Next Post Previous Post

24 Jun 2010

South Africa Pigrimage: the culmination

A mountaintop experience

Yesterday the South Africa Pilgrimage came to a symbolic close.

We took the cable car to the top of the spectacular Table Mountain and built a cairn of rocks symbolising the relationships made, lessons learned and moments we don’t want to forget.

For me the pilgrimage has been about coming face to face with heroes. People who have given and are giving themselves for a purpose bigger than themselves.

As I placed my rock on the cairn, that was what I said it represented.

Last night I gave the wrap up talk. I feel a bit frustrated that I wasn’t able to capture the heart of what I have seen here. There are two quotes though, from Nelson Mandela, that say it much better than I ever could:

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.

There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

I think the gift South Africa gives the world is a challenge: the challenge not to let your environment dictate your character, the challenge not to settle for what is, the challenge to dream of a different tomorrow.

It was inspiring to hear the reflections of the pilgrims on their experience, and to see how profoundly it has impacted them.

It was uplifting to hear the heartfelt prayers for this nation and continent on top of the mountain.

It is exciting to be able to tell you that today in a Capetown attorney’s office, Fusion South Africa will be born.

My challenge for the next days is to be talking with those who have been here and are here about what comes next.

There are many possibilities, and it feels as though things are coming together.

Pilgrims in front of cairn on top of table mountain

The spectacular Table mountain

• Share this:

Tags: cable car , cairn , capetown , heartfelt prayers , mandela , mountaintop experience , nelson mandela , Pilgrimage , shadow of death , South Africa , valley of the shadow , valley of the shadow of death , vision , walk to freedom

Subscribe to Comments

Leave a Reply

• Browse

  Monthly Archives May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010

  or

• Subscribe2

  Subscribe to Faith Reflections

  Your email:
  

   

• Recent Comments

  • My wife helps me stay grounded (3)
    • Di: Good one Matt, enjoyed that. There’s more than a few women out there who could identify with Leeanne on that one. I dunno, you blokes can be so thick sometimes!!!
    • heather: Chose to read this blog tonight Matt while the kids sit sprawled over their Dad in front of the box. There is no doubt(in my opinion), that Leeanne has been a grounding for ya. You definately scored high when it came to a wife! Special to read...
    • Sarah McIntyre: Thanks Matt I enjoyed reading that Blog immensely, not sure why but I did I think because it is a blessing to know you both and loved your tranparency Bless you both in all that God has for you Love Sarah Mac
  • Talking ’bout a reformation (2)
    • John: Meanwhile there are now more Christians in the world than ever before, both in total numbers and as a percentage of the human population. There are more Bibles, more Christian literature of all kinds including tracts and comic books, more...
  • Jesus showed up, even in the hell of the most evil place on earth (2)
    • John: Nice story but as shown over at the ABC Ethics site the Holocaust was the product of centuries of both church and state sponsored anti-semitism, and most Christians were essentially supportive of Hitler and the Nazis. They had been...
  • Wherever you see Christians effectively engaging with the world, you will find most, if not all of the elements of the Kingdom Cell right at the heart of it. (4)
    • Wynsome: Yep, much clearer.
    • Wynsome: Insightfully written Matt, and well put together. Good to read such thoughts afresh. Can I just mention one point that comes across a bit unclear? You state on one hand that small groups in church are ‘significant’, but on the...
  • Find your real job, and do it! (1)
    • Jo: *sigh* yeah!
  • I want to protest. There must be another way, an easier way, a way that doesn’t involve as much suffering (1)
    • Anne Nanscawen: Yes, it says it all. The hard thing is to keep remembering and acting on it!
  • The more we let God take us over, the less we will need stupid car decals and soft drink cans with our names on them. (1)
    • tim: Cheers Matt, found that a pretty useful insight to think on.

• Sites worth seeing

  • 1. Life Understanding
  • 2. Poatina Village
  • 3. Dave Hammond's Blog
  • 4. Di's Blog
  • 5. Heather Bradbury's blog
  • 6. Kathy Dolliver's Blog
  • 7. World Changing I.T.
  • 8. Heaven2earth
  • 9. i-Kris