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Summer Trip to South Africa

You could be part of a YFC team spending 3 weeks in Capetown, South Africa, next summer. By adding a summer visit to your programme, you will have an opportunity to share in the lives, worship and witness of Christians in another culture. This is a great opportunity to broaden your experience of youth work and cross-cultural mission, to learn more about the global church and your own faith,and learn about key issues from those who are directly affected.
South Africa is a spectacular and complex country, still in the process of definiong its post-apartheid identity. Its vast land area - larger than the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany combined - means it has a range of geographies. In part, South Africa has a sophisticated economy based on manufacturing, mining and financial services, but it also has an econopmy consisting of the very poor who eke out a living through near-subsistence agriculture or the informal sector.
Next summer’s visit is an opportunity to visit Capetown, a beautiful city in the south west of the country. capetown is notable for its striking backdrop, Table Mountain, its beaches, vineyards and rugged landscapes.
Yet this trip is not a holiday for tourists. This is an opportunity to see and elarn what is ahppening at a grass-roots level as you spend time with local Christians and engage in cross-cultural mission. Your programme is currently being arranged by YFC Capetown, and will include involvement in various aspects of youthwork in the area, discussion groups with South Africans from different  ethnic groups, schools’ work, township visits, and time spent in a rural community. It will be a great opportunity to see and engage with different projects, discover what Christians are involved in, and make new friendships.

Youth for Christ aims to:
Enable you to learn through experience about God, the global church and mission.
Give you a broader understanding of youth and mission in a cross-cultural context.
Encourage you to go with a serving attitude primarily to learn from our hosts rather than the attitude of primarily doing something fior them or giving something to them.
Help you make new friends, sharing in the lives of African people from different backgrounds and cultures
Eanble you to reflect on the experience so that you can apply what you have learnt to other mission situations.
Encourage you to share your experience and learning with your home church.
Encourage and challenge you to think about what it emans to develop a mission lifestyle, and consider longer-trem involvement in cross-cultural mission.

When is the visit?
It will be for 3 weeks between the dates of 17 July - 7 August 2009 approximately, subject to flight availability.

What will I do?
The focus will be on learning more about God, mission and the global church, mainly through meeting, sharing, and working alongside local Christians. You will take part in a range of interesting activities - including practical hands-on youth work, learning about the history and culture of South Africa and visiting different churches and communities in Capetown area. There is also time to try out your bartering skills in a market and see the breathtaking view from Table Mountain.
Rolf Weichardt, the National Director of South africa YFC says: ‘We are passionate about reconcilliation between cultures and ethnic groups through the message of Christ. International volunteers enrich our programme with their passion to serve the disadvantaged. Thanks for sending a wonderful team, all up-beat, friendly and grateful - what a pleasure to work with!’
Lizzie, a team member from the 08 trip, said ‘The trip was life-changing! I learnt so much about the South African culture, about God and about myself. I saw God work in so many ways and touch so many lives, as I moved out of my comfort zone. the experience will stay with me forever. I would recommend this trip to anyone that loves God, loves people and wants God to use them in amazing ways.’

Who will I go with?
You will be placed in a team of 6-8 who are Christians between the age of 18-30. In addition, the tema will have leaders who have experience of working in a mission context, usually within another culture overseas. You will join in with volunteers from Capetown YFC giving you the chance to work in a multi-national team, serving God together.

How much will I have to raise?
The cost is approximately £1650, and is subject to flight costs. This includes your flights, travel in location, accomodation, food, training and insurance. Your medical / vaccination costs and travel to the training weekend are not inlcuded. You will also be responsile for obtaining your own personal spending money. A deposit of £100 is due with your application form as soon as possible, and subsequent payment sare made in instalments, allowing you time to raise the neccesary funds. We will help you with fundraising advice if you need it.

Is there any help with preparation?
Before you depart overseas, you will recieve training. A preparation weekend will be held from 24 - 26 April 2009 in the Midlands area. You will also be provided with medical advice, kit and book lists and information specifically for your location.

What is the next step?
Contact Sharon Tromans or Chris Nightingale for an applicatiion form, which is to be returned to YFC. Please post your application form to: Youth for Christ, Coombswood Way, Halesowen, West Midlands, B62 8BH. Tel: 0121 502 9620. For further enquiries about the Capetown trip email sharon.tromans@yfc.co.uk or chris.nightingale@yfc.co.uk.

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