Wow! How do you even start to put the past two weeks in to words? Trainig started off with a bang! Well, no guns were included, but after a lot of heart warming stories from the Global community, and visiting all the awesome schools, we had our first challege!! From catching a chicken (we named her Sally, and no, she cannot dance), to surfing and eventually hiking down to a farm where we spent the next 4 days doing "Survivor Global". With nothing but he clothes on our backs and few "luxury items", we were bushing it out,we...
Participant Blogs
Global Challenge Missions Blog Archive: These are real blogs, from real people, bringing real change...
If I were to ask you to think of the most favorite gift you have ever received, what would your answer be? I am sure you have quite a few just like me but if I were to name but one it would be my time in Spain. I was given the immense privilege to not only give a gift but to receive one much greater than I myself could have hoped for. Our adventure started in Tarifa. A quaint little seaside town overlooking the glorious mountains of Morocco. Coming from a country where Christianity and Bibles are...
I love Ephesians 3:17-18: "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Being ROOTED and ESTABLISHED in love. That is so cool to think about. I spent most of my life believing I was not worth being alive. Having felt so much rejection from a mother who chose addiction over her children, a lie was planted in my core. Even after I had been placed in a loving foster family, the devil...
I have learnt a lt this year. I learned that things don't always turn out the way you planned, or the way you think it should. And I've learned that there are things that go wrong that don't always get fixed or get put back together the way they were before. I've learned that you can get through bad times and keep looking for better ones. This year wasn't always pretty. It wasn't always comfortable. Some things and situations even break your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you - it should change you. It leaves marks on your...
We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place. We stay there even though we go away, and there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there. Kenya is such a place. It is truly like Narnia. There is something beautiful about Kenya that is thousands of years old. Too old to be truly captured by poems and songs. Loved by everyone, loved so very deeply. Kenya is everything real in a world of make believe. But even though I left some part of me behind, I also found...
When I first laid my eyes on you and the rolling hills you sat upon. I thought what amazing luck I have that God had created such beautiful things and gave me the eyes to see them. I am forever changed by your existence. You are a place filled with so many stories and I feel so privileged to share some of these stories with you. I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything. Suddenly you are five years old again....
wow!! I'm so stoked these past 42 days have been something else. Learning more about myself, God, the people around me and how situations can effect you when you beyond tired. I've really been blessed to be here with all these amazing people. From surviving in the freezing cold nights at our makeshift campsite with a sheltt that didn't even work and our fire being to far away from everything, all the "dear diary" entries made it just all the more funny. My survivor team was the orange team and already in 5days we had made a bond that wasn't...
With a heart wild with expectancy, and eyes filled with wonder, I arrived at OR Tambo on the 4th of March. What to expect? I didn't know. All I knew is that I am about to embark on the journey of a lifetime, to live a life like no other. And all this, with Jesus as my compass and anchor. We boarded flight 202 headed to Dar es Salaam, and you could smell the excitement in the air. Our flight only jetted off at 23:20, and I soon found out that a dinner tray can also be used as a...
Why do we make life so complicated? Why do we so easily make mountains out of mere ant hills? It is not supposed to be this difficult and I dare say it is rather tiring to worry about everything all the time. My stay in Egypt these past two weeks has been a time of growth and transformation. Firstly I would like to mention that all the pictures I have seen, all the history that I have read and heard throughout my years of study about this wonderful place, I could have never imagined it to be so...
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,...
Names are not always what they seem. For most of us it means identity and belonging. The identity that names give speak of description, which in most cases leave the negativity of prejudice and pride behind and also often leads us to form a stereotype. During my stay in Macedonia I was introduced with the thought that people and places are more than just a name. Macedonia for instance, may be known for it's rich history and important people, but for me Macedonia is like a good find in an antique store...timeless and...
This whole Global Challenge has been tough. I've really been struggling to fit into my team and to find my purpose. I spoke to my leader and she said a few things that was needed, but I want to tell you about two things. Fitst she said that you're value is not in your purpose, it is in who you are. Second thing is that we are not human doings, we are human beings. I am not going to elaborate on that, but think about it. Anyway, continuing. It went really bad with my emotional and spiritual state. I started...
I do not think there are many words to express the beauty and magnificence of Morocco, nor can it be fully explained to someone who has not seen or experienced it for themselves. I do however believe words have a lot of power when it is used in the right way. Words can change even the smallest perspective and I believe we are the ones who can say them. I will attempt to give you but a glimpse of what I experienced here, not only of God's love for us but His adoration for the people who have not...
New year...new beginnings Second last week of training and with it one week left I can honestly say that I am not ready yet. Rewind on all the weeks of training and learn everything again. That said I don't think I will ever be ready for a privilege like this. Going out into the nations and speaking His love over them...I'm wonderstruck. These past weeks I have learned to know and feel God in the stillness but also in the storm. I have learned that He calls me beautiful (Song of Solomon 2:10) and that He loves me with...
Wait! What? This is not about me? So I am selfish. Done. That's it. What else is left to say? Listen to this sentence - it tells you values that Global Challenge decided on. We share the Good news to a world in need. Guess what I concentrated on. Yup, good guess! The 'we'-part. Luckily I can promise you this: God will reveal unto you if in anything you are otherwise (than what He wants) minded (Phil 3:15). Because He is faithful to His word, He came to show me how absolutely selfish I am. I started realizing how...
You never know what you can live without until you have to carry everything in one bag on your back -JS This week has been the craziest and probably most frustrating time of my entire life, we didn't get our Macedonia visas and had to come to Israel earlier. I have never felt the need to make notes of what happens to me until I experienced this week and knew I had to tell you guys all about it. I am currently sitting in my tent and decided I HAVE to write. Everything I am using now fits into my...
A few days to leave the beautiful South Africa I can summarize my experience in a single word: "Amazing!!!" I carry in my heart a vision, a model and many teachings to apply in Peru and in South America. The vision applies to form leaders who serve and influence all areas of society (political, economic, social and spiritual). These leaders are formed at a young age from the school (preschool) seeking to enhance the capacities that are being developed at home with the help of their parents. They will continue to be trained through missionary training. They will make a...
2 months of Australia, 1 of Tasmania! Half of the team is here on the island, doing volunteer work at farms and houses, the other half is at sheep farms, raising founds for the rest if the year and maybe an extra country! (Muller still with us in Spirit) There's time for going out on the streets, and time for working, "embrace the season you're in" or you'll never live fully.. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:4-5 NIV)
Karibo Kenya! This Swahili word, 'Karibo' greeted us all along our journey along with warm smiles and hearty handshakes. Kenya was kicked off by crossing borders on foot and spending the night at the police station - FOR FREE! We pitched our tents and enjoyed one of many meals to follow of 'ugali' (mieliepap). The following day we embarked on our journey across country via the Mojale Star. As sophisticated as this sounds, it turned out to be a bus loaded with dust and broken seats. This journey was an all-nighter and early the next morning we arrived in...
Arriving at our frist country with such a low expectations thinking that we will probably be camping ouside the church due to lack of rooms but was so surprised to us sleeping in warm beds (no one expected that) but the beds were not the only things that was warm,but the hospitality of loving people that live here was over all the best experience of all.Welcoming us with open arms showering us with love and blessings.Making each of us feel so important to them,appreciating everything BIG and small thing we do and blessing us with so much FOOD. this community blessed us...
"Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones." Words that kept playing over and over again in my mind as the lights of all the cities of Africa came alive to guide us to a place that feels like home. I finally understand why they say "Your home is where your heart is." Israel...A place where Jesus' presence screams : 'HERE I AM , COME FIND ME!" And boy did I find Him. Oh Israel, how I've longed to walk the streets of your ancient cities and gaze upon their splendor and beauty. How glorious the...
6 weeks ago, if people asked me, why are you doing Global Challenge. My answer would have typically been something in the line of: "I am determined to find God and revelation" or "I want to take my relationship with God deeper and gain wisdom and favor" or even "I want to change the world". Those are typically seen as a pretty honorable answers to the question. Well at least that is what I thought, but never have I been so wrong... After hearing stories, surviving a couple of days in the bush, building a road, trekking the Transkei, Luke...
Kenia fue el primer país al que arribamos durante nuestro East Africa Tour - LiveYourWay. En este país , las primeras personas que nos recibieron con los brazos abiertos fueron los integrantes de la comunidad Masai . Esta es una comunidad afincada desde hace mucho tiempo en las altas montañas de Narok. Conocer su cultura y costumbres marcó mi corazón y me dió una nueva perspectiva acerca de las misiones interculturales. Es reconfortante saber que existen personas con un llamado misionero especial trabajando en la evangelización de esta comunidad además de buscar su integración a la sociedad actual. Kenya was...
This is Si, she can't really speak English, but yet, we talked for more than 30 minutes. The only thing she could tell me was that I reminded her of her grandchild, whom she hasn't seen for quite a long time, so I just smiled and with no rush spent that time with her. Love is simple. Thailand
"During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." - Acts 19:9 What would've been a fifteen day stay turned into a 27 day visit. This ultimately means we're skipping our Turkey leg of the journey. All for good reason because the Lord is in complete control. Although, at the moment we don't see in full we know God will reveal the reason of our extended stay to us soon. We, as a team realise God has a bigger plan and purpose for...
As it has been shown, I am clearly not one for rating my experience of each country along the way. Being part of the communication team for hidden world, I have found that my own feelings are already reflected in the team blogs and newsletters, that when it comes to writing my own, I have nothing left to say. But I have finally figured out what to write on my own blog- only took 5 months. Reflecting back on the last 6 months of my life, I can't believe how much has changed- besides moving to a different country...
When God put in my heart the desire to come to South Africa, I was always sure that this trip would have a purpose. When I arrived to Jeffrey's Bay several people who heard God's voice shared with me, and that was like a confirmation to what I thought about my life and my relationship with my Heavenly Father for many years. Today, after a month of training at Global Challenge, I can see what is that purpose. God brought me from Peru to show me the vision and model of a missionary work which was established in Global Challenge....
Since Kosovo, our team has stepped into a musical. The absence of wifi and the presence of lovely hosts made the difference. We had a lot of freedom to spend time with Christ and grow in unity. It was a healing and strengthening time there and not at all a disappointment. The fact that we could not go to China is long forgotten, because we truly believe God wanted us in Kosovo. Our hosts admitted to wishing for help and knowing God used us to show them He hears their prayers even before they pray them, means the world. We...
My mind is blown. My foundations shaken. Suffering is still a thing? It's still happening? Why do we not know about this? Why did I not know about this? Do people actually know what is going on? Do people actually realize that there are PEOPLE in these circumstances. Living breathing people. What do you do in a situation like this? What can you do? Deliver a heater and a stove? A few mattresses, pillows, gas? Just enough food to get by for maybe a month? Show LOVE. We've been in the Middle East for three weeks now. Visiting families and...
So excited on my destination this is my first time that I will be crossing SA borders not to go ons a gap year but to serve God around the world this is one of my best days of my live in a so honored to be part of GCEX time to help make a difference on earth. Get ready world there's a storm coming and it's going to be global
