My trip to South Africa with the Explore team was truly a life changing experience. I mean it! My most memorable experiences? Kidstop and Bushcamp.

Kidstop is a centre where homeless children can come to receive some food, education and most importantly love and shelter. They were the most amazing children I've ever met. What really struck me was that they were constantly smiling despite all the hardships they have to endure every day. When I asked them what they did if they felt lonely their reply was simple," We're never lonely, God's always there for us".  From the moment I walked in I'd noticed that they all seemed to share this happiness and I finally realised that it was their faith that kept the smile on their faces and I admitted to myself that that's what I wanted too. It all seemed so simple and I felt stupid for a while that I hadn't realised this earlier. The children we met that day will always stay in my memory.

The second experience I mentioned was Bushcamp. When we reached the beach the sensation I'm sure we all experienced was indescribable. Here we were in South Africa, in a wildlife reserve, with no one for miles around, a huge jungle like slope on one side and massive boulders with intimidating waves crashing against them regularly on the other. It just made me feel so small, so.put-in-my-place.

We had a little timeout where we could sit by ourselves on the giant boulders and reflect and it crossed my mind that all this must have been created with us in mind, God must have made so as we could enjoy it and be amazed at the wonders of what He can do for us.

Before I came on the explore team I hadn't had any religious upbringing and I'd had doubts as to what's out there but now I can firmly say, "I believe" and it's such a satisfying statement to be able to say and really mean. So I just want to say THANK YOU to the Exodus and Out of Africa organisations for what they've done for me and the friends they've lead me to make!

Maya Zawislak