Participant Blogs

The life of a refugee begins with the impossible choice: To brave a dangerous journey toward an uncertain future in an effort to escape a violent and grim present day.   "Chai?" (Tea?) "Talg/Shrien?" (Bitter/Sweet?) After offering tea to an Afghan refugee family of 8, they invite us into their 8m x 5m container which they have been calling "home" for the past 22 days. The mother of the home at once instructs one of her daughters to put a pillow behind our backs and to put a tray of oranges and cookies in front of us. She also offers...

Israel - the Holy Land. The land overflowing with milk and honey. The very first nation we encountered.  With a lot of faith and no set plan we arrived at Ben Gurion in the early hours of the morning. This was it. Too late to look back, too soon to say what lay ahead. We just knew it was going to be a grande adventure with Jesus. And it was.  Sleeping on the rooftop of a hostel with the most incredible view of Jerusalem, spontaneously dancing at the Western Wall - we did it all. All that the city had...

What a privilege. What a phrase. Not only was this a common phrase used during training, but it's a phrase we, as Explore Africa, will be taking with us into the nations. This is not just a phrase - it's an attitude, a lifestyle rather. Life is all about perspective, and this is ours... What a privilege to be children of God, to be part of His Kingdom and to advance it. What a privilege to travel the world in a God-seeking lifestyle with the desire to serve, love and restore. What a privilege to get to share our journey...

Quoting my last blog: “Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.” Well, the heartbeat came. The heartbeat went. 8 years ago I attended a church service where someone stood up and said he feels there is people in the audience God is calling into Africa. Something struck my heart, but at the time I was studying Industrial Engineering and sort of just laughed the idea away. Those words did not return empty (Is 55:11). This year God has chosen me (what a privilege!) to shepherd the Explore Africa team through the Middle East and Africa. Training the 2 nd...

Thank you for reading my very first blog (ever)... I am so excited to share my journey, my heart and experiences with you. Just four weeks ago I did not even know that Global Challenge existed and from the moment I discovered them, my entire being - heart, spirit and soul -jumped out and I knew that my life was going to be radically changed, I just had to take that leap of faith and trust God, GO and LET GO. The training had already started on 11 January in Jeffrey's Bay and on 21 January I called to ask...

Training almost done, and craving to start the adventure of a life time. Africa, my Africa, ready or not here we come.

Adventure is knocking at my door and it is almost time to respond by flinging this little door of mine wide open. Reflecting back on the past six weeks of training I am humbled by the grace of God and His undeniable faithfulness. What a journey it has been thus far, an adventure in itself. So far I have enjoyed every moment with my team, volunteers and leaders (even the less favorable ones like being out in the elements or walking barefoot for several hours). The Transkei brought along rain showers and plenty of learning opportunities. From Kids Ministry, painting,...