Category Archives: Monday Travel Posts

Beauty in the dry season (or, last Monday was a good day to be at Victoria Falls)

December 8, 2014Faith, Monday Travel Postsbeauty, contentment, dry, Jesus, seasons, singleness, Travel, Victoria Falls, Zambiamelindacousins

I have previously posted a Monday travel blog on Victoria Falls, with photos showing its full capacity and beauty at peak season, along with the abundance of rainbows dancing through the water both by day and night.

View from the Rainbow Bridge July 2013 / December 2014 — View from the Rainbow Bridge December 2014 / July 2013

Visiting Victoria Falls at the moment, at the end of a long, late dry season, is a very different experience. Some people even told us not to bother when we were in southern Africa last week. Because on the Zambian side of the falls there is hardly any water, and on the Zimbabwe side, perhaps 10% of the maximum flow.

Zambian side of Victoria Falls July 2013 / December 2014 — Zambian side of Victoria Falls December 2014 / July 2013

But I’m very glad we still had the opportunity to visit. Because there is a unique and fascinating beauty in the dry season. It is different, but equally worthwhile.

The contours of the gorges become much clearer when there is no water to obscure them from view.

The colours of the water and the rocks are seen in a different light.

From the air, you can get even closer for your bird’s eye view.*

The dimensions of the place are easier to make out and understand.

And of course there is still water rushing over about one quarter of the falls … and its scarcity makes the sight and feel of its cool spray even more precious.

Because there was less water and therefore less danger, we had access to lookouts that are closed most of the year round, giving unique perspectives closer to the falls.

And for the really brave (or crazy) there was an opportunity to swim in places that are inaccessible most of the year round.

And I was reminded that there is beauty in the dry seasons of life too.

A Facebook friend commented on one of my photos asking if there was a drought. No, I replied, it’s just the dry season. It comes around every year. There is no expectation that the Falls will look the same year round.

It makes me wonder why so often we seem to expect that our lives will look the same as those of others around us. Just because we do not appear to have what they have does not mean we are in a drought. Whether it is relationships, money, jobs, status, experiences, lifestyle … it is too easy to judge ourselves and others by what we do not have. But we are in our own season and I wonder if we look closely whether we can see and celebrate the unique beauty of where we are right now.

What others perceive as a lack may in fact be the very thing that provides us with unique opportunities or perspectives. It may be that we grow more, and we certainly grow differently, in different seasons.

As just one example, I’m currently single and perhaps other people look at my life and think there is a “drought”! But this season has brought me all kinds of incredible opportunities to serve and learn and grow (and yes, travel) that might not have been possible had my circumstances been different.

And I wonder if part of the secret to contentment is learning to appreciate the beauty of times that might at first glance appear “dry.” Because in the end, as a follower of Jesus, I truly believe I lack nothing because I have Christ. And so I can learn to be content whether I appear to have everything or to have nothing. And that’s the best kind of beauty of all.

* A very generous anonymous supporter of our mission team provided for us to have the incredible experience of flying over the Falls in a helicopter, which was a wonderful gift.

Today would be a good day to be in Lutherstadt Wittenberg

October 27, 2014Bible, Faith, Monday Travel PostsChurch History, Germany, Lutherstadt, Martin Luther, Reformation, Travel, Wittenbergmelindacousins

This coming Friday, October 31, marks a special day. No, it’s not Halloween (we don’t generally celebrate that in Australia). It’s Reformation Day. This Friday it will be 497 years since Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg castle church, one of the key events that lit the spark of the Protestant Reformation of the church. I had the opportunity to visit Wittenberg (now officially called Lutherstadt – “Luther’s town”) about 4 years ago. I’m thinking it would be a nice place to revisit today and ponder the history that took place there.

I’m passionate about the church, and I’m pretty keen on history, so it’s no surprise that I really enjoyed visiting Wittenberg. I was in Berlin for a few days and was excited to discover it is only just over an hour by train to this delightful little town with its preserved artefacts of a remarkable life lived here nearly 500 years ago.

What did I love about Wittenberg?

Wittenberg is a beautiful European town, and a great size for walking through.

As I found with Stratford-upon-Avon, however, taking a tour through this town is really taking a walk through the places of one man’s life. Coming in from the train station, I passed by this pretty park, which is also thought to be the site where Luther burned his papal bull of excommunication.

Normally a statue of Luther stands in the centre of the town square, but it was being renovated when I visited and so was replaced with an art installation of 800 colourful miniature copies – quite a sight!

The former monastery where Luther studied and taught and which then became his family home is now a museum honouring his life and work.

Here you can walk through the simple living room of the home he made with his wife, former nun Katharina …

… and the lecture hall where he and others taught the Bible …

… as well as see the impressive lectern from which they spoke!

There is also the oldest copy of his translation of the Bible into German …

… a 1533 hymnbook with his pub-tune song “A Mighty Fortress” …

… and a printed copy of his 1517 “95 theses” laying out his reasons for disputing church practices which distorted the gospel and gave people false hope.

For this, he was excommunicated by papal bull, a document naming him a heretic to be shunned.

St Mary’s church, (or the Town Church) where Luther often preached, dates back to the 14^th century …

… as does the smaller Corpus Christi chapel in its grounds.

But the church where Martin nailed his theses is the Castle Church (All Saints’) at the other end of town.

Luther’s grave lies underneath the pulpit inside.

What did I learn from Wittenberg?

The heart of Luther’s story really starts in another city: Rome. With the need to raise funds to renovate the dome of St Peter’s basilica, the church of the time began selling indulgences, promising forgiveness of sins for a fee. This practice might seem quite medieval to us now, but it reminds me how easy it is for wealth and greed to corrupt the truth of the gospel and God’s free gracious gift offered in His Son. There is a reason that Jesus warned about the dangers of money.

Luther wrote his sermon for Sunday October 31, 1517 (95 theses on the power and efficacy of indulgences) and then, as was the custom of the day, posted it (in Latin) on the door of the church. As a fellow preacher, I am reminded of the need to be faithful in speaking the truth of Jesus Christ, even when it might be unpopular, and of the call to be bold in making the message clear and open for all to hear, even those who might oppose it.

I was really struck by this letter that Luther wrote explaining his actions after the Diet of Worms (NB: diet = a decision-making gathering of the Catholic church; Worms = a town in Germany 🙂 ).

While I can’t read all his words, I can only imagine they are similar to the ones he spoke before that gathering in April 1521:

“My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything. Here I stand, I can do no other. May God help me.”

I hope that I might live my own life with the same passion and conviction for the truth of God’s Word.

Today is a good day to be in Victoria Square/Tarndanyangga (Adelaide)

October 6, 2014Monday Travel PostsAdelaide, Home, Travel, Victoria Squaremelindacousins

Like many people, I would imagine, I don’t tend to take photos of the places where I live, work, regularly shop and eat. But having recently moved from the suburbs into the city in my home town, I am trying to take time to appreciate it in the ways I do other places when I travel. Which has meant spending time just walking, observing, and enjoying the atmosphere.

One of my new favourite places in Adelaide is Victoria Square. The very centre of our city, it has recently been redeveloped and with the beautiful spring weather we’re having, it is an amazing place to while away some time. Today is a public holiday, so all the better for wandering and appreciating the opportunity to take time out in the heart of my home town.

What am I loving about Victoria Square?

I love having a beautiful green space in the middle of the city. A public space that is open to all and for all.

I love the statement that the Australian and Aboriginal flags flying side by side makes about this land.

The redevelopment includes infrastructure that invites people to spend time together in the Square – sporting equipment available to be freely used, clean facilities, seats to relax on, fountains for children to delight in.

I wish I had had my camera with me during lunch hour the other day when the totem tennis sets were being used by a group of men in suits who had just come out of the District Court!

Its great that there are organised groups using the space, as well as those who have just happened along.

I love that you can just sit back and watch the world go by.

It’s a great place to people-watch – from tourists taking in a new city, to business people taking a break from work, to parents and children letting off steam.

There are various events seeking to get people involved, including currently some kitchen garden workshops.

During the week the northern end hosts different food trucks who provide a yummy variety of cuisines and also create a good buzz. I love that there is a live webcam you can check out to see what is available before you venture out! (and I’m really looking forward to the next “Fork on the Road” event this coming Friday night!)

And of course foodwise there are Adelaide’s iconic Central Markets just across the road, although that will surely be the subject for another Monday post!!

I love just watching trams depart in both directions from the Square, pointing outwards to the possibilities of culture, entertainment, nature, and beauty available in this my city.

What am I learning from Victoria Square?

Sitting and soaking up the Square, I see a really good model of both looking back and honouring the past and moving forward into the future.

Modern conveniences sit side by side old statues commemorating days gone by.

Queen Victoria surveys her square between the flags, linking different pieces of Australian history together. It’s a difficult balance to get right, but too often we don’t even try and I’m reminded that it is better to have a go than do nothing out of fear of not pleasing everyone perfectly.

Looking to the traffic and commerce happening all around, the Square is a reminder to slow down, take a few deep breaths, feel the sunshine on your face and just appreciate the opportunity to stop for a moment.

I need places like this in my life, both literally and figuratively, to remind me that the continued functioning of the world does not rest upon my shoulders, and that stopping my activity for a moment or two will not cause anything to fall apart … but perhaps sometimes will prevent me from doing so!

I’m also reminded by what the council is seeking to do in the Square that community doesn’t just happen. People can live side by side but never really connect. It takes effort and energy, it takes creativity and a willingness to give things a go to create true human connection. All the infrastructure and programs in the world cannot create community – we need to be willing to take that first risky step towards another person.

As I watch a young solo tourist half-heartedly swing at the totem tennis, these thoughts compel me to step in and make a connection, to pick up the other bat and bounce the ball back to her, to start a conversation, to learn where she is from and how she is enjoying her time here. It reminds me of all the times I have been the traveller, far from home, seeking to understand and enjoy what is on offer around the world, and the incredible privilege of just a moment of human connection from someone who takes the time to say hello, welcome, and we’re glad you stopped by to see our city.

Thinking Out Loud …

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