Todays Quote

"I sought to hear the voice of God, And climbed the topmost steeple; And God declared 'go down again- I dwell among the people.'"


Billy Murray (Called to teach, White Wing Publishing 1968)

No One Should Die Alone

In reading the The Daily Telegraph today I was reminded of the several elderly people who have died alone in their homes in both Sydney and Melbourne in the past 6 months or so. It grieves me to hear and know that a persons life can END with not one solitary soul noticing they are gone until neighbours either accidently or because of some turn of events find out that the persons life ended some time ago.

In the article I read today the writer says, quoting Detective Tim Marr "We couldn't find a friend or relative anywhere in Australia"

What is happening to real community? What is going on is a persons world that they would die, alone, forgotten, unmissed? We weren't born to live alone and we certainly weren't born to die alone.

Around The World in 50 Days

We are home now, around the World in 50 Days. What a fantastic trip! I really have loved Blogging to, it is now my Online Journal. Some thoughts:

The world is a great place but people and relationships make it go round

Whoever said take half the clothes and twice the money when talking about traveling was right!

My marriage is richer to have shared this all with Megan.

My world is bigger and relationships broader.

I love and appreciate my family.

I love and appreciate our Church and the team @ Shire

I am glad I am Australian - yesterday the boys went for a Wakeboard and I kissed the water, so clean, warm, inviting, Australian.

I am looking forward to the season ahead of us all

Keep Blogging!

Roh

Game Reserve to Witbank

Mike and Marie dropped us off in Witbank, Mpumulanga, for 36 Hours of meeting up with a whole bunch of friends and new experiences.

What a joy to be reconnected with my friends again - I am looking forward to keeping up!

Enjoy my Photo Essay "36 Hours in Witbank"

Welcome to Witbank

 

Returning after 16 years to the placed I called home in 1989. To my friends, families, brothers and many memories. To show Megan and to show Megan off :)

Visiting was brilliant - reconnecting was even better, enjoy the photos of 36 Hours in Witbank. 

Witbank - My mate Dylls

 

Mates in '89; mates now. It was a pleasure to meet up with good friends and Dylan was up there with the best; married now, 4 kids and a supremely fantastic man. Thanks for making the time mate! 

Witbank - Eddie & Gail Cant

 

Dylan's Mum & Dad; brilliant people. Made a real effort to pop over and say Hi! 

Witbank - Len & Sylvia King

 

Len & Sylvia were my very first host parents when I started to live in Witbank. It was a delight to see them again and to reconnect with stories of the last decade and a half. They hosted Megan & I on this trip as well....some things never change hey. 

Witbank - Pat Wagner

 

A joy after 16 years! 

Witbank - Community Centre

 

Phyllis took us on a tour of the Township Community and medical Centre she has participated in developing. There was nothing of this kid for the 300,000 residents in the Township and now on this block exists an integrated group of medical, socail and professional services reaching into the Community - Inspiring Phyllis! 

Witbank - Turning Vision into Action

 
 

Witbank - Community Centre

 

This mother is leaving the Medical Centre located here in the Witbank Township. Phyllis and a number of groups have put their hand to developing a Community and Medical Centre for the poeple living in the Township. Prior to this being in existence there were no community or medical facilities for the population of over 300,000. TPretoria University now plays a significant part in the medical and dental aspects of the Centre, other services are also located on the site. 

Witbank - Community Centre

 

When we passed this cheery old man he was clearing a drain, and loving being part of something. 

Witbank - Commuity Centre Micro Business

 

Simon manages a group of people who grow and harvest vegetables as a means of both subsistence and support - he was ecstatic at having visitors and proud of the work, we loved it. 

Witbank - Township Community Services

 

I met Simon who is overseeing a workshop that among other things collects, bottles and sells honey. A particular interst for me given our comittment to Mirco Enterprise Development and its capacity to alleviate poverty. What was cool was when my camera came out a couple of more extroverted workers joined in for the snaps. 

Witbank - The Not So Silent Killer

 

The AIDS epidemic is huge in this country - again, an issue that is running far ahead of the capacity of the country and the health system to keep up it seems. This warning advertisement is painted in a public place in the Witbank Township. 

Witbank - Township Fruit Stalls

 
 

Witbank - Township

 

There are varying standards of housing ranging from newly arrived 'squatters' to people in Government supported housing; like many areas, South Africa has a strong rural urban migration and the infrastructure development can't keep pace. 

Witbank - Seniors Centre in the Township

 

A magnificent creation for a fantastic group of people. Phyllis has developed this service recently and it is growing and becoming a significant development for the elderly in the Township in Witbank. A brilliant example of Community transformation. 

Witbank - Meet Maggie from Capetown

 

When we walked into the Seniors Centre Maggie strode confidently up to us and promptly smacked Megan on the backside, for a while we tried to figure out whether it was cultural or playful.... 

Witbank - Aerobics for Grandma

 

At this recently opened facility they have the resources to help the Elderly, here you are witnessing and ex school teacher take them through their excercise paces 

Witbank - "Eyes To Die For"

 

She must have come into the Seniors Centre with her Grandma or Grandpa. Beautiful isn't she! 

Witbank - Township Seniors Work

 

This lady was so pumped about getting her photo taken she posed 3 separate times! 

Witbank - Emily Mahalanga

 

Emily worked at the Phillips' when I was there - we were both so happy to meet up again! 

Witbank - Sammy & Emily Mahlanga

 

Would you believe we have exactly the same photo taken 16 years before with Sammy sitting on Emily's knee doing the thumbs up; We decided that would be unfair to this fantastic 19 year old young man to do that again - It's is hard to explain in words what it's like to reconnect after so many years; My simple summary....The time gap disapears! 

Witbank - Sidney & Phyllis Phillps

 

My second host Mum & Dad; love them to pieces! Sid was a total laugh telling story after story to Megan of my year in South Africa....he didn't let the truth get in the way either ;) 

Witbank - Michael Phillips

 

Michael is the oldest of the 4 Phillips boys, Jonny his younger brother is who we met up with in London. 

Witbank - The Boys Are Back In Town

 

Allen, Rohan & Dylan toggether again after 16 years!! Whoever would have thought? It was great to see my too good mates again after all these years. 

Witbank - Allen & Paula Raal

 

School chums from '89; now married, 2 kids and loving life - it was so good to see them going ahead in their life.