tuppyj
Tanya Jourdan Joined: February 27th 2006
Logged in: September 20th 2007
Logged in: September 20th 2007
Travel Blog Posts
The cross
I am one of those who never know the direction of my journey until I have almost arrived Ps 139 v 9 - 10 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Never have these words rung more true then now. I have seen God’s hand at work, particularly over the past 8 months - where I have had no idea what the next step will be. I have been deeply challenged with regards to laying down my life, and “seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well”. For months the heavens seemed silent in answer to my pleas for direction… ... read more
I can fly..
... unfortunately, I ran out of space in the previous journel... but these photo's cant be left off. Monsserat is a National Park, consisting of a 16th century monastry and basillica. It houses some 80 monks and the oldest boys's choir in Europe. The monks lives are dedicated to prayer and worship of the Black Madonna, also known as the Moreneta. This is due to the dark colour she has become over the years, due to oxidation of the varnish that this wooden statue is painted with, as well as the smoke from thousands of candles / lamps burnt over the years. I found the worship of this statue so sad. People come from all over the world to see the Black Madonna, and if you pay and queue up for hours, you can even go ... read more
It is God..
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step Joshua 1v9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God wil be with you where ever you go. And so it was for me… From Umhlanga, to England, to Wales and now to Kent… and even then it hasn’t stopped. For after 2 days of working in the offices, I was invited to leave with the next trip to spain on Thursday. This was absolute miracle. So for a day I scurried around, gathering information on my guests, and on spain! What was meant to initially have been a week with 18 guests, became a total of three, and 99 guests. What a privilege it has been to fellowship with these new people, who began the ... read more
Time out!
I have found adventure in flying, in world travel, in business and even close at hand. Adventure is a state of mind and spirit. Home sweet home. I finally have a place to unpack my suitcase and somewhere to legitimately call home, where I am now longer a squatter! The Otford Manor was built in 1920 by a man who was not too keen on people, and so built it very much like a rabbit warren. It has been used by various organizations over the years, but as of 20 years ago, has been the headquarters and offices from which Oakhall operates. Oakhall is an organization that has a variety of opportunities. It was started by Ian and Judy Mayo in 1960, when they decided to take their youth group away on an expedition - to ... read more
wow!
Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints Ever since leaving South Africa, I have dreamt of standing beneath the Eiffel Tower, and maybe even being able to climb it… as the months have passed, the probability of this ever happening, was looking less and less, until the free day in the Loire Valley! The spice girls and David (the green frog) set off before the break of dawn to catch an early train into Paris! From then on, we walked ourselves silly - finding first the Notre Dam Cathedral, the Louvre and the Pyramid (also known as the Pointy Triangle thingie!), and then taking a lazy stroll down the Champs Elysee. I had to keep pinching myself, having sung the song many a time, but never knowing when, if ever, I would actually be able to ... read more
The team
A place has almost a shyness of a person, with strangers, and its secret is not to be surprised by too direct interrogation. Pain au chocolat, chateau’s, beautiful countryside, great fellowship and new friends would sum up the past week in france. About 30 of us headed out to the Loire valley, France, with Oakhall Expeditions for a camping / cycling holiday. It was really special to start each day with a group prayer meeting, and then end the day with praise and worship and a helpful bible talk - followed of course by fun activities such as bike Olympics, volleyball and mufia. The weather was so good to us, apart from one day, which happened to fall on the 50 mile bike ride. So all but 4 people stayed warm and dry in the marquee, ... read more
Looking for a spot!
Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion This past weekend, Debs, Myles and I went off into the country to watch the tour de france. There has been much excitement in England as it has been able to boast of being the host to the world’s greatest cycling race…. So on Friday, we gathered excitedly around Trafalgar Square, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of these amazing athletes who had put themselves through months of grueling training, which was now going to be put to the test. All of the teams were introduced individually… unfortunately we could only hear what was going on - and occasionally I would catch a glimpse of the screen… but enough to just be there and enjoy the atmosphere. On Saturday we left for Kate and ... read more
RECOVERED
Oh my word... talk about walking through history books. Berlin is beautiful! Not being much into architecture, even I was blown away by the grandeur and "hugeness" of these buildings. It is incredible to stand on the side of the road, and look down the street, lined with huge building after huge building. Being in Germany without a fellow English Speaker, I felt particularly out of place and very foreign. Ordering meals, reading bus , tram and train time tables, and trying not to get run over because they drive on the wrong side of the street was challenging but really fun! I found Erna - what a beautiful, friendly and wonderful german! I have definately left germany with a very different idea about germans then when I arrived. She generously leant me her bike, ... read more
Leipzig
What a quaint little airport Altenburg is, if indeed it can even be called that. As the planes wheels touched down, I searched amongst the forest for a building that would resemble a terminal, and finally spotted a small shed-like building! The luggage conveyor was about 2m long each way, so you had to be quick to get your bag before it disappears again! Craig and Andrew collected me on their way to Chemnitz where they were doing the beach boys act at a bank's gala function. Wow, they're brilliant! And was so nice to see them live! Spent the next day exploring Leipzig with Craig, including attending a German theatre, where everyone from trapese artists, acrobats, magicians and a drag queen did their performance in the setting of a salon. Quite different. Cant say ... read more
Greg
Time to go.... I have now been working in the UK for my allocated 12 months, so its time to make a new plan for the rest of my visa.... So without having a plan beyond the next 24 hours, I have resigned from work, said farewell to my work colleagues, church friends, mountain bike friends, and salsa buddies.... The car is packed with all the junk that I've managed to accumulate in 18 months, so off to lunch with Johnny and Helen, then to hand over my car to Jules, Mel and Don, find a new home for my bike, and ship the excess baggage home.... Then its back to backpack and suitcase, and ready to go or do whatever it is that God has planned for these next 4 months. Think Germany needs visiting.... ... read more
