is exactly where God wants us.

The trip continues..

2010-08-21T02:38:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

Just wanted to give you a little update...
We are doing well and in good health.
The girls did well on the trip over and the first 16.5 hours flight wasn't as bad as we thought.

We had a great time with Chrissy's sister Cat and John in West Los Angeles. It was the first time we all got to spend time together. Keira had a blast.Thanks for hosting us guys.

We had some good meetings talking about community organizing and small business development with some SP consultants and spent some time with our new team mate Jen Chi Lee who is coming to SA in January.

We then went up to Big Bear in CA with the Servant Partners Team Leaders for a weeks conference. It was a great time of connection, healing and focus on leadership development. It was great to take some time to think about the work we are doing and the people involved and ask God for clarity and direction on how to best invest our time and energy.
It was also good to talk and relate with peers who get what we are doing and can give good council and prayer. We are thankful for the space and beauty of this time. Keira & Jordan had a good time. Jordan got past around and is not crawling and getting into things. We didn't see Keira the whole week except for bed time, which she wasn't very excited about. She was off with anyone but us, having a great time with new friends.

We are currently with Chrissy's parents in Seattle area. It has been good so far connecting and going on outings together. Chrissy & I are both tired and it has been good to get a little rest in. We are grateful for grandparents. Keira when out with them today and it was great to have the space to read and reflect.

NEXT:
Please pray for us this weekend as prepare for time with a spiritual director that is leading us through a reflection process on our work so far and person retreat. Pray that this would be restful and restoring and that the kids will do good with the Grandma & Granddad.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

The Davies

Servant Partners trip to USA

2010-08-06T22:25:00.000+02:00

Hello Friends,

Just a quick update to fill you in on the latest Davies news:

We enjoyed the Soccer World Cup to the fullest here in South Africa, it felt as though we were personally hosting it ! : ) Several friends came and stayed with us and there were many a game viewed at our house! It was an incredible experience and brought many people together. We hope you received the Journey of Hope newsletter that shared about our work in South Africa which was connected to the World Cup. It was titled, "World Cup stirs hope for racial healing in South Africa."

The world cup in now over and we all have to return to reality.

We are currently in the process of buying a house and moving closer to Zandspruit, the community we work in, which has been stressful to say the least. There has been a lots of running around, chasing after people and making sure that work the seller agreed to do gets done right. In the midst of thinking about moving we are getting our family ready to head back to US for a Servant Partners Team Leader Meetings and a mini Furlough. We are looking forward to the time but getting there will be an adventure with 2 kids. Hopefully the plane can contain Keira's energy :).

We will be in the Northwest from the 3rd of Aug to the 20th of September.

Here are the specifics:
Aug 3-8 in LA area
Aug 8-14th SP team leaders conference in Big Bear
Aug 16-22 in Seattle area (22nd visit Emerald City Bible Fellowship)
Aug 23-25 Guided Retreat for Trevor and Chrissy
Aug 26-31st Seattle Area
Sept 1-12th Portland Area (5th visit Irvington Covenant Church)
Sept 12th-19th Corvallis Area (12th visit Calvin Presbyterian 19th visit Faith Christian Fellowship: Both of these services will have gatherings to connect further)
Sept 19th Return to Seattle
Sept 21th Leave for South Africa

We would just like to ask for your prayers for the many meetings, speaking engagements as well as the dynamics of traveling with 2 young children.
Although we would love to see everybody time just won't allow it, but we will do our best to organize a few small gatherings so we can catch up with as many as possible.

The adventure continues...

40 South Africanisms you should know - Times LIVE

2010-06-06T23:09:00.000+02:00

Thought you non-South Africans would all enjoy this little cultural lesson.

Cultrual training for the world cup. Can you feel it. It is here!

40 South Africanisms you should know - Times LIVE

Pictures from some recent events!

2010-06-01T11:14:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

We haven't been written for a while. Interesting what a new addition to the family and pioneering a ministry will do to your time and survival skills. We are also in the middle of buying a house in Cosmo City and closer to Zandspruit, so we have been and are in a lot of transition to say the least.

In the midst of all that we are doing well, getting into some new rhythms and enjoying to challenge of the reconciliation ministry God has called us to. We just had Derek Engdahl, our supervisor from Servant Partners, visit us for the first time in South Africa. It was a real gift to have him here, to share our work and vision together some next steps.

We wanted to share some pictures with you from some recent events and some family pics. They are posted on www.facebook.com/trevsa, so check them out.

Also here are the direct links:

Drakensburg Hike
Family Pics: May 2010
Zandspruit Soccer Tournament
World cup friendly - Soccer City

We will share more soon.

Love to all

Developing Fine Motor Skills

2010-03-25T14:35:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I spent about 30 minutes with Keira picking up little pieces of paper and putting them in an envelope and then taking turns dumping them all out again in each others hands, that was a long half hour! Keira did not grow tired of this activity but of course my mind wandered. . . I thought about how this kind of repetition is the way she learns best at this age and that it is important for her fine motor control, and her patience as well as mine. But I also though about how so many things in our lives at the moment are the same way. Our Sunday discussion group for instance; things are going really well but when I think of what we are trying to achieve it will take a long time, a lot of character growth in each individual and a lot of patience with each other and the journey. Slowly we will learn how to put one foot in front of the other, crossing boundaries and comfort zones, making this a worthy priority in our lives because we are saying yes to Jesus and his heart for all people and how He wants to change our lives and perspectives, not just a cool group of people to meet with each week.

My patience is also being challenged at the home front. Every evening small children come to my gate and yell, " KEERA!!" And promptly Keira jumps up and says " My friends are calling me Mommy, They want to play with me" But playing usually ends up in little tiffs that lead to " Keera's Mother! Keera's Mother, she won't share the bike. . ." or some other catastrophic occurrence.
Don't get me wrong I love the kids and we have little girls on the street now which is fun to have Keira play with girls ( dancing, gymnastics, dolls, riding bikes etc. vs. violent soccer games and Keira just watching older boys play or fix their bikes.) It can be a bit challenging to go from 2 children to 8.
But I think I am being stretched more and more to love out of Jesus' love and not my own, To love beyond my own ability.

Check Jordan's new do! I think she likes it.

Cami, Keira, Kamu and Jordan

Kamu, Thabiso, Cami and Keira, enjoying story time by Thabiso

The journey continues...

2010-03-19T10:28:00.000+02:00

The journey continues...

As we started 2010 we had to look back on last year and see where we have come from. At the beginning of 2009 there were just a few friends dreaming of drawing a diverse group of people together to talk, learn and engage with the struggle of racial reconciliation in our country.

It has been amazing to see what God has done through these weekly discussion meetings of honesty and learning. By reflecting on the journey we are on we get to see what God is doing and how we can continue to grow.

We end the the year with a braai (BBQ), with the hope of celebrating together. We had some fun but we also defaulted into the places and groups that we were most comfortable.

We took some time to start this year by debriefing the braai.

Here's what we learned and expressed to each other...a testament to God growing us together and through the interaction with each other.

We learned about how we do food differently, how we socialize differently, interact differently and relax differently... and that when we don't understand these differences...our tendency is to assume the worst of the other and withdraw to our comfort zones and thus segregation.

Here are some things we learned and discovered through reflecting together:
- We are dissatisfied with segregation
- We want more unity
- We desire more togetherness and understanding
- We are realizing out own part in it
- We were able to be honest and share our short comings
- We were able to apologise to each other
- We are gaining an awareness of our differences
- We are working on our assumptions
- We are realizing our need to move out of our comfort zones
- We see the need for initiative with each other

We learned a lot from a braai, about each other, cultures and ways of doing things.

Now we have to ask:
How do we build something together?
What ways can we respect and celebrate each others cultures?
How do we need to compromise and create something new?

It is an art, a journey, a creative exercise....it is building the Kingdom of God.

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story | Video on TED.com

2010-03-17T09:31:00.000+02:00

A great speach on how we need to listen to many stories to get the whole story and how damaging just hearing a single story is...very helpful

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story | Video on TED.com

A New " Normal"

2010-02-16T11:47:00.000+02:00

Life is so different with 2 children!! We are learning though, learning to enjoy the small bits of sanity that present themselves, how to operate on way less sleep, how to embrace and cherish the sister to sister moments. Its a whirlwind of wonderful and hectically challenging at the same time.
My life these days has been much more about figuring out how to take care of our family of 4 than it was before and slowly I am beginning to feel like that's okay, like I have permission from Jesus to get my head around this new phase in our lives. But of course life still continues and thankfully people come to us ; )
I have had the privilege of being a sort of information well/ post partum doula for a friend and neighbor. The boys in the neighborhood have returned. . . yesterday Mandla ( who lives down the street) brought friends over because one of them fell off his bike, he said to his friend " This is my personal nurse, whenever I get hurt I come here!" The other one responded " If I would have known I would have come before." As he presented his freshly scabbed legs.
Its nice to have them back around, I think they stayed away because they were a little weirded out by a large pregnant woman kicking the soccer ball around with them, but now I look more normal : )
Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment! Thanks

Davies Dinner Fun

Happy

SAD

ANGRY

And Lastly Silly!

A little activity inspired by Keira!

Thank you Madiba - We remember

2010-02-11T10:41:00.000+02:00

Long Walk to Freedom

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Nelson Mandela (b. 1918), released from 27 years in prison 20 years ago today.
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
"As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.”
"There is no passion to be found playing small, in setting for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."
Thank you Madiba, you give us home. God helps us to walk in your shoes

Jordan & Family...

2010-02-01T11:04:00.001+02:00

Hi All,
Sorry for the hiatus but we just had our second daughter.... and yes like they say, "Going from 1 to 2 is tough." We love Jordan, although I would love having a bit more time with her. She is starting to smile and be more alert which is great. I have spent most of my time with Keira. Man she has some serious energy. I have no idea where she got that from. She was up at 5:30am, come in for a quick snuggle and then pulls the covers off and says,"Come Daddy lets get up."
Anyway, we are doing good, getting adjusted. Maternity and Paternity leave have been a blessing and we are looking forward to getting the year started.
We have already had some great conversations at our discussion group, learning about different cultures and expectations. God is doing a good thing. I will share more later.

Here are some pics many of you have been asking for....

Jordan Grace Davies has arrived

2009-12-08T11:48:00.000+02:00

With Joy and Grace our family is growing...

We'll are excited to welcome Jordan Grace Davies into our lives. She is our "Flowing down Grace". Born Dec 6th 2009, 3.02kg(6.6lbs) and 48cm(18.9inchs).

I thought that some of you would like some details, so here is my version. For the rest enjoy the pics.

After the waiting our adventure eneded up being a race to Genesis Clinic (the birthing center) to welcome Jordan home. I even managed to get a speeding ticket on the way, it adds to the story and which I know, I will take the birth certificate to the traffic department and try to get it off. Things sure came on strong and fast.

How it happened:

After a family braai we headed home and 6:30pm and started timing contractions as they seemed to be more reguar but we were still not sure if this was the real thing. Chrissy had been having Braxten Hicks contractions, or tightening as I decided to call them all day.

Things seemed to be gently progressing so we thought we should let Sue (Midwife) and Rosalia (Doula) that we might see some action.

At 9:23pm we let Sue and Rosalia know that Chrissy had been having regular contractions that were progressing for the last hour but we still felt fine at home.

At 9:33pm Rosalia called and suggested getting into to bath to see if things would settle into a pattern or dissipate.

At 9:55pm Chrissy called Rosalia, had a contraction on the phone and they decided that we needed to head to Genesis.

At 10:08pm we were rushing to the hospital. I had run a bath that didn't get used as we realized how strong the contractions were. Chrissy was shaking at points.

So we jumped in the car. Of course we had been packed for weeks thanks to Chrissy, amazing all the things she thought to bring, and started race to the hospital with hazards on. Kinda fun. At the same time Grandma and Granddad came to our place to look after Keira. We had to leave her sleeping alone in the house as we needed to go. So thankful for grandparents.

We arrived at Genesis at 10:27pm, got check into the room and after getting the vitals checked Chrissy wanted to get into the tub. Contractions were coming hard and heavy. Chrissy was doing great staying on top of things, focusing, breathing and trying to relax.

At 11:30pm things slowed down a little and Sue said "I think this baby is waiting for tomorrow." I had thought she was going to arrive on the 7th.

At 11:45pm we knew the baby wasn't waiting. 4 minutes later Jordan was born in the water. Fitting I think that that is where she was born although we didn't think about it before.

Chrissy literally pushed 4 times really hard and she was out.

I still can't believe how fast she came out, last time we spent 10 hours at the hospital.

So another Amazing, amazing adventure. Once again Chrissy did so well, totally natural. She hasn't even had pain meds after it all. What a woman I have been blessed with, strong and courageous.

Praise God that the birth and pregnancy is over and now we can enjoy Jordan as a family.

Keira Joy Davies:

When Keira woke up the next morning Grandma told her that baby Jordan had arrive. When Granddad went up she was sitting in her bed giggling. He asked, "Keira why are you giggling?" Keira said, "I am excited, I get to go and meet Jordan today."

I am proud of Keira, she did great. She loved holding and kissing Jordan and was so gently and loving. I can't wait to watch them get to know each other.

God has given us an incredible family...now to look after and nurture the gift..

Thanks for all those near and far for being part of this journey...our lives. We wish that those who are far could be closer and are grateful for those who are near.

With love,

Trevor, Chrissy, Keira and Jordan

Keira in Daddy's shoes...

2009-11-17T10:28:00.000+02:00

Keira and Chrissy came out to watch me in a cycling race this past Sunday. It was a lot of fun. 25000 people on bikes racing through the city of JHB. I am grateful to be able to keep exercising and competing some.
Anyway, on Monday Keira decided to put on all my stuff and wanted to ride on Daddy's bike. So I put her on the bike and went down the road. The whole way she was saying, "I want to go and ride with those guys." When we got home she was crying and very upset. I asked her what was wrong. Didn't you have fun. She said, "No, I wanted to race with those guys."

Hope you enjoy the pics. It is amazing how what we do influences our kids and how much they want to be a part of our lives.

Sharing lives…reclaiming our humanity

2009-10-26T17:17:00.000+02:00

Sharing lives…reclaiming our humanity

Last night at our discussion group where we are crossing racial, economic, gender and age boundaries we stopped to reflect on what God has done and what we have learnt so far. We stopped to remember that 6 months ago most of us didn’t know each other and many of us were living the usual South Africa story of division and separateness. We are starting to slowly tell a different, new story…

From the voices of the people:
I have learned to face conflict and not shy away from difficult conversations.
I am finding my voice, this is a safe space to speak up.
People are speaking their minds and not holding back, learning to be real.
I am learning that the wounds of the past go very deep.
I am grateful that I am accepted for who I am.
This is my support group.
This is my second family.
I have learned to not treat all people of a particular race the same. Not just "those people" but individuals.
I am learning to trust those of different races and backgrounds, to share my life.
I have a place to share frustrations and struggles that I have bottled up my whole life.
I can be proud of my African name and don’t need a white name.
Hearing others stories has allowed me to have more compassion, to understand better.
Honored to be together. Privileged to share this journey.
Dissatisfaction with Church and segregation, wish there were places like this in the Church where we could talk about real issues.
Realize there are issues we need to work on amongst our own people.
Have been challenged to work on our friendship outside this group.
Helped us talk about real things in our friendships.
We are meeting each others families.
Wished we could bring colleagues and other Church members to this group.
Grateful for peoples generosity as I take small steps.
Blessed by opportunity to relate cross culturally.
Learned to respect other opinions even if I don’t agree.

We are on a journey and a different story is unfolding…we have taken small steps…and we have many more to take together. We are recovering our humanity.

God is at work and restoring his people.

A month of pictures. . .

2009-10-21T16:01:00.000+02:00

Just thought you might enjoy a few pictures of what we have been up to the last month or so.

Keira walking on the constitution.

Wildlife

29 weeks prego on left and 31weeks on right.

Fun

Chrissy

The Actions of Forgiveness

2009-10-21T14:55:00.000+02:00

We recently saw the movie District 9, which is based in South Africa and mirrors what happened during apartheid. Well its been about two weeks since I saw the movie but the other day I was accosted by the memory of a scene in the movie. I don't want to give it away for those of you who still want to see the movie but, I was struck by the display of perseverance to help. To give up one's life in order to save another. I just started weeping thinking about this scene. And I am still not completely sure why this came to me when it did ( I was writing down a recipe at the time. )
But I can't help but think about what it means to follow Jesus. So, Jesus gave His life so that we could live, cause before He showed up that was the cost of sin. . . death. And the Bible tells us that we must lose our lives to gain life. That when we put Jesus as first in our lives, in the drivers seat, that is where we will find life.
When we follow Jesus, He asks us to do some pretty out of the ordinary things like, love people that are not easy to love, like our ethnic enemies, and the poor, to stand up against injustice. To be like Him.
The scene in the movie just displays how difficult it is for this character to do this, to get past himself and his own needs in order to help not just one but a whole race. Now of course I don't know if there are more selfish motives underneath, but at face value this was an amazing picture of self sacrifice, and perseverance, he kept getting hurt and cut down but he kept doing all that he could do to make safe passage for his friend.
This last Sunday in our discussion group we spoke about forgiveness; what it takes to forgive someone and what is required from the one being forgiven. And now after that discussion I can't help to picture this particular character in the movie, there was no sit down conversation about the wrongs that had been committed and a giving and accepting of an apology, but, to me, his actions show way more than saying he's sorry.
I am not in any way opposed to the asking and offering of forgiveness, but I am more struck by the actions that show forgiveness on both sides of the coin, the life that is exchanged by the acts that define forgiveness. I know that might seem a little vague but it is so situational. I guess to get more specific, when we ask Jesus to forgive us we repent, make a 180 degree turn and go the other way! The opposite of what we were doing. What does that mean for us?
And to forgive someone, doesn't it take courage and an unseen power to truly forgive?
Just some thoughts. . .
Sorry its been so long.
Chrissy

Keira. . .

2009-09-15T14:42:00.000+02:00

Keira the other day as I was putting her to bed I asked her " Do you know Mommy loves you?" She said " Yes and Daddy loves me and Jesus loves me. Jesus Loves Keira, and He has a picture of Jesus and Keira. I have Daddy and I have Jesus, I have 2 Daddy's. Jesus is my Daddy too!" It felt like Holy ground. Keira loves Jesus, and talks about Him often. She told a woman at the gym that she knows Jesus, she met Him at church and that this woman should come to church with her!
I woke her from a nap yesterday and she sat up and said " Here you go" handing me an imaginary something, I asked what it was and she said " Oh, its Honey. Jesus and I are just having a pic-nic!"

In her sleep Keira was hanging out with Jesus and invited me to sit at a "table" with them. Here my daughter is communing with Jesus in her own way.

My daughter invited me to spend time with her and Jesus!

I think it is particularly striking to me because it is hard as a busy Mom to have those special "quiet times" the way they were BC ( Before Children). But being with Jesus now is being with Keira and teaching her while she teaches me.
I just wanted to share a glimpse of what ministry is like in our home.

Chrissy

From: a window into DiCoccoville: moving day -

2009-09-09T15:17:00.000+02:00

Check a friends blog about what we have been working on the last few days.

a window into DiCoccoville: moving day -

Thanks Bill & Trace for your hearts and partnership.

I need you, You need me. . .

2009-09-09T13:55:00.000+02:00

I have been recently thinking that our lives are not that extraordinary. . .
The more that I experience everyday life here: do the dishes, visit my neighbor, have people over, have challenging conversations, visit friends, being challenged by Keira, cook dinner, play with Keira. . . I feel like wow, my life isn't that odd or different.
(Okay, granted I do live in a community that many people here would not choose to live in. )
Life isn't boring that is for sure.
When I look at Jesus' life in a nut shell, ( which is hard to do by the way) He ate, He visited, He slept, He challenged norms, convicted hearts, and He brought people with Him to do all these things. . . It was an extraordinary life! But it had a lot of ordinary in it. He often used the ordinary to bring teaching and exhortation. I like that about Jesus.
I love that I can "do life" with people and it can make a difference for all involved, that is how community was designed. For example...
The pictures from our last post were taken at a Birthday party that we went to. A woman in our discussion group wanted to celebrate her birthday by having a kids party at an AIDS children's home, so we all went and played hard and had a wonderful time with the kids. At the end one of the women who worked at the home sang to the birthday "girl". But she sang this song:
I need you, you need me
We're all a part of God's Body
Stand with me, agree with me
We're all a part of God's body
It is His will that every need be supplied
You are important to me
I need you to survive.

Now to be honest, up until that moment I had previously found that song to be rather . . . cheesy. But I think its because I had not seen so closely what it could mean to be a part of God's body and what surviving looks like, what we actually need to survive, not just food water and shelter, but each other. Connection. Relationship.
It just feels rather striking to me in the South African context how many people are struggling to survive because they are not recognized by others as being human, and as an important part of the well being of all.
Shalom, Ubuntu, I am OK because you are OK, if you are not OK then I am not either.
It feels rather daunting to think about what it would take to have all people living this principal truth but I guess its just one relationship at a time.
Your friend,
Chrissy

Keira is growing up

2009-08-29T20:18:00.001+02:00

Ways of Staying...

2009-08-27T15:55:00.000+02:00

As we have come back to South Africa, hoping to be a part of building a better nation, what we have discovered is that the divisions are still strong between black and white, rich and poor. We have discovered that the distance between these groups has for the most part not got closer in the "Rainbow Nation" but in fact grown further from each other, relationally and financially. This has been perpetuated by a desire to pretend that everything is now ok, to forgive without reconciliation and without being able to have healthy dialougue on the issues that affect our lives in the New South Africa. See article by Steve Khumalo on Rainbow nation mantra obscures racial inequality.
I am reading a book by Kevin Bloom called Ways of Staying. It is a challenging and yet refreshing book on the complexity of South Africa post Apartheid.
This quote jumped out at me. "to live here we have to understand. We have to understand that we kind of rub off on each other...We're living in the hangover of an incredibly violent history, and to make sense of living in this place we have to be able to understand."
This is the central reason why we have to move past our Apartheid lenses, past our language of blaming them, blaming those people, creating them vs us. We have to get together to talk, mostly to listen, to hear the stories and experiences of those who are different than us...to start to understand. That is the only way we are going to be able to stay in this country. We have to cross old boundaries and engage with what is, the reality of the struggle of South Africa, to move beyond our history into a true New South Africa.
On Sunday night we had our regular discussion on how to follow Jesus within the context of the struggles in SA. We studied Acts 1:1-8 and were convicted that the Holy Spirit was given to help us cross boundaries not protect them. Tom blogged on this Boundary Breaking here. We hope that our discussion groups will be the start of understanding.
Let me know what you think.

Our second Home

2009-08-26T12:06:00.000+02:00

This last week we spent time at our "second home" in Zandspruit. Our friends, Thabo and Dikiledi, opened up their home and their lives to us. I have to say this experience was much different than the last time Trev and I stayed in Zandspruit. This time we had Keira, previous relationship with Thabo and DK and other relationships within the community. However my eyes were still opened even wider.
Our time last week had a strange dichotomy of comfort and discomfort all at the same time. Being with Thabo and DK's was easy, from the moment that we entered we felt at home, there wasn't that awkward couple of hours or days where you are figuring out what to do with each other in this space. They welcomed us showed us the ropes of how things work in their house ( i.e. bathing in a small plastic tub, heating water for bathing and washing dishes etc.) It all felt very natural, even Keira took to calling them " My Thabo and My DK" ( she sometimes calls us My Mommy and My Daddy)
The uncomfortable part came once we were outside their place. I felt comfortable walking around, greeting people, but some days I just felt like a spectacle, I have written before about how some people can just tell I'm not from here or just choose to stare at me. And with Keira, it kinda felt like she was an exhibit, as adults and children would come and talk to her or stare at her or want to touch her hair. Now it is one thing to experience these same interactions every once and a while at the store or where ever, but in Zandspruit the streets are always pretty full of people walking or standing around so its like every other step or turn.
And then we would be home again, arriving at someones home we were visiting or back at Thabo and DK's.
When I think about the amount of fear that people, including myself, have about squatter communities, my mind continues to blare RELATIONSHIP! as the answer. I am only uncomfortable when I don't know the person staring at me, once I am in a home of someone I know I feel safe again. Or even as I walked up and down those streets, toward the end of the week some people would return my greeting and not just stare. And just like anyplace, there are normal people trying to get by and then there are people who are out for no good. Usually the previous out weighing the latter.
Another thing I realized after coming home was how much luxury that I live in. I never thought of sitting in a hot bath in the quiet and privacy of my own home as a luxury (OK maybe the privacy part, Keira is tall enough to open doors !) Or turning on a hot water tap in my house, or not having to share a toilet with anyone but those who live in my house, or having a toilet inside my house, or . . .having a house, where you can't feel the wind blow through the cracks and wholes, where you don't have to worry about rats eating your food or anything else. Or having control over the noise.
I have privilege, and i live with privilege. . .
And . . .I have the privilege of having a second home in Zandspruit. It seems like not having all the conveniences and extras in life make relationship all the more valuable. And time, time and more time, is how you built the relationships. Sometimes I feel like I don't "Do" a whole lot, but my days seem very full, in Zandspruit, if you don't have a job, you are probably going to be sitting chasing the sun to stay warm and just being with the people around you. For us "doers" that can be hard to do, but that time can be time very well spent.
I am thankful that we got to spend time with Thabo and DK and be a part of their everyday for a week, and I am happy to have friends that are willing to walk this journey with us!

Funding for our work in South Africa..

2009-08-13T09:42:00.000+02:00

Hi family and friends,

We wanted to pass on some urgent news.

We have recently learned that we will be loosing $900/month or $10800/year in support at the end of this month. This is almost a quarter of our budget. This has serious implications and we need God to lead, guide and provide for our family and ministry.

Please join us in interceding for God to provide new support.

Please could you pray and consider making a contribution, either an extra gift or starting for the first time.
If you have any connections that might like to partner with us in this way, please let us know.

Please visit https://servantpartners.org/give.php to give.
If you live in South Africa, please contact us and we will provide you with giving details.

Thanks for your partnership,

Trevor, Chrissy & Keira Davies + 1
Servant Partners - South Africa
www.servantpartners.org
thedaviesupdate.blogspot.com
trevsa@gmail.com
davies.chrissy@gmail.com

Reconciliation: A journey together…facing the past to move forward…

2009-08-12T17:59:00.000+02:00

This past weekend we went to the Apartheid Museum. The purpose of the trip was for a group of us to discover and learn more of the history of our country so that we could move forward in to the future. The Apartheid Museum is unfortunately not a popular place for South African’s but very popular for foreign tourists. The funny thing is that Chrissy and I visited it on our honeymoon. It has been a helpful place to recognize what we are up against as we seek to walk into our call to be bridges of reconciliation. There is hope if we can walk through our past into the future together. One thing that struck me most was the pervasive lies, propaganda and systematic oppression that were put in place under apartheid. Everything was set up to segregate blacks from whites and to benefit the whites minority population at the expense of the majority black population – The scariest thing though is that post 1994, the democratic elections, one would have expected things to have changed but for the average black person on the street not much has changed. Apartheid might not be the law but the is an ever increasing distance between the haves and have not’s, a distinction that runs mostly along the black white line does not help to bring people together. This is what we are feeling more and more called to work against. The challenging thing for the wealthy white, I being one of them, is that because of our privilege we have to choose to enter into this struggle for equality and justice. We also have the choice to leave and return to our lives of privilege. It can be difficult to stay and learn, as it is easier to turn a blind eye and remain ignorant. It is a more radical choice to try to listen to and identify with those who are oppressed or who are poor, especially when you are part of the reason they are in the position they are. I pray that more white people will stay and commit to the journey of learning together how to reconcile, to follow Jesus into a place of healing together. Praise God for food, taxi rides, singing songs, soccer balls, rugby, tea and coffee and laughter that were also part of this challenging day. They all brought us closer together and give us stories that we now share.

Apartheid's Legacy

2009-08-04T14:02:00.000+02:00

( A picture of my family that I miss very much!)

I don’t make a habit of thinking about evil too much. But today I have thought about it quite a lot. You know satan doesn’t have too many tricks, just the same old material that we fall into.
Thinking about Apartheid and how just a few people thought of this horrible thing and it became a nationwide plague, for not only blacks but whites too. I think the evil that was inflicted on the blacks was also harmful to the whites inflicting it. What I mean is hearts were hardened and blinders made thicker, and humanity taken away from a whole race of people and. . . that is evil.
What’s worse is that even though the institution is gone, the results of it run so deep . . . I am not sure when everyone will be able to breathe easily the same air and be comfortable in their own skin.
Our group that is meeting on a Sunday night seems to be pretty unique and I am enjoying the time I get to be apart of the discussions, I am mostly just listening a lot and trying to learn and take it all in, and its great to feel like there is one place where I feel like we (T and I) are living out our call on our lives, our relationship.
But sometimes when stories of pain are shared or ignorances are revealed I shudder, and I suppose that is a natural response. But for someone who sometimes just wants things to be better . . now! . . . it is a very difficult place to sit.

My heart feels tender and I think that is where God wants it to be, but part of my reaction to that is to miss home, friends and family terribly, so here is a picture that I stare at when I get a chance to stare and pray.
Remembering the Love that conquers all,
Chrissy

Soccer the ultimate uniter

2009-07-24T14:21:00.000+02:00

This is a picture of friends after a recent soccer game. This game was planned as a result of the fun we had in our front yard, see A little bit of soccer, pain and friendship. We had a lot of fun. The game ended at 9-8, after multiple golden goals (next goal wins) and the girls shouting on the sideline that the game time had run out 20 minutes ago. We all had a great time, had fun and figured out that we need to train.

Those who made it to that evenings discussion group at our house all were limping and complaining. It was all worth it though, we will have to do it again.

It is great to have a group of growing friends who can have serious conversations about race, money and following Jesus in South Africa and then run around chasing a leather ball together.

The Davies Update July 2009

2009-07-22T19:40:00.000+02:00

The Good the Bad and the Ugly in only 8 months!

Through this last 8 months we have already experienced so much! We thought it would be good to take a little time to reflect and look back on what has happened since we have been here.

The Work.

Emthonjeni Staff Bible Study: Every Wednesday Trevor this time to help invest in the Emthonjeni leadership and connect them to Jesus. It has been a fruitful time that has provided the staff a place to grow and learn together. They are learning to be real and trust God and each other. Pastors Gathering: Once a month Trevor has helped gather Pastors from the different churches in Zandspruit. There has been much division and competition in the past and it has been great to see the Pastors catch a vision to work together for the transformation of their community and to support each other.

Discussion group: We are really excited about the diverse group that meets at our house each Sunday evening to discuss what it means to be a Christian in South Africa given its sordid past. The intention of the group has been to provide a place to talk about real issues in South Africa and figure out what God’s call is for us who claim to follow Jesus. We have committed as a group to keep it real and honest. We know God is moving among us as we talk about things most people don't talk about; money, privilege, poverty and what Jesus has to say about all those things. It is crazy but we are excited to see fruit and the relationships that will be built out of these conversations.

Friendships. I can say that we have a few relationships that are budding. Trevor particularly has begun some very real and admonishing relationships that, I am as excited about as he is. These men are really a gift as they journey together, wrestling with what it means to minister to the poor. We continue to have people over often and plan occasions in efforts to keep on the hard task of building and initiating friendship.

Language has also been a bit of a roller coaster journey. It was so difficult to sit in on conversations and not know what was being talked about or to be spoken to and then receive strange looks when I said," sorry I only know English". Since we have taken a Zulu course we are glad to be able to communicate the basics and have at least a few words that we can pick out to get the gist of different conversations! That is exciting progress! We would however like to get more practice and are looking into doing a homestay to accomplish this.

Finding a Church is hard especially when we would love to be in a diverse church that is actually pursuing reconciliation. We are still searching and at times are weary and miss our home church communities very much. It seems like many people we know have the same struggle in finding a church that is diverse and has solid teaching. We know God has a place for us, we are just still looking for it.

When I look back on what has happened so far I see a lot of wrestling, questions, a few exciting things and still a lot of questions. Eight months seems like a long time but we are still so new and learning a lot.

Funding Update: We continue to be incredibly grateful for your financial support and prayers. As economically the times are hard, we feel privileged to be your hands and feet in Africa. Thank You. If you are aware of anyone who would like to know about our ministry, please be in contact. We need to raise an $200 a month to meet our budget.

We covert your prayers! Blessings, Chrissy for the Davies

Expecting in December 2009

2009-07-21T21:08:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

Not sure if you have picked up on twitter or facebook but...

We found out that we are expecting another little girl to join the Davies family on December 13th.

We are excited for the new gift from God.

As a friend said to on Facebook, "A girl?! You are sooooo outnumbered.

Very fun!" Of course I would have taken a boy, but I have had so much fun with Keira, I am looking forward to holding the next one. God does have a sense of humor though.

Thanks for celebrating with us,

Trev

Yes, I am American

2009-07-20T20:24:00.000+02:00

I know I have mentioned before about people speaking to me in all sorts of languages, assuming that I know one of them, but I think I have gotten a little bit used to that. Lately I have been getting really frustrated with people that I am not even interacting with. Often when I go out I am stared at, I checked my nose, my hair or if Keira had smudged something down the front of my shirt and everything seems fine. Even stopped at a robot (stoplight) I get strange looks. Now if I run the possibilities; if I am with Trevor, sure that makes more sense, if I am with Keira, that also could raise a questions or two; is she the nanny, is the baby’s father white? But what I really don’t get is when I am by myself. Some days I really have to hold back the urge to scream “ Its rude to stare!!!” But then it is also rude to yell at people . . . so I am stuck. Just a strange thing that I have yet to figure out! One of these days I will ask someone why they are staring and maybe engage in an enlightening conversation . . . we’ll see.
Anyway, we had Keira’s Birthday party last weekend, and it really hit me that we are in South Africa, I was missing my mother so much that it was hard to breathe at times. I attempted to bake Keira a butterfly cake at her request, and my Mom is way better at making character cakes and I needed to be able to call her quickly. But all that really mattered is that when Keira saw the cake she said “ Thank You Thank you Mommy!”
At the party we had a nice diverse group of kids and I realized that if we had been in the states, the demographic probably would have been flipped (more white and/or Latino, and a sprinkle of Black children) I loved that Keira played well with all these children regardless of color or language, although the thing that Keira remembers the most when asked was “ I ate cake!” Heehee.

What could life in South Africa look like?

2009-07-13T17:52:00.000+02:00

Check out this blog post by Tom Smith, a friend who is part of the discussion group we are having on Sunday nights about following Jesus in South Africa; dealing with race, money and other issues with a great diverse group of friends.
What could life in South Africa look like? Click http://www.soulgardeners.com/2009/07/bending-our-lives-towards-others.html to read the blog.

Let me know you thoughts,

Trevor

I'm Back!

2009-06-30T14:36:00.000+02:00

Hello, I am finally fully recovered and functioning after a little over two week s of being sick and recovering slowly. Thanks for your prayers! I don't have a lot to report since I have been at home recovering for the last little while, but I have a few things to share.

First. . .Trevor and I are adding to our family. . .yes I am pregnant! At this point I am about 16weeks pregnant and am doing well, now. I am feeling the baby move a lot and that is fun to have movement so early. My only sadness is that this brings my physical doula work to an abrupt stop as I don't have the endurance anymore, but I can still counsel and help outside of labor.
We are very excited and so is Keira, everyday she says " Hello baby" to my stomach and sometimes offers the baby a snack. She'll be a great big sister! Keira turns 2 this week! And she has proven to be a joy and a challenge in both of our lives, I'm sure it will get better and get harder :)

In other news, God has recently made it clear to me that I must pray on behalf of the pregnant moms and the hospital system with dilligence. If any of you are interested in praying with me, and listening to what God might say please email me. I will be praying for 3 months in the way of Nehemiah. It feels daunting and difficult but our God is one who listens and on that I can depend.

I will post some pictures soon, especially after Keira's party. I know many of you have been asking for them!
Blessings and love from Chrissy +1

A little bit of soccer, pain and friendship

2009-06-19T15:58:00.000+02:00

Some pictures from our impromptu soccer tournament at our house last weekend. We had a great time playing this countries favourite past time but left with a few aches and pain. We are not all as active and as young as we used to be, well we have to have some excuse right.
Let's just say that there was some surprise winners. Here's to building community and friendships.

Generosity?

2009-06-18T11:00:00.000+02:00

I have been challenged a lot lately about being generous.
With South African being one of the most unequal countries in the world the disparities are glaring, in my face in fact.
There is so much need and I have so much in comparison. It is not that these differences between rich and poor are new but more the exposure that I now have to the poor and poverty that is challenging my thinking on my generosity. What do I do with this reality and the gospel's clear call to be generous, to give to share, to help, to be involved, to be community and family.

I am realizing that when I was living in the suburbs in SA and the USA, especially on the college campus, it was so much easier not to be generous, to believe that everyone has enough. When we live in communities that shelter us from the realities of the world it is easy to believe in a gospel that doesn't require us to give of ourselves and our resources. A gospel that is just a personal relationship with God. I have chosen not to have that privledge anymore.

I think that this is why Jesus was with the people. He wanted to see. How else can you see that someone is hungry and give them something to eat, see that someone is thirsty and give them something to drink, see that someone is a stranger and invite them in, see that someone needs clothes and clothe them, see that someoneI is sick and look after them, see that someone is in prison and visit them.

I am deeply challenged by Jesus words and his actions. I hope that Jesus will receive my feeble attempts at being more generous as my blind eyes start to see. I hope I have the courage not to run away.

Some questions that I am asking...
Does the standard 10% giving to the church cut it when a friend looses a job, can't feed his family and you have a savings account?
Does the standard 10% giving cut it when a friend is sick and doesn't have money to go to the doctor?
Does the standard 10% cut it when there is hunger and pain?

Who's money is this anyway and what did God give it to me for? For myself, my family? Or did God bless me with resources to join him in offering a drink and clothing a brother or sister. I have friends who have considerably less than I do but support multiple family members, share whatever they have, live a communal life of generosity.

I realize that I can't be God, I can't be the solution to all the problems I see, but I do see and God is calling me to be generous, to use his money to bless others. To share and be involved, rather than isolate and protect what "I have earned."

Thank you to all those who give generously to us, we are honoured to be your hands and feet. You are a model of God's provision. Join us as we wrestle with being rich in a world with intense need.

Please share any thoughts...

Nothing like eating sheep head, learning Zulu and bible discussions...

2009-06-03T21:19:00.000+02:00

I have an agreement with my friends in South Africa about eating food. Anything they eat I will eat with them, but I won't eat something they won't eat.
So, as you see in the picture, I had the privilege of eating "Sheep Skopo", sheep head with my friends Orapeleng and Happy.

I ate mostly jaw bone meat that wasn't too bad and tried the tongue and brain which were more challenging.
The other name they call this tasty treat is a "Smiley". A fitting name as this is a boiled sheep head, wool removed but everything else is there, a one sided face smiling back at you. When Rapi and Happy were finished those bones were shinning, eyes the works. Thanks for the treat abafowethu (Friends).

Besides eating some new treats Chrissy and I are enjoying the challenge of learning Zulu. We just finished our fourth formal class and are making some progress. It has been especially fun to practice with new friends in Zandspruit and see there eyes go wide with surprise when an Umlungu (a White person), the name the kids call me, speaks in Zulu. I really enjoy how far a little effort to learn and speak someones language goes. Hopefully we can continue to practice and find some settings to immerse ourselves in some Zulu only setting to help solidify what we are learning in class. I am surrounded by a lot of Tswana speaking friends, and so have picked some of it up too, although Zulu is a better longterm lanuage to learn.

Lastly, I have been having some encouraging times of discussions and bible studies. On Sunday's we have a diverse group meeting to discuss and study issues of cross cultural relationships, money and following Jesus. There don't seem to be many places actively talking about these tough issues and how Jesus calls us to deal with them as a community of faith. With South Africa still heavily divided along racial and economic lines is has been good to share our different stories and wrestle with how to move forward. We are learning together. What do we do when some of us have more money than others? How do we deal with the fact that one group benefits at the expense of another? How do we respond to ongoing prejudice and racism? How do we share each others burdens and pain? Hard questions, but ones the Jesus and the early Church faced, and ones that I am grateful to be making friends to face these struggles with.

At another time I will share with you how God is working in a gathering of Zandspruit pastors, an Emthonjeni staff meeting bible study, a bi-monthly young adults bible study and a bible study with some young guys who have never studied or read the bible before. God's word is alive and active, it is fun to be a part of it.

Peace,

Trevor

On the street where we live

2009-06-02T13:37:00.000+02:00

Well I just had blogged a nice long blog, but then the server timed out and apparently nothing got saved even though it said it was saving.
I wanted to tell you about how our street is really coming together. Last night we had a street meeting and it was the biggest turn out yet! Not only did we cover the issues of the street but we also were able to laugh and joke together, it was really fun. Hopefully we can really make some progress to making this a safer street by building relationship with each other and depending on each other to look out for all our best interests. I think I am feeling more at home here as there are people I feel comfortable leaving Keira with and I am making friends with some of our neighbors. Keira is feeling comfortable as well. . . the other day a couple of the neighborhood boys were here playing and they came inside because it was getting cold. . .and they wanted some of what I was baking : ) So I suggested that each of them read a story to Keira. You should have seen it, I wish I had been able to get a picture of it, but here were these two 8 yea old boys kneeling at Keira's cupboard with Keira in between them with an arm wraped tightly around both of their necks! She really loves them and prays for them. . . I love how soft her heart is. Well first Mandla read and did pretty well with a little help. Then Mike started and I quickly realized that he didn't know the sounds of the letters, so 20 minutes later we were halfway through the 6 page book and it was getting dark so they took their goodies and went home with promise to come back the next day to read some more, but they didn't show. I have often wondered how to do a homework club that would work, that the boys would actually come back to. . . I don't know, one thing at a time I guess. I am so glad that God knows how much need there is and He can handle it.

Here a a couple of pics: Mike and I reading, Keira and Lionel ( neighbors that came for dinner) under her table, and Keira with Super Gran on her 93rd birthday. Oh and one of when we caught Keira rocking out on Trev's ipod- I love the hair!!!

2009-05-26T13:48:00.000+02:00

I got to go to the hospital with my second Mama the other day. She had high blood pressure and so she was preparing herself for the possibility of an emergency c-section. Well the hospital has some strict rules and I am actually not allowed in with the patient except if I am the only one with her and she is in the final stage of labor and ready to deliver, which doesn't make sense for what I am actually there for.
Anyway, when I arrived at the hospital, a security guard let me go up to the waiting room where this young woman's mother was waiting. While we waited my only contact with this scared young first time mom was through phone calls and texts of encouragement ( I am thankful for cell phones). You see my client was not in labor but she was put in a labor ward with many other women who were in active labor. So as you can imagine the sight of these other women was not helpful for her blood pressure. . . when we did get a chance to talk face to face she spoke of the most horrendous things that were happening in the labor ward; mothers being hit and yelled at by the attending nurses, she herself had been hassled and repeatedly yelled at for crying.

I was starting to really get fired up about the things she was telling me when we met another young woman who had just had her baby by c-section and she showed us her baby who had a very bad cut on his head, when we asked what happened she explained that they cut the baby when they cut her!
Now here I am sitting with all these stories and experiences and I don't know exactly what to do with it??? I came home feeling so upset that the people who need help are constantly the victims in places where they should be getting help. What do I do??? What can I do? Despite the fact that I just got certified by DONA as a Doula ( yeah!!) I don't actually have any credibility in these hospitals, and I don't know anyone who does!

I listened to a song that my friends Yasmin and Ben wrote when they had studied the book of Amos it says:

"If you remain silent
If you just turn your head
If you remain silent
What can I say to those who will cry
Where is our God when our children die?

Speak through Your Word
Let us understand
Their cries must be heard by both God and man

Do not remain silent"

I cry every time I listen to that song, but it helps me remember that no matter how small, no matter how few connections I have, I must speak, speak up for those who don't have a voice and continue to listen.
Please pray for the government hospitals in South Africa, there are many issues, understaffed over worked and millions of sick people without resources just don't make for a good situation.

Some fun Keira video's

2009-05-22T19:17:00.000+02:00

Chrissy and I have being really enjoying Keira. She is an incredible blessing to us. She is independant, smart and full of joy.
Enjoy these two vidoes.
Love us

Reality.

2009-05-19T14:28:00.000+02:00

What is safety??? I have been wrestling with this question this week as there have been some incidents on our street. Last night I attended a street meeting where a few of our neighbors spoke of suspicious people around, attempted robberies and the like. As I asked clarifying questions, the street leader finally said, "Chrissy, I am sorry but in this country we have come to a point where we must trust no one!" My heart sank, trust no one. . . I have been told and taught that only the paranoid survive but I also feel like I don't want to waste life worrying when "it won't add a minute to your life". But the reality is that bad, scary and horrible things happen to people everyday all over the world. . .
I have to say my first reaction to hearing all the stories last night was one of fear and flight " How quickly can we move from this place?" But then after a deep breath I was moved to ideas of action, to follow up with other neighbors, prayer walk, connect with other people who are at home during the day. All good things but that nagging fear, which I am so familiar with, didn't want to let go of my heart. I came to Trev with talk of burglar bars, and panic buttons and roaming security.
Repeating scripture about how God is our shelter and how He never leaves us, was helpful to calm me down but it also made me realize the reality is that God is still that same God whether we get robbed or worse. Trusting Jesus for our safety doesn't mean that bad things won't happen. Today, in the wake of reality, my heart longs for home and familiar and seeming safety, but more than that my heart aches for a place where people feel that they must trust no one. To me, that is an isolating and lonely reality to live in.

To tell or not to tell

2009-05-15T08:48:00.000+02:00

I have had the privledge to be part of a new young adults bible study in Zandspruit on Thursday nights. We meet every other week.
The last two weeks we have talked about the topic "To tell or not to tell." This has created some real discussion as we have wrestled with the struggles of telling the truth, for ourselves, for our friends and our communities. I think this is a challenging issue for us all, especially when telling the truth has consequences.
This is especially true in the squatter community where you can't hind in your house in the burbs, but are tightly packed together, where you see things that you don't really want to see, where telling what you did see has serious consequences.
We are growing as a new community of believers and we are starting to see the more negative consequences of not standing up for truth. Not telling the truth leaves us in the dark, it leads to communities that don't care what happens, where violence prevails. We have to start standing up for truth so that the light can prevail but we have to do it with love.

I hope that my character, along with this great group, will be changed, to be more truthful, to face the reality that if the truth does not prevail, it only leads to death and heartache in the long run.

Its not up to me

2009-05-13T12:34:00.000+02:00

We start Zulu classes tonight! It has been one of those things that has been postponed then canceled and then restarted so we are looking forward to actually getting started in an official way. Language, as you know has been a bit of an issue. For me it especially hard to help a mother fill out an antenatal card for the clinic if we don't speak the same language, so I hope in learning Zulu it will at the least familiarize my ear to the different sounds of the other languages that come into the clinic. Speaking of the clinic, for those of you that don't know I work in the antenatal clinic that is held at the community center 2 days a week. Antenatal s the same as Prenatal, so the ladies come and get checked by a midwife and have their blood work done before they deliver at a far away hospital. The problem that has been reoccurring at this clinic is that we haven't been able to keep a steady nurse to do the blood work. Govt hospital nurses are over worked and understaffed and underpaid, so no one seems to be able to spare anyone. And it s actually very dangerous to continue with antenatal care without having blood work done, several problems could be present that the mother or the hospital would not be aware of, the scariest of which is HIV. So instead it looks like the clinic will have to close until we find someone to do blood.
Even though I get queasy at the sight of blood, I wish that I was qualified. I know that is not what I am here for but it is so awful for these moms who will have to either travel far to the hospital to get their blood workup or they will go to another clinic that is not so nice. . . or they won't go at all and end up with a baby that is infected with something. I just wish I knew more. . .on a daily basis. Or had more helpful skills, I know I have resources and education and that is more than the average Precious or Soley (common names here) but it s a challenge to feel that inadequacy and then know what to do with it. I won't be taking on anymore degrees at least not at this stage but I can pray and use what I do know to do the little that I can and ask Jesus to multiply it. So really its not me at all, people don't need me, they need Jesus the one who can supply for their every need, the one who feeds 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. I am not trying to preach, just thinking out loud or. . . through my fingers I guess. It is helpful to reflect a little in these quiet moments when Keira is sleeping, thanks for listening. . .or reading I mean. Until next time,
Love Chrissy

Life in Zandspruit

2009-05-08T10:18:00.000+02:00

Just wanted to share some pictures from the community we work in.
They show some of the everyday issues that have to be faced just dealing with basic services.

Quite different from most our lives and the hiking in the Mountains...it is really the survival of the fittest and the least getting treated the worst.

Pray with us as we try to empower this community to demand better service from the government and to see their living situation improve.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2188785&id=19712795&l=bd2d5359aa
Copy and paste above address into a new browser to view.

Peace.

Hello Change, old friend

2009-05-05T11:46:00.000+02:00

I know that nothing in life is permanent. . . but it feels like here that reality is accentuated! I start to make a friend and then they move, I start to make another friend and then they move. I offer my services as a doula and then a woman who sounded sure she could use the help never calls. It can be really difficult at times to be so unsure of things that seem like you could be sure of.

I am very thankful to Jesus that HE is constant! In the midst of so much instability, poverty, corruption, injustice and hopelessness it is only Jesus that I can cling to to know that there is hope for the next breath! Thanks God.

News on the home front; Keira started Nursery school this week and absolutely loves it! (She is just going on Monday and Thursday when I have clinic.) She came home with a noodle bangle that she made and singing the days of the week. I was the only one who cried in the whole ordeal! Its funny that all of a sudden someone else is influencing my child! I know its good but it is strange, but Keira loves playing with the kids and I know she feels safe there because her first day she went and sat down on the carpet and said "Jesus loves me"
Apparently the church where the school is, had prayed in each of the school rooms the night before asking that each child and parent would know the love of Jesus when they walked in, well Jesus heard!!

2009-04-28T21:30:00.001+02:00

how crazy is this whole online...connectedness...multiple networks...sitting by yourself stuff?

Drakensberg Hike - A taste of SA

2009-04-28T20:39:00.000+02:00

Had a great long weekend hiking the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains. It is so great to be able to spend time in nature with friends. The hike was tough though, doing 37 hours of hiking in 3 1/2 days. Outdoor fans in the US would love this place. I felt like I was regaining my South Africaness after years in the States. God is good.

They said we were in trouble...

2009-04-17T17:28:00.000+02:00

Here is a little treat of our baby growing into a little girl. The dress Keira has on was one we bought in Mexico on holiday before we new the gender of our baby. I think it looks perfect on her.
This was before going to church one morning. She ended up throwing up all over the dress on the way to church and so ran around with just a diaper on. She looked equally cute.

March Prayer Update 2009

2009-03-13T16:37:00.000+02:00

Hello Friends!
We have now been in South Africa for about 3 months! Some days it feels like we've been here a lot longer, other days it feels like we just stepped off the plane! Nonetheless, we are learning what life is like here. Just to give you a little taste here is a glimpse at our week:
Monday -Friday from 8-5 Trevor spends his mornings at Emthonjeni, the community center, cultivating relationships and helping with the management of the center, then in the afternoon he goes into the squatter community to meet with different families and young men that he has been introduced to. Every conversation is a brick laid on the road to building a network to create change in the community. As you might have guessed this takes a long time and so each day it is necessary to hold onto a bigger vision of what we are doing here. That also comes in handy when he is in meetings with the sponsoring church that is excited to dive into the community. Trev is learning to walk a balance between two worlds and trying to navigate when to put on the brakes and when to move forward. All of this in at least 4 languages at a time. (English, Tswana, Afrikaans,and Zulu)
That is something we are both learning to work through, we can be in a conversation with a group of people, comfortable in our communication and then in a blink the language changes and we have no idea where the conversation is going! Thankfully we often have someone with us who will graciously give a rough translation of what just happened. But the problem with that is people often process their thoughts in their own language so we get the result or the answer to a question but not the process, and what we really want to hear is the process.
But we are hopeful because everyone says that we will learn everything we need to know in 6 months : ) We laugh but I think they are serious !

For me: Mondays and Thursdays I go to the antenatal clinic to meet pregnant moms and help them with their medical information. I have enjoyed this time as I get to make someone smile in the midst of filling out paperwork, and meet moms that might be interested in a doula. Lately there have been a lot of very young moms that I have tried to connect with. Currently I am waiting for a baby to come! Hopefully this week, and if all goes well, it could be my last certifying birth! Yeah!
The other days in my week are filled with young boys fixing their bikes in our yard, meeting with moms from the clinic, connecting with some friends we have met here and meeting and getting to know our neighbors. ( Quick Story) One of the little boys who fixes his bike here rang our bell. He had come because all the other boys were gone and he wanted to talk to me. I thought something was wrong at first, but soon I realized he just wanted to hang out! I felt priviledged that I was cool enough to hang out with a 10yr old boy! Anyway, I got to hear about his family and what school is like and he shared with me that his Mother passed away when he was 5. It was that moment that I felt a nudge from the Lord that when he is a my house I can be like a mother to him, what a gift! Please pray for Mandla and his relationship with Trevor and I.
Another gift is that this week, I have started meeting with a Zulu conversation partner who lives just around the corner from us! She is a young college student and she comes over whenever she can and teaches me Zulu culture and language, I can see a nice friendship developing.

We are still trying to find a church, which is proving to be a challenge! We would love to attend a church that is diverse and pursuing reconciliation, with great teaching and worship, in english. We have attended one church where the teaching has been solid and reminds us of InterVarsity manuscript study and teaching, but it is predominetly Afrikaans, which leaves Keira and ultimately me, out of the service and out luck for understanding. So our search continues.
Keira has been doing much better adjusting to her new diverse cultural surroundings. She has been happy to play with other children and even take the lead with kids older than her : ) ( Its so cute watching her tell 5yr olds to join hands and make a train with her!) In the picture on the left is Keira and Mervyn our next door neighbor, whom she cares for very much, in fact that day she and Mervyn were in the splash pool and Keira looked and Mervyn and touched his hair and said " Beautiful . . . beautiful hair Mervyn!" It was a precious moment.
In a nutshell we are trying to connect! Please continue to pray for us;
~The relationships that we are building, and that they will form the network that is necessary to create change here
~Pray for our need for friendships and comraderie
~ Pray for the broken systems in this country
~Pray for the lack of jobs in this country

We continue to be grateful for all of you! Thank you for praying and caring for us! We now have internet at our house so if you would like to skype please email us and we can set up a time!
Blessings!
Chrissy for the Davies

The start on 09

2009-02-12T15:07:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

We hope you are all doing well. We thought you would enjoy this video of Tayla and Keira. It has been fun to watch them together. It is crazy how quickly they are growing up.

We are doing okay, getting settled and getting to know our neighbours and the folks in the community we are working in.

Like anything you start, it takes a lot of energy and courage to build new relationships and friendships, putting yourself out there and trusting that God is going to use it. We are doing our best.

We are surveying the land, looking for God's hand print, asking Him to reveal himself and lead us to those people who we will be able to partner with in the future.

Chrissy is doing great a the anti-natal clinic and already has some potential folks she can Doula for.
I am having fun getting to know new people in the community, playing pool in shacks and just trying to become a normal part of community life. The kids love to shout "umlungu" which means whitey. I am enjoying the challenge of winning their hearts over.

Of course there are those who think we are crazy but that is part of the fun, breaking down the dividing wall and letting God's light shine.

We love you all and miss all you in the US. We miss familiar conversation and just being known.

Keep us in your prayers and when you get a chance send us your news.
We don't have internet at home yet and things are just slower here so bear with us as we try to keep you up to date.

All our love
Trev, Chrissy & Keira

A home at last

2009-01-03T09:58:00.000+02:00

We found a place to live!

As many of you know whe have been in transition for a long time, but finally we will get to settle into a home of our own. We are renting a place in Cosmo City and we will move in the middle of January, now all we have to do is set up our house. . . which is equally as exhausting as finding one, but alas it will be home!

So far we are doing okay, I finally took a stab at driving which was better than I thought it would be, next I just have to drive where there are cars on the road. . . my goal is to feel comfortable driving by the time we move in, so I have a lot of work to do.

In my mind I knew there would be a lot of adjustments to my life, driving, new language and people already thinking that I speak it, new brands and foods I have never heard of, everything going a lot slower. . . but I never could have imagined what it would feel like to have everything happening at the same time. It is a whirlwind of unknowns and new experiences, so far nothing is easy, so I just have to change my attitude: my montra " Nobody told me that the road would be easy, but I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me." I am so glad that Jesus doesn't change when the world around me is so unfamiliar.

And I am so thankful that Trevor is even keeled and takes things easily, when I let him, he really brings me out of my "tornado of crazy" and helps me to take one thing at a time :)

The last 2 weeks with Christmas and NewYears, I am missing home and the easy friendships that are so close to my heart, but again one thing at a time!

Happy New year friends!

Sending you love and blessings fo 2009!

2008-12-24T19:30:00.001+02:00

Mabula 2008

Click on the picture.
It is a link to a web album.

Remembering my Dad

2008-12-24T17:57:00.000+02:00

Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of my Dad's passing. It was good to grieve as a family and remember the legacy Dad left us. A legacy of courage and compassion. A life lived well.
The picture above is such a gift to me, Dad connecting with Keira, full of joy and life. I miss him.

2008-12-17T21:35:00.001+02:00

Well we made it, after 22 hours of flying time we arrived to a great welcome of our family. You should have seen the peoples faces when we hauled our multiple bags and boxes through customs with the help of the local ground crew.
We then headed straight to Mabula, a game reserve where we spent the first week. It was so great to relax, hear the sounds of Africa and have the sun shinning on our shoulders (We'll maybe a little to much of that....can we say sun burn).
We were up at 5:30am thanks to jetlag and of course Keira. We watched the sunrise together, chased birds, squirrels, played on swings and went for walks all before Mom got up. Mono can be a good thing sometimes I guess. It is good to see Chrissy getting better and be able to swallow again.
It was a special joy to be with family and to watch Keira play with her cousin Tayla and interact with all the critters that were in abundance. You should have seen Chrissy's face as Keira picked up and played with the bugs. Proud and yet fearful that she might give them to her.

We were well rested being in the bush, but now we face the hectic pace of Johannesburg, trying to get things sorted out. We waited in line at the traffic department for 3 1/2 hours to get the car we bought registered. Don't let me here anyone complain about the DMV. It was an African experince. A line to get in. A line to hand the papers in and a line to pay. Each taking over an hour. Glad that's done.

Then we tried to get cell phones. But you can't get them if you don't have credit, or 3 months pay slips or bank statements. Tricky when you haven't lived here in 11 years or never. Thankfully this is Africa and we have made a plan. Just ask nicely and bring some chocolates next time.

That's enough for now. We miss you all in the US. Play in the snow for us.
Trev, Chrissy & Keira

P.S. We would have liked to post more pictures but for some reason we could only load one. We will try to show some of the animals Keira had fun seeing.

Ready to leave

2008-12-03T06:16:00.000+02:00

We are less than 24 hours from leaving the US and heading to South Africa. This has been something that we hard been preparing for months and years.
We are grateful for the time we have had to get ready, time with friends, donors, supporters and family. Fun watching Keira have fun with all of you.
Chrissy was recently diagnosed with Mononucleosis (Glandular Fever) on Friday last week, which has been a real bummer. She has been really sick. The doctor saw her on Monday and put her on steroids which meant we needed to postpone the trip a day.
We are thankful we are still able to leave mostly on schedule and are looking forward to resting with my family in South Africa. We will be taking the first week at a vacation spot at a game reserve, a peaceful, slow paced place.
We just wish this added stress of Chrissy's illness could have been better timed. Now to make it through the rigours of long-haul international travel.

A call to Auntie Cat!

2008-11-27T06:31:00.000+02:00

We had great fun tonight when Auntie Cat called from California. Keira has been "talking" up a storm today. So we gave her the phone and after a while she started walking around, having a "conversation" with Cat. Enjoy the little video below. Pretty cute.

We are in the last week before we leave for South Africa. The time has finally arrived. As we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I am thankful for the time I have lived in the US, for my family here and for all friends I've made through the years. Because of who God is and what he has done in my life during my time in the US I have great hope for what God has for us in South Africa.

I came to America with a suitcase and a backpack 11 years ago. I now return to SA with a beautiful wife and daughter. A serious upgrade. I am thankful.

Time with Grandparents in Seattle

2008-11-25T20:46:00.000+02:00

Keira has been having a great time with Granma and Grandad. Playing games, reading and going the park.

Above we are off to see the fishies....

We had a great time as a family on this special sunny, fall day. Of course Keira made it extra special and watching her get excited about the fish was fun.

Chrissy Here!

2008-11-07T07:17:00.000+02:00

So this is my first post, I know it has taken me a long time but here I am! Here are some pics of Keira having fun with Larry at the dinner table! It is such a gift to be able to stay with the Passmores and share Keira with them, it is home!! We have had such a great time this week connecting with friends. It is just sad to know that this is goodbye for a very long time.

I feel so greatful for the relationships that we have here and the influence they have had on our lives. Being here this week has really solidified God's call on our lives as it has helped us remember where we have come from. We still have a few days here before we go to the coast so we are taking advantage of the rest and reminising before we leave Corvallis.

Goodbye Benni the Beaver

2008-11-04T07:51:00.000+02:00

As you know we are in Corvallis Oregon this week on our farewell tour. So, we had to stop and introduce Keria to Benni. She is really into animals. The house we are staying at has about 14 different animal carvings around it and Keira can name them all. She is having trouble the the hedgehog though. The first thing she says when she wakes him is horsie, horsie and off we go.
It was fun walking around the OSU campus remembering all the times we spent here. This is where Chrissy and I met, and the start of this next adventure.
I will post some more picture from our time with our adopted parents in Corvallis, Cathryn and Larry Passmore later this week.

Harvest Party

2008-11-04T07:39:00.001+02:00

Parties are so much fun when you get to experience them through a child's eyes. Keira has such and innocent joy about her as she takes new things in. She was enthralled as we went to a Harvest Party at a local community center. We met our good friends the Sommer's (Above) there and had a great time watching our kids have fun in their costumes. Keira was a crocodile. Coc O Dile...as Keira says.
This was our last night in Portland after a week of packing. We are tired but glad to be done for now. We are so grateful for good friends to spend our last days with.

Ironheads Party!

2008-10-28T21:35:00.001+02:00

These are some pictures from the Ironheads party. We had fun getting dressed up and hanging out with everyone. This was our farewell to the team as we leave Portland in a week. Our hosts Dave & Ann went to great lengths to throw a great party. Their whole house was decorated. Apparently Ann spent a whole week decorating. Amazing. We will miss these new friends who we spent all year training and racing triathlons together.

Fall Fun

2008-10-28T06:09:00.000+02:00

I had so much fun with Keira today. Playing in the fall leaves in Salem. It was just beautiful in the park and Keira was having a blast playing in the leaves and chasing the crows and squirrels. Get it, get it.....

Having fun playing in Fall leaves...

2008-10-28T05:51:00.000+02:00

It's time to go!

The time is here! After much waiting and preparation, our time of departure has arrived. Our tickets are booked for December 2nd. We will however, be leaving Portland at the end of October to spend some time in Corvallis and the Oregon coast before heading up to Seattle to spend our last two weeks in the US with Chrissy’s family. As we reflect on our time here in Portland, we are so thankful for the plan that God has for our lives and are confident that He always knows, better than we do, the way our paths should go.

This season of investment in counseling and our relationship has been invaluable, as we have been learning how to live out the vows we promised each other, before God, at the forefront of our marriage. As vulnerable as it is, to have outside input into our relationship was very helpful. As our sessions came to a close it was clear how Jesus had been transforming our hearts by peeling away fear, lies and false perceptions. We have discovered a newfound peace in the sober reality of leaving our family, friends and comfort to follow Jesus’ call on our lives.

In August we had the privilege of meeting with other Servant Partners team leaders in Mammoth Lakes, California. There we spent time in scripture, worship and reflection, as well as talked about the future of the organization. It was really helpful to be able to talk to team leaders that are already on the field, so close to when we are leaving, to ask last minute questions and process our journey so far as well as gain some insight into what to expect as we leave. Although we are new to the organization, and feel we have a lot to learn from those who have gone before us, we feel so welcomed and assured that we are in the right place when among this team. There is a true sense of fellowship and wonderfully apparent value for families.

As our time is drawing to a rapid close we have been doing our best to end well, and say goodbye to our friends and to Portland. October 5th participated in the Portland Marathon and did his “farewell lap” of Portland. We have several gatherings planned to get together with friends and donors here in the Portland area. When we think of all the people there are to say goodbye to we are overwhelmed with thankfulness. We have been deeply impacted by so many who have left lasting imprints on our hearts. We have no doubt that Jesus knows what we need, when he places us in the families He has. It has given us such an abundant depth of joy that we can’t help but be thankful. You will be greatly missed!

Please cover us in prayer as we continue to prepare to go:
Oct. 13-31: Packing, selling cars and moving out
Nov. 1-10: Corvallis visit
Nov. 10-13: The Oregon Coast
Nov. 14 –Dec 2nd: Seattle with Chrissy’s Family
December: Living with Trevor’s Mom before moving into our new community.

With love,
The Davies
Trevor, Chrissy and Keira

To donate to our ministry go to: www.servantpartners.org/give.php

Packing

2008-10-24T06:03:00.001+02:00

Well we are packing up our last things. Keira is having a good time, climbing into everthing...

Her closet...

Daddies shoes...

and of course, our tubs...

The community centre

2008-10-21T08:12:00.000+02:00

This is the community centre we are working with in South Africa. Check it out.

2008-10-21T08:02:00.001+02:00

I am going to try and convince Chrissy that this will be a fun thing for us to do. To record our journey and share it with others on a more regular basis.
Especially as we get ready to leave for South Africa in Dec and try to find ways to connect to our friends in the US.

This is from our Servant Partners trip to Mammoth Lakes. It was a great hike except having to carry Keira for 5 miles.

Getting started

2008-10-21T07:56:00.000+02:00

Well I am trying to get into this blog deal. I know it will be great to stay connected as we leave. The question is, can we have the discipline to write regularly and post pictures.
Here is a fun picture of Keira. She is growing up fast.