On 27th July the Harley Family left on an epic 11 month journey to visit and meet the amazing people of Christian Surfers.
4 continents / around 12 countries / a heap of flights.
This is the blog of that adventure
Wednesday 26 August 2015
Life on the Road
It's only been a month since we last posted but wow so much has happened. Arriving in the UK in July is the equivalent to driving in South Africa around 23rd December. It's full on holiday season and Christian Surfers is Buzzing :)
CS UK Van at Creation Festival
Life in the Netherlands
A quick connect with the fabulous Williams family and then within 48 Hours, Sharon and the rest of our tribe were off to visit her sister and I was on my way to the Netherlands to connect with the Christian Surfers Holland crew.
As with all things in CS..... I could do an entire news letter on just this short trip. I got to stay with Kock and Rianne and their two kids. In some ways it was almost like doing a short trip home. Afrikaans is a derivative of Dutch, and so are some of our cultural overtures. Friendly late night conversations over an 'afsaghtjie', a fantastic braai, and a passionate crew seeking to share the joy of their faith with their surfing community.
Heading home after a day at the beach, even though it 10:00 pm LOL
The top highlight though has to be seeing the finished 'Dutch Surfers Bible'. A fantastic product and the result of great faith and a belief that our God can do more than we can ask, think or imagine. I have no doubt that the seeds of this faith venture are going to resonate with the stories of many surfers, who's lives have been changed because of this beautiful step of faith, undertaken by the CS Holland crew. Great Job guys :)
Dutch Surfers Bible on display at Reality (surf) Church
Once back in the Uk, it was a quick re-pack and off to the country of Cornwall with the family. Phil and Annie William's Caravan was home for the next few days as we attended the Creation Fest.
Festivals are a big part of the summer culture of the UK. This is a fantastic free Christian Festival of excellent quality put on by an epic team. CS is given the opportunity to work and serve behind the scenes all over the place at this event from running the skate park to any number of other areas. http://www.creationfest.org.uk
I was truly honoured to be able to share on the story: of how Jesus found me, and also on the amazing story of CS, as started by Brett Davis as a 17 year old surfer. At the same time as this was happening, there was a fantastic CS team serving at a massive surfing festival a few miles away. The "Board-masters."
Board Masters
CS tent in competitors area serving the crew bacon buddies, water, coffee etc. whilst other's judge and spot at this premier event. Great Job Phil, Johnny, Dave, Daren and crew.
After the camping adventure at Creation Fest, we went to stay with Dave & Pippa Renyard in their beautiful seaside town of Porthleven. We felt so honoured and appreciated as they literally moved out of their house so we could move in.
Whilst down in Cornwall country I was given the privilege of sharing Gods word at two very unique churches. The first one Tube station in Polzeath where I met Pastor Dave Mathews (Please look at the video it captures the heart of what is happening :) and then with Matt and Sally Tims at New Wave Church in Parenporth. http://newwavechurch.co.uk There is something exciting happening in this space. Call them surf churches if you like, they are more than that, they are authentic communities that welcome our tribe, and anyone else that is keen to come and worship. These are the harbours of our future and some of the cutting edge of God's plan to reach His surfing tribe in these communities. Watch this space...
After our time in Cornwall it was time to be tourists London town, where we stayed with a phenomenal couple who are from Brazil. Nathan & Julia were involved in CS Rio and now find themselves working in London and being part of CS London. Not only did we stay in a beautiful spot but Daren Mountain, a CS UK staff member, took some time and blessed us by being the best tour guide you could ever imagine. We were also able to catch up with James, the new guy heading up CS London. I was inspired and amped. CS London is ready to change the world :)
James & Nathan at Snowdonia / worlds first commercial wave park
After London we went with Daren Mountain down to the coast, where CS was involved in a surf experience for a number of Romanian orphans. What a stoke seeing the joy of being in the water surfing. Pure Stoke !!!
Proud Dad Moment
Proud Dad Moment. After a few jumps Nathan decided to launch off the wall and dive. It wasn't pretty but I was super
proud :)
That every surfer would have opportunity to know and follow Jesus
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