This is Africa...

I have come to this beautiful country. I now call it my home. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that support me. Sometimes I sit back and wonder "why me?" I have had some things occur that I have not written about on my blog. I feel like this is a suitable time to get into them.

While traveling with my family, we drove by a township (an area where black and coloured people fled during/after the Apartheid). This area of battered tents and shacks had a profound impact on me. I have never seen a larger gap between the rich and poor, or the "haves" and the "have-nots" in this case. Why did God choose me to have this lifestyle? Why am I not living in a township like so many others in this world? It really puzzles me think about this. I believe there are a lot of things on this earth that we are not exactly supposed to completely understand. This may be one of them...but I really don't want it to be. I have compassion for these individuals. My heart aches to know their vicious circle of trials and tribulations simply to survive. I want to do more. I want to help. Now comes the difficult part...bridging that gap between "saying" and "doing." It's true..talk is cheap. But I am committed to make a difference in this world. Whatever I can be a part of...bring it on!

I have plans to go back to Swaziland in September. I can't wait to see the faces of those children. I haven't been able to go back since moving here, so this is certainly something I am looking forward to. I plan to organize another documentary with my television station. I think this is a great way to get the word out. Speaking of spreading the word...check out this websites when you get the chance:

www.james127.org

This is the organization that I sit on the board of directors for. Take some time and look over this website. It is truly amazing to see what God has been doing. We have been planning a big fundraising dinner in the United States to help support El Shaddai Ministries and The Compassionate Life Foundation. The decision has been made to postpone the date....we are meeting as a board to discuss a new date as I will fill you in immediately after the decision has been made. In the meantime...you can support this ministry, as many of you have asked how to do it. You may do so by donating on the website It's easy. It uses Paypal which is a very secure site as well.

I continue to attend a church in town called Church on Main. Its a wonderful place with people near my age that worship God. I have really met some wonderful people though this church and have even joined a bible study that meets weekly. It sends shivers down my back to be in a room with fellow Christians, singing wonderful music and praising God. Not to mention, being in another country/continent with so many new faces, many of different cultures, and worshiping the same God. It certainly is a unique experience.

Some other things I have been up to lately..,.I went paint-balling the other day. I have been doing a lot of mountain climbing. I play the guitar a lot since being here. Our E.tv soccer team plays a match against the Cape Town Ajax team soon. I am taking surfing lessons this week. These are all things that make me happy. Life is good. Thanks for listening. Bye for now. Derek Van Dam