Participant Blogs

Indonesia: 258 million people spread over 13 000 islands and the reason I joined Global… Generally speaking I have a rule to not build expectations but rather approach every situation with an open mind and teachable spirit. Unfortunately this was not the case in terms of my view on Indonesia. I have never had much interest in travelling to the east so when my attention fell on Indonesia one night while praying, I knew this country was special. Since that evening more than a year ago, I have not been able to shake the idea that God wanted me to...

I glance around to locate the source       of the relentless voices overwhelming my thoughts. Incoherent noise that fill my ears, seem to be a natural expression of my fears, that no longer are contained by dreaming at night as the monsters of slumber now cloud my sight.   Overwhelmed by my senses I seek isolation for just a few moments of quick contemplation but there is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide if the problem is not external but comes from inside.   With words at a loss I have nothing to say but continue in...

A fearless warrior runs into battle with nothing to lose. His armor and sword are always at the ready with no weak spots or blemishes because he understands that he needs protection and takes care to ensure he has it. He gives everything he has and is completely committed to the battle. He has counted the cost and is obedient, never questioning the mission. His mind, body and spirit are all focused on fighting till the battle is won. Even if warriors fall next to him, never to stand up again, he continues fighting. No personal comforts or desires matter...

Australia was suppose to be the half way country pit stop where we have a break from crazy cultures and just work with some sheep. I could not wait to get my hands dirty and have some fun. In true global fashion it was 6weeks not knowing what I was doing or what was going to happen next. It was suppose to be easy but it wasn't... For the first week I got to relax and catch up with some friends, learning from them and serving where I could. We also had a camp with the youth from the church...

So it has been a few days since we left the comfort of Europe and arrived here in Asia and it dawned on me that I haven’t really given feedback yet on what we did in Kosovo. With traveling over time zones always comes the intense confusion of not knowing if it is breakfast or dinner time and of course the body only wants to sleep. But I am awake and memories of the west are flooding back, so here is what happened… As going to Kosovo was an unexpected blessing after our China visas didn’t come through, we didn’t...

  As humans we instinctively fear the dark and the unknown that comes with it. We often imagine monsters lurking in the shadows - watching us, waiting to attack. As children we have night-lights and soft toys to comfort and protect us against these monsters, with a graceful parent to check under the bed every now and then. Once we reach adulthood the monsters change into more realistic things to fear such as burglars or LEGO blocks on the floor, anything that could cause physical harm. Either way we still approach the dark with caution and heightened senses, ignoring the...

  Macedonia - what a surreal country. On the one hand beautiful fairy tale landscapes with frozen-in-time villages, and on the other hand poor Roma (gypsy) communities and refugee camps. Our main focus for the country was serving and connecting with the refugees but of course we experienced so much more. With some experience in previous countries with the crises, I went out day one excited to make new friends and practice some of the Arabic I have learned. But this was not like our previous encounters. We drove 40min each day through the beautiful colourful countryside on the way...

It rained today, the type of weather that screams 'stay in bed'. I didn't feel like going to the camp but I promised you I would, so I went.  I had lots of plans for new games we could play and I also promised to still braid your hair.  But you weren't there... I walked through the camp, expecting you to come running, screaming my name as you always did, but you didn't. There were no running footsteps, no waving hair and bright smile. No one eagerly grabbing my hand and saying 'come, come' to play a new game. The...

  For the first time in almost a year I thought of how I got to this place in my life. It has been 15months since I started pursuing God with everything I am; just to find that He has been pursuing me my whole life. Back then I was standing at the beginning of a bright and promising career in Dentistry with an unparalleled ambition to make a difference. I was going to conquer the world, alone, one smile at a time! Now, many months later, I find myself on the other side of the world, hardly recognizing that...

As a child I often looked at the rain and imagined it was God’s tears falling from heaven because of all the terrible things in the world. As an adult with knowledge of science, I now sit and mostly just enjoy the trickle of water down the window or the pitter-patter on the roof. This morning, however, I found those thoughts of old returning together with a feeling of longing that was not from me. In my past ignorance I have prayed that God would break my heart for what breaks His (a truly irresponsible prayer if you are not...