Participant Blogs

1 Cor. 12:13 – “A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together.” (Msg) Growing up in a Christian home you hear this teaching a lot: the church is like a body. It has different parts working together. I knew this and experienced it in South Africa, but in Malaysia it came a reality for me. Though the time we spent in Malaysia was difficult I was carried by the church all the way. From my fellow Global Challenge team member to local church members here in Kuala...

                      "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (Mat. 9:37-38) We serve a God that has so much love and mercy.  It is so clearly seen in the passage where He gives the servants the order to wait before they remove the harvest and the weads that was planted by the devil inside the fields (Mat. 13:24-31).  God gives the same chance for both to grow so that the good harvest will not be lost.  His mercy and love streches so far that...

WHAT...??? I have to do what with my toilet paper? hmm... I am still wrapping my head around the cultural differences I am about to be faced with such as the 'no left hand' rule... and 'bog roll-in-the-bin-not-in-the-loo' rule... and the toilets on the ever fresh smelling train... YUM :) :) But I am READY... .... So since its 1.35am and I am yet to pack, I do believe 'tomorrow' has arrived a day early *mental distress signal initiated*  but... nonetheless I shall mention some *fun facts* about India... (if you haven't caught on by now that would be our...

While working on the ship, I always knew that I loved the Pilipino people, I just never realized how much, until I got to spend 2 weeks with them.  What I experienced pierced my heart so deeply that I couldn’t spend a single moment in prayer, without tears streaming down my face.  This was also the time that Clara and Anthony came to visit us.  What a blessing!  We just sat like little sponges around Clara all the time and tried to take in all the wisdom we can from her!     Our time with them was so incredibly blessed,...

1 Corinthians 4:20 "For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power."

Extremist rebels are ruling districts in Mali with an iron fist and foreign troops are planning to invade. Thousands of civilians are fleeing Mali into neighbouring countries, including Niger – a country recently hit by famine and flood and unable to take care of extra mouths to feed. We cannot ignore this evolving crisis. Muslim extremists have strictly implemented Sharia law in the districts of Gao and Timbuktu. This means, for example, that a lady cannot leave her house without her husband or she will face stoning. If you are accused of stealing, your right hand is cut off and...

We have joy and peace because we know there is a reason and a good ending. The ending is already written down.. That there is no ending. Of this small life, yes, but of my soul no. So the reason people are unhappy is because they feel their stories are boring, they make no difference in the world, their future is unsure, fear of death. All of these things are fears. Perfect love casts out these fears, because perfect love had the grace upon us to open our eyes to see the big picture. It casts out fear because it...

Panajachel...  Another place full of memories; full of beauty; full of people I came to love.  A place where I could serve and grow and see the mighty works of God!  A place my heart will always treasure and friends that will remain in my prayers!   The Crossroads family!  Kasia, (Mari), Mike, Adele, Lungi, (me).  They love the Lord and live in obedience to Him while they run the best coffee shop in town.    Ericka and I became good friends and sisters in Christ!  It was a privilege to share with her and get to know her.  Pedro and Anarosa are...

It’s the last week before heading down to Jeffrey’s Bay:  preparing, packing, making final arrangements, saying goodbyes, eating way to much of my mother’s food, dealing with emotions (mostly those of my parents) …  All of this in just a few days!  But the thing that keeps me preoccupied for the most of these last days, are my (lacking) funds for the year – who will help me with it, how much will they give, what more do I have to do?  Then it hit me, practice what you preach, and go overboard!   Yes, you heard right, go overboard! ...

Oh my word, he could at least have said thank you!! The way we as humans expect 'thank yous' is crazy, it's reminds me of us being made in the image of God. He wants our praise and for us to glorify Him, but as soon as we make ourself the main one, the god, AKA self hasn't fallen yet, we expect that praise for ourselves. I need to get to a point of totaly doing, without expecting any gratitude. Furthermore we don't need praise from people at all! When you want praise you live for yourself. Romans 2: 29...