Japan Training

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.