Background: Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902); however, the British and the Afrikaners, as the Boers became known, ruled together beginning in 1910 under the Union of South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 after a whites-only referendum. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid – the separate development of the races – which favored the white minority at the expense of the black majority. The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson MANDELA, spent decades in South Africa’s prisons. Internal protests and insurgency, as well as boycotts by some Western nations and institutions, led to the regime’s eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in majority rule under an ANC-led government. South Africa since then has struggled to address apartheid-era imbalances in decent housing, education, and health care. ANC infighting, which has grown in recent years, came to a head in September 2008 when President Thabo MBEKI resigned, and Kgalema MOTLANTHE, the party’s General-Secretary, succeeded him as interim president. Jacob ZUMA became president after the ANC won general elections in April 2009.

Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights

Population: 49,052,489

Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 7,093,328/female 7,061,579)
15-64 years: 65.8% (male 16,275,424/female 15,984,181)
65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,075,117/female 1,562,860) (2010 est.)

Religions: Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census)

Languages: IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census)

From: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sf.html

Challenges for Prayer: AIDS has become the primary cause of death. Daily 1,200 victims are buried. There were 420,000 AIDS orphans in 2000. Over 20% of the adult population and a third of all teachers are infected. The economy is increasingly affected through loss of skills and time off work. The age expectancy of the population has fallen rapidly and medical services cannot cope. Pray that this terrible pandemic might be tamed and that Christians might be used of God in caring for the victims and raising moral and family standards to prevent its spread.
Expatriate missions. Mission work began among indigenous peoples in 1799. Nearly every major denomination in Europe and North America has played a part in their evangelization. Despite tragic mistakes, heroic efforts have yielded much fruit. The missionary force has reduced in numbers as mature churches have emerged, and most existing ministries are in church development, leadership training, youth, literature and radio ministries. Pray for fruitful ministries for them in times of great difficulty and discouragement.
The need for effective policing and administration of justice. The escalating crime wave has shocked the nation (200,000 murders in the 1990s), limited foreign investment and restrained the flow of tourists. The major growth industry is security. Violent robberies, car-hijacking and rape are commonplace. The country has a murder rate over seven times that of the USA and few crimes end up with convictions. The police force is discouraged, under-trained and under-equipped to cope. Pray that both this epidemic and underlying malaise might be healed. Pray for Christian ministries among children at risk, jobless young people, prisoners and to the police force, to bear much fruit.

From: http://www.operationworld.org/sout

Impact Africa

Prior to their move to Johannesburg, South Africa in 2004, Rich and Michelle Franzen worked for well over a decade with Teen Mania Ministries. There they helped to mobilize thousands of teenagers to passionate Christianity and missions through Acquire the Fire and Global Expeditions. It was during their time with Teen Mania and the numerous missions trips they led all over the world that they developed a heart for the people of Africa. After 10 years of working in Africa while based Stateside; they started Impact Africa, Inc and moved to South Africa to work full-time. Their strategies include bringing help and hope to those in the most impoverished areas (informal settlements) of southern Africa. They do this through open air crusades and consistent work in these communities. If you would like to know more about Impact Africa and the work they are doing, please visit them at www.impactafrica.org and check out their ministry blog too at www.impactafricablog.blogspot.com.

Z Trip: Von Won
Vaughaligan “Von Won” Walwyn was born in St. Croix of the US Virgin Islands and raised on the southeast side of Houston,TX.

After graduating from Rice University as a NCAA All-American athlete and US Virgin Island national record holder in the long jump with a leap of 26 ft 1 inch, Von Won experienced a career ending knee injury and lost his father to AIDS. Choosing a lifestyle of substance abuse left Von Won empty until a run in with the law that he refers to as “Shock Therapy” reset his direction and put him on a path that would lead to Christ.

Now, as a husband and father of 4 children, Von Won leads a life of integrity and encourages people through inspirational media. He’ll be partnering with us on our South Africa Z trip to take music to the families in South Africa and proclaim that Jesus is the Way!

You can check out more about Von Won at www.vonwon.com.

Coming Soon!

As we have been working in South Africa, we’ve collected some stories and videos from past participants.

We hope seeing South Africa through their eyes and hearing about it in their words will inspire you to share your faith on a mission trip too!

If you have been on the South Africa trip with Global Expeditions and would like to share your story or a video, please email geinfo@teenmania.org!

Schedule:
• June 11 – Arrive in Garden Valley, TX and meet your team
• June 12-13 – Train for your trip to South Africa
• June 14 – Depart for South Africa
• June 15-July 3 – Minister in South Africa
• July 4 – Spend the day touring
• July 5 – Head back to Garden Valley, TX
• July 6 – Spend one last day with your team as you prepare to go home
• July 7 – Depart for home and change the world

Travel:

All participants will be responsible to make their own travel arrangements to the trip’s starting point: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Once you are accepted for this trip, a representative will work with you to let you know when you are expected to arrive at DFW and suggest options. We have a travel partner that we work with that will allow participants to have their domestic flights added to the cost of their trip, so that they can include that cost in fundraising!  If you are arriving by airline you must book with our partner Skypass Travel.

Once you have registered for your project, the round-trip flight to South Africa and all other travel will be secured by Global Expeditions.

The flight itinerary to South Africa is password protected for security purposes and only students confirmed on this project will be given the code to view this flight. Click here if you have the code and would like to view this information.

Schedule:
• 21 July –Arrive in Garden Valley, TX and meet your team
• 22-23 July –Train for mission trip for South Africa
• 24 July –Depart for South Africa
• 25-02 August –Minister in South Africa
• 03 August –Spend the day touring South Africa
• 04 August –Depart for home and change the world

Travel:

All participants will be responsible to make their own travel arrangements to the trip’s starting point: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Once you are accepted for this trip, a representative will work with you to let you know when you are expected to arrive at DFW and suggest options. We have a travel partner that we work with that will allow participants to have their domestic flights added to the cost of their trip, so that they can include that cost in fundraising!  If you are arriving by airline you must book with our partner Skypass Travel.

Once you have registered for your project, the round-trip flight to South Africa and all other travel will be secured by Global Expeditions.

The flight itinerary to South Africa is password protected for security purposes and only students confirmed on this project will be given the code to view this flight. Click here if you have the code and would like to view this information.

ATTENTION: THIS PACKING LIST HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED FOR 2012. IT WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT, AND THE FINALIZED PACKING LIST FOR THIS COUNTRY WILL BE UPLOADED EARLY MAY 2012.

Required Items
One carry on (generally a backpack)
One sleeping bag (30° and below-it’s winter in South Africa), pillow, and sheet
One large duffle bag/suitcase (airline regulation says it must be less than 50 lbs.)
Pajamas, undergarments, and socks (enough to last 2-3 days) – for training in Texas
9-10 shirts for in South Africa and 2-3 t-shirts or tank tops (must have 3 finger width straps) – for training in Texas
2-3 sweatshirts
Winter Jacket (just a hoodie or windbreaker will not be sufficient)
Winter Hat or Beanie (Optional: scarf and gloves)
6-7 pairs of jeans or slacks for in South Africa and 2 pairs shorts/capris/jeans- must be modest length – for training in Texas
Warm Pajamas, undergarments, and socks (enough to last 10+ days)
2 church outfits (Girls: dress or long skirts (remember it is winter), or dress pants. Boys: khakis and collared shirts)
9-10 pairs of socks
Insect repellent (with high % of DEET)
Anti-diarrhea medicine (preferably tablets), Kaopectate or pill equivalent
Laundry detergent (Optional: Rope and pins for clothesline) *There will be at least one opportunity to wash your clothes*
Anti-bacterial hand wipes/hand sanitizer
Tennis shoes
Flip Flops for showers
Swimsuit (Girls: One piece (must wear shorts and t-shirt to and from the pool). Guys: must wear t-shirt to and from pool)
Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
Bible, notebook, and pen
Nalgene or wide-mouthed water bottle
Flashlight and batteries
Battery operated alarm clock
Toiletries: shampoo, razor, soap, chap stick, vitamins, etc
Band aids, cold medicine(as it is winter in S. Africa), Aspirin/Tylenol
2 Towels (optional: washcloth)
Trash Bag for dirty clothes
3 (2 for Z trip) Plastic Jars of Peanut butter (28oz or larger) and
3 (2 for Z trip) Plastic squeeze bottles of jelly (22oz or larger) * Due to airline regulations, your PB & J must be packed in your checked baggage, but make sure it’s easily accessible because it will be collected upon registration.

Miscellaneous Optional Items
1 baseball cap
Raincoat or Poncho
Spending money (suggested $50 US per week). Should be brought in cash not traveler’s checks for easier exchanging upon arrival.
$110.00 for your Fun Day
Camera
Calling Card, AT&T works well
Books for travel time (free of secular authors)
Powdered drink mix (Gatorade), candy, gum, granola bars, etc.
IPOD or MP3 (absolutely no secular music!)
Bring a toy, coloring book, crayons, stickers, or toothbrush to give to a national. You can also bring soccer balls to bring and then give away during the 30-Day Soccer Festival.
Universal Power Adapter suitable for South Africa

More Important Information
From May to July, South Africa is experiencing winter. With temperatures reaching a high of 70 and a low of 20 you will experience dry, sunny, crisp days and cold nights; it is best to wear layers
This will be 2 days of training. Be prepared for very HOT weather in TX during the summer.
Theft is always a possibility when you travel abroad. Please don’t bring anything that you can’t afford to lose. We recommend that you label items with your full name. Make sure that all your luggage meets standard flight check in codes (No more than 50 lbs.) and that it can be easily carried by yourself!

Z Trip: Melissa King
Melissa currently lives in Texas and has been the Director of Global Expeditions Marketing for nearly a year. She is a graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing and also a graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center. Melissa is a woman of strength and continues to impact the lives around her by experiencing the Lord’s faithfulness in every area of her life. She has been to Venezuala, Chile, Ecuador, Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, Botswana, India, Buevo, Loredo, South Africa, Italy, Baja, and Haiti with Global Expeditions. Before working at Teen Mania she was also a youth pastor for many years and has loved being actively involved in the lives of teens and letting the Lord use her in ministry. Melissa strives for holiness and will be an outstanding leader for this trip.