Explore Africa to Transkei

EA has just returned from our most exciting challenge yet: a two week trip to the Transkei. You would think that we would be enjoying a bit of chill time, airing our wet tents and getting organized but instead you’ll find us squatting in a shopping centre eating scraps of bread. So how did it get to this?

Let’s start at the beginning…our attention first turned to the Transkei when we were informed of the need to fundraise for week 1 of our stay – which involved practical repair work at Coffee Bay Comprehensive Christian School (CBCCS). While dressed in clown suits, carrying cardboard signs and cans; we tested the people of Port Elizabeth’s generosity by “blidskud”-ing at major intersections. God’s provision was mind blowing – we raised R36 000 during 4 hours of blidskud. So we could buy building supplies and organize transport to the Transkei.

On the 6th of Feb we set off for a great adventure, arriving at CBCCS at dusk to pitch our tents on a field overlooking the beautiful and characteristic view of the two cliffs that frame Coffee Bay. For the next five days Team Africa was responsible for sanding, varnishing and sealing all the wooden buildings. We’re happy to report that, with the occasional help of 4 year old Emanuel, Inhle and 6 year old Soso, we finished our set task well and excelled in our team work. The story of the school touched our hearts, because it was so intertwined with God’s strong hand of provision. The love the children had for their school, their teachers, the visionary Judy and the scriptures was beautiful to perceive. After a day of rest and a bit of adventure we departed on Monday to Canzibe.

Our mode of transport was a fleet of three taxis. The taxi drivers navigated potholes, puddles, bridges and livestock, while we experienced a dust bath and the likes of Justin Bieber on the radio. We stayed at a mission station run by an inspiring family of four. The mission station comprised of a house, a church and crèche and aftercare facilities, which served children, including vulnerable and orphaned children, in the community. The focus of our time in Canzibe was to go out into the community in order to meet people and establish their needs so to create a database for the missionary. For the first time we encountered cultural and language barriers, but with the help of Nolu, our star interpreter, we were able to connect with the community. We were astounded by the openhearted hospitality, honesty, compassion, humility and contentment of the locals in the face of a legalistic, patriarchal culture. Other than home visits we served the mission station with practical needs as well as children’s ministry.

Then the time came to leave Canzibe after two days of rain at 4 am on Saturday morning, we packed up our soaking wet tents. We squashed into the back of two Hyundai pick-ups to Mthatha where there was an unexpected change in our plans. We were landed with our first challenge with R200 per person to cover food, transport back to Jeffrey’s and some random purchases stipulated by the tasks. Now would be the time to introduce you to the seventh member of the Explore Africa Team: a dear friend called Coconut...a chicken.

Tasks focused on the Xhosa culture, eating walkie-talkies, buying a broom, getting dressed in traditional attire, learning a Xhosa song and catching a pig…?! We experienced Gods provision – being provided with police escorts out of Mthatha as we drew negative attention; KFC for 32 people; random snacks from a friendly lady; compassion from a taxi driver and his family member who drove eight hours through the night to get us safely in Jeffrey’s Bay; and shelter. Our words cannot express how God provided. It was difficult at the time, but when we look back we can confess God’s hand in everything. Nkosi inisikele.