Participant Blogs

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...

I’ve done a lot of scrubbing this month. (And the Lord has done quite a bit of scrubbing on my heart as well). Tonight I was scrubbing shoes. You know sometimes you have the opportunity to replace dirty old shoes and sometimes you have the privilege of scrubbing them until they are clean. I appreciate those clean shoes that shine like new ones but have the comfort and flexibility of being worn in by trails and adventures. I think our hearts work much the same. Sometimes God allows us to leave difficult circumstances, even if it means that we stay...

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...

Extremist rebels are ruling districts in Mali with an iron fist and foreign troops are planning to invade. Thousands of civilians are fleeing Mali into neighbouring countries, including Niger – a country recently hit by famine and flood and unable to take care of extra mouths to feed. We cannot ignore this evolving crisis. Muslim extremists have strictly implemented Sharia law in the districts of Gao and Timbuktu. This means, for example, that a lady cannot leave her house without her husband or she will face stoning. If you are accused of stealing, your right hand is cut off and...

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...

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...

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...

  I am sitting down at the Museum café; overwhelmed, disturbed and hungry. There is a revolution in my heart. My mind keeps repeating “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” (Edmund Burke) I am convinced of man’s fallen state – an inherent evil nature – expressed in extreme violence and extreme silence. The Genocide memorial in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, paints the picture of a bloody past. In this clean, rather orderly and safe country almost everyone older than 18 years remembers a murdered relative and friend or has murdered a...

I have been born into one world, with my heart firmly attached to another. Born into a world of comfort, where outward appearance is of great significance. One shaped in a ladder where you either move up or down. A world of strong characters, individual success and individual struggle. Man-made esthetic beauty claims high value – it determines ranking. My heart is fondly grounded into a circular world. A world of community, where we raise each other’s children and we all go hungry together. Outward appearance makes way for heart value.  Time is a commodity to be used for establishing...

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...