Cleveland - Day 1

Up at 6am and left by 7 from my house feeling so tired still. I arrived at heathrow by 8.30. Managed to sit down and have a nice full english breakfastwith my Dad at the airport and then said bye and headed off through the security area. I hada little look around the shops and went to board my plane and it was at the same gate as I had left from to go to South Africa. As I was about to board the planethey told me that I had been upgraded to club world! This meant I had my own bed to sleep on through the flight. It was a greatand when I got off the plane a felt so relaxed and rejuvenated. After 7 hours I arrived in Chicago to connect with aflight to head to Cleveland. Whilst waiting a was sitting next to a newly Wed couple who start to talk to me and where I was going and soon got talking about what I was doing and where I was going and just had a really good chat. After a while Ifound out he was coming home early from his honey moon because he had either appendicitus or he had kidney stones. Now looking back upon it I should of offered to pray for him but it didn't cross my mind at the time. We then parted ways and I boarded my flight to Cleveland where I was met by Bob my host. We had a good chat on the way home and caught up on what had gone on so far. We then got back to the house where I met the children, Ben and Isabel who are 6 and 8, and Bob's wife............After sitting down for dinner and meeting Dave another Australian and catching up with DJ again, we all retired to our beds to ensure that I wasn't goingto be too tired formy first day.

South Africa

Got up at 5.15 today and left by 5.30 to pick up Daniel from the airport. Once I had picked him up we headed backto the flat to meet Mark, where we sat and watched a whole disk of 2 and half men before heading down to the churchto produce some training manuals for the tour and then went out for breakfast at Dros. We then went to some craft stallsat the parlimentary buildingswith Gabi and Blake as well. I didn't get anything but few others did and was nice jsut to look around. We then headedto the airport to pick up DJ and also drop David at the airport. On the way home we dropped Daniel and DJ at their host home for the night. Me and Maark then headed home for a good sleep as it had been a long tiring day.
7.30 up an getting ready for church at 9am. The meeting today was very good and Bruce continued speaking on Gifts fromGod and unity in using those gifts. He also touched upon using the gifts he has given you and not competing your giftsto try and have the best ones. After church we then met to of the fox fire girls, Lorato, philela as they were going to be linking up with the touring team for the first week at Kimiad. We all headed to the aiprort including Blake and met Bruce (Rev)who is the tour chaplin and also the pastor at Leceister City Football Club in the UK. We stayed and had lunch together and thenMark, DJ and Dan turned up at the airport after their time at Christ Church Midrand. Tracy's flight then came in and we thenheaded back to Kimiad samp site and unloaded the full car and minibus then I headed back to Johannesburg airport. I was dueto meet Rochelle but her flight was delayed by and hour so was stuck at the airport for 2 hours. I also met Heidi and Dalisoat the airport. We then loaded up the car and headed back to Kimiad camp site. I could tell that they were going to be a goodlaugh from the journey home. We then got in and watched the Spain vs New Zealand game which was really entertaining to watch.We then headed to the sports hall and had some football training followed by a small sided match. Afterwards we then headed to bed as was really tired from all of the driving.
Up at 8 today for 8.30 breakfast. At 9am we began with a bible study time led by Bruce and an introduction to AIS and thetouring schedule. we then did some practical coaching for the clinics that we were going to be doing throughout the week. At 3.30pm we then headed off to football to see Italy verses USA live. It was a really good game and there was quite a bitof controversy in the game. But it ended 3-1 to Italy.It took us and hour to even get back to the car. We then eventuallygot home at 1.30am and went straight to bed when got in.
Up at 6am today and breakfast at 6.30 and then left at 7am for Christ Church Midrand to carry out the sports clinic. On arrival we had to set up our stations. My station was a shooting station, where a taught the basics of striking a ball. This was to be the first time a had done my own station but it went really well, and the kids rotated around and had 6 different groups altogether. The kids all seemed to really enjoy the clinic and everything went really smoothly. After6 rotations we then set up a little tournament for the kids to take part in, and I did some refereeing in the games as well.We then finished the clinic and had a time of prayer with the kids. After the kids had left the team then had a quickfooty training session before heading back to Kimiad. When we got in I went straight to bed and had a power nap beforedinner. Afterwards we then headed to the sports hall for a 6 a side game and then headed to bed to catch up on sleep forthe next day.
Up at 6am again with breakfast at 6.30 and left by 7am for Garsfontein primary school to carry out the clinic which meBlake had been preparing. We arrived slightly late due to traffic, but we open with a introduction and shared a bit aboutwho we were and why we were here. I didn't have a station today, but instead I had my own team that I went to everystation with. it was good to stay with the team and get to know the kids a little bit better and had more of a chance to talk to them. The whole clinic also ran really smoothly and we didn't have any problems, which was a blessing. Afterwardswe then headed over the road to the office to have lunch together and got changed out of our clinic clothes. Me, Blake, DJand Dan then headed to the Nike Factory to have a look around together and then we headed to Menlyn shopping centre and I hadanother Aqua massage to loosen up for the game we had in the evening. At 3.30 we met up with the rest of the team and headedto TUX training grounds where we got ready for our football match with the under 19 National womens team. We lined up and I wasplaying Right-wing back, which is a role that I have never played before, so was quite nervous especially because of who our opponents were. We kicked off at 5.30 and we started brightly, and played some good football. It was tough going and was hard tobreathe at the altitude and was very tiring. However we managed to take the lead and was 3-1 up at half time. We then resumed thegame and they pulled another goal back. We then managed to score 2 more and they scored another 1. The game ended 5-3 to AIS whichwe was all really happy by. We then sat down with the girls and spoke to them and told them a little bit about why we were all thereand what we were doing. Then Heidi came and shared her testimony with them, and quite and few of them broke down into tears bywhat Heidi was sharing and then afterwards some of the girls prayed with the other girls. It was just such an amazing time, and God really showed up and touched some of the South African players. After saying our fairwells we then headed to Menlyn to grab some pizza and watch the South African game. When the game finished we then headed back home and went straightto sleep. Please pray for Melissa and Jo who train and work with South African girls on a regular basis and that they will beable to share more and more of christ in their lives
6am start today and on way to the prison by 7am, we got caught in a bit of traffic but still managed to arrive on time for 9am where we started to warm up and stretch ready for the game. I was playing at Right back again today, and everyone was still aching from the day before. We kicked off and start quite sluggishley, but managed to eventually pull it together and had a good spell of play which resulted in us taking a 1 nil lead, however it was short lived and it was soon 1-1. When we hit half time we were all struggling to catch our breathe and were all feeling the heat as well. We headed back out and the Hope Academy tookthe lead early. But AIS then hit back with another goal and managed to pull it back to 2-2 which is how it stayed for the rest of the game. After the game we then had a time of sharing testimonies with each other and Foxfire performed a drama and a dance with everyone and the prison guys also shared a few songs with us. It was such an amazing experience to be there and God really turned up and poured out his love. After the prison we headed straight to the Brazil vs USA game at 4pm. The Game was a reallygreat game to watch with Brazil winning 3-0 and USA having another player sent off. After the game we headed back to Kimiad fordinner and had dinner and a some more football training in the psorts hall. Please pray for the prison guys and bless them in all that they do and pray that they will be a light in the darkness of the prison.
We had a nice lay in until 8.30 today and then slowly got ready for the day. We headed out at 11.30 for Diepsloot and arrived at1pm. We spent the first hour just playing with all of the school kids while we waited for the young guys to turn up so that our team could train them up to do sports clinics. We then headed into the the school/church to watch the assembly, and it had to be one ofthe most amazing time spent with God and the presence of God really turned up in the place. Afterwards we then headed to thefield and played a football match against the young coaches we had just trained up. It was a good game and ended up 2-0 to the AIS team.After game we then headed to a local spur and had a team meal together. We then headed back to the campsite and went to bed.
We were up at 6am again today and on the road by 7, but we got caught in a grid lock. So me and a few other AIS members got out of theand did some juggling with the football in the middle of the motorway. We soon attracted attention of a load of guys crambed into the back of a truck and on the way to work. We managed to then chat to them about why we were in South Africa, and handed some little books called "Goal" which is a book full of testimonies from famous African players. We then decided we wouldturn around and go back on the other side of the road. Simple task you would think, but Bruce managed to drive over abarbedwire fence and as he was driving along he was pulling up the the whole fence. It was very ammusing to watch from the car behind. After pulling over to untangle the fence from the combi. We were then on our way and arrived at Soweto by 9.45, which was 45 mins late. After a quick set up of our stations we the kids soon began to turn up to the playing field. We then divided them into the smaller groups. I was in charge of the heading station this time and had to share a time ofdevotional with all of the kids as they came around to the station. I linked the heading game into the devotion and spoketo the kids about turning to God in your time of need and having a relationship with him. It seem to be taken in, and thelast group I shared with we closed in a really great time of preayer together and they all wanted to accept Jesus into there lives.We then all gathered together and our team shared some testimonies and the Foxfire team performed a dance. Afterwards we gave all of the children lunch and eat together. The football match then followed against the soweto coaches that had helped usthough the day and the foxfire team as well. The touring team won 5-2 and afterwards we said our farwells to the foxfires teamand headed back to camp where we had dinner and went to sleep.

Final Touches - Friday 12th

Had I nice lay in to day and got up at 9. Then got up slowly got up and washed and dressed and then tidied the flat up. We then headed on down the church to pick Blake up and then headed to Menlyn to grab some office supplies for the tour. Mark and I also had an Aqua Massage, which is like a sunbed except it squirts you with water and pulsates to massage you. We then headed back to the office where we finished off sorting out some of the equipment for tour. Melissa and Jo also arrived with our tour hoodies as well. We then loaded the minibus up and headed back to the flat. At 9.30pm me, Mark, Gabi, and Blake all headed to the cinema to watch Night at the Museum 2 which was a good laugh and really enjoyed myself. We then arrived back at midnight and headed straight to bed.

Speak soon

Jon x

Prison Day - Thursday 13th

Up at 7 today and left by quarter to 8 for the prison. We left to pick Blake up and we were then on our way... well for bout 10 mins and ran out of petrol! good start to the day, especially when I was down to lead the bible study time. Greg then walked to get some petrol and then eventually we got on our way again. We arrived at the prison at 10 o clock, and they had just finished the bible study and were about to pray. We then followed with a time of worship, as it was raining and really windy. It was such an amazing time in the cell. We sang some Enlgish songs, and then they sang some African songs and danced around together. They did this one dance that was like tap dancing but stomping instead, which was really good fun. God presence really filled the room and was amazing and there was some prophecy as well. We then closed at half 12 and had to leave. On the way home we stopped to grab some lunch and popped to Greg's to pick up something quickly. We then headed to the office, but on the way the day got bit worse as Greg skidded on the water and mud and went into the back of someone. The damage wasn't to bad and no-one was hurt. After exchanging details we got back on the road to the office where we finished the day doing a bit of work in the office. When Melissa and Jo got back in the office we all went to Spur where we had all you can eat Ribs and Wings again which was really good, and had a great time chatting to eachother. We then left there about 10 O clock and headed home to watch prison break.

Speak soon

Jon x

Underground Soccer - Wednesday 10th

Today was up and ready to leave by half past 8 to leave for a meeting. Got in the car and car didn't start. Then Tim turned up and rolled down his window, and then it fell out! After putting the window back in Tim dropped Blake and I at the office to finish off some of the work that we had left to do. Mark then arrived at the office after having his car fixed and only cost R15 for the spare part. We then headed to Johannesburg and drop Mark Slassenger off for a meeting at someone's house. Blake, Mark and I then headed to the city centren where we had a VIP ticket to an Underground Soccer Event. We couldn't find the place at first and was about to go home when we saw a few people over the over side on the road kicking a ball about. Turns out the Underground Soccer event was on the fourth floor of the museum! When we got up there, there was a square cage in the middle of the room, and a load of different things around it. They started off the event with some break dancers, who were really amazing and was followed by a human beat box man who was South Africas best. The soccer tournament then kikced off. It was 3 vs 3 and there was an empty oil drum in each corner. They had one square hole in the side and if you got the ball through it you got 2 points for your team. There was also hole in the top and if you got the ball through that you got 1 point for your team. Also if you got nutmegged you were frozen out of the game for 3 seconds, which is a pretty long time when the game is only 5 mins long. Half-way through the tournament they had some football jugglers showing off a few tricks that were really impressive. They then continued with the tournament. But we had to leave early as we had to pick Mark back up and also we hadn't had any lunch and it was quarter past 4. Just round the corner was a petrol station, which also had a Steers in it. So I had a double cheeseburge, normal cheeseburger, and chips which filled me up well. We then were caught in traffice for about an hour and a quarter trying to make a 15 min journey. After picking mark up we then headed back home, which was another 1 and a half and dropped Blake and Mark off. Then Mark and I headed to the young adults cell group and spent some time reading luke 12 and then praying for one another. It was a really good time, and really helped me to grow beign around older guys and learning from them. We then headed back to the flat and straight to bed as you can guess we were pretty tired from the busy day!

Speak Soon

Jon x

Prison Day - Tuesday 9th

Was up at 7.00 am today and left by 7.30 to pick Mark Slazenger up from the airport. Mark helps to run the Hope Academy down in Capetown and is in charge of the Hope Academies Project in Africa. Whilst waiting for him to come through at arrivals, Mark and I grabbed a coffee, and a huge muffin that they warmed up in the microwave to melt the chocolate chips. Was so good! We then met Mark and headed back to the car when I realised I had lsot the car parking ticket so and to pay a lost ticket charge, which was supposed to be R400 but they only charged me for how long I'd been in the car park and was only R13! Afterwards we then got back on the road and headed to the prison, and arrived just in time for the coaching session on attacking down the wings. At 1pm the session then finished and Mark Versey and I then headed back to the office to finish off a few things for tour. At 5 I then headed to get my haircut at Woodlands. So I thought I wash going to go in have my hair cut and then go, but they had other plans! First they washed and conditioned my hair and then they applied some liquid gel stuff that wasn't soap or conditioner and she told me to follow her, so I did and she showed me to a chair and said "I'm going to give you an Indian Head massage now, is that ok?" so I thought why not! It was a really really good head and neck massage, not that I've got any previous head massages to compare it too! She then took me back and washed my hair again, and then cut mystarted to cut my hair, by this time, I'd been in the hairdressers half and hour already. I had good chat with her about what I was doing out in South Africa and why. She seemed really interested, although she might just have been being friendly! When it came to paying I was shocked at how much it cost as it was only £15 for all of that! I then headed home to have a quick dinner before rushing out again to the youth cell that Gabi had invited me out to. I had a great time reading through the bible with them and some in depth conversations. I got to meet a few more young people properly that I seen in church but never got to talk to properly. We then headed back home after a pretty tiring day out and went straight to sleep when I got in.

Speak soon

Jon x

Sunnyside - Monday 8th

Today was a pretty relaxed day, got up at 10 today and washed the football kit and did some washing of my own as well. I then left for sunnyside in the at 1pm with Greg and Blake. When we got there we was chatting with Ndungo, and he decided to call the practise off, INCASE it rain! We stayed and chatted to the some of the Sports teachers for a bit and discussed soccer and what we could do with our team to help them progress further. We then headed back to the church quickly and spent some time just chatting with some of the Ignite guys, who are doing a sports year out with the church. I then headed home and did some ironing quickly before heading to woodlands to get a special bandage for my knee to help it heal quicker and with less pain. I then headed back home to have some dinner before going to be and watch prison break in bed.

Speak soon

Jon x

Inter Church Football Tournament - Sunday 7th

Up at 8 today and went to the hopsital to see Sibacarzi. She was feeling well and the operation was a success and has to take it easy now. Mark and I then had breakfast in the hospital cafe before heading to the church. We began to cook our food on the BBQ and had some really nice lamb chops and some chicken kebabs. We then commenced the church football tounament and we had our first game against a decent team, but we managed to win 2-0. The 2nd game we played we won 3-0 and I accidentally gaves someone a nose bleed when they got in the way of one of my shots. The 3rd we won 3-0 and Dave managed to accidentally trample someones hand, so that they couldn't lead worship at the evening service. I managed to score 1 goal in each of the games which was a nice bonus. Winning all 3 games meant that we qualified for the final against the winners of the group. Just before the final in another game, Riaan, the church pastor collapsed with a snapped achaeles tendon and was rushed to hospital and will have surgery tomorrow morning. This also meant that the preacher for the evening service was also unable to be at the service. After it had calmed down we then commenced the final against a really good team, it was a close match and most of our teams legs were tired from playing today and yesterday, but Greg managed to rifle in a goal 1 minute from time to win the game for us. After helping tidy away all of the stuff Mark and I then headed back to have a wash and then headed back to the evening service, where there was another person leading the worship, and Bruce preached again. The service was a celebratory service for the church has been running 10 years, and 3 years in its current venue. It was a really good meeting and was very interesting and lots of fun. There was also a guy there for the first time who just saw us playing football that afternoon when he drove past and decided he wanted to come to the church in the evening. We then headed home for dinner before heading to our beds to recover from all the football over the weekend.

Speak soon

Jon x

Eastside Football Tournament - Saturday 6th

Was up at quarter past 7 today, thats just not natural for a saturday! We then left the flat at 7.45 to go to this Evagecube training course, that we are hoping to build into our sports clinics. The evangecube is a little cube that has different pictures on it and it tells the story of Jesus through pictures, which helps to explain the gospel to unbelievers. Afterwards we then headed to a Wimpy for a full English breakfast to give us energy for the football tournament at 1. Only two teams turned up however, and so we just played 3 individual 7 a side games. It was Eastside against AIS so was a bit of rivalry, and we only had 7 players and they had 12 players so they had a big advantage. AIS won the first game 2-1, then the second 2-1. During the 2nd game Sibacarzi landed awkwardly and dislocated her elbow, which wasn't to pleasant to see. She was rushed to hopsital to have an operation to put it back. We then continued with the third game and won 2-0, so they didn't really take much advantage with the extra players. I managed to score 3 goals over the games which was nice to get my first competitive goals in South Africa. We then rushed back to the house to wath England beat Kazakstan 4-0 and hung out with Auberry and Jaque, until the early evening. Had a good laugh with them and was good time with everyone. When they left I had a quick shower and head to my bed with aching muscles. Got another tournament tomorrow as well! should be fun!

Speak soon

Jon x

Mamelodi - Friday 5th

Lay in until 8 today and then headed into the office to finish off the Garsfontein Clinic with Blake, and also started the Midrand Clinic that we are also sorting out. Come 12pm, Blake and I headed out to Steers to grab some lunch and got a birthday present for Claire as well. We then headed back to the office where we were picked up by Gabi, who is one of the sports interns at Eastside Community Church, and then we headed off to Mamelodi. Mamelodi is a township area and the guys go down to the local park there and play football with the boys and the girls do some painting as well. And then afterwards they hand out flavoured water and oranges to all of the kids. It was such a simple idea but so effective. Also before anything starts they always have a bible sutdy time where they sit down in the middle of the park and read the bible together. It was such a good time. We then had to head back to the office, and we had a game of Pinch Mini. its basically the same as the UK one, that whenever you spot a mini coope you get to pinch the person next to you, and if yu see a beetle you get to punch them. It was of course played in a friendly christian way, and no-one was hurt. When we got back to the flat I had a quick shower before getting ready to go out to the cool beans youth group with David and Claire. We all had to have crazy hair so I dyed my hair green and Mark did his red. We then headed out to minigolf to meet all of the kids and played to courses each and was a really good laugh and was plent of water hazards which I found a few of. We then headed to Spur afterwards and grabbed some Dinner. We then headed back home and went straight to sleep because got an early start tomorrow.

Speak soon

Jon x

Prison Football Match - Thursday 4th

Up and left by half 7 today, and picked Melissa and Jo up to head to the prison. We all met just out side the prison before going in and signing in. We had a quick warm up before beginning the match, I volunteered to be a sub with Greg, and Tim. AIS scored the first goal after breaking through on goal before the Hope Academy equilised with a headed goal from a cross. I was then subbed on after just 15 mins as Blake got tired in the heat and we were playin roll on roll off subs anyway. Started off on the right wing running up and down, which was really tiring, especially at the altitude and in the heat. We then had half time and went a rested in the shade for 10 mins. We then commenced the second half, and I started of at right back which was nice because it didn't involve too much running for me. We the caught the Hope Academy on the break and went ahead again. I then moved up into midfield for the last 5 mins to give some of the old guys a rest. The games finished 2-1 to AIS which we weren't expecting to win. Afterwards the inamtes shared some testimonies and singing with everyone which was really great to hear how God is working in their lives. We then said our goodbyes and headed back to the office where me and Blake finished off our preperation and planning for Garsfontein school. Mark went out for a meeting and I had a quick power nap on the sofa in the office before we headed home, jumped in shower and had a wash. We then headed out to the shopping centre to get Claire a birhtday present for tomorrow, and then grabbed some all you can eat ribs and buffalo wings at spur. So was a pretty tiring day, and now going to go to sleep.

Speak soon

Jon x

Office Day - Wednesday 3rd

Got up at half 5 this morning, and headed to the airport to pick Blake (the new intern) up from the airport. When I got there I couldn't find him and didn't even know what he looked like. I even went up to some random person who I thought was Blake and just got a weird look. Prett embarrasing, so didn't do that again! Eventullay met up with him as he rang Mark from a pay phone. We then headed back to the flat to pcik Mark up before heading into the office to have some training on how to set up and run a clinic, and all of the preparation that needs to be done. After the training we then headed to Menlyn to grab some lunch and some bits a pieces that we needed before heading back to the office to put all that we had learnt into practise and began to prepare for the Garsfontein School Clinic that we had to run and oversee. At 5 o clock I then headed to drop Blake to his host family, and typed the address into the sat nav and ended up outside the Ministry of Defense HQ. But then after a quick phonecall, found out we were pretty near to the address so ended up ok. Got back to the flat and then had a quick dinner before Mark and I headed out to a cell group. It was a good evening and we shared a time of bible reading followed by a time of socialising with one another. I'd knew most of the guys anyway, other than two people and there was only 6 of us in total anyway. We chatted about everything and anything late into the night. Before we called it a night and headed back to the flat for a good night sleep.

Speak soon

Jon x

Office Day - Tuesday 2nd

Had a lay in until 9 today, and got up and had a wash and got ready for the day. Then Mark and I sat down and had a meeting about what needs to be done for the tour and who's going to do what. We managed to create a list of the things that needed to be done and when as well. I then dropped Mark at the hospital at 12, and then headed to the office where I had lunch before cracking on with the list of thing I had to complete. Good news is that I managed to get all of those things completed. I then picked Mark up from the hospital after his operation at 5 and we head to steers to grab something to eat because Mark hadn't eaten all day and then headed back to the house. At half 6 we then had dinner with everyone and then had a game of tumbling monkeys before heading back to the flat to sleep because got an early start at 5 am to go pick Blake up who is another intern coming over to help and also get involved with the tour.

Speak soon

Jon x

Sunnyside - Monday 1st

Got up at 7 today for an 8am meeting, however it was delayed because when I arrived at the office Tim asked if I could go an pick someone up whos car had broken down. So after picking him up we finally got underway at 8.45. The whole AIS team was there that works out of the office. So it was a good oppertunity to meet everyone else who I hadn't already done so. Mak lead the devotion for this meeting and we looked at using our spiritual gifts for God, which was carried on from what Bruce had said on Sunday. We then looked at the up and coming month and finalised some more things for when the tour group arrives, so it was quite an exciting time thinking about what the tour and what the whole build up recently has been about. I then headed to Sunnyside in the afternoon with Greg and we had a chat with coach Ndungo who is the Head of sport at the school. He is a christian as well which is always nice and helps Greg and I out with some of our ministry. He also prays with us when we pray with all of the boys at the end of the training session. Todays training session was mainly based around two on one situations and how two utilise these oppertunities and also how to defend them. We then closed in a match between under 10 A and under 10 B. The training today ran a lot smoother and there wa very little problems with the kids which was really good. Got back to the flat and had a chat with Mark who went into hospital today to try and remove the stint that they had put in but the couldn't so they are going to have to opperate tomorrow in order to remove it. Please pray that it will be successful and that he won't have to have any more opperations. He is also in a lot of pain right now where they tried to remove the stint but couldn'.

Speak soon

Jon x

Church with Family - 31st May

Was up at quarter past 8 today, and had some lucky charms for breakfast! Then head to church with Ben, Mum and Dad for a 9am start. The meeting was very good and Bruce, the Youth Pastor spoke today about spiritual gifts and using them to see God's kingdom grow, which was really inspiring. We then hung around and chatted to a few people before heading back to the flat for some lunch and time for them to pack. At 2pm we headed into Pretoria Central to look around the craft market to pick up a few traditional African souvenirs. We then headed back to flat and said their goodbyes before we left for the airport. On the way out I managed to crack my head open which wasn't to good, but there we go. Said goodbye to them at the airport before I drove back again to the flat to have dinner and then retire to bed for an early night as it was an eventful and tiring weekend, and have a meeting tomorrow at 8am at the office.

Speak soon

Jon x

Family Day Out - Saturday 30th

Had a nice long lay in until 10am today and got up slowly and washed for the day. I then finished re-arranging my room and tidying it up. Me, Ben, Mum, Dad and Mark all hit the road to the Lion and Rhino reserve which was about an hour away. We got there around 2pm and had some lunch. I had the Rhino Club which was amazing! It had chicken in mayo, bacon, and cheese lettuce and tomatoe and was then toasted, served with chips. We also had Hunters Gold cider which was really nice, having had the normal hunters the night before which was also really good. We then had a look around some of the enclosures and saw some animals in some cages which was ok. But then we went to the animal creche..... this was something different. You could pay to go into the cages with the animals. But they weren't just a few little animals, they were lions, tigers, cheetahs that weren't train animals either. So we started off by going to see the baby tigers which was nice and had a little play with them, Ben got clawed a few times and I started to play football with one of the tigers, but it soon lost interest in the ball and was more interest in my foot, and decided to go for that and grabbed my leg with his paws and wrapped his mouth around my ankle and wouldn't let go and was digging in fairly hard so the keeper had to come and unwrap his mouth from around me. By this time Ben had also got loads of claw marks around his wrists from playing with them. We then moved on to the lions, was just about to go in to see the little lions when the lady said we should go see the bigger lions that were about 5 foot when stood on their back legs. So us being men thought why not and Mum went to see the little 3 month old cubs. On the way in Dad got a nice electric shock from the fence, should of known it was a sign of things to come. When we got in there we soon realised how big they were and how huge their paws were! But none the less we decided to stroke them and play. We just had to be careful as every so often they'd go for your hand with their mouth. The female then decided to also go for my leg and grabbed it with both paws and sunk her teeth in, and then decided that she want to use me for a game of tug and start to pull me by my skin of my leg. The keeper again had to come and remove the mouth from around my leg. We then played football with them and the one of the snuck up behind Dad and jumped on his back ripping a whole in his shirt, and cutting him aswell. Mark then decided he would get as close, as he was wearing his knew Ipswich Town shirt and didn't want to get it damaged. We then heading out of the enclosure when the same female lion that got me and Dad decide to go for Ben and bit a little bit of Bens arms away. We then headed out of the cage to meet Mum who had also managed to get bitten. When we were outside the cage the Keepers kindly informed us that it was now feeding time for the animals and thats why they were biting alot! Nice of them to tell us after! Was a good laugh though a loved every minute of it. We then headed back to the minibus and drove round the rest of the park and saw some Rhino, Springbok, Buffalo, Wilderbeast and Osterich. We came very close to the Rhinos and they had their babies as well. We then headed out of the reserve and headed home. We wern't in for long before we were back on road to Spur for dinner. Everyone went and a really great meal together and stayed for about 3 hours eating and having some good long chats. We then came home and all hit the sack as it had been a longer and eventful day.

Speak Soon

Jon x

Family Arrived - Friday 29th

Got up at 6am this morning and out the door by 6.30 to go and pick my Mum, Dad and brother from the airport and brought them back to the flat to drop their luggage off and freshened up before we were off out to The factory outlet stores such as Nike and Adidas. We got a few items each and then headed to Menlyn shopping centre and Ben got a few more things and got himself a local football shirt the same as mine, because everywhere I went that day with the shirt on people were randomly coming up to me and chatting to me just because of the shirt. Good form of outreach out here! We then came back and assemble some funiture we pick up on the way home for my room. At half 7 we then all headed out for a meal at Ocean Basket which had huge prawns and lovely fish which was good choice by Mark. Then headed back to flat and we all went to ours beds.

Speak soon

Jon x

Prisonday Thursday 28th

Got up 7 today ready for pick up at 7.45, and headed into the prison. When we arrived the inmates were alreadyready on the field ready for the day. So we gathered round and i started off by asking them a few questions abouttheir prayer lifes and what they thought prayer was. we then moved on to reading some bible verses that were to dowith prayer working and how its not just about asking for things n talking to God but its about listening to God and what he wants, which we spoke about and some of the things that effect it happening and some things that can be done to make it easier. We then moved into some facts about how much people prayer on average and what would happen to a team if they only spoke to there Coach for that amount of time. We then moved into praying in community and prayer as a team. At the end we ended in a prayer huddle, and every one of the players prayed, which they have never done before its usually just one or two and they were all really deep and from the heart, so looks like that took it in. Please pray that they we keep going with it. We then move on to playing handball and then shooting practise today, along with some foot skills. Then headed back to the flat and had some lunch and tidied up the flat before heading out to a meeting in the evening about a clinic that is being run in a school during the tour, and some training to go with it. We then grabbed KFC for dinner on the way home and had a really nice sweet chilli twister meal. Was a long but very enjoyable day and yep, got another early start again tomorrow.

Speak soon

Jon x

Office Day - Wednesday 27th

8.15 got up today, so had a good sleep. Then headed down to the office to work for the day and sort out some things for the tour group arriving. At 10 we had our meeting with the Headmaster and some senior members of staff of Garsfontein School, to discuss the opportunity to carry out a clinic there during the tour which had me dedicated to me to organise for the kids. They all jumped at the chance to come into the schools especially when we said it was free! We then agreed some of the details so that it was easier to plan and build the clinic around the facillties available. We then head back to the offce which is literlly straight across the road to continue in the office for the day. I was mainly working on the match for a day website, but had some one off jobs that needed completing such as getting some kit ready to be sent out, and to do some background research of the confederations cup to send to the headmaster of the school. In the afternoon me and Mark headed out for lunch at Steers before hitting the shops in search for some hoodies for the tour team and some food for the BBQ later on that night. When we got back to the office Continued on the website until it was time to leave at 5pm. Got in and had quick wash and got changed before sitting down and preparing for the bible study the next dat. God decided that I would focus on prayer during the session (not something I'm great at but still that's what God told me he wanted me to talk to the guys at hope acadamey. At 7pm we headed down to the BBQ to have some dinner before watching the Champions League Final on the big screen at the church. There was quite a few people there and the people from the BP garage were there also although didn't get to speak to them much, but some other people did which was good. After watching Man U play like toilet duck, and some high quiality diving from Barcelona we headed back to the flat. Was a good game though and entertaining to watch as a neutral supporter. I then hit the hay to as was late and had an early start the next day.

Speak soon

Jon x

Prison Day - Tuesday 26th

I didn't have to get up until 7 today which was nice, and was Picked up by Greg at 7.45 to head to the Prison. We stopped at the petrol station and noticed the man was wearing a BP Soccer T-shirt so we started to chat to him about soocer and who he supported and if he was going to watch The Champions League Final tomorrow. He said that he wanted to but didn't kno if he could. So we decided to invite him to the Big Screen event that the church was putting on to watch the football as an outreach oppertunity and they are going to have a BBQ in the evening as well. Then another guy came over so we invited him as well, and then invited all of the petrol pump men after a few minutes of chatting to them. We then headed on to the prison where we met Melissa, Jo and Stewart. We then headed into the prison, where we went though the normal procedure of getting search. I'm getting to know some of the guards now and getting a few oppertunities to chat more with them which is nice. We then headed up to the field where we met the guys, although there was only 7 of them today as the rest were away at another prison playing football for the prsion team. It was nice to have a smaller group as I could get to know them easier. Chatted with Niko again and when he gets out it looks like he's definately going to be working with AIS and going to be staying with Tim and his family. He was realy excited about this and couldn't stop smiling. The bible study today was about hope and faith. Stewart shareed a few personal experiences and how he'd gone to prison and what he went through, which was really interesting to hear about. We then began training. Me and Greg also got involved today and did a few drills. We also played 3 on 3 football matches and had a lot of fun with that. We then rpped it up for the day and said our goodbyes and headed home. When got in had another nap before dinner and the after dinner started to prepare for the meeting that I have tomorrow with the Head Teacher in a school about running a football clinic during our tour at the school. Also I'm leading the bible study in the prison on thursday, and don't know what to do it on. And feeling really tired alot recently so got to find time to rest as well.

Speak soon

Jon x

Sunnyside - Monday 25th

Started the day a 6 am today, for a round of golf! Don't know whos idea that was. But was a good morning of golf and had a good laugh with Mark and Tim. Then me nd mark headed out for some brunch at a Spur in brooklyn, and then bought printer for the flat. In the shopping centre was a Bosst Juice Bar, so grabbed myself a drink as a little taster from home. I then got picked up from the flat around half 12 by Greg and headed to Sunnyside school to do some football coaching. I took my first training session today with the under 10 B team. I started them off with a game of possession, followed by a game of 5 passes before you can shoot. We then played the A and B team against each other towards the end of the training. The session went really well and all of the kids listened really well. Two boys tried pushing their luck a little bit. So I made them run laps of the pitch. Got home about 5pm and had a power nap for an hour or so before dinner then headed back to bed for an early night. Claire is feeling alot better now although still not 100%. Also I found out that Greg suffers from clinical depression, which can get quite bad at times, epecially when he isn't going to see his girlfriend for a whole year. Please pray for them both

Many thanks

Jon x

Church - Sunday 24th

Up at 8 this morning, and got ready for church which starts at 9. Had a good time of worship today. Followed by a preach on Salvation and the some of the barriers in place that prevent it. It was very interesting and I learnt alot from it and how to break through some of the barriers. We were then finished by 11, and played a bit of soccer with some of the youngsters on the football pitch outside. Mark and I then headed to Brooklyn Mall to have all you can eat chinese for lunch. They had a good selection but the food gt cold quite quickly. When we got back to the flat where watched a bit of prison break before heading to the house to watch the premier league last game of the season. It started off quite exciting in the first halves, but all games seem to die down and were boring towards the end. Then I watch the IPL final which was a lot more entertaining and went down to the wire. Then returned to the flat for early night again as am up at 6 again tomorrow.

Speak soon

Jon x

Resting Day - Saturday 23rd

So was on facebook last night chatting one of my old school mates as he randomly started to talk to me, and haven't spoken to in over a year. Anyway was chatting to him about where i was and what I ws doing, and why. He seemed really interested, and told me he'd been through some tough times recently and bin in and out of hospital. I said I'd pray for him if he wanted and he said yeh if i didn't mind. So it seems God is using south africa to reach out to someone in England.
I managed to get a nice lay in today and got up at 12 today! Could of easily stayed in bed until 3 oclock though. But got up and headed to Menlyn Shopping Centre to search for a printer for the flat. Mark and I then grabbed some lunch at a nice pizza restaurant and had chicken n spare rib pizza, which was amazing. The headed off to look round the shops to find some prices for the printers. We then headed to the Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Puma factory stores to see what we could pick up cheap for the tour. We then headed back home and and spent the night in and had dinner and played a game called finger flicker, which was good fun, and a laugh. Then headed to bed for early night before church the next day.

Speak soon

Jon x

Office Day - Friday 22nd

Got up at a decent hour today, 8 am. Then headed to the office to work do some I.T. work. Started off by designing the new website that they wanted to have for this years match for a day. Whish is 24 hours of football to raise money for Ambassadors in sport SA. It is only the second year it is going to be running, and last year raise R130,000, with special guest Lee Sharpe, ex Manchester United player also entering a team into the tournament. It was also broadcasted on the South African Sports TV stations as well. This year they are also adding a freestyle tournament which would involve holding qualifing rounds at all of the local shopping centres. Also there is a Royal Rumble of football (last team standing tournament). This year it looks set to raise over R200,000. I then had to set up a desktop that has been donated from the USA, which was going to be posted to a smaller office in Seweto. Then had to rush off back home to have a quick dinner, (McDonalds Mcfeast! 1 word..... WOOOAAAAHHHH!!) which was pleasant. Dave, Mark and I then head to the church to help set up for their youth group. Tonight was IPL night so we played cricket all nite. Everyone had a good laugh and enjoyed themselves. was pretty busy day today. But enjoyed it none the less. Claire still isn't feeling any better and its her last week before exams next week, so please continue to pray.

Many thanks

Jon x

Prison Day - Thursday 21st

5 am start!! I offered to drop mark in to the hopsital for his operation again. After dropping him off headed back home, and got an extra half hour sleep, before having to get up to go to the office to meet up with Jo and Melissa, in order to catch a lift into the prison. It was good to chat to them and get to know them a bit better on the way. When we arrived we went through the prison procedures and was chatting to the Guards and a few of them were christians and really appreciated the Hope academy. We went up to the football pitch and then the team came out to meet us and was greeted by them all. We then shared a time of bible study and the topic today was working as a team. We started them off by getting them to write their names at the top of a piece of A4 paper and then passed it round and everyone had to write something they would miss about that person if they were to leave. They were all writing a couple of lines for each person so it took quite a while but was worth it, and it supprised all of them in a good way because they didn't realise some of the things they did that would be missed by others. Afterwards we went through the daily study reading and ten read 1 Corinthians 12 vs 12 up to chapter 13, about how each part of the body is important to the rest and that they work as a team. Then Melissa did some footskills and some fitness work with them. One of the guys called Niko, (pronouced neeeko) had to sit out with an ankle injury so I managed to chat to him an told him bit bout my life story. And he shared a bit out what he's gone through. He's being released soon on prison leave and could be coming to work with ambassadors in sport full time which would be amazing. If he's good, then he won't have to go back to prison. So please pray into that situation that it can work out. At 1 o'clock we left the prison and grabbed some lunch on the way back to the office to get the car. Then headed to the hopsital to see Mark, and see how he was feeling, and as soon as I walked into the hopsital right infront of me was Mark with smile on his face and big cup of coffee. He'd just been released and was waiting for me to turn up. Headed back to the flat and got pulled over for speeding. I was doing 77kph in 60kph but thought it was 80kph. I got 125 Rand fine (under £10). Woopsie! :S When got in I did some washing and ironing. And then had dinner, Claire is still not great but at least her headache is gone now and is feeling a little bit better. Please continue to pray for Claire to get better.

Speak soon

Jon x

Office Day - Wednesday 20th

Didn't have to get up a early today. Headed down to the office to work today. I worked on developing one of AIS's websites that they have all day. It wan't too hard just really tedius work but worth doing. The highlight of today was making the tea and then realising the milk had been open for at least a month, but not much other than that. Then headed off home and had KFC for dinner as Claire is still unwell today and feeling even worse than yesterday. Then Headed off to bed as had to get up at 5 to take Mark into hopspital for his operation.

Speak soon

Jon x

Prison Day - Tuesday 19th

7 o clock start this morning, not cool! made my sandwiches, out the door and on way to the prison with Greg, forgot my lunch! Always a good start to the day! Arived at the prison about half 8, and met up with Jo and Melissa, and met two new guys that I haven't met before called Cameroon and Stewart who work for local churches. Stewart was another Ipswich town fan who works with AIS which we had good laugh about. We then headed into the prison and was told that we had to do our football coaching in the missle of the courtyard, surrounded by a thousand inmates. Nice introduction to the prison! We then headed into the Hope Academy's cell, which I was later told that the Guards had kindly moved all of the football team into one cell to make it easy for everyone. Which then meant that AIS could introduce some rules to the cell to help them such as no swearing, no drugs etc. When I walked into the prison cell I was greeted by about 20 players and all were realy friendly and smiling and fully of happiness, that i didn't expect to see. Especially when no-else seemed happy when we walked across the courtyard to the cell. We started off by having a bible study for an hour and it was just amazing to see all the inmates particpiating and reading there bibles. They did most of the talking about God and what they've learnt through the bible. Their bible knowledge was even better than mine. They were quoting hundreds of bible verses exactly off the top of their head. It was just such a blessing to see. They all had a little folder containing the bible reading notes and was interesting to see how they tied all of it into football. We then founded out the meeting which most of the guards had to go to had finished so one of them said that they would take us up to the football pitch to train. We did mainly fitness training and defensive work. But was good to see and their footwork was really good as well. We then left at 12 and was on the way to Sunnyside school for football coaching, when got a text saying that I'd locked Mark in the flat all day. woopsy! So after a quick detour to let Mark out we headed to the school where the under 10 A and B team had a match each. The B team played first and although Sunnyside dominated the couldn't get a goal so it end 0-0. Then the A team were up, this game was alot more different, Sunnyside scored the open then the opponents pulled 1 back then Sunnyside scored another 2 so it was 3-1, but they pulled another back to make it 3-2 at hald time. The second half kicked off and Sunnyside scored another goal, with the other team pulling one back, Sunnyside then scored again but so did the other team. The final score was 5-4 to Sunnyside which kept up their unbeaten run. We then headed back to the flat, and had a dinner. Claire is now ill with flu like symptoms/ hope its not swine flu! Then retired to the flat for an ealry nite. Please pray for Claire as she has got a lot of work to do at school, and she is also pregant so she can't take anything to help either.

Speak soon

Jon x

Relaxing Day - Monday 18th

Layed in til 11 today before heading down to the shops to get some phone credit. Then when got back to the flat and a good tidy up and rearrange of the funiture and some did some washing as well. Then headed to Menlyn shopping centre to pick up some food from the shops and lookd at getting a printer for Mark. Then jus headed back home for dinner, which was chicken and pasta in a kind of sweet and sour sauce but had some spice to it. Then hit the sack after a pretty relaxed day.

Speak soon

Jon x

Men's retreat - Sunday 17th

Got up at half 7 again. I definately not a morning person add breakfast at 8 although it was jus a light breakfast today with toast and cereal because we were having a brunch after the meeting. The meeting was about the qualites of a spiritual father and what a spiritual father must be. Afterwards came brunch before packing all of our gear away and loading up the minibus for the journey home. I sat next to this guy called Auberry on the bs and had some great conversations with him about life and stuff. We arrived home about 4 which was just enough time to wash and unpack before heading off to the evening service at Eastside church where Ashley Smith was concluding the weekend off with the families there as well. He commissioned all of the Men in the church that they may continue to be or become great spiritual fathers. Dinner was ready straight after the meeting so we had to rush off to Steers to get some chips, (the best chips you will ever eat by the way!)

Speak soon

Jon x

Men's retreat - Saturday 16th

Up at half 7 today, didn't like that too much. had breakfast at 8 and then off to the meeting at 9. Ashley spoke about the father and son relationshipand how important it is in the development of the son. Some of us then headed over to the sportshall for another few gmes of indoor cricket. (as you can tell they like their cricket) Lunch was at 12. The food so far over the weekend has bin really good and we've had a variety of different foods, from sausages to chicken dropsticks to egg and bacon. Team games ativites followed lunch to help meet new people. The first game we did involved being blind folded and having to untangle a rope in ur team and then make a square with the rope whilst still being blind folded. The next game involved remembering letter under differnt plates in a 5 by 5 grid and the unscrambling them to findout the word and then the bible verse. The final game we did was like football but involved a pair of tights with some balls in to swing from your waist inbetween your legs to hit the ball, it ended up being an amusing afternoon. There was then a golfing competition to see who could get the ball closest to the flag although Kanan the dog kept running off with the golf balls. We then had another game of cricket before watchin the two local rugby teams play eachother on tv. The bulls beat the sharks by 1 point in the end so it was an excting game to watch whilst eating our dinner. After the game we went to the hall for another meeting. his one was more based around security in a relationship and spiritual fatherhood. He also spoke about the covenent of marriage and that when you get divorced from your wife and there is a child involved you are not only breaking the covenent with your wife but with your child because they have come from the covenent relationship. Guess what we did after the meeting? you guessed it, we played cricket again in the hall. Was both a physically and mentally draining day but worth it.

Speak soon

Jon x

Men's retreat - Friday 15th

Today fairly relaxed day. Had a nice lay in and then head down to the office to pick up the minibus from the office with Dave. Then came back home and packed all of my things for the men's retreat away. Mark then rang and asked to be picked up from hopsital as he was being discharged and has to go back next week now so that they can have another cracked at getting the Kidney Stone out. We were then on the road by half past 5 after picking up a few people from the church. We were told a short cut which was to go straight until you hit a 'T' junction and then turn right. after we hit the dirt road we realised we'd gone to far and the 'T' junction was acutally a four way junction! But we were soon back on the right way after a quick phone call. we arrived at the camp site for half 7 in time for dinner and then wuickly dumped our gear in the thatched cottage type accomodation we were staying in. The meeting was just and introduction to the rest of the weekend and about Fathers and sons and spiritual fathers with a guest speaker from cape town called Ashley Smith who was really good. Afterwards most of us head to the indoor sports hall where we played a game of indoor cricket which was a good laugh and a chance to meet new guys and especialy more guys my age. Looking forward to tomorrow now!

Speaks soon

Jon x