Participant Blogs

"What we do, does not define who we are. What defines us is how well we rise after falling." It has been a while since I've seen words come to life in such an inspiring way. Rwanda is a beautiful chapter in this journey. So beautiful that there aren't any words to truly express how much influence it has had in my own thoughts and especially my relationship with our beautiful Saviour. I look forward to more chapters with you in it. You have taught me so much. Not only about your people but also about myself. I loved spending...

I have always loved aeroplanes. I remember the first time I flew (PE - Joburg) and how my eyes were glued to the window the entire flight, just marvelling in the geography lesson below that books could not teach me. Even after flying a few times I would find my neck being kind of stiff by the time that we land because I was looking through the window the entire time. There was a time when I convinced myself that I'm studying the right course because I might end up working in an airport, and even spend my one vacation...

Everything that the Holy Spirit taught me just during our first week in São Paulo, Brazil, can be condensed into that one sentence: God doesn't need Google Translate. He really doesn't!

 

"Be Still." Two words. Constant and always present. Having morning coffee, I hear it: "Be Still." Swimming in the clear blue ocean. Walking on snow white sand. Watching a Fiery red sunset. "Be Still." Fellowshipping with people who have become family. Listening to music, old and new. Feeling the presence of God. Be Still. Two very simple words, put together to speak chapters. Our time in Tanzania and especially Zanzibar has taught me a very important thing. And that is to practice the pause. When in doubt pause. When angry or irritated, pause. When tired or stressed, Pause. And when...

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...

Europe   WoW!! What an amazing journey. While we were still in Canada serving at one of the camps, there was a team helping to facilitate activities for one of the churches at the camp. This organization’s name is Athletes in Action and they spread the gospel through sports ministry, when they heard about our idea to cycle through Europe they helped us get in contact with Athletes in Action in the Netherlands. When we arrived in the Netherland, they welcomed us with open arms as family, an awesome feeling. During the next few days they helped us get bicycles...

A 13 hour wait in the Doha airport, Qatar while waiting for our connecting flight allows for a uniquely perfect environment for the creation of new and boardum deifying games, including sock sliding and stress ball soccer. Not to mention people gazing ,which is way more interesting here and lots of time to think... Aware that this is but the first of many airport visits I decided to be productive and blog. The phrases ' what on earth am I doing ' may have entered my mind as I stepped of the plane earlier today. Mabye it was the lack...

Probably the most spoken phrase of all time, every time we fail or see something is too difficult for us, or even if it requires too much time or sacrifice. This is probably one of the most difficult habits to break in life. Why? Probably because it roots to self. The one thing that keeps us away from most of things, self like most of us know only consists of 3 things; “me, myself and I”. Oh sorry, that’s all the same thing, just goes to show how bad self is, self-centred and selfish. But how do the words “I...

At first glance you won't think that Kathmandu has so much locked up in itself. It's a poor city with many rich people.   Our time in Nepal was spectacular!   Oh, turquoise team! During training we could see that Jesus placed us all in this particular mini team for a reason.    We just had to wait and see when and why..   Let me introduce you to the turquoise team, just in case you need to hear from us again :)   Drumroll... Madelein, Chanelle, Annique, Anseri, Quinton and Coetzee.    When I started off thinking about writing...

Well where do I begin... The past few weeks have been crazy fun, hard, good days and bad days... The first week we got the connect with everyone...2nd week going on a "camping trip" that ended up to be 5 days in the bush with only the clothes on our backs and playing games to win some food...3rd week we are joining the school camp and having some fun with the kids from there we are building the road for the GLA School..week 4 and we are leaving for the Transkei to serve the people and give LOVE to the...

Our time in Nepal was moderately long, but jam packed with things to do. We met amazing people, spent time in amazing places and experienced the culture first hand in many different situations. Where to start? Maybe in the Himalayas where we spent a week moving "mountains" of rocks for our Sherpa friends who will be building a church later.  From being crammed up against each other (and others) in public busses fit to seat 20 people comfortably, but with a max fitting of up to 40 people, to walking from early morning,visiting churches, till the evening, God met us...

    So after cold and grey Russia we arrived in Cuba..stepping of the plane I was welcomed with the heat of the Caribbean and people talking, laughing and smiling. Driving out of the airport it felt like I went back in time. There is nothing modern in Cuba, everything is still the Same as in the 80's.  I was amazed to see how people just carried on living in that way. The music is everywhere and as you go you catch the one beat from the other one. There's people dancing in the streets in their houses in restaurants....