Monday, July 6, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
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
Speak soon
Jon x
Friday, June 12, 2009
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
Speak soon
Jon x
Thursday, June 11, 2009
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
Speak Soon
Jon x
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
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
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
Speak soon
Jon x
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