Participant Blogs

Looking back I am greatful for the chance to be part of what God is doing in Zanzibar. As final serving act we painted the church in Stone Town, together with the congregation. They were so eager to paint that we left the idea of painting it neatly. We did our best to finish is well, but it was also good that the congregation participated. That is worth much more than a perfectly painted building. They were very excited about their "Christmas present".  As previously noted, our budget was tight so the team pitched in to buy the paint for...

I've always wanted to change the world, save it from disaster and poverty. I wanted to be the solution, the answer.   Then I met the Lord and I wanted to tell the world about Him. Everybody needs to hear, and I will be the vessel (nothing wrong with that). Together with the Gospel I want to bring humanitarian answers and tell people how they should live. Yet, the closer I move to God, I realize that maybe I am not the answer. Perhaps I am not the best example to follow. Now, as I move around the world, randomly meeting people who...

My heart lies scatted over Africa captured in the smiles of orphans and the courage of missionaries In the pit of poverty I discovered the wealth of community In the midst of brokenness I developed joy In the heat of accusations I found identity In my prideful parade I uncovered my weakness In the inconvenience of companionship I made peace with my incompleteness In a desperate longing for independence I saw the beauty of fellowship Disgusted with my own imperfection I finally understood Grace Faced with injustice; my heart yearns for the Saviour I have not changed the world I’m...

Coffee with Discontent Seventeen months ago I got married and moved to rural Maasai land, Kenya. My husband has lived here for 15 years and is semi local by now. Before I moved, I realized that many things that had been life giving to me - like playing in a band, having philosophical conversations and having “me- time” - will probably not be available. In fact, I realized that I will not be having female friends for a long time and that communication with people back home will be limited. I would have other things though – a husband, beautiful...

At break time during our school visit, Hennie pulls up with the ambulance ( a Landrover Defender). He needs to do a pickup and there is space if someone wants to see what they do. I jump in and marvel at the scenery as we race on the footpath to the village. This is the only ambulance operating in the district. There is no telephone reception and villagers need to run to the clinic to come and fetch the ambulance. This is only done when all the traditional medicine has failed. It took us a good 20 minutes of off...

We left Masaailand with sad hearts, and left the parents and support team in Narok with even more sadness. A sponsored night at decent hotel made it a little better. We arrived in a village in the West of Kenya just before dark. This is one of the legendary stops in Explore Africa: the Simple church planting movement of Mount Elgon. Mount Elgon was opened to GCEX during a Luke 10 journey in 2007. The Explore Africa team of 2009 did Simple Church Training, then working with another contact. M***, was the translator at that training. A team member wrote...

White men have been accused of a number of inabilities.   White men can't jump... White men can't dance... Travelling through Africa I'm convinced these accusations are not without cause. Today I concluded (again) that white people also struggle  embrace the beauty of a motorbike taxi. As we race through peak hour traffic in Kampala, the wind blows through my hair and I clasp my little white fists around the luggage rack under my backpack. I pull my abdominal muscles as tight as I can - to stay upright through the abrupt stop and start ride. I clench my teeth...

An unforeseen pilgrimage gave me new insight in the happenings celebrated during Easter. At sunset before Good Friday we arrived at Dar Es Salaam. Unsure of whether to spend the night at a friend of a friend or to travel, we huddle and pray. We decide to cancel the arrangement and find the overnight ferry to Zanzibar.    As Jesus was captured just after sunset, Peter and the disciples were uncertain whether to follow and risk persecution or stay at a safe distance. Peter follow the captured Jesus, and standing in the spotlight of the guard’s fire, betrays his beloved...

On a steaming hot summer day, *Alida* sits under the Mango tree in Shinganga village. Aged 35, mother of three, grandmother of one - her heart aches, because her husband wants to bring another woman into the house. *Alida* lost her father at 8 and her mother at 13. She had to leave school at Gr. 5, because there was no sponsor for school fees. What was a girl to do? So she married very young and became a mother. Together with her sister she rests her head against the tree. They dream of a better life. They believe there...

For 4 years I dreamt about doing an Explore Africa journey – fighting with the Lord every time He said “no”. Finally for 2012 He said “Yes”. During 2011, probably one of the hardest years of my life – a year intensely faced with my own iniquities and the iniquities of others – I heard Him say “Yes” to a number of things.  Some of those things did not quite turn out the way I heard Him, others started with great excitement. I said yes to lead this year’s Explore Africa journey, yes to dream about the future of Explore...