BD's Blog

Peru

2012-02-14T16:59:00.001+11:00

Well, I disappeared in Peru for a while and it seems a bit of Peru disappeared in me as well! I have just spent 36 hours on a drip being rehydrated after a couple of days of severe sickness upon my arrival home last Wednesday. Once I started passing blood, I was sent to ER and I was not going anywhere! It had been a long trip.

Starting with my train being delayed to the airport back on February 1 I missed my flight and had to return the next day $220 poorer for a ticket change. At least I took Gill out to the movies as an unexpected date! Late that night I was stressing as my revised plane ticket had not been sent and the office of LAN Airlines was closed. Thankfully at 5am it arrived and I headed for the airport on the train - round 2. "I'm sorry Mr Davis we can fly you to Auckland, but the flight to to Santiago is oversold by 14 seats so you won't be able to get on that flight, do you really still want to go?" Already my crazy 6 day trip has been cut to 5 so I press on...and get on. I was reading in Revelation 3 that God calls himself the one who opens things that no one can close and closes things that no one can open, so I figure if God wants me to go, there's no closing me down! Good faith building stuff, even if a bit stressful.

I connect with a Peruvian surfer on the flight and we strike up a great conversation as he lives just around the corner from CS Peru friend Muelas. Amazing connections. I get to share my Jesus story and he believes our meeting was 'fate'. He gives me the email address of an Australian Catholic surfing priest who has been there 5 years, can you believe that? I finally see Sergio Busatto and Aldo Ventura's smiling faces at Lima airport and they have had an extra day speaking Spanish and Portuguese without me. We are transitioning the leadership for South America from Sergio to Aldo and we all sense God's hand in it. There's ceviche to eat, salt water to wash off the jet-lag and Estella, Antonella and Camilla's wonderful company as Aldo's supportive wife and daughters. I'm always struck with the grey beach-scape around Lima, the color green does not exist here unsupported. Then there's the desolate poor houses set in the dirt of dirt poor people. Some of them are surfing now.

We leave the upper middle class and go to a local CS meeting at Pacochi's place, a radiant 57-year-old surfer with his sons and his grandchild. I'm told I would not have recognised him just 6 months ago before he received Christ. All his life he had been a dope smoking surfer hanging out on the beach selling ceviche and having his share of hard times. We are invited to his cafe next day and he insists on plying us with raw fish and mussels cooked in lime juice and a range of chillies and onion. The surf is crowded, some 40 out at Caballeros and they are surfing well. Peru has just won the ISA World Games Open Teams Title as well as the ISA World Junior Title taking out the Aussies as they are quick to tell me. This has to be the most consistent surfing location in the world. The huge Chilean swells head up north and are met with still, dry conditions. Punta Hermosa must have 12 reefbreaks in 10km and it is never flat. Pico Alto can hold 30' waves and somewhere will hold everything in between.

The fog descends. I'm out in the lineup with the new Peru National Director Antonio 'Toñito' Farfan and we are jostling with the 20 strong crowd of 35+ year olds out before work. The lineup is just the same as anywhere in the world. I don't speak Spanish but I do speak the language of the lineup and soon take a back seat to the locals. The fog is getting thicker. Cold water and warm air combine. There's a shout from a tiny wooden fishing boat 200m out to sea. It is CS Peru founder John Chuman. I paddle out and he is greener than the color of the boat he is in. Diving overboard and resting on my board we catch up. Bobbing about in the sea with the mist swiriling about, the birds calling and his mate pulling the bottom net up and separating the fish. I leave and paddle back...but the fog has really descended. No visibiitly beyond 50m and soon I cant see anything in any direction. Straight away I think of what my life would be without Christ. Lost. Aimless. Fogbound. I hear a bit of Spanish banter and see the startled faces of some guys who see a strange gringo emerge, a gorilla in the mist. Each night is an amazing sunset with a blood red sun setting over the coastal islands.

Heading into Lima we are able to attend church and conduct a commissioning service for Aldo and his family. Pastor Lucho is a passionate communicator and though I can't understand anything, his antics and conviction are obvious and the audience responds. I like to worship in another language and sense the community spirit of God's people as they join together. I get to meet with Bruce and Marsha Blackwell and tribe who are Aussie missionaries dedicated to teaching the Bible and are on the CS Peru board. Such a big step to live cross culturally. Outside the Lima traffic is chaotic, there are four lanes of traffic for the two lane road and we get stuck between two narrowing buses at one stage and I thought we were gone. Horns honk continuously and somehow everyone gets by. Inside with the church service it is a small oasis of peace and community.

All the way I have taken Skegman the mascot for the 2012 International Conference and he features in many photos for his upcoming Facebook page. A final night with John Chuman and family and I am whisked off to the airport, barely five days there. So I find myself back home and recovering. I love the Peruvian food, but maybe it didn't love me back. "It was LAN Brett. Those Chileans don't know how to cook!" explained John on Skype today. The Peru/Chile rivalry runs high!

Hawaiian Dreams

2011-12-12T16:17:00.000+11:00

Each time I return to Hawaii its with mixed feelings. The place holds such mystique for the surfer with its famous surf breaks and massive swell as well as the beautiful climate and backdrop. But it is also a chaotic place of overcrowding, intimidation, traffic, and lost people. This trip was focused on fundraising, chaplaincy, International Conference preparation and a pioneering short-term mission.

A 9-hour flight feels short now and with just a 4-hour time difference it's an easy one on my body. Cal Fisher met me at the airport and we drove through the pineapple fields where the North Shore opens up, virtually unchanged since I first visited in 1981. Of course it has changed some, but nothing like the rampant tourism of the South Shore and you still dodge the odd chicken on the road, which does pose the question, "Why did the chicken decide to cross the road?" "To get to the surf of course!" Everyone surfs here. It is not a subculture, it is the culture and one reason I sense Christian Surfers has never really formally taken off in Hawaii.

We stay at Eric and Sue Arakawa's place and I appreciate their faithful example and hospitality. There is a huge amount to organise for the fundraiser and a team from 'The Mission' church are helping gather auction items, organise tables, deal with caterers and plan decorations. We have focused on chaplaincy as it is an easily understood part of our mission, with Mike Stangel already having been chaplain to the Triple Crown the past four seasons. For most of the 140 attendees that Saturday night it is their first exposure to CS, so I see it as awareness raising as much as fundraising. Highlights include: Abe Andrews' bed hair as we wake him up for a live video Skype call, a powerful video testimony of Abe's chaplaincy from the ground crew of the ASP, Muelas from Peru sharing his testimony, one of the last boards in Andy Irons' Hawaiian quiver purchased by CS South Bay's Mark Chu, incredible food by Camp Homelani, over 15 church leaders receiving an insight into surf ministry, 12 shiny Christmas trees dominating the room.

For 7 years I had pitched the idea of a concentrated mission to the world's surfers as they travel in Hawaii. This year we finally tested the waters with a handful from Japan, Peru, the Canary Islands, Brazil and Australia who came for 3 weeks to pray, befriend and share. The local churches were invited and 'The MIssion' was our main partner. "I have been so inspired and reminded of the international mission opportunity right here in my backyard," said Christian, a 35-year-old local surfer. We hope to do this again, expanded following our conference in 2012. Special thanks to Andy and Jenny Carruthers for leading the team there.

Back in the old sugar mill, Eric's factory is a mix of high-tech surfboard manufacture and slow traditional craft. Erics showroom is a revolving door of pro surfers, industry leaders and local legends. World Tour veteran Jeremy Flores from Reunion Island drops in to get his big wave board for the Eddie and as he hobbles by is asked if he would like prayer for his injured ankle. "Sure, I would love that!" And our table of friends gets to stand by him as Eric prays right there. Jeremy is obvously moved and says, "I know God does all things for a reason." A local artist does amazing fibreglass art that hangs in galleries around the world, but has its beginnings amongst the red mud of the old sugar mill.

We check out Camp Mokuleia and are stoked with our venue for the November 2012 10th anniversary International Conference. It's rustic and will be a combination of high school camp and world leadership conference right on the waters edge! We negotiate a heap of details and Cal has a big job ahead of him as the leader of the host region. Turtles flap about in the aqua bay and a monk seal is basking in the afternoon shadows. I can already visualise 200 surfers filling the place and overflowing into the camping area. I only hope we don't rock the locals too much!

The Eddie. The world's best big wave surfers come to compete at Waimea Bay in memory of Eddie Aikau who laid down his life for his friends paddling for help in the dark after their boat capsized. Sadly he violated the common conviction of staying with the boat and all were rescued later. I attend the opening ceremony and the world's elite are there with Quiksilver branding it all. A Hawaiian priest talks a lot of the 'manna' of Eddie and before I know it, it sounds like Eddie is a kind of Jesus right down to his 'power' being available to all in the water. Waaaayyyyyy too much in that. How sad we will deify a man who dies bravely but impotently, and ignore Christ who dies bravely and triumphantly.

Flying home after just 5 days I reflect that it was another action packed Hawaiian visit. I also have a 9' Waimea gun poking out of my board bag with a cardboard box to protect it. At $170 it has become my Christmas gift from Gill. When I hold it under my arm I know I will never use it seriously, but it sure feels good! I think Hawaii is more paradise than nightmare when shared with godly friends and our egos left at home. I'll be back in November with 200 of my friends, and we will see how it is then!

ILT EXTREME! Video

2011-11-18T19:14:00.001+11:00

ILT Meeting 2011

2011-11-11T12:29:00.001+11:00

So, how 'hardcore' is the International Leadership Team of CSI? I figured I'd find out when we hosted them at our place over October 16-22 and test their limits. I think we all will remember the week at 'Team Extreme' as we worked hard and played hard!!!

First up on Saturday 15th we had a great intimate partners dinner hosted by the wonderful Steve and Dior Mahnken at Cronulla. What a great place to meet on the waterfront and be reminded about God at work in CSI and be entertained and challenged by Taylor's piano, Kotsy's speech, Marcus' greeting, the CSI promo DVD and my presentation.

It was a big surprise next day to hike the guys into our tent site from the top of the cliffs above my place to our hosts Tim and Kathryn Berry. I promised them it was a 5-star meeting room and 1000-star sleeping room as we camped out in tents for the next week! They loved the leeches, spiders and lizards and Sergio lost his legs for the rest of the week, "I'm a city boy, not a country boy!" he claims. However, there was some respite as the guys sat in the hot tub watching the Rugby World Cup on the big outdoor flatscreen with the odd beverage...after sneaking out of church early?!

We had an amazing time with our 2010 International Conference speaker Tim Meyers for three days of leadership development, debating issues of burnout and vitality, the nature of church and discipleship, international leadership and influence. It was an incredible privilege to glean from this brother. "Work hard and play hard" was our motto, so after the first morning of discussion and thinking, we threw Phil and Roy off a cliff, hang-gliding at Stanwell Park. Happy 50th Phil! That night the guys had to stay connected with the 'grass roots' and donned a crazy range of fancy dress to play dodgeball with our local CS groms. How Roy managed to keep attention sharing the gospel dressed in a bear suit is beyond me?! The late night camp fire was a great ending for our discussion and reflections and bunking down in the tents we got to hear all the classic Australian bush noises.

Next morning Tuesday we woke with the Kookaburra alarm. The chatty birds were our wake up call each day at daybreak...or before. Again we worked hard with Tim, then went and played hard with a drive into the National Park and a surf at Garie. The late night discussions around the campfire were stimulating.

Wednesday was Tim's last session with us, and you can't have an international speaker along and not show them some hospitality so we took him and the team to the 'cave of death' in Kiama. Tim says he will never let his international staff complain about how they 'rough it' ever again!! Crazy fun jumping off a cliff and swimming 100m into the dark of a sea cave. Great to have a meal at the home of Marcus Judge, our Board Chairman, and thanks Anne for an awesome meal.

Thursday was a day to review the world geographically as well as review our world strategies. Again, it was very special to reflect upon all that God has done amongst us and the many challenges as well. Boys being boys, it became a roof jumping challenge for the 7m diving tower. Since I have a wood fire and had run out of timber, I figured an afternoon activity of chainsaw work and log splitting would be fun. I drove away with a full trailer of timber...the guys with a full hand of blisters. Gordy is the master of the chainsaw and fell an 8m tree.

Friday was a special combined day with the CSI Board of Directors as we reviewed our systems and structures and dreamed about the future. A world swim race was held and South Africa's Roy Harley and Aussie board member Brad Whittaker are the fastest in the pool. We combined these two teams with our office team of great volunteers for a dinner at our place, Gill, the wonder host, was not phased with 25 of us there. So special to have Lisa and Phil Imisides out together after years of Phil's illness. Eric Arakawa presented Phil Williams with another 50th gift, a new surfboard.

Saturday was a Board meeting and thanks to input from Alan Vink who joined us all the way from NZ to consult, ever appreciate his wisdom. There was spirited debate about church partnering, our vision statement, affiliation and how they could support myself and the future.

I must say, it was sad seeing the guys head off to the airport over Sunday and rather boring at the office next week (no offense to you Aaron) after such a week. I know it will go down as a life changing, team building experience and much vision and Godly principle laid that will echo into the future.

So for the 2011 International Leadership Team Meeting, it was 'Team Extreme' and I'm so encouraged we have an extreme, Godly team who also know how to have a heap of fun. Christian Surfers is in good hands.

USA: The Land of Big

2011-09-23T16:44:00.004+10:00

Big cups, big meals, big trucks, big malls, big people. It's also big hearted, big Christian culture, big developments in Christian Surfers and of course big Dean Plumlee our CSUS Director. Ok, I'm joking Dean, he's 60kg wringing wet but got a huge heart and such a godly, talented leader.

During the course of travel I finished reading "When Helping Hurts" about how aid can be misunderstood, and I was ticking off how many mistakes I've made doing mission trips! Ouch.

Wednesday. I had a great time with Cal our North America RC and we talked about the nations in his region, visited the national staff, checked out the new national training centre they're about to embark upon and enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Coral. The Bible says, "...there are not many fathers amongst you..." but Cal is one and a spiritual father to many.

Thursday had us get the best waves I've ever had in Florida with a zipping left-hand bank at Metanzas Inlet. Casey was stylish as usual on boards from 5' to 9'. We all got stung by jellyfish - Dean looking like they chewed him up! By divine appointment Jon from Puerto Rico happened to be in town so we had some vital discussion there, and I didn't have to leave the country! I love being in the same time zone to call any USA friends and supporters. Good fundraiser with Cal's supporters and I typically hear, "I had no idea CS was so developed!"

Friday. Back on the plane, long talks with Cal. In LA my old friend Mark Curtis who founded the Christian Surfing Association back in 1984 puts us up.

Saturday. It's a team meeting at 7:30 over breakky to finalize the fundraiser that night. Another meeting to discuss our International Conference. What do you do when you're "meetinged out"? Go shopping at Marshalls cheap discontinued lines. How could I refuse a $3 lime green rubber belt, or $10 felt hat, or Dean's $14 fake frilled dress shirt or Cals $10 Levis slippers!? After retail therapy we head off to a surf ministry network meeting with old and new partners. Then to the CS Chaplains Fundraiser in San Clemente. Thanks to Lyle Castellaw's team building, wonder sisters Stacey and Julie have transformed the community centre. Mark Chu and other CS leaders have rallied around 175 attendees! Pro surfer Damien Hobgood is interviewed regarding the impact of the CS chaplains, I share, items are auctioned, good food and music are provided and Hawaiian shaper Eric Arakawa exhorts us to be courageous Christians under pressure. The chaplains Abe and Liselle are a bit overwhelmed being the centre of attention when their role is not to be. What a great night!!

Sunday. Breakfast with CSUS chairman Lyle, what a great man. I preach twice at Shoreline church about God being on the move and us being willing to move with him. Special to be with Pastor George Hulse and to cheer on Walking on Water's Director Bryan Jennings who was both commissioned for ministry and his new baby girl Ella dedicated. We do the sacred walk to Trestles and the Hurley Pro contest where we see Abe in chaplain action. Then engage in running the gauntlet across the train tracks and "no entry" signs as timeless generations of surfers have done. Back to Lyle's and a highlight meeting with Dean. So challenged to be a more godly man. Goodbyes and onto LAX.

Monday. I'm supposed to be writing you from home. But a weight restriction bumped me off the standby ticket and I'm left behind! It's 1am at the Holiday Inn hotel. Bummed. I've talked to Gill, and now I've talked to you all. Goodnight see you in Australia soon. I love this job - really is such a privilege.

Santa Cruz Reunion

2011-09-14T10:20:00.000+10:00

After a long flight it was a sweet reunion with old Santa Cruz friends. We spent 3 months here in 1999 and so appreciated Trevor and Tracey Kendall for Trevor's time as CSUS Director and so much more. I honor them for their part in our history. Good to see the old Steamers Lane and eat bagels!!

Tahiti Visit Video

2011-09-07T09:41:00.001+10:00

Tahiti Day 5: Nehemiah Day

2011-09-02T13:42:00.001+10:00

Another perfect day in paradise, but today is 'Nehemiah Day' and we need to rebuild Kevin's sea wall that has a huge hole punched in it from the swell. He has also lost about 15 cubic meters of sand from his yard. Without the repair their place is pretty vulnerable. Tehani is stoked and with the 'human backhoe' poi man we easily work through the day concreting lava rocks back into place.

The conversation flows easily as we reflect on our week. The waves were impressive, but our conversation revolves more about how we can be better godly men and how CS Tahiti can better serve the community and make an impact for the gospel. As physically beautiful the place is, like anywhere, the darkness of human hearts spoils things and we know Jesus can make a difference.

It also happens to be my birthday in Australia, so I get a heap of well wishes. Kevin drops us out to Tapuuna reef for a surf. By the time we get out there after the 30 min paddle its 5:30pm and we watch the amazing sunset over Morea and surf our way into the dark. A couple of friendly local guys offer to tow us back to shore, and we are glad to not be navigating the reef pass in the dark!

We go out for a birthday dinner and celebrate our week together. Gifts are exchanged and Kevin's kids Manaari and Heirani are great examples as they help and serve with dessert and Tehani's amazing chocolate tart!!

We do the late night pack up and then pray. Tired but very happy, what a great birthday.

Next day we are up at 4am and off to the airport where we meet so many pro surfers, photographers and staff. They are all very happy with the contest, waves, images and results. We also are very happy to have encouraged leaders, networked partners, encouraged a faithful family and practically served the Heminways.

Check out my album on Facebook for more photos.

Tahiti Day 4: Finals Time

2011-08-30T19:38:00.005+10:00

Another perfect glassy offshore morning as I look across the lagoon where our tent is pitched. My back is complaining and I only slept a few hours but we've had morning prayer, discussed more of the future of the mission and caught up with Abe Andrews, the ASP Men's World Tour chaplain.

Gordy and I do the 15 minute paddle out again to catch the last 4 heats of the contest. We can't believe our luck...well it's way more then luck as we booked these tickets 6 months ago never imagining we will have seen one of the most memorable surf events in history.

We see tube after tube with an excited crowd from the best seat in the house sitting on a surfboard in the channel. Kelly Slater and Owen Wright put on an amazing final and the "old bald man" Slater, age 39, defeats the 23-year-old rookie.

The hooter goes, everyone flocks to the finalists...and only 4 paddle over to the break. I figure I might as well be one of them and since they all make it look so easy...actually it isn't!

I had local advice, "Be careful paddling for a smaller inside one because those west bowl sets can nail you," quietly nudging me...as I paddled for a smaller inside one when it came.

The largest west bowl set of the day; huge, blue, and a solid 8ft, pitching right on my head! I quickly realized I couldn't out paddle it so bailed in a metre of water and experienced some of the most violent turbulence ever. Took another on the head, creased a rail but was still able to get one tube and a couple of left overs and paddle back in.

Saw the end of the presentation ceremony, watched Kelly mobbed and Owen left alone. Caught up with Abe again then back to Papeete to Kevin's where we inspected a car sized hole in his front yard that had been sucked out of a hole in his sea wall due to the massive impact of the swell. Tehani cooks us a great dinner and we are treated by the kids Manaari and Heirani with dessert. Email catch up, a late night prayer and it's another midnight.

I would like to come another time and get to know this place!

Tahiti Day 3: Sunday Sunny Sunday

2011-08-30T19:16:00.006+10:00

Wow, after terrifying, grey 10'-15' Saturday, it's now sunny glassy blue 8'-10' Sunday and the biggest paddled waves in the contest history. Everyone is out there for one of Tahiti's largest events.

But while the world watches the world's best surfers compete at one of the world's best waves with one of the world's best resourced surf companies, another meeting is taking place. Twelve ragged surfers and friends are meeting in a makeshift garage with bread, salad and water to discuss the spiritual needs of the Tahitian surf community. It's the first national gathering of such like minded "kingdom of God" by Christian Surfers Tahiti. There's no live telecast. There's hardly any interest by the church. For 24 years Kevin has generally been misunderstood by the surf community for being a Christian, and misunderstood by the church community for being a surfer. Today, we hope, he has found some more partners.

After some great conversations and encouragement we paddled out to Teahupoo to watch the last 5 heats. Amazing, flawless blue barrels and a huge flotilla of "Sunday afternoon" drivers. Mum dad and kids on jetskis, giggly 12-year-old girls on plastic kayaks, grandparents in boats, babies with floaties and the pro surfing World Tour all cheer the surfers into the best tubes of the world circuit....and they are all less than 50m from the deadly reef!!

Back at Norman's place we feast on peanut butter and jam rolls with banana in our tent like groms. In God's providence the other Brazilians staying happen to be fired up Christians from Hawaii and we have some worship, share our Jesus journey, open the Bible and, despite our differences - no actually because of our differences - it's a taste of heaven.

I happily fall asleep this night to the ongoing roar of the ocean.

Tahiti Day 2: Teahupoo With Teeth

2011-08-30T02:55:00.007+10:00

Day 2 here and we wake to the sound of a jet plane and house rumbling. It's not the airport, it's a 10-15' swell! The lagoon has filled and waves are crashing against Kevin's sea wall. He lost his stairs last night (and later the walk itself would collapse and part of his front yard join the sea).

Rather nervously we made our way to Teahupoo. Along the road every possible surf spot was out of control. Huge plumes of spray blowing off the waves and detonations up to 30' blow out the back of breaking sets.

The carpark is full at 'Chopes' and I'm amazed to see a channel full of boats and spectators! No way can they hold the contest and the police have already warned people that the high commissioner has declared the water off limits with potential of a fine. As if that is going to deter the worlds best big wave tow specialists in front of a world tour crowd!

We scam a lift in a water taxi $20 for 30 min but a friend Norman says we can join his boat after that. Once out the swell is so thick and too west. I can't believe the numbers of boats, skis, boards etc. There's mums, kids, girlfriends, grandparents, et.c like it was a Saturday venture to the park! The worlds heaviest wave is having one of it's heaviest days and everyone is oohing and ahhing from a channel so close the spit descends over them after each set.

With the west swell it's basically catapulting into a closeout. I see only 6 waves cleanly exited in 5 hours. The rest are detonated beyond imaginable. Raimano has already gone to hospital that morning after one wave. Then a Brazza face plants the reef, another breaks an ankle, another gets stitches. Most tow partners are sporting bandages and blood.

We motor back exhausted from the adrenalin of watching the adrenalin. A beautiful orange sunset across the glassy lagoon is deceptively calm until you see the black silhouette of the whitewash (blackwash?).

Camping out in Norman's backyard, Gordy and I eat salad baguette rolls. It feels like we're groms on a surf camp sleeping on a board bag - but my back doesn't cope the way it used to.

Praying for the next day as we hold the first national meeting of key interested people.

Tahiti Day 1: Rising Swell

2011-08-27T15:39:00.005+10:00

After a 4 hour delay in Auckland we arrived at 3:30am in Papeete. A few hours sleep and we were up. We checked the surf to find it 8ft+, then met with Kevin to encourage him, pray and assess. We drove around the main breaks, with most too big. A crazy rippy surf at Papara dusted the jet lag off.

The Tahitian high commissioner has banned any water entry tomorrow. Kevin says the 6.1m surf is as big as any he has seen forcast. News report says Billabong wants to sue the commissioner!?! We will see what the morning brings. Surf is pounding the sea wall at our place already. I'll be glad to wait on shore.

We will be camping at Teahupoo tomorrow for 4 days and hold a national meeting there Sunday. Quite a first day!

Americas Conference 2011 Video

2011-08-15T14:20:00.004+10:00

Cool Waves, Hot Latinos

2011-07-29T14:49:00.005+10:00

After 30 hours traveling Aaron and I made it exhausted to Peru. We caught CS leaders Nathan and Cole Anderson in Santiago and dropped off a new board for Nathan's surf missionary father, Mitch.

At our host Aldo's we slept just 3 hours then were wide awake at 3am!? Swell was 8-10' and the ocean, sky and landscape all blended into one monochromatic grey. I'm convinced the colors green and blue do not naturally occur here in this coastal desert. The amazon rainforest is just over the snowcapped Andes.

Amazed to discover, in typical Latin style, the 40 we anticipated has grown to 80! There's 15 from Argentina, 20 from Ecuador, 25 from Brazil, as well as reps from USA, Chile, Panama, Domincan Republic, El Salvador, Venezuela, Costa Rica - check your atlas! Managing 80 surfers is a challenge at the best of times. Managing 80 Latino surfers is crazy. But we all get along and all gets done Latin style with much laughter, hugs, excitement and passion!

Surfed some chunky, messy reefs, ate ceviche (raw fish cooked in lemon juice), caught up with old and new friends, got lost in translation.

So many stories. Marquito pioneering chaplaincy in Brazil. Toñito stepping up as new Peru director. Muelas getting married. Jorge seeing Ecuador group grow to 40. Kelly new Panama secretary. Rene teary testimony from Venezuela. Salvador's church plant challenge in El Salvador...and so it goes on.

I share about finishing well, always feels clunky with translator. Am ambushed on stage to do spontaneous salsa dancing demonstration - and told I'm pretty good! Praying for God to move, so many challenges with limited resources, few staff, Latino conflicts, excitable short lived converts, traditional churches, surfer wives. Actually sounds just like most places?!?

I collapse into bed each night my head buzzing with many people and stories trying to get to sleep. Tired but happy. Manyana. Dios de bendiga.

Australasia Leaders Meeting

2011-07-25T06:14:00.004+10:00

I never imagined surfing in Thailand and when this was the country suggested to host our first Australasia meeting, I discouraged it. After all, we only had a new contact there and so many other nations seemed more suited. Just as well Regional Coordinator Rich Agius pressed on as God saw the need! There's an amazing growing surf population and a couple of christian surfers already running a surf school in Phuket. What a lack of decent male role models in that place!

We had a great time of discussion about the difficulties of doing mission in 'creative access' countries that are closed to formal mission activity. What about Islam, and Buddhism and Hinduism. I firmly believe this region holds our greatest challenges.

We enjoyed great Thai food of course, and a surprising night surf from 12-2am under a full moon. Then there was some sketchy driving and beautiful scenery. It was good to support our Japan leader David Levey who has endured a lot with the multiple disasters in his region, now over 150km of coastline unsurfable for the foreseeable future.

Inspiration is always a main benefit of meeting face to face "I have come away inspired to start CS in my country," said Dilsiri from Sri Lanka. Check out the video for yourself!

India's Time Out With Dad

2011-07-04T15:05:00.002+10:00

I know the tendency on my blog is to be always reporting about the 'stuff' I do with CSI, and it can sound pretty hectic. But I love being at home, catching up with the kids and local crew.

Last weekend India and I had some daddy/Indie time out in Sydney without Mum! We ate, shopped, walked, talked (listened), shopped, walked and shopped some more. We rode the monorail, took in the Botanical Gardens, skirted Sydney Harbour, visited Taylor's Grill'd cafe, watched some tennis, ate gelato, got a pair of jeans for $10 and wasted time together.

It is amazing to realise that she is 13, but has a higher maturity level than many 18 year olds I know! She is a blessing to me and after a hectic night and day she made the weekend saying, "That was the best weekend I have ever had!" Every Dad's dream.

GPS Ministry

2011-07-04T14:42:00.003+10:00

I am always sharing about CS things, but I firmly believe in our local community. In fact, if I wasn't connected in my local CS and church mission I think I'd go mad with everything else being so remote.

GPS Men on Track is the men's ministry of Austi church that we launched in 2007. Helping men to get on track, stay on track and do this together as a cross generational men's community is our goal! We want men to meet together to raise the bar, not to lower to bar. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" Proverbs 27:17 is our theme verse.

Our recent mens outreach "Tooltime" was great fun with local carpenters sharing their tools, skills and testimony with local blokes. It was 'Bob the Builder' meets 'Home Improvement' as guys with various NON carpentry backgrounds got to play with nailguns, saws, woodlathe and even an excavator.

"Bootcamp" is our seminar series for men that spans over 5 weeks with around 80 men attending sessions on "A Man and His Direction; Mates; Dad; Health and Pressure." Local speakers from our church did a great job with some honest stories shared and small group discussion. The last night was around a campfire up on a rainforest site at Coledale and many of the comments revolved around how important it is for men to meet.

Coming up on August 13th will be a combined men's/women's night called "Latin Live" with food, music and salsa dancing lessons......for those choreograpically challenged. Gill and I will be speaking on "Understanding the Dance of Relationships, Life and Spirituality." Stay tuned.

That's the latest on GPS, I have a great team of men!

BD's Bits: New Zealand 2011

2011-06-10T09:01:00.002+10:00

Here is the first video instalment of my visitations. This trip to New Zealand in April was for the Pacific Forum in Taranaki on the west coast of the North Island. Short clip of surf scenery, our meetings and a couple of interviews. 3 mins tops!!

Europe Visit

2011-05-31T15:25:00.003+10:00

I've now been home a week and not slept that well. I am tired but happy, both for what went on as well as being home. Here's how the Europe visit went.......

"Another Christian!" the Irish backpacker exclaimed after we had been chatting a while. Apparently every passenger she had sat next to, and a number of Aussie companions during her visit had all been Christians. "Maybe God is trying to tell me something?" Indeed. After being delayed 2 hours in Bangkok I was now struggling to make the connection from Heathrow to Stansted to Biarittz. As I ran sweating to my Ryanair counter the flight was displayed as 'closed', but miraculously I was allowed on and saved a day. Shane Sparks was waiting in the queue, "I didn't think you were coming BD?!"

Such a relief to finally make it on standby! We joined 30 others from 7 nations including 6 from Portugal, 8 from Spain, 6 from France plus some from Holland, Ireland, and that surfing powerhouse.....Switzerland. Yep, 4 keen Christian Surfers had driven 12 hours to meet and surf. Swiss surf? River waves and travelling. I must mention a dear brother from Morocco we sponsored and it was a touching report as he said, "I have not been in a Christian meeting like this for 3 years, my country is so oppressive I have to watch myself all the time so as to not arouse the suspicion of the Islamic police."

Phil Williams led us through some strategy sessions, we 'dotted' a map, had some great worship in the Backpackers Hostel and surfed some fun waves in sunshine before the historic seaside resort town that Biarittz is. This is the surfing centre of Europe and I am amazed at the range of surfers who visit Hossegor and these beachbreaks. All the surf brands have offices here.

So many surfers, and yet so few churches. Christophe and team shared their latest about the 'Surf Church' plant in Hossegor. Slow going. Thomas' ding repair business is awesome and we enjoyed hanging out as he chatted to an endless stream of customers. France is a very hard place for the gospel and much suspicion and persecution takes place. "We are regarded as a type of cult because we are evangelicals, and they think we are dangerous for children to be exposed to as we have fundamentalist beliefs."

Back to Bristol with Phil and we caught up with wonder wife Annie and their awesome kids Abi and Joe (they paid me to say that). Had a good catch up with his vicar, and Phil has the magnetic personality that draws so many people to him and then he in turn harnesses them for service. Around 60 volunteers from his church go and serve at the Jesus Surf Classic each year! We headed down to Newquay, the UK surf capital, for our first CSI fundraiser. 46 attended and a great time was had sharing vision, eating great food, chatting with old friends and bidding on some cool auction items. A highlight was Dave and John who head up the UK Pro Surf Tour who attended as guests. Dave advocated for CSUK stating, "Phil and his team have been a great help and a real encouragement to us as they have served selflessly all these years. Our events are better for their presence."

The event raised £1200, as surf products, a couple of my Alaia boards and other items were auctioned by UK Pro Surf commentator Nick.

On to Dave Reynards place in Porthleven and I was transported back 600 years to Olde England and even found myself talking a bit of 'pirate' which is still spoken in these aarrrgh Cornish ports. Cornish pasties are also still eaten and Phil and I engaged in a solid one by Auntie May who has been making them since 1785 and are the best in the world! We headed back via Polzeath and the Tubestation church plant. I am amazed at the innovation by Kris and Henry and team as well as the bold step of faith by the traditional Methodist church to invest in creating a church for the unchurched 21st century. Beachfront building with deck area, cafe, art gallery, a half-pipe skate ramp where the pulpit used to be and 60 attendees from all walks of life now.

Back in Nailsea myself, Phil and Annie have a quiet ale and nosh at the Battleaxe, then its a final day with a community arts and crafts fair the church has partnered in. A heap of supporters join us that night, then sharing in church next morning. It is good to be part of God's global community and I get to say thanks for their support of Phil and CS. Special thanks to Dave and Ally Boddy for hosting me in Nailsea, cheers!

It was a long trip home, but made all the more bearable with an upgrade on my standby ticket to Business Class!! Yes!

South Africa Conference

2011-05-02T22:54:00.004+10:00

Just finished a three day Africa conference here at Jeffrey's Bay. Director Roy Harley was stoked to see 110 in attendance with the theme of "Empower the Ground". So many were encouraged to step up in their calling to go and serve. We also had to step up camping out next to the beach and I personally was housed in the Taj Mahal of tents c/o Roy.

Terryn Williams who narrated the "On the Rocks" outreach series spoke passionately about how we are saved not BY our good works, but saved FOR a life of good works prepared for us. Then we were also challenged to add effort to our God-given potential to see impact for God's kingdom. I was able to share the history of God's work in CS as well as the Foundations Training.

Some awesome Supertubes barrels were served up on Saturday morning and we even did a Paddleathon to raise funds for Japan which included some locals.

Wrapping up was some amazing worship and God was on the move in many hearts to get real and freshly surrender. There was an emotional farewell to co-founder of Son Surf, Andy Pitt, who is heading for ministry in Australia.

I personally so appreciate the long term faithfulness and friendship of Roy and the amazing CS Africa team. Heading home tomorrow, looking forward to seeing Gill and the family!

Heading for New Zealand

2011-04-19T07:49:00.002+10:00

Well after being home since Chile, I head off in 2 hours for Taranaki, New Zealand where we are hosting our Pacific forum. New Pacific RC Gordy Webb has rallied our key leaders from 4 nations to come and have leadership training as well as strategic planning.

Just last week Gordy visited Vanuatu (not the greatest known surf destination) and in just one local village where they stayed they found 20-30 kids surfing every day on broken boards and pieces of wood. The village sees the value of finding ways to connect the gospel to their youth and said they would love to explore a CS model.

Fiji's Kris Stice has already modeled an evangelism and discipling strategy utilizing surf coaching that has captured hearts and made an impact on many otherwise church-bored youth. I'm looking forward to hearing Kris' story tomorrow. Be praying for myself and our next 3 days of meetings. This rolls then into their national Easter Camp, but I'll be coming home.

Davis Diary - March 2011

2011-03-28T15:20:00.004+11:00

BD's Spiritual Adventures 2011
Last year I had a desire for "More of the power and presence of Jesus"...this year I realize I need to invest more into prayer if I'm ever to experience this. "When men work, men work. When men pray, God works." In my church culture God's will is contained in His word the Bible and we typically ask God to bless our efforts in response to this. God seems a long way off and sometimes Bible study feels like we are studying the biography of a wise dead man and his words!? But if Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, is he not present and active? Does God speak beyond rational Bible reading? Can we only administer words of hope, healing, forgiveness, inspiration, or can we see Jesus impart the experience of hope, healing, forgiveness, inspiration? How come I see so little of his power? How come the church seems so weak? Maybe this is just me, or my part of the world? Hmmmm stay tuned for more on this.

Chile Adventure Trip (by the numbers)
23 team members, 3 nationalities, $12,000 raised, 38 square meter home built for Shadrach with Homes of Hope, 5 days to fix out a beauty salon, 54 tools racked in constructed workshop, 30 cubic meters of hand mixed concrete poured for a gymnasium, 10-15' maximum wave size, 12 degrees minimum water temperature, 48 local competitors in Pura Vida Surf Festival event, 10 Chilean friends accompanied us on road trip, 7.0 earthquake that evacuated our road trip, 286 number of Churros consumed (and that was just Aaron), 21 - birthday of Lisa, 18 - birthday of Taylor, 28 number of surfboards loaded on Mitch's truck on arrival, 20 hours maximum recovery sleep time in 2 days by Tim, 2 hours minimum sleep time in 2 days heading over by BD, forever - impact on our lives by the people of Chile. To read a full report, head to BD's Blog at http://bdcsi.blogspot.com.

Japan Stop Press
One hour after the huge earthquake in Japan I got a message from our CS Japan National Director, David Levey, that they were ok but they feared for their friends living by the coast. It seems all CS Japan members survived ok, but huge sections of the north Japan surfing community are affected. CS Japan are joining in with an aid relief program called CRASH with the combined churches and Dave has already been on one road trip in a truck distributing water and food in Fukishima. They have evacuated Shinko and kids to California. Dave says God is shaking the spiritual foundations of Japan.

Foundations Training is...Foundational?
For so many years our leadership training has been sporadic and uncoordinated. Over the past 4 years I have been refining some foundational leadership principles that cover integrity, gospel, team, partnerships, CS fundamentals, legal and surf culture. This year I will help roll out a leadership training strategy with trainers, manual, online availability and DVD. Our vision is that every leader is trained up in this and better equipped for ministry.

BD's Regional Adventures
For the first time this year CSI is encouraging regional leadership conferences in the off year to the International Conference. Coming up this year are: Pacific Conference April 20, Africa Conference April 27, Europe Conference May 16, Asia Conference July 15, Americas Conference July 28. These are very strategic leadership gatherings and Brett will be speaking and training at each. Being a Qantas staff travel buddy means doing this at minimal expense and cost to the international community. I need a new travel buddy in July, can you think of someone who might sign me up?

Great Things to Support
Japan Aid Relief. David and Shinko and members of CS Japan are supporting the CRASH program in Honda City. They have spent over $2,000 of their own money for emergency relief and another $4,500 in evacuating the family. Donate via CSI and note as 'Japan Relief' or 'Levey support'. 100% guaranteed aid relief by people on the ground to people on the ground.

Leadership Development Scholarships. For $500 you can ensure an emerging world leader makes one of our regional leadership conferences. There is need for scholarships for Venezuela, Brazil, Morocco, Sri Lanka, El Salvador and Costa Rica.

G-Land Surf Resort wants Surfers Bibles. Joyo's Surf Resort at world class surf destination G-Land is owned by a Christian family who have invited CSI to provide chaplains, to whom they will provide free food and accommodation for a month. For $30 we can place a pack of 4 different language Surfers Bibles into a room - there are 25 rooms. Apply to be a chaplain and distribute Surfers Bibles throughout the surfing world from G-Land?

Mission Partners. CSI currently has 32 partners generating $16,000 and we want to grow this to 100 partners generating $60,000. Sign up at http://www.christiansurfers.net/Partnership.aspx.
There are many more great things to support. Visit http://www.christiansurfers.net/Donation.aspx to learn more.

Gill Online
She would have NEVER done this except for a years worth of pushing, and I am hard pressed even getting this notice by the censor - but Gill has a website - gilliandavis.com.au! After so many asking her for copies of her speaking and information about what she does, we now have Gill online. She recently completed the Women of Purpose Conference in Brisbane and is just as happy sharing biblical truth with unchurched teenagers. She is bravely taking a bunch to an upcoming youth convention in Katoomba.

Taylor in the Real World
"They expect you to work from 9-5 all week! What if the surf is good?!" was a surprised Taylor comment after his first real job interview. He walked through the door a taller man after a month in Chile including travelling alone on a bus between Argentina and Chile. He surfed the best waves of his life and now knows he does not want to be a builder's labourer!

Jackson Moved
"I washed my first load of clothes...and how do you cook grannies chicken?" These are the sort of phone conversations we have become used to with living-out-of-home Jackson. He is co directing the second year production as well as preparing his own. Busy with a double degree and working at a restaurant, he is our working man! Sadly our Delica van blew up while he was driving home from Albury - Doh! Dough $6k!

India Dancing Through Life
"I think about dancing and new moves all day long." India is in two dance groups and also cheerleading. They don't cheer anyone, nor do they lead, but they have a lot of fun launching one another into the air and combining dance and gymnastics. She has an ongoing stomach problem, has missed school and bravely perseveres.

Calvin
"Irreversible degenerative spine condition" is what the vet has diagnosed Calvin the wonder dog with. We have noticed him slowing down and limping in the mornings (not unlike his owner). He has anti-arthritis injections, pain control tablets and a new walking regime...all for a price that exceeds our own kids medical visits?

CSI Partners Dinners
We feel we have to address the fact that 95% of all CSI monies come from Australia. This year partners dinners are being hosted on the Gold Coast, April 9 (ok, that is still Australia), UK May 20, California September 16, and Hawaii December 3. A lower key Sydney update will be hosted October 15. You are all invited! You can sign up as a partner right now on http://www.christiansurfers.net/Partnership.aspx.

CSI Volunteer Profile
Lisa Imisides has taken over as our Financial Manager. Lisa is married to Phil, she has 3 kids, is studying accounting and is such a perfectionist when it comes to admin...and we love you Lisa! She makes sure the money comes in and goes out in the best possible way. Go ahead, make her day, by making a donation!

Praise God for:

Amazing Chile mission trip and building
Foundations Training package finalized and funded
Gill's impact in preaching and teaching
CS Japan members all ok

Coming up, please pray for:

Ongoing spiritual awakening within our family
Brett's busy April/May Conferences NZ April 19-22, South Africa April 27-May 4, France May 12-22
Partners dinner Gold Coast April 9
Foundations Training strategy to impact our leadership
Japan recovery and CS Japan contribution to be determined and acted
Davis Delica Van engine rebuild is $6,500 ouch! But we so believe in the service this van provides
Davis family has 85% of support raised, still short $500/month of our target

Support Brett & Gill
We are now employees of CSI, so you can become a supporter in the following ways:

Pray more specifically with our email prayer updates
Join our regular financial support team, we are short 5 partners @$100/month or 10 @$50/month
Offer some skill in graphic design, IT, administration, local mission help
Donations for Brett and Gill's personal family support are to be made out to 'Christian Surfers International' and direct debit is the most convenient way, please indicate your deposit as 'Davis support'.

Account name: Christian Surfers International
Bank: Westpac, 84 King St, Sydney, NSW, 2000
SWIFT code: WPACAU2S
Branch code: 032003
Account #: 455234

Home from Chile: Summary

2011-02-21T09:59:00.004+11:00

Our last day had us do a last look at Shadrach's house, and his beaming smile said it all, he was soon moving in! He has certainly stolen the hearts of the team and some of the others stayed around to paint out his place and raised some extra money for finishing touches.

We had a stroll through central Santiago and I enjoyed gesturing with the Brazil boys as I speak no Portuguese and they speak a little English. Arno, Alverez and Gustavo are the first Brazil CS team to come with the intention of assisting another CS contact. I hope more of this is stimulated by their great example. Our comic drivers Jose and Pato dropped us off and the airport and expressed a deep appreciation of the team and thanked us for the privilege of being part of our trip.

Taylor has extended his ticket two more weeks and we purchased a ticket to Argentina for him in a weeks time. He is growing up a lot and become more confident speaking whatever Spanish phrases he knows, usually without context? He is hilarious and well liked and very easy going. It will be interesting to see how he copes riding the bus to the airport and then the 4 days he and two friends have alone in Buenos Aires.

We flew home without incident to Australia, so glad to land back in our beautiful country. And I was greeted by a beautiful wife! Gill, as always, has carried things at home, and certainly noticed the difference with just her and India there. She only washed once a week, the kitchen stays tidy and says she saves $250/week in food!

Reflecting back on the trip it exceeded expectations:

Projects: We built a house, a beauty salon, a workshop and setup and laid half the strip footing for the new gymnasium. We ran a surf contest and did a road trip that involved another 10 Chileans. The Pura Vida community centre is such a hub for Christian outreach into this town and our contribution will build into the long term mission to Pichilemu. Mitch said he could not believe how much we acheived in such a short time.
Team: We had such a mixed team, with 24 of us from mixed spiritual background, cultures, ages, sex and experience. Yet the unity and harmony was quite effortless. Quite a relief and a testimony of God's grace and how life can work when we are not focussed on ourselves.
Finances: We came in below budget for our team expenses which gave us money to spare for support of the key staff and helpers. All very much appreciated.
Thanks for all who contributed to our funding and prayed and encouraged. Special thanks to Austi Anglican church hosting a live Skype video link up and all their support.

Day 14: Back at Pura Vida

2011-02-16T07:14:00.002+11:00

Yet another great early surf with the team, Lobos just keeps on churning out endless left-handers. A thick fog descended on us adding to the eerie backdrop of seals, birds and cliff. Aaron selflessly shot pics as the sun came out, wow, glassy sunny our last full day.

Back in town it was bustling with endless lines of people for churros, empanadas and ATM machines. We are over empanadas...but you can never have too many churros!? Last day shopping for gifts. It's hot and dusty.

We take out Roxy and Cristina and others who have served us so faithfully in the kitchen, such great examples. Lots of thank you's exchanged.

That night is a BBQ and bonfire as our last time together. God has challenged us about serving others, about what is really important in life and what it means to work together as a team despite all our differences.

We have been a team mixed of Christian and non-Christian, guys and girls, young and old, western and Latino. As people give accounts of what meant most it is not just the projects we completed but the friendships forged. The YWAM base has truly challenged us and the Anderson family example of radically serving Christ in the midst of many challenges stands out.

Day 13: Earthquake!!!

2011-02-12T15:58:00.002+11:00

Well, it started simple enough, an early surf, a drive south to a small town for lunch and walking through quaint streets with plenty of evidence of earthquake damage from last year. "This would not be a good place to be in an earthquake" says Jeff, looking at all the loose dangerous items above our heads and on the walls.

We were on the beach checking out some cool caves when the rumble began. Some of us were walking on the beach and felt the sand move. Some were laying on the beach with their ear to the ground and heard the earth speaking to them! Some were up on a rocky hill above the caves and were shaken significantly. Whilst the movement really was not that bad, the response of the local people was significant - they ran, off the beach to the safety of their cars and off to higher ground!

We were still stunned and standing there talking about our own experiences of the earthquake when Nathan and Cole said, "We really really need to get out of here!" Our drivers were equally keen to go.

The radio was commandeered for the next 5 hours with interviews and alerts. Apparently where we had just had lunch was very close to the epicentre and it was a 7.0, the largest in ages. There was a red alert tsunami warning and evacuation requested. Exciting!

Well, we felt a bit bad as we chatted away and watched families load their cars and head for the hills literally. Meanwhile, our tents were on the beach at sea level with all our gear there. "Maybe we should just stay here with these local people and wait for this alert to finish?" said Aaron, probably not without wisdom. But we really didn't fancy the prospect of all our stuff being washed away should a tsunami come, so it was back to the campsite.

As we turned up we passed some campers leaving, whilst others seemed to be just hanging around...no I did not see anyone paddle out waiting to ride a tsunami! With one eye on the ocean and the other on our packing we were out of there in record time.

The road ran alongside the ocean much of the way and with the radio still blaring alerts we all nervously watched. It was very sobering to think that a year ago, the quake and tsunami was at 3am in the morning and people had no visual warning and many died being swept away in cars and homes. We detoured to Constitution and the smelliest paper mill that has ruined a number of point breaks, then moved on to find a small Cabana at 11pm and collapsed into bed, glad to not be sleeping on board bags and at a higher level above the ocean.

Day 12: Camping Pullay

2011-02-12T04:46:00.003+11:00

At first light a couple of us were in the water with glassy lefts and a team of French surfers shooting a movie. The team slowly emerged from tents at all hours and we settled into the slow camping routine. This revolved around poking the fire, eating bread rolls, reading, sleeping and surfing. If your name was lisa, it was sleeping face down on a board bag all day.

We purchased 6 big fresh fish for $20 and prepared them in foil for the fire. The day dragged on and was grey with the horizon blending ocean and sky. Our bodies dragged on as the week of building caught up with us. Nana naps all round. The highlight was definitely cooking and eating fresh fish with veges and hot coal cooked potatoes.

We had our daily "inspiration spot" bible study round the fire and Cole sang some great songs she wrote. The reflective atmosphere was disturbed by T-Dogg singing and additional disturbing sounds from his other orifice. It had been a great day and the stars declared the glory of God for us all.

Day 11: Happy Birthday Lisa

2011-02-12T04:31:00.003+11:00

"Lisa it's your birthday! Happy birthday Lisa!" This became our theme song for Lisa's 21st today. At any time if anyone started this we all had to sing...and we did, numerous times. The bus cruised along the two lane highway easily and I could not work out how a 120km trip was supposed to take 6 hours? Then we hit the real road - a one and a half lane dirt track and the dust penetrated every part of the bus and ourselves.

We checked out a cool fish market at Iloca as boats beached themselves and oxen pulled them up the sand. Huge numbers of fish were plucked from nets by crew as young as 14yrs and ladies quickly cleaned them and started selling. It was full of sea smells, market sounds and bright colors.

We arrived at another fishing town of Curanipe where there is a famous wave winding off before beached fish fleets, very cool. But no camping ground since the tsunami wiped it out, so we headed further south.

After getting lost we finally arrived at Pullaye and excitement burst from the bus at the sight of head high left-handers spinning down the sandbank past two rocky outcrops. Tents were pitched and bags unloaded in record time and we hit the water till dark.

The open fire was sooooooooo needed as we were freezing and defrosted then peeled off wetsuits. Basic spaghetti and fruit never tasted so good!

We are quite an attention getting group of gringos in a open paddock camping ground with 8 other tents. Sore bodies collapsed onto board bags and no ground was hard enough to stop sleep...as dan and Taylor proved sleeping till 11, Jeff till lunchtime and Tim...well he slept all next day!?!

Day 10: Concrete Torture

2011-02-12T04:13:00.004+11:00

We knew all along it was very ambitious to take on the concrete pour for the gymnasium. 100 linear meters in hard clay with our mostly amateur labor force. Tim and Lachie had done an awesome job setting up and Lisa surprised us all with her steel fixing skills, working non-stop.

It was hard work shoveling rock and sand and cement into mixers then wheelbarrow to trench. The morning was thankfully cold and foggy but the sun came out and we sweated and ached.

Everyone had a go but we kept losing power and time, so the end of the day saw only half done and just 80 bags of cement used of 240!!! It was a very tired team that went to bed.

We had delayed our camping trip to give a day to this and our tow "trailer" ended up being a 1.2m dog box that somehow 14 of us were to carry everything in!

Day 9: Sabbath Rest

2011-02-08T07:59:00.002+11:00

So good to sleep in for the first time. We cruised around in Pichilemu shopping and eating and watching the crowds pass by. A sunny Sunday meant the streets were packed! A town of 5000 grows to 50,000 and we could not even get money out due to bank queues of 40 long. We had another surf and it was just a paltry 3-4' running for 300m - better than the best day at home but our worst surf here!

We took our 16 seat rental with drivers Pato and Jose (not sure why we need both of them?) and visited Cahuil. They make salt here and sell it alongside mounds of rock salt to get your attention. After much gesturing our driver "gifted" me with a 10kg bag...just what I need to take home on the plane?

Amazing blood red sunset at Punta de Lobos with seals and pelicans and late surfers. We had Chongy, Danny and Jason arrived to complete the Misfit team. Collapsed in bed at 11pm.

Day 8: Surf Contest

2011-02-07T02:08:00.003+11:00

We met early to plan out today's contest. Nathan has competed a whole lot but it's another thing to now be contest director and the pressure was showing. Fortunately our team had some contest skills as well as plenty of willing volunteers.

It was sunny, offshore and waves were running down the end section of the point for 200m. The 10am start became 11am became 12 and we had over 50 local competitors. Aaron did a great job directing us and Dan judged first time just as Lisa and Roseanna tallied and Stefan was timekeeper. We pressed on to complete the event in one day. Two Christian bands from Santiago rocked live at the site and shared the gospel. We were told our event had a integrity, friendliness and generosity unlike most.

Incredibly the surf just got better and better and the open mens final saw a 10 point ride with the winner getting three tubes on one ride. We were all sunburnt, windblown and tired after lugging all the gear back and dinner never tasted so good. Poor Taylor got sick and crashed. We will have our first day off tomorrow.

Day 7: Happy 18th Birthday Taylor!

2011-02-06T23:25:00.003+11:00

It's my son's birthday today, though that depends where in the world you are? His mum celebrated it yesterday. There is a card signed by all, a prank gift of the most annoying toy cat that meows (and won't be coming home!?) and Taylor experiences a Chilean tradition of being face planted in his cake and tossed into the pool! Happy birthday Taylor.

We see the house frames all up and some cladding. Workshop cleaned up. Salon walls coated and furniture purchased. Water trench dug for gravity feed tank.

That night Surfers arrive to sign up for tomorrows contest and Taylor and Stefan get to perform live music. Thanks Juliette for loaning out your piano! The suit is smallest yet, but by home standards would be epic. Big day coming tomorrow.

Day 6: More Groundhog Days!

2011-02-06T23:17:00.003+11:00

It's Thursday, we have to start finishing some projects. My team stands up benches and fixes shelving. Mitch now has, for the first time in his life he exclaims, his own workshop.

I relocate with Dan McCoy to the house site. Stefan has already been there all week and learning some trade skills. Taylor is also learning that 4" nails take a lot of skill to hammer home and gets nickname lightening....that doesn't strike twice....hahaha

Dan and I hammer away assembling 11 roof trusses that weigh a ton when it comes to moving them. It's hot, windy, dusty hard work.

We still go surfing and the water temp has plummeted to 12c, Mitch says even he is cold! Everyone is frozen and even the most energetic slow down. We line up for a hot shower that night, our cabin shower just dribbles out 3 minutes worth then turns off!

Day 5: Groundhog Day

2011-02-06T23:09:00.002+11:00

Yep, stiff and sore in the cold morning fog we rise at 6:30am. My cabin is full of tradesmen so they are used to this. I must admit, this routine is wearing out the groms let alone the oldest team member - me!

We all take up our tools. It's a very exciting day as we all go to the house site and stand up the first frames. Shadrach is emotional as he sees his home emerge. A pile of old Adobe mud and straw rubble are all that remains of his demolished home. It lasted 110 years though before the big earthquake last year. You see little sign of the devastation, many Adobe homes empty and condemned, cracked walls, buckled rooflines. We have not felt one aftershock, Mitch says this is not a good sign as the pressure is building again and last month this happened the release was a "small" 7.1 quake.

Built shelves and storage cupboards in workshop. Great to see Lisa and Roseanna do a fantastic job making surf contest trophies. Lots of positive conversations and we're doing a morning team meeting with "inspiration spot". Jeffro Ryan our Misfit Aid partner spurs us on with work each day. Jeff Bell takes over financial management as it's become a nightmare trying to both get and maintain the money.

Another great afternoon of surf. Sooo cold though. Ice cream headaches all round. Punta de Lobos is a wave that just won't stop! Everyone gets waves, feels like Bali in a wetsuit.
A special night as we split into groups and are hosted in some local family homes we do our best with a translator. Inevitably an 8pm meal starts at 10 and it's midnight again before tired bodies collapse into bed.

Tired but happy we serving together so well.

Day 4: More Building, More Surfing

2011-02-06T22:53:00.001+11:00

We are getting into the swing of things - house floor down; work benches made; walls up in salon. Poor Tim and Lachie are out in the sun cutting steel and digging. The 3 teenagers give digging a ditch a few hours then come back to me in the workshop asking, "Isn't there something we can do in here?"

We eat a seafood chowder for lunch with mussels, clams, chicken and sausage.....I guess that's more than seafood.

Straight to surf and it's a powerful 4-6' and offshore....again. Locals tell us it's always like this, can't believe it.

After dinner everyone is so tired. But it's a 7am start and we are going to do it all over again tomorrow.

Day 3: Building

2011-02-06T22:37:00.002+11:00

Dawn comes and we can't see anything, the fog has rolled in and there's giant surf hiding behind it. We finally started our building projects, everyone keen as this is what we came for.....though the allure of waves was distracting. The goal was to work hard then play hard.

Some met Shadrach the guy we are building a house for and he is overwhelmed a group of Aussies would come all this way to help him. He has pitched 3.5m poles on top of buckets of concrete! What so high and not even in the ground we ask?? Because it's in a watercourse! No council approval or flood reports here?

I take a team to build a workshop for the YWAM Community Centre, while another team start work building a beauty salon. The third team are at work preparing a concrete pour for a gymnasium. Despite skills or lack of everyone finds their place.

In the afternoon some brave, or crazy, ones head to the point and try to paddle out against a roaring current down the point. Better to cruise the streets of Pichilemu and sample empanadas and churros. Churros is a big hit - deep fried donut tube filled with caramel, glad we can work it off!

Team settled in well and late night dinners and chat.

Chile Arrival

2011-02-05T09:23:00.001+11:00

Well after a cancelled flight and only having 4 hours sleep in an NZ hotel we arrived in Santiago at 1am. A 16-seater van and Mitch Anderson's truck were there to meet us. We set a new record with 22 surfboards on Mitch's Toyota Hilux!

We drove through the night and arrived at first light exhausted. After settling in it was surf time for those able to stay awake....which was all the surfers.

Punta de Lobos is a world class left hand point and the reason most foreigners come here. It was dead glassy 5-7' and sunny with 300m rides! Easily enough motivation to wake any surfer. However, one has to negotiate one of the worlds sketchiest jump offs and a few of us got rolled into the rocks.

Jet-lagged and now surfed out we ate and then returned. The surf had picked up double the size! It was now terrifying and four of us paddled out whilst the others wisely stayed on the point. We watched Chile's premier big wave rider Ramon Navarro charge waves the size of buildings on a specialized 9'6" board. Meanwhile our own froth grom "Lachie" Lachlan was taking it on with his 6'6", big effort for 18! His booger bro Ben was amazing as well. Older but wiser BD and mitch took our time in the channel and the best part of the surf was getting in alive.

A late dinner and then meetings had us in bed by 10pm. Day one done and totally exhausted.

Chile Mission Trip

2011-01-29T14:43:00.001+11:00

Well after a false start at 5am when we were told the flight was delayed a couple of hours, we arrived to the real thing....the flight was cancelled altogether. There is 20 of us with about 40 surfboards and other stuff along with another 150 people. Godincidence no.1 the same lady who checked in Jeffro's mission trip in November was there and ushered him to the front of the line and we secured 15 seats! The other 3 went a bit later. That leaves me on standby.....and that's what I'm doing, standing by here as all spare seats to NZ have been absorbed by our cancelled flight. Well let's see what happens next.

Hawaii 2010

2010-12-14T21:59:00.001+11:00

I flew in just 3 days ago after a week in Hawaii on Oahu's North Shore, for my last trip of the year. This was without a doubt my best Hawaii visit to date.

Saturday meeting with CSUS staff Dean Plumlee and Daniel Felton along with our CSI regional leader Cal Fisher saw 20 people hosted at North Shore Christian Fellowship meet to discuss the future of CS in Hawaii. Surprising to many is the fact that CS has never had a long standing mission in Hawaii, partly due to the fact that surfing is not a subculture there, it is the culture! It also requires some solid local people to lead as the area is so localised.

That night we joined with Tom Bauer at the Haleiwa Surfers Church and I was stoked to see it grow from Richard and Gloria's loungeroom to deck to backyard. They're still packing the surfers in!

Sunday was church meetings at Haleiwa and also Sunset Beach with 'The Mission' church plant and Tripp and team seeking to build a church on the solid foundation of prayerful seeking of Jesus! I was inspired and their midweek prayer meeting is the most important meeting of the week.

Monday Cal and I visited a couple of Conference centres to check out suitability for the 2012 International Conference and I am happy to say Camp Mokulaia is the place! We will have to erect a marquee and have overflow camping but its a beautiful beachfront complete with turtle and monk seal. Dinner out with Abe and Lize was great to thank them and hear about their chaplaincy on the ASP World Tour.

Tuesday was chaplaincy day, and good to debrief with Liselle Wilsnagh, chaplain to the Women's World Tour, and then have all three chaplains together including Triple Crown Chaplain, Pastor Mike Stangel. With the death of Andy Irons this year, it has been a heavy time, but such times are when the chaplains become all the more relevant.

Wednesday the surf picked up and Laniakea was pumping! I was out there in the crowd and nearly beyond my years in the solid 10' waves. The swell was a nice north and the Pipe Masters ran for the day at Backdoor. Even better was the chance to have lunch with our Brazil founders Dario and Susana, and what a treat to see Dario miraculously recovering after a potentially fatal stroke earlier this year.

Thursday...I was supposed to be home, but with the prospect of seeing the Pipe Masters run, I was keen to hang around. God bless my wonder wife Gill who said, "Come on, you stay a few more days and surf and see the contest!" It didn't run, but the swell was still on, so after checking out Eric Arakawa's factory I was surfing some great waves. Dinner that night with ASP Chairman Richard Grellman and Abe and Lize was a treat and I so appreciate the calibre of the chaplains as Richard commented, "The chaplains have exceeded the expectations of the ASP, I am amazed at the reception they have had."

Friday was an early pray, then surf with Eric. I was off to Honolulu and had a great visit with amazing church plant 'One Love' with Waxer and then forever faithful Dave at Surfco. That night caught up with Poiman and family for dinner and took in the Haleiwa community Christmas parade then talked mission to Tahiti. What a gem of a family, very humbling when they insisted on washing my feet and praying for me. Thanks guys.

Saturday was another early start and a short detour to Walmart to buy some USA sweets for the kids and off to the airport. I arrived with no boards and was leaving with 6 for friends and family and a nice Arakawa 7'4" gun for the christmas sack for BD. Reading through the book "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" I am so challenged at my lack of prayer and calling out to God, I want to hold a quiet but determined resolve to put more of this into practice. Arriving home that afternoon Gill met me at the airport and it was sweet to see her. A big week of changes. Jackson moving out of home, Taylor working on his music and social security? India finishes her first year of high school.

Im tired but thankful for this last trip of the year, and excited that tomorrow Gill and I have a Sydney city treat with two nights alone in a city hotel as a belated 25th anniversary celebration...and my phone is off...

UK Visit and Leadership Training

2010-11-30T12:19:00.002+11:00

I was leaving in just 8 hours when the Qantas text came announcing that all staff travel to UK was to be suspended till November 30! A quick call to my travel agent and in an hour I was rebooked on another airline flying in just 3 hours time. That was the beginning of my annual UK visit. It was a chilly 0C when I landed in Heathrow two weeks ago. We had just had a glorious Aussie spring weekend of a sunny 26C and now suddenly transported to the land of multiply layers and scarves. Cheers Andy Swift for meeting me and having breakky, then ex Aussie friend Sandra (ex Aussie not ex friend) for lunch. I even got a stroll through the National Art Gallery before riding train to Phil William's beloved Nailsea.

This is now my 8th time visiting Nailsea and UK and European Director Phil. It does feel like visiting old friends and familiar church and streets. Chatting at the Golden Horse $4 lunch, meeting the rector at All Saints, experiencing Phil's endless banter with shopkeepers and passersby, chatting to members of his church, hearing Joe's skate talk with his mates. Abi and Joe now the proud wearers of "I Live for Balance" shirts from my son Taylor and Annie the Amazing who juggles everything with such effortless ease it seems. Nailsea could be a set for the UK equivalent of 'Neighbours' I think, your quaint anglo, professional neighbourhood where people know what's going on in each others lives.

We had invited wider Europe to attend the first dedicated leadership training weekend utilising the CS Foundations Training and Phil was ably assisted by wonder admin woman Chloe and awesome operations man Dave Reynard. Two from Spain, two from Holland and another from Ireland joined 14 others from the UK making a great team of 20 for the training. Spain.....Holland.....Ireland, for some of you these don't evoke images of surf culture, but be very assured that surfing is alive and well in these countries and booming........imagine if the Swiss guys had turned up! Our goal was to expose our leadership to the training and give new trainers opportunity. Great to see Johnny Hillman inspired and he led us with his own unique Welsh humour. Both Dave and Phil along with myself delivered other units. The church Rectory is being renovated with a vision of it being a centre for Christian development and the local Rev Jolyon was very stoked to see the building utilised for the first time in this way.

"If you are in England maybe you can meet up with my dad he happens to be staying with us near Nailsea," so said my Facebook reply from one of our former Australian leaders. It was amazing that Boyd Pope just happened to be staying up the road.......one has to go 10,000km and the opposite side of the globe to meet up with an old friend from home!

God is so good enabling this weekend and with just 5 nights in UK I should have been incomprehensible with tiredness but felt pretty good actually.......just one 5am morning out jogging after not being able to sleep. It was a looonnnnngggg flight home, but great to have Aaron meet me at the airport (thanks Aaron!) and take my tired body home. The rest of that week was a bit of a blur with men's speaking appointments, fundraiser dinner and family catch up. I'm still somewhat tired but happy and for those reading this, PRAY for Phil Williams and the huge needs of the European surfing community. We need more staff, money and leadership to take this on.

Surf Report Dinner Summary

2010-11-12T12:03:00.007+11:00

Thanks to all of you who attended our recent annual report and dinner and for the many well-wishers who could not attend.

We had a great night with each of the 100 available seats filled at the great venue of the Manly Pacific Novotel. The view of the beach was matched with the decor of the meeting room as a history of surfboards and a history of Christian Surfers adorned the walls in the form of boards, shirts and posters.

We were entertained by a band made up of local CS members, led by Tom, and an enlightening talk from ASP Chairman, Richard Grellman, whose tips on Men's and Women's world champions were absolutely correct!

We were engaged with the auction items, including handmade Alaia boards and bowls by BD and others, and we were inspired with the account of the world mission movement of Christian Surfers by BD and his interviews with those engaging at each end of the surfing spectrum:

Abe Andrews shared about life on the road with the Men's ASP World Tour. Tragically his services were called upon big time directly following, with the death of Andy Irons. We're so glad to have had a chaplain in place there.
Murray Bothma shared what it was like to be a 17-year-old volunteer leader in a local mission reaching out to no-name groms, whom God loves equally.

We were encouraged to share in the mission financially, and 5 new partners signed up totalling $5,700pa, with another $1,300 donated and $3,500 raised in the auction.

If you have not signed up as a partner yet, you still can on our website at: http://www.christiansurfers.net/Partnership.aspx

We look forward to two events next year, one on the Gold Coast on March 26 and again in Sydney in October.

God bless you and thank you for your support,
Brett Davis and the CSI team

CSI Surf Report Dinner Tonight!

2010-10-23T14:21:00.001+11:00

Well this is our second annual dinner and we are excited about the 100 people coming along to Manly Novotel Pacific Hotel in 5 hours time. I have made a couple of alaia boards and some bowls as silent auction items and local artists Shaun Anderson and Jackson Forbes did some artwork for me on them. Thanks to Dave, Chongy and Jeffro from Misfit for donating a board, along with Craig Bruce of Ocean Extremes. Awesome thanks to Zion Wetsuits as well! I will write up a summary soon.

Davis Diary: September 2010

2010-09-23T12:44:00.001+10:00

This is our quarterly update and thought I would share it with you all......

BD Soapbox

I have had as a personal theme this year "More of the power and presence of Jesus"….still wondering just what that means? Our international conference guest speaker Tim Meyers made much of how "our most defining attribute is to be the presence of Jesus" based on Heb 3:6 "You are god's house". Amazing to hear tim unpack the scriptures of Gods history as he indwelt a tent, a tabernacle a temple, all of which were mere symbols of his ultimate dwelling place……"Christ in you, the hope of glory" Col 1:27. I can scarcely believe it, can you? That the most powerful presence in allthe universe lives in us? What difference should this make? Is your life most characterized by the presence of Jesus? BD

BD travels.

May Just when you want to fly to the European conference, a random Icelandic volcano shuts down the airspace of a continent! The meeting went really well without me, and I enjoyed more time at home.

June "This team has not just built a home, you have helped rebuild a community" Mitch Anderson Chile. Sometimes God gets on your case about something He really wants you to do. I could not resist the promptings re the needs of the southern Chilean surfing community after the devastating earthquake and added a small detour to my North America meetings. I was amazed once I stepped out how the finances flowed for the Homes of Hope project as I fundraised with film and food night and paddle a thon. I was able to fly in, buy new tools, build a house with team to lock up stage, surf 4-6' waves at Punta de Lobos and fly out, all in 4 days. In Florida with Cal Fisher we had training for our emerging national movements with Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador and USA present. "Now I have a road map to help me develop a national movement and I feel so much more confident" Denis Leon Costa Rica.

July "Sorry Mr Davis that flight is oversold and you will not be able to fly to Chile" I was standing there in Auckland airport dumbfounded with donated boards, wetsuits and tools to deliver for the `Homes of Hope' project and sent away check in for next flight - in 2 days time!! Final seconds and I got a miracle seat….not sure why God waits to that final second? You gotta love a team of fired up Brazillian leaders set on an island retreat to dream and plan for the future of CS there. I was able to give some guidance and received much inspiration. Sergio is an amazing pastoral leader, deeply loved and stepping up to his South America role. This trip had some tough features with a sprained ankle, lack of sleep and a cancelled plane on the way home adding another 10 hrs to the flight. "Now we have added a strategy to take our movement forward" Mauri Brazil.

August Indonesian International Conference. "We are a new mission and I never knew just how much God was doing throughout CS globally until now" Nacho Argentina. With 185 leaders from 16 nations this was our 9^th conference and first in Asia and in a restricted access country. Highlights included:- cultural welcome by Gamalong music and dancers; amazing worship; Ado and Dave and Shinko Levey testimony of pioneering CS Indo and Japan missions; Tim Meyers preaching; laughing at the Welsh boys accents; laughing at everyone else not understanding the aussie accents of MC Dan and Foz; surfing together at Ulus; united vision about reaching the lost surfing tribes. Lowlights included:- Gill getting sick for 10 days and missing conference; BD missing Gill; constant reminder of idolatry; crowded surf; too many people to catch up with!

BD Romance and Bootcamp. "25 years ago I didn't have any money, I didn't have a ring and you never had a proposal story, but that is about to change". In a rush of romantic spontaneity I surprised Gill with a proposal and 25^th wedding anniversary eternity ring before 400 women at a womens' conference she was attending. I am sooooo thankful for her love, friendship and support. "in 40 years of church attendence I have never seen such a depth of men's ministry" Terry Austinmer. Our third men's "Bootcamp" in July with 5 weeks of challenging men's topics to over 80 guys. I spoke on "A Man and His Romance" backed by Gillian the Brave who spoke on "Things Women Wish Men Knew About Women". Plenty of notes being taken.

Gill battles on in Schools. "Miss, why do you hate homosexuals?" It only gets tougher. Ethics course being pitched as an alternative, rude year 8/9 kids, bigoted and biased audience with little facts, teacher opposition etc etc. Still, Gill got to share her heart for Special Religious Education to the entire staff and got a round of applause at the end!

Jackson Vietnam Theatre. "They walk out if they aren't happy, and most stayed, so it must have been ok?"Amazing enough to be given opportunity as a first year to write and perform his own play, Jackson then went on to perform it at a World Festival in Vietnam on behalf of his university. A rush of fundraising and rehearsals and they made it. I think racing around on motor scooters was the most life threatening.

Taylor "I live for Balance" has become his celebrity status? Want to buy a tshirt? He has completed an amazing film project for Drama and musical composition for Music, but still no ideas of what to do next. A gap year is certain and many adventures ahead of the `tdogg' and all the more with his recent drivers licence!! Look out for the "Balance" empire!

India Movements. "I love going to school, it's the BEST!"After much heartache and searching India moved from ICS to our local Bulli High School. She is very, very happy and loves being back with old friends and part of her community. Dancing is her love and she has endless joy, social energy and always a new `best friend'.

Calvin. "9 years and you would have thought I deserved some clothing item by now?" It has been a cold winter and after watching him shivering away, we purchased Calvin's first item of clothing – a coat! All these years clothed in but a collar!? He maintains faithful watch over all and especially any in `sick bay'.

CSI Partners Dinner. Our 2^Nd formal partners dinner is on October 23^rd at the Manly Pacific Hotel. We have more opportunities opening up than we can meet and so CSI needs more financial partners! Guest speaker ASP chairman Richard Grellman, BD's update, Abe Andrews the ASP chaplain and more all share stories over a great meal and live music. Purchase tickets on http://www.christiansurfers.net/Shop.aspx?ID=34. Come and bring another!

You can sign up as a partner right now on http://www.christiansurfers.net/Partnership.aspx

Leadership Profile. Kelly Patt is our new financial manager. Originally from California now on Central Coast she has a long history serving CS in admin. We are so thankful for her and the skills she brings. You can make her day by making a donation! Go Kelly!

Support of Brett and Gill. You can become a supporter in the following ways by contacting us on brett@christiansurfers.net

· pray more specifically with our prayer update prayer email updates

· join our regular financial support team, we are short 5 partners @$100/month or 10@ $50

· offer some skill in graphic design, IT, administration, local mission help

Come join me on a short term mission in Feb 2011 in Chile

Groundswell Conference: Day 6

2010-08-29T15:58:00.000+10:00

Well it’s a wrap up day. We announce next conference will be in … drumroll… Hawaii!! Many excited squeals and high-fives!

Final thank you and farewells and people already moving out. It’s been an exhilarating and exhausting 6 days.

BD’s final word picks up on the groundswell theme that we don’t want to ride a locally generated windswell but rather the far, distant, powerful groundswell that pushes through regardless of local circumstances. The groundswell of God’s Holy Spirit in us.

Many fond farewells and we will see each other again in 2012 or before or even in heaven. Special thanks to Rich Agius and Australaisia team. Awesome job by Ado and Indo team. Ever diligent CSI team with Aaron, Beck and Kelly.

Keep riding the groundswell to all the nations. See you in Hawaii!

Groundswell Conference: Day 5

2010-08-28T22:22:00.000+10:00

Today is Australasia and Pacific day. We see proud Aussie flags & tattoos everywhere and our MC’s Fozz and Dan from Cronulla are virtually impossible to understand by our foreign delegates. Funniest of all was Cal Fisher stating that Dan might as well be speaking Greek…. And Cal is from the USA!

Rich Agius helped us see the challenges of Asia where we will engage with Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, many SW strategies needed.

Tim Meyers challenged us to a life of faith from Hebrews 11 taking us back to the future with Abram who was told to go, even when he didn’t know WHERE nor WHEN. We are to live with heaven as our citizenship and sojourners through earth. Getting somewhere in God means leaving somewhere. We finished in Revelation 22 at the end of time with the presence of God renewing the nations in heaven, and we are to participate in this now. Wow.

Great conference photos done. Such a range of flags and nations.

More amazing strategy stories from CSUS and Lyle, how a guy makes his way from being lost to a leader in the national movement. Jodene powerfully shares the women ministry in Australia. Mel relates how Fiji short term missions transforms lives. Cal engages with a surfer church plant that leaves most of us envious.

Communion Indonesian style with special rice and holy water is a highlight then it’s full tilt rejoicing and worship with a mosh pit up front!

Groundswell Conference: Day 4

2010-08-28T15:33:00.002+10:00

Today is Americas Day so we were treated to all kinds of exotic candy and exposed to the vast array of Latin American unreached surfing nations, while our Brazilian sisters sang a song, flags all flying.

Tim Meyers took us deeper. It’s not enough just to “be” with the presence of God, we also need to do something. He challenged us with the parable of the servants from Matthew 25:

God has invested in you
God is not fair and gifts us differently
God has given us all we need to be successful, so stop comparing yourself with others & get on with it.

Our small groups are working well and it helps to check in each day with what we are learning. Good honest stuff. More strategy workshops and more challenges. We could debate for days!

Sickness continues to strike down people and prayer team in full swing. Gill Davis has barely been seen. The swell has reached 4-6’ and it’s all go to the Bukit. Some 40 of us descend on a quiet closeout that lives up to it’s name but all manage to enjoy. It’s bizarre to see a conservative Hindu ceremony in the midst of a liberal tourist spot.

Another great worship session. Our Indonesian band admits they didn’t think it possible a group of surfers would engage in worship and are amazed at the intensity. Sergio engages the Peruvian guys & also fire cracker Nacho from Argentina. So much passion.

Cal let’s us hear from Alvaro Marvez our Costa Rican brother, entering new era of a movement. Sergio is our CS speaker and we are challenged to believe God wants MORE for us than we can imagine. His story of the Surfers Bible and Surf House testify to this.

We also got late news the CSUS National Director Dean Plumlee has had a baby girl! Go Amy!

Groundswell Conference: Day 3

2010-08-28T15:14:00.003+10:00

Tuesday was Europe day and we heard some mad Welsh accents, considered the lost surfing nations of the Cape Verde Islands, Germany, Italy, etc and Phil Williams gave an amazing report of the growth of our mission. Europe is where surfing is growing the fastest whilst the church is declining - our most needy continent.

Tim Meyers challenged us as to what is true “calling” (basically salvation), that the house of God is a place of meeting (and we see the transition from an empty field to a tent to a tabernacle), and that our most distinguishing feature is to have the essence of God. We are a stairway connecting heaven and earth!! All blown away.

Sickness began to descend on us with Bali belly taking its toll on many wives - Gill Davis copping the worst of it! We broke into strategy streams and what stimulating discussion; from church panting to chaplaincy to leadership training. Much to digest there.

The hotel has proved to be a great venue with ample space for kids and families, some rotating surf time between husband and wife was noted. Small waves at Canggu and Uluswas were surfed in the free time.

That night we heard the amazing testimony of David and Shinko Levey our Japan pioneers. David exhorted us to the KFC principles of kalling, faithfulness and character. So challenging.

Hardly a dry eye hearing Goto’s testimony of being rescued from the dispair of suicide to life in Christ!

Roy Harley also pitched the internship school, a great model we might expand upon. It was another late night up talking but hopes were high for a swell in the morning.

Groundswell Conference Underway

2010-08-23T16:31:00.001+10:00

We held four days of meetings with the International Leadership Team and had a great time reuniting as friends, talking through many issues and making some strategic decisions. Alan Vink once again led us through some excellent training.

We scored some waves up to 6-8' at our Indo location. I award 63-year-old Cal Fisher with the gutsiest effort charging some solid barrels on his first Indo experience...sure hope I'm still doing this at his age!

A number of the wives and kids also connected well. Attending a local dance and music on sunset at the point was extra special. We then relocated to the conference centre and met with the Board of Directors and agreed upon our strategic plan and budget. I'm stoked at the calibre of men and women we have in leadership.

Next day (Saturday 21st) we had our full representative Council Meeting, 30 members from 15 nations. Gill shared a great word from Acts 17 challenging us to hold to our convictions that will give us clarity to see our society for what it really is and then have the courage to confront it. Again it is a very special group of national leaders. We welcomed Argentina and Sri Lanka along for the first time.

People streamed in all day Sunday from around the world and it was a wonderful family reunion. Our key wives had a special catch up under Gill's leadership and laughed and cried through the morning. I took India along for a massage.

Ado arranged an amazing local greeting complete with Gamelan band and traditional dancers, our most unique welcome ever! We have over 185 leaders from 16 nations ranging from Switzerland to Peru to South Africa to Costa Rica and despite us coming from many nations - we are one family.

Today I write this summary from our hotel room next to Gill who is real sick with a fever. Trusting healing comes. Our boys are home alone and I believe both our dog and chickens are surviving under their care?

We heard from our guest speaker Tim Meyers who challenged us from Hebrews 3:6, "we are his house," and exploring the true nature of the church and our part in God's work

Keep praying for us personally as well as the meetings. My prayer is that something of eternal value would be deposited in every person... Please join me! Stay tuned. bd

Leaving for Indo Today

2010-08-16T12:51:00.001+10:00

Well, its finally here, our 9th International Conference will be held in Indo next week. I leave today at 5:30pm to join with my six-man International Leadership Team (ILT) for four days of meetings. We plan to work hard and play hard (which I hope translated means a few good waves!)

Its been a crazy last minute rush of registrations and Richo, Steffne, Aaron and team have been doing a good job coping with this...what is it with surfers?! We have over 180 from 14 nations coming and I am looking forward to a time of 'family reunion', great reports, strategic planning, vision casting and some waves together. More to come as I hope to update each day! Picture from our last meeting in 2008 in J-Bay, South Africa. bd

Brazil Visit July 2010

2010-08-03T20:12:00.001+10:00

"Sorry Mr Davis this flight to Chile is oversold you have to fly in two days time." I had no hope of getting on standby and my connecting flight to Brazil would be lost! I was sooooo down, and was still praying as I stood rebooking my flight. At the final, final minute, a last second call had me madly running to the gate and I got on! I was 25kg overweight but being so late they ignored this and the donated boards, wetsuits and tools for our CS contact and Homes of Hope, Nathan Anderson. All went through....... Stay tuned for an upcoming short-term mission trip to Chile in February 2011.

After shedding my supplies as surf mule, I went onto crazy Sao Paulo with 20 million Brazilians. It is an endless sea of high rise apartments. I spent the first three days with our uniquely calm 'unbrazillian' Sergio Busatto, our South America Regional Coordinator. We met with his pastor and his church who are a great example of kingdom mindedness and have released him to serve in mission. So good to be face to face as much is lost in email in a second language! Great to attend a local CS mission just starting and being hosted in the home of a seeking surfer who is deciding to follow Jesus - go Roberto!

Along with the Brazil Regional Coordinator Cezar, we headed south to Curitiba and after 5 hours got thoroughly lost. Arriving late and flustered I had no idea what to say. God gave me a timely message with 130 there! "Back to the Beach!!" As if this were not a large enough CS meeting (probably the biggest local weekly meeting I have attended), they actually met in a baptist church that seats a mere 6000? So many big churches in Brazil.

Next morning we left with South Brazil Regional Leader Mauri and headed to his island retreat for 3 days on Ilha do Mel. No cars, no mobile reception, no rush. Just 4 key leaders from the nation discussing the future of the mission. Brazillian debate is similar to most sporting activity - loud, passionate, confusing...... but everyone is friends afterwards. And of course they love to show off their world class BBQ and we laughed a night away. I sprained an ankle on the second day and hobbled about which kept me out of the water, but into more discussion with some of the key women.....and surprise, surprise the same male/female issues abound. Thanks for caring for me Susana, Anna and Paloma.

A final debrief day with Sergio and farewell dinner with wonder wife Kika and I headed home. I was now 'Bible mule' back to Chile and Nathan collected Surfers Bibles at the airport.

I was averaging 4-5 hours sleep a night so a lot of time to think and reflect, feeling God speaking into me.....or was I simply delirous from fatigue? Arriving home again, again, again I realize I've spent a quarter of my life jetlagged for the past 8 years. Amazingly God seems to sustain and inspire. Thanks for those who prayed and 'gaved' for this trip. Off in 2 weeks time for our 9th International Conference in South East Asia with Gill and India. Thanks again my Brazil friends. bd

Home Safely

2010-06-27T18:01:00.001+10:00

Well got on at LAX on business class thanks to an upgrade by a friend! Sooooo good to fly this way, but it ruins economy forever. My last day was a bender, up at 3am, off to airport for 7am flight, then network meeting at San Diego, up to LAX for flight out at 10:30pm and long trip home. I was tired but happy.

Writing in my journal I was reflecting on so many things. The Chilean need, how to mobilise surfers for service; the many needs of our emerging national movements and how fragile and under-resourced we seem to be; the great kingdom minded friends at Walking on Water and churches like Beachside and North Coast Calvary Chapel and others.

I love the passion and conviction of the Latin Americans. I love the 'can do' attitude and intentional strategy of the USA brothers. I love getting people together, helping them connect, assisting their success, and not getting in God's way too much.

Thanks to all you sponsors and supporters who helped the Chilean project and we are planning on returning in February 2011 to build, assist in a surf contest, participate in a surf camp all contributing to the establishment of Christian Surfers Chile...and a whole lot of fun as well. Maybe you want to join us?

Key Leaders Meeting in Florida

2010-06-21T12:27:00.002+10:00

So what do a Peruvian, Costa Rican, Salvadorian, Panamanian, American and an Aussie have in common?? Well if you are a Christian Surfers National Director quite a lot it seems!

Our North American Regional Coordinator, Cal Fisher arranged a great three days of meeting at Daytona Beach and we shared training, hopes, heartaches, practical skills and some great fish tacos. The only thing we didn't share were waves, though it was 6-8...inches, but the water was warm and the company even warmer.

I'm amazed at what God is doing in Central America and the passion, faith, vision and boldness of these brothers. I must admit I certainly received more than I gave and have plenty to take home and apply. Pray for my meeting tomorrow in San Diego as I host a surf ministry networking meeting. Then pray I get on the standby flight home from LAX, there's 22 others on standby! Dios de bendiga.

Chile House - Day 3

2010-06-18T07:57:00.002+10:00

The rain and wind howled in and I snuggled under 4 blankets with my clothes on. Jeffro was right we should have purchased some firewood at the supermarket for some heat in the tiny wood stove which would have helped.

The last sheet of tin went down, ridge cap on and external and internal lining fitted. Poor no. 2 man robbie had accidentally put his foot through the ceiling lining! I'm so impressed with the team who despite limited building experience are giving it their all.

So in just three full days we have a standing house! Try doing that at home! The house actually looks like the real thing now and Manolo's smile at the end of the days says it all. I headed out next morning to the airport and Mitch shared more of his vision and passion for this tough community. There is a wide open door for for surf related ministry here. I have about 5 interested people who want to come next Jan/Feb. Mitch says we can build a house (or 2?!) run a local surf contest, take a surf camp. Pichilemu increases from 3,000 to some 50,000 over summer. Want to come along?

Building in Chile - Day 2

2010-06-13T22:31:00.001+10:00

Woke at 2:30am and felt a bit sore. We go to local market and buy ugg boots from Australia for quarter of the price. There's my 'Chilean' gifts for the family. Back at Monolo's place we continued cladding and started pitching the roof. All moves along quickly, and the house is taking shape. The local family cooked up an amazing seafood chowder for our lunch. Clams, mussels, abalone along with chicken beef and rabbit cooked in white wine. Robbie finds shot pellets in his rabbit! I find the head of the rabbit floating in the mix.

We push through to 3:30pm knowing the wind has been glassy all day and down tools to make the late session. Punta de Lobos is 5-7' dead glassy and running 300m down the point. It's a mad scramble of wetsuits, boots, hoods and the sketchy paddle across the channel to the stacks and then into the lineup. Seals swim around and a handful of surfers dot the lineup - no hassle. A spectacular sunset finishes the day.

We join Nate for the fledgling CS meeting and three core local surfers come along. I share some story of CS, challenge the guys to surrender their surfing to Jesus and teach on the parable of the talents. God is not so concerned with how well we surf but how well we serve. We finish with a local party, supposedly starting at 10:30 but people arrive at 12...just as we leave.

Building in Chile

2010-06-12T09:24:00.001+10:00

I woke to the room shaking with an earthquake at 5am...should I get out? It stopped before I could decide... Welcome to Pichilemu!

Jeff Ryan of Misfit Aid and I helped load the truck with wall frames Mitch and the YWAM team had already made up. We arrived at Momono's lot and his smiling face welcomed us. He is a fisherman with a few kids and lost his house in the earthquake. He has been crammed in his mother's place in a shed since February.

Today the "Homes of Hope" team erected the whole house frame. Girls fixed fibre cement sheeting, guys manipulated frames, local dogs quarelled underfoot, nails flew into the soft wet pine and everyone enjoyed the easy going leadership of Robbie and Mitch. Lunch was handmade crab and cheese empaladas... Gotta have more of them!

Momono is stoked to see his new family home emerge before his eyes and has promised us a seafood lunch tomorrow. Surf is cold, onshore and messy...perfect building conditions, but a 6-10' SW swell forecast tomorrow.

Thanks for those who helped partner in this project. There's a heap of homes condemned in this town. The tsunami ripped through the beachfront demolishing fences, buildings, boats, even concrete handrail. They have rebuilt quickly and tourists have returned, but with the cold, wet winter here those without homes are suffering. Talk to you tomorrow.

GPS Men's Ministry

2010-06-08T20:14:00.001+10:00

I got sick and tired of seeing guys struggling with marriages, relationships and being uncertain as men. I know, I have my own struggles. So we started GPS Men on Track for Austi guys and their mates. Get on track, stay on track, doing it together.

Last week we had 75 turn up for our first of a 5 week series and Steve Dinning shared on a man and his justice. Social justice, how come it seems to be women rallying round the causes??

Tomorrow I am speaking on "A Man and His Romance" from that sexy little book in the Bible 'Song of Songs'. I will be accompanied by Gillian the Brave who is sharing on "Things Women Wish Men Knew About Women".......I'll be taking a few notes myself! I love seeing guys get together to raise the bar, rather than lower it!

Just home from a couple of days in Melbourne meeting with Mike and Vanessa Allbutt, home from their first service of 2 1/2 years in Puerto Escondido, Mexico planting a surf ministry. Great to debrief and chat and encourage vision for the future. Tired now, gotta go to bed. Night.

Chilean Film and Food Night

2010-06-05T19:50:00.001+10:00

We had a great night back on Friday the 21st May with 40 people coming out to watch a local Chilean surf movie "Chile Oculto" and eat some great Chilean food!

We were outside with fires for warmth reminding us that there are a whole lot of families still in tents after the earthquake. I loved the fact that people came from church, local surfing community and other friends. It was a very cool atmosphere and a highlight was doing a live video conference call to Mitch Anderson in Chile who shared his heart about the local situation there. It was 6am for mitch and 9pm for us, and all went well until the rain started and Aaron and I were left under a plastic tarp to cover the computer and data projector while everyone else bailed to the shelter of the verandah. So funny!

We raised another $1,200 bringing the total to about $5,000, enough to build a house and kit mitch out with new tools. He is looking forward to a shopping spree when I arrive on June 10! Thanks to all who supported this.

Paddle for Poverty

2010-05-20T14:21:00.001+10:00

After a huge 8-10' swell threatened to cancel the Paddleathon, we went ahead on a clear smooth sunday with a 4-5' south swell pushing us along. About 25 paddlers braved the 20km from Wollongong Harbour to Thirroul beach. Highlights included rounding the Bellambi bombie and guys catching a few big waves, the three standup paddle boards, 15 of our paddlers being first timers, the supportive boat crew and the camaraderie along the way. The winners are our five sponsor kids with Compassion and 3 hours of discomfort for us, is one year of living opportunities for them.

In addition I raised some $3800 for Homes of Hope in Chile where I will be heading off on June 10 to set up a new family home for a displaced family. Mitch Anderson from the surfing centre of Pichilemu and I have been talking and he is stoked that they are not forgotten and I hope to be able to purchase new power tools for Mitch so he can build another 20 houses! It is great to encourage surfers to make a difference using their surfing in service of others. I think Jesus would want us as Christian Surfers to do a whole lot more of this!

BD Paddles for Chile

2010-05-10T13:44:00.004+10:00

Well, after trying to avoid that nagging feeling I should be doing something about the Chilean earthquake disaster down in Pichilemu, I got the message. Ok,ok God I will go! I have decided to add an extra 5 days to my USA visitation and will be going first to Chile to build a family home with Homes of Hope.

I have been having weekly meetings with Mitch Anderson of YWAM Pichilemu who said last week,"We have around 420 families who homes need to be rebuilt or repaired. Many are still living in tents which will become critical as winter approaches. Please, now is the time to come help!" Mitch is partnering with "Homes of Hope" http://www.jucumpichilemu.cl/homes_of_hope.html. Check out the video.

Well this coming Sunday, 16th May I will be joining in with the 10th annual Paddleathon fundraiser with my local CS chapter. We will paddle 20km to raise funds for our Compassion kids, but I am also adding onto this "Paddle for Chile" and I want to raise $US3,000 to build a new home (yes that is all it costs) plus $1000 for some new power tools for Mitch.

This project and Mitch's 20 years of local ministry is laying foundations for future local ministry to this surfing community. I have visited Mitch a couple of times and he was our speaker at our CSI Conference in Brazil in 2006 and a solid investment.

I currently have raised $1,500, a good start!!!! Thanks!

Please, if you want to support the Chilean earthquake victims and me building a home with a destitute family, go to http://www.christiansurfers.net/Donate.aspx specify for `Chile aid'. Currently donations are not tax deductible EXCEPT the good ole USA.

US donors can get tax deductible donations by giving to Homes of Hope noting this for "Davis Team" http://stores.homestead.com/YWAMVA/-strse-85/YWAM-Chile-Earthquake-Fund/Detail.bok

Thanks, psyching up those paddling arms!!!!

25th Wedding Anniversary

2010-04-20T06:43:00.001+10:00

To all you out there in blogdom, I declare today my love for Mrs Gillian Davis who has endured me for some 25 years and been such a faithful friend, wife, advisor, buttkicker, theologian, mother, supporter. She has been the unseen glue of our family, the steady hand when I have been travelling, my inspiration to keep going, the one who has shaped me more than any other, a wise mother, a great talker, my greatest critic and encourager and the reason to come home.

They say that behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.......

I love you Gill

Road Trip Lennox Head

2010-04-19T09:52:00.001+10:00

One of the great aspects of the Easter conference is heading on the surfers road trip! We had a great time travelling with Aaron, Albags, Paddy, Zank and Jared, as well as my family.

Heading up we caught up with former leaders Marty Dures (cheers for the accommodation Marty) and breakfast with old salts Luke Hadfield and George Watt. Then I convinced the groms to detour to visit our former North NSW RC Boyd Pope in a hippie commune (go Boyd, 60 and still grooving). Boyd showed us his artwork, hand made home, Greenough spoon, and was even playing 'Morning of the Earth' to set the scene. He is shining the Jesus light there as he has been for so many years.

Up at conference we saw Jon and Anita Woods, now a Presbyterian minister at Byron Bay, and they're fitting in really well (love the dreads Anita) and seeking to shine a contemporary biblical Christianity in a town that is far, far away from that.

Coming back, we stayed at the Browns shed, and what a 'shed' it is with bunk room, honeymoon residence, ping pong table, etc. complete in farm setting with cow aroma! Thanks Pete and Bec!

After a 4WD up the beach to back Hat Head the boys scored empty waves and it was a great way to finish off the road trip. The people and places along the way made it, as they say the most significant things are not the destination, but the journey. God is good.

CS Australia Conference

2010-04-19T09:43:00.001+10:00

What has 440 feet, 160 surfboards, 20 bodyboards, 30 kids and 220 beating hearts for mission? Yep, the CSA national leadership conference was held at Lennox Head over Easter with some 220 attendees.

We had a great time with challenging speaker Mick Duncan, awesome worship, 4-6' surf, good food, inspiring story and the annual reunion of CS leadership.

This was the 28th conference and I was so proud to see another generation of leadership coming through after pioneering the early years. It was fun to share the CS story via a representative human timeline and walk through our history together. Gill and I also did some marriage seminars and exhorted others to stay the course in marriage.

Taylor and India came as well (Taylor clocking up another 6 hours driving) along with Aaron and 4 junior leaders from our local mission.

Church in Japan

2010-03-25T15:00:00.001+11:00

Yuya is seeking to start up a surfer friendly church that will be able to accommodate the many surfers CS is reaching out to. At a recent pastors conference he said he was so discouraged by the established churches, "What are you doing that for??!!"

The church in Japan is small (just a 0.1% Christian country) averaging only 25-30 people from a handful of families. It is also conservative and protective, being focused on preserving their own. This is a huge challenge for CS Japan as they seek to build newly converted surfers into a church culture that largely does not want them.

I had the privilege of speaking at David's church from Acts 10 where God challenges the cultural barriers to evangelism and felt called to challenge them to two things 1) Let my people go - in evangelism to the world and 2) let my people come - in embracing new believers to the church. What a challenge!

CSJ is on the cutting edge of evangelism and church development. Whilst it takes Japanese people a long time to come to faith, once they commit they are solid and loyal.

Surfing in Japan

2010-03-25T14:53:00.001+11:00

"Hey BD its gotta be just 6 degrees out there, its freezing!" said my travelling buddy and Australasia Regional Coordinator, Richard Agius. He was right, the air temp was way down, the waves were small and inconsistent and yet we saw waves of surfers heading for the beach.

After chasing up an extra set of gloves and hood, I felt like the 'Michelin Man', all rubbered up from head to toe. Just walking to the beach along the pine lined walkway with the windchill cutting through us was enough. Thankfully the water was actually a relief and we enjoyed being the novelty foreigners out in the water. Ever polite, every Japanese surfer said hello and made room for us.

There are some 1.5 million surfers in Japan and nearly all belong to a 'surfshop club' in typical collective loyalty. We visited the Surftech showroom that is owned by Christians and employs Christians and is also the CS Japan office and base. Amazing to see the interaction of this true surf mission business.

Japanese are the great lovers of all things gadget with whatever they are into, and I thought I had seen everything (from surfboard wax up stands to wetsuit softening agents) until I purchased my own sachet of "Super Magical Powder" that you add to water, pour into your wetsuit and hey magic, you stay warm? Only in Japan!

Japan Training

2010-03-25T14:35:00.001+11:00

I was wondering just how the CS Foundations Training was going to go in Japan, one never knows when the culture is just so different.

First David Levey, our leader, had laid out a challenge to the whole country to send their best leader to the training. He was hoping for 8-10 and 22 attended! This is great for Japan where just 0.1% of the population is Christian and there is very little training offered by the church at large. I was hoping I was not "Lost in Translation" as the point of the training was not simply lecturing.

Thanks to great translators in Aki and Shinko I think I got through ok. Even better was our national leader David delivering training as well as a local Japanese pastor named Paul. My goal was not just to leave behind the training, but a couple of trainers. We started out characteristically shy and quiet, but by the end there was much chattering and discussion and laughter, which is great for a country whose learning culture tends to be rote memory and unquestioning submission to leaders. I was so excited for them as we handed out their completion certificates and hope this is repeated all over the world.

Training in South Africa

2010-03-12T11:13:00.001+11:00

After looking at icebergs over Antartica en route to Johannesburg (funny how the fastest route is that way??), I arrived safe and well. Driving past the new Football stadium and seeing endless roadworks at Port Elizabeth one knows they are in a nation rebuilding its infrastructure for the worlds biggest event - the Soccer World Cup.

Driving by the radical contrast of plush neighbourhoods of largely white people, then the shanty towns of black people, it is also a country still rebuilding its class structure. Great to see so many more middle class coloured people and efforts to maintain peace in a country of 35% unemployment and 45% AIDS.

J-Bay is the classic international surf town, branded with 'Billabong'. Great to meet up with the CS South Africa Interns, shot to Andro, Heinrich, Tristen and did the CS Foundations Training. We partnered up with Des Sawyer and the Surfmasters students so ended up being a bigger group than I originally planned - 16 in all. We did a heap of training and discussion and national director Richard Leonard also delivered material.

Gotta love those South Africa Braii (BBQ) that seem to take forever to cook, but the socialising is what it is all about. Roy and Sharon are great hosts and their kids are classic (Nathan is Roy's ADD revenge!)

Surfing at J-Bay

2010-03-12T10:51:00.002+11:00

If a surfer goes to South Africa, everyone is going to ask, "Did you get waves at Supertubes?" Well the answer was by local standards... "Not really," but by any other standards, 3-5' glassy with just 15 guys out it was epic!!!!!!! A couple of mornings we headed down for 'junk 2-3' sideshore' and it was still epic. J-Bay. What can you say?

New Years Plans

2010-02-11T16:06:00.002+11:00

Getting ready for my first trip to South Africa on the 22nd February. This will be the first of a long list of them: Japan March, Lennox Head CSA conference April, Europe May, USA June, Brazil July, International Conference August, NZ in September.

Sometimes I look down the corridor and wonder how I am going to do this, but always encouraged at God's faithfulness. This is my 9th year in this international role and similar travelling. I must admit that the travel is not so exotic now! Really a glorified bus trip! But CS has a great team of amazing people that are wonderful to visit and I receive more than I give.

I am focussing on Training this year, and especially seeking to raise up Trainers who will be better enabled to deliver our CS Foundations Training.

We have a great Board of Directors and a hardworking International Leadership Team. We have also just got two new volunteers in the office in Beck Hatton with resources and Kelly Patt in finance.

Thanks must go to Melinda Scherf and Rani Edwards who have served faithfully in these roles over past years.

Taylor Skateboard Mishap

2010-02-01T16:12:00.001+11:00

Every 17yr old has to eventually break a bone. Taylor, 10pm Friday 29th Jan, Seacliff Bridge skateboard speed run. Broken collarbone, broken arm (plated) and suspected broken wrist. Two arms in plaster. Two days into his final year of high school! Thankful he didn't hit his head, no helmets of course!

Holiday Flatwater Adventure

2010-01-13T06:26:00.000+11:00

With literally 8 weeks without any waves, the summer school holidays were dismal for your local grommet.

Fortunately those involved with a local Christian Surfers chapter were able to get up to some fun (some say mischief) and teenage boy fun must involve a small element of risk...ok ok, a large element of risk. So off to Kiama blowhole on the 60th flat day of summer and the boys jump in and swim around in the cave. Then some cliff jumping off the 18m front drop, then the grand finale 'The Cave of Death' round the corner and a 50m swim into a dark cavern. All in a flatwater day's fun with CS...

BD Holiday

2010-01-10T16:12:00.003+11:00

Heading down the far south coast of NSW and I am reminded how pristine this coastline is. Eucalyptus forests down to the ocean. Deserted beaches. Clear skies. We surf, go spearfishing, hiking, driving, and hang out with Gill's parents. Weird granite outcrops on Mt Dromederry.

Great to hang out with Geoff and Anne Thompson and their family, teenager buffer zone.

Holiday Happenings

2009-12-29T16:52:00.000+11:00

There were multiple Davis family Christmas happenings with both parents in the morning, Gill's family in the evening, Davis family two days later, more relatives in after that, in all a week of festivities!

It is so rare to get my brothers together and the cousins to meet. I am determined to get a weekend together another time in the year.

Christmas gets sooooo hectic, hard to keep Jesus in it at all!

Hawaii Day 5 Bonus

2009-12-12T13:46:00.002+11:00

Hawaii Day 5. I'm up at 5am reading through Luke 8 and challenged about how well I'm 'hearing' as Jesus says this is all important and I will 'have' or 'not have' according to my response to his words. I'm keen to have another go at Waimea and the surf is meant to 'only' be 15'-20'.

Eric fishes out an old 9'4" of Occy's saying Occy didn't want to know about it, and I'm wondering if I should either! Jogging in the dark round to Waimea I realize it still offshore, perfect and way smaller, like the day of the warmup. This time there's not 60 out, there's...None?! Mmmmm is there something going on I should know about? I'm praying about the sense of this. I spot one guy stretching. We jump together and he gets washed back in.

Now I'm alone. Well, not really as I arrive to find Jeremy from Maroubra out there alone (oh yes ok technically Jesus was out there too but that doesn't count in my frame of mind). A familiar "G'day mate" and he tells me he's been out the last two afternoons! We get a few waves - his large, mine small and feeling comfortable.

A dark line approaches on the horizon and we all start paddling for the channel. The stand up paddle guy (yes even out Waimea!) next to me is paddling for his life as I am, and a sun drenched blue walled 20' wave bears down on us with one guy taking the drop. We make the shoulder, I've never been that close to such a big wave. Paddle into a few big shoulders and happy to take off on what feels like a two storey building watching others bottom turning on 30' of face.

Walking back I bump into Andrew, a pro photographer who I met at check-in at Sydney and took his excess luggage. Later I discover he is also a Christian and one of Abe's best contacts! We head to west side which is only 6-8' sets and surf Makaha. I'm amazed at the tent shanty town that has grown up here since I was last there in 1999, must have been a community of over 200 tents and shacks of homeless people.

Great to get to know Abe and Lize some more. We visit the Surfing the Nations mission base, incredible to see a full time surf ministry training school. As amazing as it is I just don't have vision for this and challenge myself about being more intentional about empowering our global network of volunteers.

Eating Mexican food after a long surf is one of life's sweet pleasures. We visit Eric's factory and talk some more. Check in at Pipe event where it is stormy and unrideable. Great to see the instant recognition the surfers give to Abe. Last night we were up late talking about how to do mission more effectively on this international crossroads of surfing.

Hawaii Day 6. Abe picks me up at 5am, say goodbye to Scotty, all full of bedhair. Final debrief with Abe in the car and easily on the flight. I'm catching up on emails, writing reports and this BD Blog to you. It's been an action packed 5 days and my last trip of the year.

Overall I've done 36 flights to 12 nations and been with all our key leadership. Thanks to those who pray and support and those who believe in this mission. See you soon. BD

Hawaii Day 4 Eddie Contest Runs

2009-12-12T13:41:00.003+11:00

Day 4 - Super Tuesday. Up at first light and the wind has groomed the giant swell like giant furrows in a field. It's clear skies and in the dark already the roads are jammed solid. Many are wondering if it is big enough as sets are far apart, when suddenly a perfect 30' set gets ridden. I'm not going anywhere, you can't get in or out and smart locals are riding bikes.

We start watching from across the bay and see Kelly Slater annihilate his heat even pulling into a 25' tube. Spectacular gladiator stuff with the Waimea colosseum packed. The crowd is baying for blood. If surfers make the outside and ride inside to the killer shorebreak they can connect another section there. Time and time again surfers go and do the unthinkable before a screaming cheering crowd. Without the jetskis there would have been serious drownings.

We end the day across the other side on the edge of the point as close as one can passing through wet rocks to the sounds of warnings from lifeguards that we are on dangerous ground. Some sets blow spray over the people in front of us. But we are close enough to see surfer after surfer throw themselves off moving four-storey buildings of water.

Highlights:
Shane Dorian's free fall wipeout on a 35 footer
Greg Long's 100 point winner
Chilean Ramone monster take off backhand
Kelly pulling under the lip again in his second heat.

So many times I'm staring open mouthed at Scotty and Chris saying, "Can you believe what we are seeing!"

Contest over and sets are pouring in and barely anyone out. It seems to be smaller on dusk and I note two girls!!! with rather large testicles, waxing up with the rest of the post contest crew about to paddle out. "Maybe it isn't really that bad, maybe I could paddle out and watch?" I kid myself as we walk up the hill. A closeout set marches through and decides for me.

Poor Eric arrives home from Brazil having missed it all. I'm meant to go home in the morning but with decreasing swell and perfect conditions I suggest staying another day. I just want to acknowledge I have the best wife in the world who texts back and says, "Of course you should stay and make the most of it xxx." Gill I love you!

I go online and rebook. We watch news reports, eat expensive ice cream and talk theology with Eric. Great to be around a godly man and a godly grom in Scotty.

Hawaii Day 2-3

2009-12-12T13:41:00.002+11:00

Day 2 Sunday. Off to North Shore Christian Fellowship church and spoke in both services about CSI mission and the way this church has partnered with us. They stood by us for our first two International Conferences back in 1993 and 1995 and with Pastor Mike as the Triple Crown Chaplain, Eric Arakawa joining Board of Directors and Butch and John on the CS Mexico board - they continue to do so. Liselle Wilsnagh, the women's chaplain joined us, then out to lunch with Mexico surf missionary legend Rocky Rynn (I know he would never call himself that). Saw many old friends...and some renewed ones as Chris Richardson comes over to meet up, having met him in J-Bay in 2003.

I meet further with some of the missions board and line up more meetings. Another couple of hours at the Foodland Starbucks with Liselle, debriefing how women's chaplaincy has gone in our first year. It's been tough for Liselle on many fronts but she is an amazing and Godly woman who is persevering and seeing breakthroughs.

This the best part of my job, meeting and hopefully encouraging so many inspiring people and helping them in that calling. Scotty has been waiting all arvo as I arrive home on dusk so we sprint round to Waimea Bay to surf into the dark as it's barely breaking. The Eddie scaffolding is up and we eavesdrop organisers briefing the staff that the greatest surf event in the world is about to go down. As we look down over the relatively flat bay it's hard to imagine.

Day 3 Monday. Next morning up at first light one can sense the excitement. People have camped out overnight to secure good positions. Traffic is already bumper to bumper as I go to collect Liselle to take her to the airport for her next event at Maui. A quick look at the Bay and it is an untidy messy 25', not the 'biggest swell since 69' hysteria the rumor mills have been churning out.

We meet Abe and Lize at the airport, along with Mike Stangel, Triple Crown chaplain and debrief chalaincy together. It is unimaginable to think that somehow CS has been trusted to help mobilize chaplaincy to the elite of the sport. Slow going, but going forward.

Jesus had provided such wonderful chaplains, support, finances, favor and ever so slowly the trust of the Surfers. The kingdom of God is advancing. Back at the church office I meet up with two more on the missions board to discuss their involvement with Mike Albutt in CS Mexico. How good it is to partner with a keen local church.

It takes a good hour to crawl along the Kam Highway home instead of 10 minutes. Sand had been thrown across the road at Lani's. Crowds of people have come out to see the huge waves but they hold off the contest till tomorrow. Scotty and I check out the late session and on dusk see 3 close out sets that send the pack paddling for the horizon. 25, 30, 35, 40' it is huge. I get to take Abe and Lize out for dinner and debrief some more.

Tomorrow the Eddie will run for the first time in 4 years. I'm so thankful, God's extra little blessing to be here for these 4 days.

Hawaii First Day

2009-12-12T13:18:00.003+11:00

Day one Hawaii was rather short lived as I arrived to get a standby flight only to find 10 other staff all bumped off. Would have got on if they didn't wait for late Perth flight. This has only ever happenned 4 times in 7 years of flying. Not standby but 'faithby' I call it.

Day two Hawaii. A new Jetstar standby ticket and I'm straight over. The buzz is maybe 20' waves and the Eddie contest might run. This event commemorates the loss of life of Eddie Aikau who paddled off in the middle of the night to get help for his friends. We have used the same story in the 'Surfers Bible' to illustrate Jesus laying down of his life. However we weren't friends but enemies so makes his sacrifice all the more amazing.

'Eddie would go' is the catch phrase and as I contemplate seeing the biggest waves of my life I'm happy to say 'Brett will stay' ashore - my 12-year-old also made me promise the same.

I'm picked up at 8am by ministry staff guy Tripp who, upon driving over the hill at Haliewa, casually announces that I should surf those 15-20' waves at Outside Himalayas. Giant swells are pounding the North Shore. It's sunny, offshore and, suprise, there's hardly anyone
out...except Waimea Bay. 'The Bay', every surfer visiting Hawaii knows which 'bay' that means.

Staying at Eric Arakawas house means there are no shortage of boards and already Eric has given me directions to an old yellow 9'6" board of the late Ronnie Burns lying under the house. After a quick check with my travelling buddy Scotty Warren, I figure it won't get any easier. 'Easier' is a relative term, as is 'small Waimea' as you see Waimea doesn't really break till it is 20'. So with 'small Waimea' before us at 15-20' sets and the Eddie crew warming up I suggest we paddle out for a look.

I know I promised India I wouldn't go out on big waves and also told Scotty's mum I'd look after him, but remembering 'small Waimea' I figured I wasn't violating any promises. So with a yellow 'airplane wing' under my arm and a 24-year-old North Shore rookie by my side we had a go. Waiting for the horrendous shorebreak we then run and paddle your heart out. Then there's the can't duckdive 'airplane wing' negotiating some wash, and suddenly we were out there. Sunny, blue, offshore mountains of water with a perfect channel and 3 jetskis for safety. I told Scotty all we would do was watch from the channel and I'd sit by his side. I lied.

Come on, first time out at age 50 you have to have a go. So after drifting onto the edge of the 60 strong pack of the who's who of big wave surfing I caught a couple of tiny 10'' shoulders. Figuring I had enough time to get out if the way I ended up way inside hoping for a smaller one. When the whole pack started shifting for the channel I had my chance to grab the first smaller wave of the set and flew, semi-weightless down the face on my wing...and a prayer...hoping I would not be caught by the following waves. I turned around to see Shane Dorian drop into a 20' wave, easily the biggest thing I had ever seen from the water. It was like watching someone surf a building! Scotty suggested it was time to paddle in, good idea.

We negotiated the infamous shorebreak and safely on shore. We meet up with wonder woman Micki Bridgeman then headed west to check some campsites. Spoke at the new Surfers Church that night and caught up with some old contacts. Sharing my testimony about being an ordinary surfer that has trusted Christ and what He has done. I'm passionate about the verse where John the Baptist responds to concerns from his disciples that "everyone is going over to Him/Jesus," and says so confidently, "He must increase and I must decrease."

Oh that there would be more of him in my life, my family, my church, CSI. It's not about building our own kingdoms but His - there just isn't room for the both of us. What a first day, welcome to Hawaii.

Back to the Office

2009-10-28T17:03:00.009+11:00

Well after nearly a month of traveling about it has been good and challenging to be back in the office. Having Aaron there makes it much more bearable...how did I do this alone for 20 years??? Plenty to follow up on from the leadership meetings, our first Partners Dinner, local CS activity.

Today I had lunch with the father of one of our local groms who attends our meetings. He has come along to a number of men's events in our church now and shown much interest. He said over a chicken foccacia, "I have watched your life and the guys at CS and have been impressed how you have conducted yourselves. I have never met Christians like you guys before. I have been reading my Surfers Bible and am investigating all of this...yeah, I would love to do the Christianity Explained course next week!"

This makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it? Be praying for my mate. And for yours all over the world just the same. That's my friend standing on the rocks ready to jump!

Raglan Boy's Trip

2009-10-24T17:03:00.002+11:00

What has 20 feet, 18 surfboards, a jetski, 2 rental cars, and a whole lot of testosterone? BD and his merry men. 50 seems to be the birthday that just keeps on giving. My birthday gift, apart from a fun party Gill organised, was to go away with some mates for 6 days.

We surfed, ate, talked, prayed, laughed, traveled and basically got to escape a whole lot of life's responsibilities for a few days. I am so thankful for people who remind me that I am not alone in what I do or who I am. From painters to bankers we all got along fine and a great reminder that Jesus holds us all together.

So often men come together and the bar is lowered. This time the bar was lifted as we urged one another to be better men for our families and friends.

Bermagui Family Fun

2009-10-15T17:06:00.003+11:00

After being away from the kids, we were keen to have a few days together during school holidays, so off to Bermagui, South NSW at Gill's parent's place. Taylor brought a couple of friends and I became photographer for their upcoming 'Balance' clothing line. Be prepared!

I am amazed at their energy and creativity. Hard juggling work and play but was able to keep on top of emails each morning. What a beautiful country we live in and this is my second home having come down here now for 26 years. So quiet. Calvin the wonder dog comes alive here!