The Sands and My Dream (A Book of Blue Skies)

By Gavin Joachims

As a young child with curly black hair, my greatest excitement was the first time I wrote my name. In those early days, I strengthened my skill in writing, and till today have a beautiful handwriting. I remember fondly, my play on words and my sketches which I called, Scrapio's. Two things I knew back then is that I will see my name in print (often) and that Scrapio would one day be a trademark on mine.
I was born in a small town called, Ravensmead, Cape Town. I am the third of four children (two older brothers and a beautiful baby sister). I was gifted scholastically and from a young age was earmarked to be the doctor in my family. I guess being born a non-white under our South African Apartheid regime our parents did everything to push us into careers that were perceived as bringing not only financial success, but more so freedom. So although my parents acknowledged my gift for writing and storytelling, my successes in this field were never really encouraged. My mother hinted at this from time to time, buying me a typewriter, etc.
When I was 10 years old I won a National Poetry Competition and by time I was 16 my first collection of poems was submitted to a local publisher. This submission was not successful. I was told that I was too young. I think my disappointment was more felt by my mother for she knew, as now, of my first love: writing.
As a child I had another very special gift. I was able to foresee things. In my heart of hearts I knew that I was born for greatness. I knew that I would be used in spite of me, doubting Thomas, to fulfil a message of faith and belief.
Back at the restaurant where I worked, there were patrons that recognised this. Today many of them have passed on, yet their teaching and guidance remains with me. This was a part of my awakening; my understanding of things and of my writing and storytelling.
I moved on to other companies over the years, where my focus remained management and people development. Yet, my heart yearned to write.
In 2000, I went on a very special journey. It was a time of change for me. I left behind all my possessions and with R50 in my pocket I went hitchhiking for 5 months through five Southern African countries. I prayed much during that time. I left Mozambique two days before the devastating floods of 2000; I slept in a squatter camp (informal settlement) in some of the most dangerous townships in South Africa; I hitched, alone, on dirt roads in the Okavango Delta region...all along writing, reading and talking to God.
Having said all this, I hope the one thing that shines through is my humility. And this is what I pray for, humble words, stilling to the soul. My most wonderful recent gifts have been the birth of my children: Hannah (5); Annie (3) and Zach (1). Not only have they made me see life in different ways, they have also rekindled my love for words.
As for my wife, Joy, she has laid waste the worst of me. For the first time in my life I not only acknowledge my faults and my weaknesses, but I am granted opportunity to work on these. Joy is my love and the deepest understanding of my soul.
“The Sands and My Dream” is of a journey and a cycle in my life completed. Enjoy my words and pray for me, that: “Humble be my words?”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gavin Joachims
• Release date: Sep 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310355653

Gavin Joachims

My name is Gavin Joachims. I am 42. In 2013 I resigned as National Director of Trust for Community Outreach and Education (TCOE) - a land sector organisation. My words were calling me and I had to make space to fill my desire to write.As a young child with curly black hair, my greatest excitement was the first time I wrote my name. In those early days, I strengthened my skill in writing, and till today have a beautiful handwriting. All I remember of then, was my play on words, and my sketches which I called, Scrapios. Two things I knew back then is that I will see my name in print, often, and that Scrapio would one day be a trademark on mine.I was born in a small town called Ravensmead, 22km north-west of Cape Town. I am the third of four children (two brothers older and a beautiful sister, younger than me). I was gifted scholastically and from a young age was earmarked to be the doctor in the family. I guess being born a non-white under our South African Apartheid regime our parents did everything to push us into careers that were perceived as bringing not only financial success, but more so freedom. So although my parents acknowledged my gift for writing and storytelling, my successes in this field were never really encouraged. When I was 10 years old I won a National Poetry Competition and by time I was 16 my first collection of poems was submitted to a local publisher. This submission was not successful. I was told that I was too young. I think my disappointment was more felt by my mother for she knew, as now, of my first love: writing.In 1989 I was accepted for a medical degree (MBChB) at University of Stellenbosch. I didn't "fit in" and the next year I enrolled for a Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Natal. I furthered my studies at the same institution with post-graduates in Sociological Theory and Research Methodology. Much later I enrolled for a Master Philosophy in Urban Infrastructure Design and Management at the University of Cape Town.During my undergrad studies, I worked fulltime as a Restaurant Manager. I excelled at what I did and in my final year undergrad I was offered the post as Franchise Manager for the restaurant group. I remained with the company for 6 years and in this time many amazing people crossed my path.As a child I had another very special gift. I was able to foresee things.There were patrons at the restaurant that recognised this. Today many of them have passed on, yet their teaching and guidance remains with me. This was a part of my awakening; my understanding of things and of my writing and storytelling.I moved on to other companies where my focus remained management and people development. Yet, my heart yearned to write.In 2000, I went on a very special journey. It was a time of change for me. I left behind all my possessions and with R50 in my pocket I went hitchhiking for 5 months through five Southern African countries. I prayed much during that time. I left Mozambique two days before the devastating floods of 2000; I slept in squatter camps in some of the most dangerous townships; I hitched, alone, on dirt roads in the Okavango Delta region...all along writing, reading and talking to God.I realised that poverty in South Africa was nothing compared to our neighbouring states. On my return to Cape Town, I founded a Street Children Project called, Swerwerskind. Through this multi-media approach I highlighted the need for alternative forms of education for street children. In this time, I trained in the film and photographic industry and I approached two photographers (one from France and one from Sweden) and a Cape Town-based German Film Producer to stage an exhibition of poetry, photography and film to make society conscious of the needs of the homeless, especially street children.This work was well received and made real impact . The project (and i) were featured in Oprah Magazine, various national and international print and broadcast media, etc.The City of Cape Town approached me in 2004 to implement a Social Development Strategy and Programme for the Cape metropole, through an institution called, Cape Town Central City Partnership (CTP). I did so successfully and in 2007 I left CTP and hosted a weekly Social Development Programme on a local radio station (Radio Goodhope FM), whilst focusing on social and community development projects at grassroots level.In 2008, I was accepted for the post as Project Manager for the United National Development Programme working with the Limpopo Provincial Government. I loved this work. I felt as if I was back again hitchhiking through Africa. When another opportunity came early 2010 to work for a national land sector (rural) organisation I accepted the post as Deputy Director and a year later I was offered (and accepted) the post as National Director for TCOE.In life, I've been fortunate to have travelled extensively. I've seen most parts of Brazil; I've been to Central America; I visited the USA thrice; I've been to Europe multiple times; I've been to north, east, west and central Africa - mostly loving meeting the people, sharing in their culture and listening; listening finely to the nuances and stories of their lives...my words.Having said all this, I hope the one thing that shines through is my humility. And this is what I pray for, humble words, stilling to the soul. My most wonderful recent gifts have been the birth of my children: Hannah (6); Annie (3) and Zach (2). Not only have they made me see life in different ways, they have also rekindled my love for words.As for my wife, Joy, she has laid waste the worst of me. For the first time in my life I not only acknowledge my faults and my weaknesses, but I am granted opportunity to work on these. Joy is my love and the deepest understanding of my soul.

Book preview

The Sands and My Dream

(A Book of Blue Skies)

By Gavin Joachims

***

Published by Gavin Joachims Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Gavin Joachims Publishing

***

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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To my mom and dad, my brothers Neil and Ivan, and my sister Merle.

"Beautiful things, in His time."

(Psalms 121: 1-2 & 7-8)

"I will lift mine eyes unto the

hills,

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord,

which made heaven and earth.

The Lord shall preserve thee from

all evil:

he shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going

out and thy coming in

from this time forth, and even for

evermore."

Table of Contents

10 JANUARY 2000

The Sands and My Dream

The summers when I was five

At the circus

Floating tranquillity

Porky Pig and I

Ivan

Bedtime loving

Merle

Perdy was our cat

My soul mate

Mr Raggerty

On God’s playing fields of love

What was her name?

To Neil

flicker-flicker

Cherries on a tree

Beautiful Pictures

Mother Eternity

Love healing love

Jasmine trees

It’s a new day

Mama holds her baby

My cousin Gwen

To my teachers

Her love

Hello Birthday

Shuaib and Taryn

Let’s say grace

Playing quietly; How?

The Moon by my Window

Will the real Santa Claus please, rise

Psssssssst…My Tabby

Time stood still

Humbling quiet

Annabele

The Moon by my Window

Hello

My love

Peace in Zion

Missing you

A prayer

My love,

King of Hearts

To my baby

Tales of The Abbajah

I write the words that rhyme

God, set them free

Gypsy May

Titus

Pray, Jesus blood me free

God’s messengers

Sursumcorda

Your Name I Praise

But one repent?

Thanksgiving

The rape of Eternity

Burned offering

I humble before Thee

Sunset

Notes of a Suicide Man

Naomi

Owen and his clownies

Upon a shore

Rhythm of life

Lately

Use me

Doubting Thomas

Words of love

No place for doubt.

Love of my love

Almighty, give me strength

A baby cries (17 December 2002)

Seven days

I’m taking back the words

Gardenias reminding me

Thanking the faces

And I thought

Anecdote

Déjàvu

Love’s name

Dear birds

Perfect Peace

I pray these words be just

From me,

God, bless Cape Town

Sally

Other people

THANKS

Sangreal

Questions and Answers

Almighty Trinity

Times like these

I forgive me

Thank You Lord, Thy faithfulness

Love cleansed this soul

Poetry in motion

Swerwerskind

Prince

My Good Samaritan

Sounds like Jesus

Summa in Theologica

Rain, keep falling

Praise the Holy Spirit

Delight in God

Christmas bells a-ringing

Celebrate the Lord

I don’t know

Angels are sent

The End

Amen

About the Author

Author’s Note

10 January 2000

I was sitting on a rock at Cape Agulhas beach: So many thoughts going through my mind. I am living a powerful life and the Dream for me is to Praise God’s Name. I know that thank you be the words I most use in life. And, I am humbled, for I know of the Power of Prayer. I know of God’s Mercy and His Grace. I know of miracles. I know of angels. I know of Wisdom shared. And my tears are not mine. They are the Tears of Eternity.

10 January 2000, I knew that the Almighty had brought me to a place of stillness. In His Majesty, He welcomed me into His Arms.

The morning air was crisp and the sky above was dream blue. I asked my Father for forgiveness; I had taken much for granted. I had forgotten how to give thanks for the little things.

I cried out to my Father. I asked to come into His Presence. There I confessed my sins. There I shared, anew, my need.

I asked the Lord for beautiful words. I asked that the Lord guide me on a journey through Africa. I asked Him for tales from this earth I walk on and my dream to Praise His Name.

Words are the best offering I have to give, dear Lord, I prayed.

The sweetest words awoke my ears. A voice, powerful and clear spoke to me. Time stood still. The Lord made a covenant with me. He would use me. He would plant