We have seen God work miraculously and powerfully in the lives of those that have taken faith adventures with us. We encourgage you, too, to GO! We unabashedly tell you that GOing has the potential to radically transform your life, but it’s a transformation that you will treasure throughout your life. Check out some of the cool stories of those that went:
Brittany Peters-The young woman who’s life was transformed
Seven years ago, I stepped off a plane into Capetown, South Africa and my life has never been the same. I was the sole teenager amongst a group of pastors and other adults from Coast Hills Church. I had dreamed of going to Africa, but now that I was there, I had no idea what I was doing there. After a couple weeks in South Africa, the question of, “why am I here?” became much more apparent. I thought I had come to teach but I quickly recognized that I was there to learn. I thought I had come to share Christ but I quickly recognized that I was the one who did not truly know Christ.
Since that initial trip, I returned to South Africa two more times and then made my way up to Malawi for the next few summers. During my time in Africa, I have learned more than I could hope to learn in a lifetime. The people of Africa have taught me so much about hospitality, generosity, love, hope, joy, and trust. I have experienced some incredible highs and some devastating lows during my time in Africa, and the direction of my life has changed because of those times. My dad and I were able to start a small partnership organization with my host family in Malawi that gives scholarships to orphaned high school age students. Through the help of friends, we have been able to support 10 high school students to continue their education and we hope to be able to support many more in the future. It is exciting to have found an area in which to continue a relationship, even when we live thousands of miles apart. I am forever indebted to the warm-hearted people of South Africa and Malawi.
Mark Meintel-A construction manager who was called and oversaw a project that will change the lives of thousands
My first time to Malawi was in 2007. Let me assure you, the events leading up to that decision were a wild ride! I went solo for 6 days and met up with Louise Laubscher (director of FaithQuest’s ministry partner, Fishers, Trainers and Senders) and her wonderful team to set up the related logistics to help build the foundation of a new discipleship training center, now called Mukani. Inspired by God and as an answer to my prayers, I served for 10 days with bountiful results and formed beautiful relationships all in the name of the Lord.
I continued to stay in contact with Louise and monitor the project from the States. However, in 2010, I was encouraged to go again—especially to further work on the development of Mukani. Though, as the trip approached, my construction management business was tanking and chaos began to surround me. I didn’t know what to do. Though, in the end, I stepped out in faith. With the faith and love all around me–not to mention the brotherly support–I stepped up and I can’t put it all into words, but know this: I have come closer to the Lord and I will always serve him. The Courage in Faith is the best tool that God has given me and I can only tell you that it has made me a Warrior for Christ.
In closing, I had good friend come by my office right before I left and said to me “How can you just Go to Africa” when you are struggling financially and leave your wife and children with uncertainty?? I replied, When the Lord calls on you, you will then know.
Christene Sloan-An artist with a dream
Arriving in Cape Town, South Africa after 23 ½ hours on a plane was more than expected! It was a breath-taking city on the coast and I couldn’t imagine that there were any poor, at-risk people living here! I was wrong. As we drove to Paarl about 1 hour inland from Cape Town the views changed and although the landscape with vineyards and mountains was beautiful, the Black Townships and Colored areas (quite separate from the white Afrikaans neighborhoods), were living conditions far from beautiful. The streets, often dirt were narrow, lined with trash and took you past shanty type dwellings made of cardboard, plastic and any materials available at little or no cost. I just couldn’t imagine how my dreams and plans for introducing art would benefit the children living in these conditions. I was wrong…again.
We were invited to come to the Lokanyo Community Center as guests to see the dance, music and drama presentation by the children of Mbkweeni Township. It was an amazing day and I knew God had brought me to the perfect place at the perfect time, as He always does if I let Him. The one missing piece to the puzzle of “The Arts” was the fine art I had come 12,000 miles to share. My most amazing revelation was that these beautiful children, who have so little by our standards, have passionately embraced the creative gifts God gave them. Instead of a game-boy or fancy clothes, they practice everyday to sing, dance, write dramas and perform. A visit to Lokanyo Community Center should be a requirement for graduation from High School in America.
After some singing and worship, the painting began with great enthusiasm and creativity. I was amazed at their bold artistic offerings and willingness to work together in teams on the art piece that would come back to the US and then on their own painting that was theirs to take home. In the end, they were painting each other’s faces and arms with wonderful African designs. It didn’t matter the age, from 5-18 they were captivated with the paint. Before we left that day, we assembled the art work that was created back in the US by a group of AWANA children as a gift to Lokanyo. Upon being put up on the wall, one of the counselors said to me, “How wonderful it is to finally have Jesus hanging at Lokanyo! That of course was the purpose for the dream.
I know it’s been said so many times, that Africa will change you and captive you, and it’s true. My perspective about priorities is different now and I know more about loving your neighbor. Most of all I can see how God has such a bigger picture and prepares a plan for each of us if we will just show up.
Jim Heaton-Struck by the pain he saw in his brother’s eyes, he was compelled to bring Hope!
Four days following the devastating blows of Hurricane Katrina against the Gulf Coast of the United States I found myself in Gulfport, Mississippi looking into the hopeless eyes of my little brother. His home had been filled with the muddy waters of Bayou Potage, 99 of the tall pines which once graced his lawn lay strewn about like sticks blown up by an atom bomb among the muck and devastation of what once was the makings of an idyllic life in post antebellum coastal Mississippi. Several of his friends and neighbors had perished from the storm and as far as he or anyone else could tell at the time, not only would life never be back to normal but it was doubtful that it would ever be good again. As I took in the scene it occurred to me that everyone was in the same situation which meant that it would be every man for himself – no one to help unless they came in from the outside. As I got into the truck about to head north to the good life waiting for me in southern California, I took his hand, looked into his eyes and promised him that I would be back with some help. Driving away from my little brother in his state of shock was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
Upon arriving back home in California, I described the scene to several of my Christian brothers, including my good friend John Gash of FaithQuest. I told these men of my plan to head back to Mississippi within a week to do what I could for my little brother. Within hours my phone began to ring off the hook with offers of men willing to share their time, talents and treasures – in short they were going with me – no question about it. Some of these men came from my own church but many, especially men from the various construction trades which were direly needed, were coming forth as a result of FaithQuest’s call to action. During the coming days The Lord gave me and the team a vision for Camp Hope with a charter to GO and help as many people as we could.
Seven days later a group of 10 men in 2 big rigs pulling large trailers filled to the brim with donated construction materials, tools and equipment was headed to Mississippi. 30 hours later we pulled down the lane amid the rubble of my brothers yard and planted the Camp Hope sign. I will never forget the look on my brother’s face 5 days later as he realized that life would indeed be good again. 1 year and a dozen volunteer groups later my brother’s home was largely back to normal and we had provided assistance and most importantly, HOPE to many in the families in the surrounding area. Camp Hope went on to partner over the next 3 years with other volunteer groups in the area, raising over $300,000 in cash in the process, serving hundreds of families throughout the Gulf Coast area with materials, skilled labor and encouragement. This was a time that none of the men and women who served will ever forget; each of us having received so much more than we could have ever given. We were reminded that it’s true that God does “work everything to the good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose”. (Romans 8:28). Praise God for using FaithQuest as the spark that was needed to make this happen!
Marius “Mars” Van Der Colff- When the Holy Spirit called the founder of Cargo of Dreams, it came through his phone at 11:15pm…
My first short term mission trip in my mid 30’s was to South Africa, the country I was born and raised in. Unbeknownst to my fellow South Africans that there was “one of their own” among the 28 Americans visiting, I experience my own country in a way that changed my life forever. Going on the trip was part of a series of God-aligned appointments that ultimately ended in resignation of my job, a step into full-time missions work and the founding of Cargo of Dreams.
It takes someone special to lead a trip that has a unique balance of adventure and fun, a sense of seriousness (not acting in ways that does more damage than good) and a special flexibility to adjust as the Holy Spirit leads. Not to mention, all this while accommodating the good ol’ human dynamics of any trip. Johno, the founder of FaithQuest, was our trip leader and has become a very close personal friend and someone God used mightily in my personal journey. A phone call at 11:15pm on a Friday night saying “I know it’s late, but I felt God laying on my heart to call and tell you that you need to go.” aligned literally to the second as I was on my knees in my bedroom 3000 miles away asking God to confirm my calling. weeks later, I read an apparent unforgotten entry in my journal from our trip: “would Johno be the one confirming…” Many ideas and thoughts fly around in a group of 28 guys and hearing the Holy Spirit’s direction a couple of months later says a lot about the Holy Spirit mindset and heart of the person leading.
Church mobilization also includes the desire, willingness and ability to connect people with others and the knowledge to leave the rest up to God. Through Johno I met others that shared the same vision, a church that was willing to step out in faith and do a pilot project and a group of passionate people that later became the team that founded Cargo of Dreams. FaithQuest might not have been an official organization when Johno and I first met. Nevertheless, the foundation blocks were already in place and it’s name a simple outflow of what he was already actively and intentionally living.
