Cold Cold

Define: Cold

/kōld/

Adjective

Of a relatively low temperature when compared to the human body

Adverb

Completely; totally

There is much to be said for the cold. I think that the first thing that comes to mind when I think of coldness is 

beauty. Stunning snow capped mountain range vistas, delicately formed snow flakes and white gilded leaves.

Winter is an amazing season, I have fond childhood memories of going for walks all wrapped up like the

michelin man. The crunch of frozen ground under foot. That feeling of crisp cool air against your cheeks and

the satisfaction that I still get of being able to see your own steamy breath reminding you that you are still

warm on the inside.

However there is another very prominent association with the cold. Death. Those white gilded leaves are not

on trees, they are on the floor. The reason I am able to enjoy walks in the cold is because I know that it will

be followed by a warm house and probably tea. If that was not the case then a definite sense of fear would

accompany the cold bite of Winter knowing that before long the cold begins to hurt and if left untreated is

irreversible.

Cold has also long been aptly used to describe our spirituality and emotions. There are many parallels; the

brittle nature of things that are cold, numbness or lifelessness, close associations with darkness and of course

pain. 

The difference in the parallel is that we don't always know where home is. This kind of cold is internal, we

can't just run away from it because we are it. We start to dislike our reflection and muffle the sound of warm

words.

And before you know it you are cold cold. Absolutely, completely, totally cold. Dead. Like a leaf on the floor.

 If you are reading this and you are cold cold then know this, Winter is a season, that's good news. And just

like the seasons you are not in control, no matter how you strive they will last as long as they do.

Fortunately there is one who does control the seasons and he knows you. You might not know him yet but

he is inviting you into the warm to have a cup of tea with him. The choice is yours.

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Family

We are all stones but some are gems, a gem is a precious and rare stone and that is how I would describe the group of people that I am currently living with. This last week I have seen a new side to the people here - their dedication, passion and frankly out-right abandonment for God.

It is both challenging and encouraging to be with people being stretched in  faith and growing in maturity. It is a rare thing in life to see a group of people from so many different places and pasts united so firmly.

On the 18th of April we remembered the lives of 3 martyrs who were killed in Turkey for their faith in Jesus. It was a rude awakening to the fact that the beliefs we hold are not welcome in this world and not just un-welcome but actively opposed in many countries, yet despite this we remain steadfast - knowing that the persecution is no reason to drop the truth - on the contrary it is all the more reason to take it with you wherever you go.

This past week has been so busy that I have not even had time to pick up my camera so these are largely from the archives (a wealth of pictures are tucked away in there). In other news winter is beginning to encroach on SA. The 5.30am rise is now a very cold affair, especially with no central heating of any kind - the walk in fridge is actually warmer than the outside air temperature though I am yet to see frost.

The weather is a welcome reminder of England with the bite of cold as you breathe in and the warmth of a cup of tea in your hands brings back a cosiness that simply cannot be replicated in warm weather, made all the more comfortable when surrounded by the ones you love, the people whom I would now consider family.

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Rain

Rain has been, quite litterally, an every day occurance for me while living in England, a consistant mid to high 20's is a welcome change but what is so much better in South Africa than England is the Rain. (No I haven't gone insane - don't worry)

Let me explain - rain in England is pretty consistant, it wouldn't be unusual to have an entire week of rain which is cold and drizzly - this is the worst kind of rain. In South Africa on the other hand it is rare, comes with alot of lightning, is VERY heavy, warm and only lasts a day or 2 or even some times just 10 minutes. This rain is pretty rare in England meaning I usually take the opportunity to walk in it when the occasion arises so of course when the heavens opened here I was ready in swimming shorts and t-shirt within 5 minutes.

I actually went for the walk with a South African who has quickly become a good friend. Needless to say within 2 minutes we could not get any wetter. It was around this time that we ended up at the pool as I needed to drain it to stop the levels getting too high when it rains (I have been put in charge of pool maintainence) So as I stood by the pool side with the pump not working due to a power cut (probably a result of all the lightning) I took one look at my friend and dived right on in. To my wanderment the pool water was significantly warmer than the air temperature so he joined me and we swam for about 5 minutes with lighning bolts striking near by all the while - then we went back and dried out selves off - The End.

Unfortunatley cameras and rain don't mix so well so there are no pictures of the above adventure - they are of the first lot of rain we had here which only lasted 5 minutes tops though as you can see was still enough to drench anyone caught in it - oh and it seems the base is not exactly build to withstand rain

 ... yeaaa. That took quite a little while to sort out - Still, made a good picture so I wasn't too worried about it.

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