Garden Route

Days #78-82 (Mon-Fri)

Monday

Early pick up from Hotspots2C and then we were off! A total of 9 of us in the group; couple from Washington, one from Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Netherlands, Morroco, Tunisia and me the Scouser. Our tour guide was Paul who is born and raised in Cape Town! He had some amazing stories especially as he was once apart of Nelson Mandela's private security team in Cape Town but you'll have to ask me to find out more. 

We set off for Oudtshoorn and first stop was the Cango Wildlife Centre. The centre is a part of a breeding programme and gene pool strengthen for certain threatened species! 

We had a tour around the complex seeing lots of amazing animals such as Crocodiles, Hippo, Cheetah, Leopard, White Tigers and my new Favourite the White Lion. First animal to make me just say 'wow'. 

To support the breeding program they offer close encounters. Money raised from these goes directly to supporting the various programms. I got the chance to say hello to this Cheetah. Just like cinder he loved behind the ears. 

Tuesday

Early wake up and once again we were on the road. First stop was a private game reserve to experience one of natures biggest and cleverest animals; the elephant. We got the chance to ride them around the reserve and feed them and one big hug to say goodbye. 

Then we headed to the Cango Caves. No photos in hear as we were on the adventure tour which I loved as it would never be allowed in England in a million years. We had one guide, she had been on the job 3 months, there was over 20 of us. We had no helmets and the tunnels and holes we crawled through were very extreme. Is you weren't a fan of small place this wasn't for you. 

Next for lunch we went to the ostrich ranch. We enjoyed a tour around the ranch then the opportunity to ride these crazy animals. Only two of us were brave enough. It's like a rodeo. The first guy fell off but I am the ostrich whisperer and I could of stayed on all day but had to hop off. 

The podium. 

 

Wednesday

This was a very early start leaving at 6am to head for the Addo Elephant park. This is home to the densest population of elephants in the world. Had a 2 hour 4x4 safari then we drive round in the minibus. We saw A LOT of elephants! A buffalo, Zebra, Warthogs... 

In the afternoon we shopped in the huge surfing factory shops! There was billabong, rip curl, quicksilver... All the big brands and super cheap prices! Got myself a T Shirt and a Hoody! 

Thursday 

First stop was Zip-Lining in Tsitsikamma just to get us warmed up! Great fun, really enjoyed it!

 

Then we went for a walk just to calm down the adrenaline levels in Tsitsikamma national reserve. It was a costal walk to the famous hanging bridge. 

Now was the moment of the week. 

 

The worlds highest bridge Bungy jump! Yes this happened! We made our way to the bridge and got pumped up by the loud dance music! Then we waited until our names were called; like lambs waiting for the slaughter! I was surprisingly very confident. Even on the edge I was looking down and proper excited. 

It was only untill that split moment when you first jump off, that first second, when all you can think is "Oh Crap!" Such a bizarrely amazing feeling that I know no words to describe it except indescribable (like what I did there). 

Also got the chance to go the toilet in the most extreme and dangerous place I'll ever go. You walk down on a wire untill the point where the bridges curve is at it's streepest then you do your business. Unsurprisingly I was the only one to go! 

Friday

Chilled morning. Nice canoe through the wilderness. 

Then we had another crazy experience; a lion walk! 

After a long drive finally got home. But headed straight out back into the city to experience Madela's memorial in Cape Town. 

This picture sums it up. Memorial outside the place were Madela did his famous speech once he was released. Flags throughout South Africa were all half flying. Throughout the city were flags and banners saying "Madiba" "Father". Then kneeling at the memorial lighting there candles are a couple; one White one black. If it weren't for Madela these two individuals would never be together. 

Long week very tired. 

God Bless.  

Opposite Way

Days #75-77 (Fri-Sun)

This extended weekend was Urban Voice's youth group, Summit's, Summer Camp! And it promised to be a good one!

I love a good youth camp and glad i got the chance to enjoy one South African style... There's a few differences which just wouldn't happen back home, one especially was how the leaders shared rooms with the campers, especially after having lots of child protection meetings with Christians in Sport for a whole weekend it was a surprise but a good surprise! It was needed as well especially with the Boys who come from the townships, they get up to all sorts!

The evening worship sessions and talks, like any youth camp, were extra special! Especially the worship, the volume was intense and there was lots of clapping, singing and lots of dancing which was good to see! I was the equivalent of Tecky Boy for the weekend so I was in charge of the computer side which was great fun!

Saturday promised to be an even better day! Morning started with the loved early wake up and leaders meeting, i then took our dorm through a bible study to start the day, then off course the most important meal of the day... Breakfast!

The morning we had various sessions. The whole weekend was called "Opposite Way" how as young people we need to be pushing to live in an Opposite way to which the world lives! Some really challenging talks and messages, especially from a couple who came to deliver a talk on sexual purity.

Afternoon was our time to shine as the Helderberg Academy with our Activities. All the activities I sorted out had to follow the theme of Romans 5:3-4

³ Not only so, but we^[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.


The Activities;
Ultimate Frisbee... This is just a classic game and great fun! We pushed to make the games more intense so it was tough for the young people and they had to persevere and push on!
Tug Tug... This firstly involved a Tug of War competition going with the idea how the world is trying to pull us one way but we need to strive to go the Opposite Way and with any Tug of War its tough, there's times we want to pack it all in but we must endure and this will develop character! Then just to make it interesting we then moved on to pulling cars! Had to make a bit more extreme! The other team would all pile in to the car then the other team were against the clock to pull the car a considerable distance in the fastest time!
River Dash... First up the Teams had to build a river crossing, a way of getting from one side to the other. Then they were both shown the bible verse for 60s each. Each team was then handed the verse all cut up into single words. It was then a relay to get the words across the river to the other side. Once all the words were across it was time to get the words in the right order (see how much attention they were paying).
River Dash... First up the Teams had to build a river crossing, a way of getting from one side to the other. Then they were both shown the bible verse for 60s each. Each team was then handed the verse all cut up into single words. It was then a relay to get the words across the river to the other side. Once all the words were across it was time to get the words in the right order (see how much attention they were paying).
Obstacle Course... This was the event I was running and as always I have to take it to the next level. There was a narrow trail running through the woods with bridges and logs (think it was a mountain biking trail or something). Before the camp i went to the farm i stayed at and got all the rope i could get my hands on. This rope made up lots and lots of spider webs between the trees! Also, got a few logs and fallen trees and made various obstacles. We also had the classic cargo net and they had to do the obstacle course dressed up. It was a great activity to take part in and watch! Idea about this one is simple, through the course and in life there are things which try to trip us up and slow us down, things which get in our way. Also, it tough! It was a long course and it was very tiring! This is the same in life, through the pain, through the hardships, past the obstacle we must continue to push on and persevere! 
Rest of the weekend was just a fantastic camp! Had great time with the young people! There was lots of laughs and just a general energetic buzz for camp! Saturday night ended with a huge party/disco which I was allocated responsibility over... So the disco music was AMAZING we had Ben Howard, Jack Johnson, John Mayer... All the legends! Haha joking I left those guys behind and got some good songs going! The favourite had to be South Africa's own Waka Waka, it was sooo loud as they all sang along and danced there socks off (African Style!).
Great weekend, challenging for me a leader as well!
Hope to get some photos of the camp soon :)
God Bless.




The idea behind this activity is taking God’s word (the bible verse) overseas (across the stream) to different cultures and societies. It’s tough, there are obstacles and you may have to keep going back and forth until the message is understood. It requires perseverance, patience and determination. Also, once you are over there with the word it’s not easy to get across the message clearly to people who have never heard of Jesus before. Emphasis on taking Jesus’ word overseas. And emphasis on the bible verse and how it applies to this activity.

I'm Free!

Day #74

Thursday

Today was back to the prison for my last time with the boys. Today, Ben Marais the Director of Ambassadors for Cape Town joined us and also Justin from kenya, the Director of Ambassadors for the whole of Africa came to have a look round as well.

Today we couldn't try even the score from Tuesdays defeat but instead we had a bible session and a chance to share and just chat. I was really encouraged by the session! the boys were open and willing to chat. Interesting to talk with two of the boys who are being released this January!

Great session. Great last moments. Hope to see them again.

God Bless.

Lwandle vs Eerste River

Days #70-73 (Mon-Wed)

Back to prison for another action packed day.

Monday and Tuesday followed a similar theme back in the prison. We had two big matches; first match ended up 1-1 so we carried it over to tuesday to finish off with a big final... sadly our team lost but it was a great competition and an exciting game!

Wednesday

I headed back to Somerset West and the Helderberg Academy! In the morning i was responsible for finalising plans for the youth summer camp and then in the afternoon we had out match day. Two of our communities; Lwandle and Eerste River were going head to head in an epic competition. We split the communities up into two sets of teams, seniors and juniors. The teams competed in tug of war competitions and off course football matches. It was a great day! Lots of energy, lots of enthusiasm!

God Bless.