Leap of Faith 2018

Hello everyone,

This year a lot happened to me(Recap of my year). Like I mentioned in that post I had to make a big decision of what I am going to do in 2018.

 The beginning of 2017 was where it all started, I did a subject through Akademi at Mosaiek church. It is called New Generation Leadership. It is basically about how to be a leader, different types of leaders, and why does young adults and teens leave church. This opened doors I didn't even know existed (I just did it because I was a leader at a church youth and wanted to know more).

 Early in the year there was a woman's conference I went to and as I sat there a random idea popped into my head. I want to go into ministry with teenagers specifically girls, and there the New Generation course I was doing for use at church, unknowingly had more meaning than first thought.

 A few weeks after the conference I went to a workshop, where I got prophetic word which just confirmed everything once again. I didn't have any clue what all of it meant. At the stage I felt like a tree, with only leaves no branches or roots. The leaves were all the ideas, but the tree didn't have the branches, which to me is the how, what, where and when and lastly my tree didn't have the roots, the foundation or the knowledge.

  A few months later I got to know three guys who were doing TYO (more info here), now since I found out about TYO I never saw myself doing it. Getting to know them and seeing the journey they went on, how they have grown spiritually, I started to wish I could do something like that. Me being this independent I couldn't just leave my job and go into something that required me to ask people for money to help me pay the monthly fees of TYO. I love my job, I don't ask for help, I am independent.

  As the time passed the longing for something bigger grew. The more I thought about it the more I started thinking about the things that happened in the beginning of the year, the leaves of my 'tree'. If I do TYO I will grow and then maybe the tree's roots will start to grow and  maybe then I will start to figure out the branches too. I can only become stronger in my faith and have a stronger relationship with God. I have nothing to loose.. Well I have a lot to loose, my income, a whole year of my life, what if its not what I expected? I know it's selfish but in that time those were my biggest struggles. Do I risk it and maybe complete my tree??

  This is where my inner struggle started. A struggle of staying at my job and having a stable income, my comfort or leaving my wonderful job and not knowing how I will be able to pay for TYO, the unknown, the risk. This wasn't an easy decision, I am independent... and that's where I realized maybe I'm to independent. With me being this independent I didn't depend on God much because I can sort it  out myself you know. This lead to lots of prayers and depending more on God, listening to him and not to myself. All the signs showed I have to take a leap of blind faith and do TYO.

  Even though I made this decision fear still had its way of creeping in, a lot. Things like, finances, the unknown, leaving things behind, the risk of starting something new scared me and sometimes even made me want to pull out and just stay put and keep what is familiar to me. But as soon as fear creeps in something happens just to confirm once again that doing TYO is the right choice. Confirmation on confirmation.

  After two big confirmations I knew I just need to go with it and trust in God. I left everything in his hands and since then I felt a calmness over me, slowly but surely my fear started to melt away. Yes, I still don't know how I'm going to be able to pay for every month and yes that scares me but every time I start to stress I just let go and let God. Slowly but surely I'm getting sponsors and I know God will provide the exact amount I need every month.
  2018 is a year of new beginnings and I had to say goodbye to a lot of things this year but I know it is going to be good. Sometimes you have to let go to really experience God's Glory.

  Here is too an exceptional 2018. May you experience your own new beginning in 2018. May you experience joy and blessings through the year. Don't let fear keep you from your dreams. Take that leap of faith. No matter how big or small you think it may be. In your journey this is your leap and it is valid to where you are right now in your life.

  I would love to hear from you, what is your new beginning going to be or what is your leap of faith going to be?:)



Stay humble and live with no regrets.
Xx Anschke

Kayaking through my worries

Hello,

Tofo oh how I love Tofo. If I could choose any place to live I'd probably choose Tofo. Such a beautiful beach with such a relaxed lifestyle.

I had a few adventures at Tofo here is one of them. Note i didn't take a lot of photos because well 1. I wanted to enjoy the moment and 2. I was scared my camera and/or phone would fall into the deep dark ocean and I'd never see it again.

Luckily our guide took some photos and I got the photos from him.

So on Wednesday afternoon me and a few friends went to Liquid Dive Adventures to see what activities they have to offer. There were some nice ones but one that caught our eyes was island kayaking tour.

Now me being me the battle with myself started. Should I shouldn't I. In the end with some advice from my friends on how it is a once in a lifetime opportunity I decided I will do it. So me and Naret sent a message to the owner to book our spot.

Photo : Liquid Dive Adventures

The next day we got up early, watched the sunrise and then got ready for our adventure.

We got in the Bakkie and left to Barra beach. We got to Barra and our 4km rowing journey began. Yeap that is right 4km!!!!

At first it was fun but then my arms betrayed me!! The weak little sticks on my body got tierd and I wasn't even half way. And there I was in the middle of the ocean with no land beneath me. After I really couldn't go on anymore we took a small brake in our kayaks ate some snacks they provided us.

It was high tide and those nice little sand banks the photo above talks about were nowhere to be found. And my excitement was gone. But determined to not die I pushed through. Finally about 1km away from the island the high tide became a low tide and a sand bank popped up. And I was so excited.

We got out, had a walk, got some shells and enjoyed the beautiful view. In the distance dark clouds started to pop up, I mean seriously what more can happen to demotivate me? But  we pushed through the last little stretch, and I started praying and praying that we will get to the island before it started to rain.

Then the waves became worse, the wind became worse and well my stress levels got worse as well. I was freaking out inside. Then the rain started. After some more prayer it calmed down, (thank goodness for that) still a small drizzle but waves wasn't to bad so I started to relax a bit more.

Finally we got to the island and the sun came out again. Whooo hooo! We went on the island tour, tried to climb a coconut tree and failed, ate, And waited for our sail boat back. Don't think I can explain how grateful I was for that sailboat. It was such a nice journey back. No worries at all well every now and then I thought the boat might tip over but at eas knowing the people on she boat knew what they were doing.

Yay I survived!!!

Our one guid 

And the other one

This trip was probably one of the most challenging and rewarding experience. Being able to overcome the difficulties especially at that moment of my life was an eye opener. God might put you through difficult time and storms where you feel you can't anymore. Just remember you can face your storm no matter how big or small!! Especially if you have God on your side.

Be humble, enjoy life and live with no regrets.

Anschke

After a week

Hello dear ones,

It's been such a crazy week since I came back to Mozambique. Crazy in a good way and a bad way.

Crazy good as in I've met so many wonderful people. They were such a big support and could bot of asked for a better group to spend this week with. Not just the group but all the great experiences. From building a jungle gym to woman's amd kids ministry. Every little moment was great. I would not exchange it for anything.

Crazy bad I won't go in to too much but I've been going through some personal issues. So even though I've had so many good experiences it was shadowed by sadness most of the week. It's been a great challenge and I've wanted to give up and go home and be around my family but I've decided to push through a bit longer.

At the moment I'm at the beach, so its a wonderful place to get quiet and connect with God and myself. What I usually do is keep busy to forget the pain and this is not healthy. For the next week its going to be me and God. Being in another country away from your loved ones when you are in a bad  space is difficult but in the end I think  I need this.

It's so difficult especially being so far from my loved one's but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right? Oh I hope so.

A little background on this photo we built a jungle gym and I tried to stay away from the paint as I always get paint everywhere. Now on the last day we painted someone pants and i help and this is the end product of my hands guess which hand is mine. I'll give you a hint the purple one.
 

So a little piece I wrote that this photo made me think of. Once again I'm no writer so its not so great.

Sometimes life gets dirty and difficult but when you put your hands together it becomes a bit easier.

It is great to know that there are so many hands to help, they might not always be right next to me but I know that I have so many people I can call of i need them. Even if they are 1000s of kilometres away.

Stay humble xx
Anschke