Meet the team that just got back from an incredible trip to South Africa in early July! 🇿🇦 These Global Impact trips are a way for Westsiders and One Life sponsors to go deeper in global ministry—and for God to show us more of Him and His Kingdom through His children. Here’s what some of them had to say about the experience:

Back in 2016, Sandy and I were praying about where God wanted us. Our friend Breana Wiebe was praying as well. God put us together and off we went to South Africa.
The culture, the people, the landscape, and the endless conversation kept Sandy and me going over the next 7 years. One story I want to share is about a young teen named John. I met him on the first trip, really not knowing I would be back. The next year I saw him, the joyful emotions were unstoppable. Then for the next 5 years, I looked for him and looked for him and nothing. This is just life right? With so many twists and turns that are not in my control. Then this year 2022, John and I come face to face at the youth center in Walmer. We both lit up and a great big hug was due. John has grown into a strong young man and a leader among his peers. Thank You Thank You Thank You “ONE LIFE” for what you do in the lives of these kids. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to serve in God’s people wherever they may be.
Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords.
-Mike Crosby

This past spring my small group did a study on "Unstuck: Moving from the Mundane to the Meaningful." It offers a challenge for us to move from being stuck in a rut of our highly scheduled life into a life with deeper meaning and connection. That particular challenge was present in my mind as I prepared for the trip to South Africa. What I experienced was way beyond what I could imagine.
One of the most profound moments was when I got to interact with the students from Walmer. I had heard the horrific stories that happened to some of them and the challenges that all of them were facing. Yet there was so much joy and hope that I could see in their eyes and faces when they shared their dreams for the future. Then was when I saw the light and hope of Jesus winning over the darkness and despair of the world.
Was it necessary for me to travel over 8000 miles from home to have that kind of experience? I don't know the answer to that. But I know that I found myself removed from my comfort zone and life’s distractions and being fully immersed in God's work for 2 full weeks. It allowed me the time to think, listen, learn, interact, serve, build relationships, and finally evaluate my life in light of what I have witnessed and encountered. It provided me countless opportunities to step out in faith and love others as God loves and sees them.
In addition to the meaningful conversations and connections I had with the Westside team, the One Life staff and children, they now have names and faces to go along with them.
-Yulia Wijata

The trip to South Africa was my first mission trip ever. Other than wanting to travel and to see how Christ-followers in South Africa help children and youth in need, I was not expecting anything else from this short mission trip. I thought I would see the clichés that mission trips always described in their late-night infomercials.
However, spending ten days with the staff and the youth has opened my eyes. I saw Bible stories come to life, in the flesh, lived out before my eyes. I saw God's love, mercy, and grace. I also saw courage, patience, and the resiliency and dignity of the human spirit. I saw how, time and time again, the students and the local staff chose joy despite their very hard lives. I saw how one person could start a tidal wave of blessings for others out of her scarcity. I saw they chose to worship Jesus despite the bad things that happened to them, the bad things that others caused. I saw how the local staff gave so much to the students out of their own scarcity. I saw how the staff love the students with such reckless love. If those are not symbols of God's love for us, then I don't know what is.”
-David Tjiptogarsono

Before the trip I was a little nervous about the experience. However, working with the children in South Africa was fun and rewarding. Even though they faced many challenges, the kids were happy and having fun because of the support, relationships, and spiritual growth they have through One Life. God taught me so much during this mission through my team and the people we ministered to in Africa. This trip has impacted me by realizing how blessed I am physically and spiritually. Now that I am home, I will use my blessings to continue to share Jesus and serve others, both at church and in the community.
-Elle Brueggemann

Having experienced the blessing of mission trips in the past, I wanted to provide each of my four children with the same opportunity. My son and I went on a mission trip together previously with Westside and now it was my oldest daughter’s turn. Serving on a mission trip in South Africa as part of Global Impact with my daughter was an amazing experience and one that I know neither of us will ever forget. It was an incredible opportunity to see and be a part of God’s work in action through One Life, working with orphans and the most vulnerable children in the communities we served. This experience has provided us with spiritual momentum and a renewed energy as we strive to share the gospel and serve others here at home - loving Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and sharing Jesus.
-Jereme Brueggemann

Going on a Global Impact trip has always been something I’ve wanted to do but I’ve never taken the leap. Whether it be the money, the unknown, or the feeling of inadequacy…something always held me back.
When the stars aligned and I had the opportunity to go on this trip to South Africa, I said “YES!” without thinking about it (which of course hit later with an “oh my what have I gotten myself into?” as I’d never gone on a trip like this without friends or family).
I knew God would use this trip to speak to me. I knew that I took for granted all that I had, and that would be impactful. What I didn’t know was that He would also teach me about how much He loved ME on this trip.
Going to South Africa not only opened my eyes to how we can be more involved in our own community and around the world by serving and being more generous, but also reminded me that we are all so insanely loved by the Father. I feel beyond grateful that I got to go on this trip and can’t wait to continue the work at home—and go on another global trip in the future!
-Lauren Wildman

Ready to get involved in Global Impact too? Click here!