Distant Islands? Who is Distant Islands??

What is our mission?

As Global Challenge, we travel around the world in a God-seeking lifestyle, serving the nations and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In the different places we visit, we come alongside the local churches or missionaries and try to serve the local communities in any way we can. 

Our team of 9 South Africans is called Distant Islands and as the name implies, we visit a couple of island nations around the world within 8 months.  Seeing as this particular expedition is in its first year, it is still in its pioneering stage, which means that we will go to countries that we, as an organization, haven't been to before.  Therefore, the building of new relationships is of a very high priority for us this year.

This expedition was birthed out of Isaiah 42:10 "Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands and all who live on them."  Our heart and vision is to share the love of Jesus Christ with the peoples of the islands nations around the world and to see in which way we can encourage the believers and workers in the field.

Where in the world are we going?

5 March – Fly from Johannesburg to Madrid, Spain via Dubai

6 March – Fly from Madrid to Havana, Cuba

28 March – Fly from Havana to Cayman Island

12 April – Fly from Cayman Island to Kingston, Jamaica

7 May – Fly from Kingston to Curacao

15 May – Fly from Curacao to Dusseldorf, Germany

18 May – Fly from Dusseldorf to Madrid, Spain

20 May – Fly from Madrid to Kaulu Lumpur, Malaysia

22 May – Fly from Kaulu Lumpur to Hong Kong

30 May – Fly from Hong Kong to Taipei, Taiwan

21 June – Fly from Taipei to Kaulu Lumpur, Malaysia

22 June – Fly from Kaulu Lumpur to Padang, Indonesia

1 July – Fly from Padang to Kaulu Lumpur, Malaysia

2 July – Fly from Kaulu Lumpur to Bandung, Indonesia + overlanding to Papa New Guinea and Indonesia

14 September – Fly from Bali to Singapore + overland to Kaulu Lumpur

23 September – Fly from Kaulu Lumpur to Manila, Philippines

16 October – Fly from Clark to Kaulu Lumpur

17 October – Fly from Kaulu Lumpur to Colombo, Sri Lanka

5 November – Fly from Colombo to Johannesburg, South Africa

This Itinerary is not necessarily set in stone and so it might not be definite but may change a little bit during the year if some circumstances change.

Meet our team members:

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4fiE6qrcac 400x300]

Gerrie de Haas

• Role in the team:  Team Leader
• Age:  26
• What did he do before this year:  He studied BCom Entrepreneurship and Honours degree in Business Management and Marketing at Potchefstroom, and after he got his degree, he worked at a theme park in America.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  In 2010 he did the One Year Explore Africa Journey and last year he did marketing and the website for Global Challenge in Jeffreys Bay.
•  What does this year mean to Gerrie?

"When I think of pioneering, I think of an experience without limits where God grants you an unparalleled adventure into the unknown.  I see this year as an opportunity to leave everything behind and to embark on the journey of a lifetime with Jesus as the tour guide, and the Holy Spirit as the compass.

As we set sail to the Distant Islands of the planet, I expect to grow in the knowledge of God's Word and to start walking in true power and authority as I'm living in and through God's Spirit.

Because it's an exciting time to be alive and we have been created for a time such as this.  The time of just talking is over and the time of showing and doing has come!"

Linel le Roux

• Role in the team:  Team leader
• Age:  26
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• What did she do before this year:  She has a degree in BCom Sport- and Recreation Management and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education.  After she finished her studies in Potchefstroom, she worked in housekeeping as a butler on a cruise ship that travels around the world for almost  two and a half years.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  Last year in 2011 she did the One Year Southbound journey.
• What does this year mean to Linel?

"What a privilege to be part of GCEX for a second year!  And even more so, to co-lead a team of young people, passionate for Jesus, on a pioneering journey into the "unknown".  I have already learned that, in leadership, you shouldn't lead out of experience, but, being like-minded with Christ, out of a humble heart.  So I want to lead our team by serving them.  And fall in love with Jesus, all over again.  Have a deeper intimacy with Him.  Intimacy with God doesn't mean I have to do more, so that He'll love me more; it means I just have to love Him more.

Abide, obey and love more!  (John 15:1-17)  Start by talking TO Him, not only ABOUT Him!  Ultimately I just want to love Jesus more and see Him transform lives in the Distant Island nations and team!"

Marielle Visser

• Role in the team:  Communications
• Age:  22
• What did she do before this year:  Studied BSc Zoology at the University of Pretoria.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  This is her first GCEX Journey.
• What does this year mean to Marielle?

"We live in a broken world filled with uncertainty and lies. We have endless resources that can teach us things, but what does it all matter? The more I learn, the less I know. There is nothing that we can be certain of, except God. Everything changes and nothing stays the same, except God. Nothing in this world makes sense, except God. Nothing in this life matters, except God.

So... I am following Jesus around the world to learn more about God, from God Himself, and not from other people and their theologies. I want to Journey with God and get to know His Holy Spirit that lives within me, by allowing God to work in me and through me. I want to step out of my comfort zone and be challenged, so that God can work with me and change me and use me according to His will. Jesus says "I am the way, the truth and the life." –John 14:6. So I am running after Jesus, because I want to find the way and the truth and the life. What a blessing to follow Jesus all around the world and to Journey with my Creator in His Creation."

Kim Geldenhuys

• Role in the team:  Food coordinator
• Age:  21
• What did she do before this year:  Studied Architecture at the University of Pretoria.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  This is her first GCEX Journey.
• What does this year mean to Kim?

"I believe that God has started preparing me for His work among the nations, already for a great part of my life.  This will be a year of dependency on the Lord, continual learning, spiritual growth and grace.  I want to experience and try to understand God's amazing love for the world and their love for Him.  I am allowing His love to shine through me more and more everyday to every person I meet.  And He is allowing His Holy Spirit to take over the whole of me.  How great is our God!"

Ashleigh Hooper

• Role in the team:  She's in charge of tidiness and cleanliness and assists our food mom, Kim.
• Age:  18
• What did she do before this year:  Matriculated from school in Pietermaritzburg.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  This is her first GCEX Journey.
• What does this year mean to Ashleigh?

"Hi, I'm Ashleigh Hooper and I live in Pietermaritzburg, KZN.  I am really excited for the adventures ahead and for God to reveal what He has in-store for Distant Islands.  I am encouraged by 2 specific verses – Isaiah 40:1 "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God" and Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  This is going to be a good year.  This is going to be a great life changing year!"

Marlene Putter

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• Role in the team:  Finance coordinator
• Age:  18
• What did she do before this year:  Matriculated at Potchefstroom Gymnasium.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  This is her first GCEX Journey.
• What does this year mean to Marlene?

"The person who gives the rose is left with the fragrance in their hand."  This quote we found on the inside of a wrapper in training, not then yet realizing how this will also be a truth in our lives.  As we went through training and this first week with the attitude and humbleness of serving others.  God has been shaping and forming us into what He wants us to be.

Isaiah 42 was given to me by God, already 3 years before, and again I realize what a privilege it is to be picked by God as His servants.  Our work description:  "Trust and obey."

Arthur McKinnon

• Role in the team:  Travel coordinator
• Age:  18
• What did he do before this year:  Matriculated at Potchefstroom Gymnasium.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  This is his first GCEX journey.
• What does this year mean to Arthur?

"Hey, I am Arthur.  I decided to do Global Challenge, because it looked like an awesome opportunity to learn more about the Lord, and to get exposed to the different conditions and cultures of the world.  I expect to grow or mature into the man of God, that God wants me to be and to experience what it is like to trust on the Lord for my needs physically and spiritually.  I am learning to let Jesus live through me and I want to learn to submit myself to Him even more, so I can worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth."

Albie le Grange

• Role in the team:  Organising team prayer and worship.
• Age:  21
• What did he do before this year:  In his first year after school he did a Service year for Christ and he has stayed the in ministry for the past three years.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  In 2010 he did the One Year North Bound Journey.
• What does this year mean to Albie?

"Isaiah 42:3-4

• I feel called by God
• God has provided for me (miracle)
• This year I just want God to work through me as I put my faith in Him – Relationship

My name is Albie le Grange and God is my everything.  I feel called by God to do this journey called "Distant Islands". God worked with a soft voice in my head last year and the scripture Isaiah 42:3-4 "In faithfulness He will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till the established justice on earth.  In His law the islands will put their hope."  There was no way for me to get hold of all the funds but in miraculous ways God provided my funds!  My relationship with God is the most important aspect of my life.  As I put my faith in Christ, He will live through me and I will bear much fruit.  Thanks be to God for allowing me this opportunity!"

André Louw

• Role in the team:  Accommodation coordinator
• Age:  23
• What did he do before this year:  Studied Law at the University of Potchefstroom.
• Previous Global Challenge Expedition Journeys:  In 2010/2011 he did the GCEX 80-days Journey.
• What does this year mean to André?

"Commitment to an experience.  Exploring unknown worlds, longing to see, what I have never seen before.  Learning the mysteries of Christ."

Follow our every step as we Journey by Faith... Adventure Awaits!

We would love for you to follow us on our blog and journey with us around the world to all the Distant Islands. We apologize that you have not heard anything about us until now, but our first country that we visited for the first three weeks of our journey was Cuba, and in Cuba there is no internet. So we couldn’t blog or send e-mails or anything. We will, from now on, try to communicate with you regularly by updating our team blog and personal blogs. Follow us around the world and journey with us.

We need Your Support

Please pray for us and our journey. Please pray for the countries that we will visit, that God will prepare the way for us and set up divine appointments, everywhere we go. Pray for our team's health and protection and that God will continuously renew our minds; that we will hear and know the guidance of His voice.  That we will always walk in the Spirit and live in God's will every step of the way. We also need you to please pray for our finances, so that God will provide the money that we need.

If you would like to contribute and help us by giving some financial support, we would really appreciate it. Here are the banking account details:

Account name: GCX-One Year 9206958383

ABSA

Branch: 31 Da Gamma road, Jeffreys Bay, 6330, South Africa

Branch code: 334515

Reference: DISTANT ISLANDS

Swift Code (for international payments): ABSAZAJJ

That's all that we have to say for now....

Thank you for reading. May God bless you!