2007 Rugby World Cup Champions! What an incredible day! Two days after the South African "Springbok" rugby team defeated England in the Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday the 20th October, the country is still soaring in the clouds. After waiting from 1995 when they last won the World Cup, South Africa finally has the trophy in the bag. Pretty awesome! It's great to be here to experience such jubilation and also to see how much the public has rallied together in a country where there seems to be no end to backbiting and negative news. Hopefully South Africa will get it right come the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010. If anyone wants to come camp out in our back yard in 2010, let us know now as we are already getting request from interested parties.
Something new in the bag...Saturday was also the first day that Jean Marc rode his bicycle on his own with no one helping him
. It took us awhile to buy a bike, and after last years brain surgery, the doctor wasn't too eager for him to start learning right away. But, with enough time gone by and his head well protected by his bicycle helmet, we can confidently say there will be no stopping him now. His feet barely touch the ground, and the bike being heavy, tends to fall over when he stops on uneven ground. Nevertheless, he gets right back on and perseveres which is something we are truly grateful for in his life. Nicole also has a new "used" bicycle but still needs training wheels as she doesn't quite have it in the bag yet. When we head accross the street to the park, she carries the water bottles in her basket so she feels pretty important playing the roll of water carrier.
Something new in the bag...Saturday was also the first day that Jean Marc rode his bicycle on his own with no one helping him
. It took us awhile to buy a bike, and after last years brain surgery, the doctor wasn't too eager for him to start learning right away. But, with enough time gone by and his head well protected by his bicycle helmet, we can confidently say there will be no stopping him now. His feet barely touch the ground, and the bike being heavy, tends to fall over when he stops on uneven ground. Nevertheless, he gets right back on and perseveres which is something we are truly grateful for in his life. Nicole also has a new "used" bicycle but still needs training wheels as she doesn't quite have it in the bag yet. When we head accross the street to the park, she carries the water bottles in her basket so she feels pretty important playing the roll of water carrier.On the ministry front, last week I was involved in a CCM Conference where we had a number of people from accross South Africa who are engaged in similar ministries to ours. The conference was a great success and more new people attended this year than we have had in many years. Praise the Lord! Next year there are three Orality Conferences planned for Africa and John is helping with the planning of at least two of these. As a result John is headed to the USA on the 28th November to attend the ION (International Orality Network) Conference happening in Orlando, FL. Pray that during this time John will be able to meet with the key people who would be a part of the forthcoming Africa Orality conferences scheduled for 2008. Though this trip takes John away just as Jean Marc's holiday begins, the kids are thrilled to imagine what Christmas gifts might make their back from "America" in dad's suitcase.
In conclusion, some of y'all might wonder where we came up with a name like "Rags Bag". A long time friend by the name of Allan Ballard from the ancient past who I grew up with at boarding school in Cote d'Ivoire, gave me that as a nickname that has stuck to this day. Therefore, I need to give credit where credit is due. So there you have the rest of the story...! Well, enough rambling for one day, hopefully the next time we post a blog it will be a little sooner than it has taken us this time. Have a great day!The Rags Bag!
