Monday Morning at the Hands Village

Monday 3rd August 

We all turned in early last night after the long day’s travel to the Hands Hub. Most people enjoyed a restful night, even if we didn’t appear to have boundless energy for a prompt start this morning. We began with breakfast together on the terrace in the morning sunshine, in anticipation of what the day would bring….

Monday mornings at the Hub start with a weekly gathering for worship, prayer, news and updates; and to offer the week to God. Beginning with a time of praise I was struck by waves of emotion as we sang “Purify My Heart”, a song Chris and I had spoken about and chosen many times over the years while planning worship. But the feeling of welcome, love and unity from the folks at Hands as we introduced ourselves and our team filled us with joy and hope for our time in South Africa. 

Charrisa led the gathering, opening with a passage from the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians encouraging the church there in their work of sharing the good news of Christ, including “we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people” (Col 1:4). Words which give as much encouragement today as they did to those early believers two thousand years ago.

We then split into small groups for a ‘getting to know one another better’ session; shared prayer requests; and praying for some of the other teams that will be coming out to join the Hands work in different countries across the continent this year. At the end of the session we came back together to share in closing worship. 

After the main group split, our team were invited by the leadership group at Hands to sit with them, Levi spoke so clearly about how the whole Hands family were standing with us in our time of grief for Chris. To support us and be alongside us in, what would be, an emotional visit this year. Expressing also how much Chris is, and will be, missed by those who knew him at the Hub and the wider Hands team.

Another get together with the service centre staff and our hosts followed, to prepare us for our first visit, on this trip, to our partner community of Mafambisa; to update us on their progress and their current plans; more of that to follow in the morning…..

By John 

Journey to Hands - Saturday and Sunday

Saturday afternoon we arrived at Heathrow Terminal 5 thanks to Noah, Garry and Dan. We had a drink altogether before Lucy and John had to head to Terminal 3 as they had a separate flight (as they weren’t part of the original 2026 team).

Flights went smoothly, some people managed to get a good amount of sleep while some where staying up playing Battleships.

Landing in South Africa, we were rewarded with our first beautiful sunrise, luckily they were allowed to open the blinds on the plane for us to see

After going through passport control and collecting all our bags (thankfully) we grabbed a coffee, collected our van for the 2 weeks and waited for Lucy and John to head onwards. Unfortunately, we were given a smaller bus than expected so little bit tight with all the luggage and 10 people. 

YES, there is meant to be 10 people in that picture. 

Our next stop, Alzu petrol station. If you’ve seen the blogs before or have been you will know it’s not a normal petrol station. At what other services can you grab lunch and get a picture with a Rhino in the background?

Carolyn took charge of driving for the afternoon drive to the Hands Hub and did a brilliant job. Smooth enough ride for some people to catch up on some sleep.

Arriving at the Hub, we were given a warm welcome by familiar faces which was lovely after a tiring 24 hours. We had a quick tour round the Hub and noticed a few changes. 

Unpacked our bags before cooking and eating our pizza that had been set up for us by the Hub.

This was followed by a chat going through what our week will look like and what we are looking forward to in the coming week.

All ready for a good night sleep to wake up for the Monday 8am morning meeting, followed by our first day at Mafambisa. So excited to go back!!

By Ben and Lucy 

Communities and Prayers

This will be our final pre-mission trip blog and our last update from the UK! As we complete the final stages of our preparations, we want to take a moment to say thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and generous donations. A special thank you goes to everyone who has supported our young people by donating or attending fundraising events, helping them raise the funds needed for this trip. It is amazing that we can offer young people the chance to live out their faith and deepen their relationship with God in this way. 

Please do join us on Saturday 1st August at 11am for coffee in the Chapter House to send us off on our way. Thanks. 

Communities

We thought it would be interesting to share with you the profiles of the communities we will be visiting over the next two weeks. Please click on the links below to have a read. At the bottom of each page there is a link to the Care Point profile and the latest care point report. 

Mafambisa -  https://www.handsatwork.org/southafrica/mafambisa

Welverdiend/Pfunani - https://www.handsatwork.org/southafrica/welverdiend

Seville B - https://www.handsatwork.org/southafrica/seville-b

Prayers 

As we embark on our travels tomorrow we ask that you join us in the prayer that we shared at our commissioning service on Sunday. 

Lord God, as we stand here today, we thank You for the privilege of travelling to South Africa to serve some of the most vulnerable communities. We thank You for every person in this team — and especially for the young people who are stepping out in courage, compassion, and faith.

We pray that You would go before us in every journey we take. Keep us safe as we travel, protect us in every place we visit, and steady our hearts when we feel unsure. Fill us with Your peace and Your presence.

Help us to work together with patience, joy, and unity. Teach us to listen well, to support one another, and to serve as one body with one purpose. May our teamwork reflect Your love.

Lord, use our singing, our dancing, our conversations, and our smiles to bring encouragement to those who need it most. Let every word we speak carry hope. Let every moment we share remind people that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved by You.

Bless the communities we will meet. May Your light shine through us, not for our glory, but for Yours. And bring us home safely, changed for the better, and grateful for all You have done.

We place this journey in Your hands.

Amen.

Our Team Africa 2026 Logo — What It Means to Us

This year, Freya, Ben and I designed the Team Africa 2026 logo, and it honestly feels amazing seeing something we created represent our whole team.

We chose every part of the logo for a reason. 

The outline of Africa shows where we’re going and the people we’re going to support. 

The figures around the edge represent the careworkers, the children, and us all connected as one community. 

The cross in the centre reminds us that Jesus is the focus of everything we do. 

The Scottish badge stands for St Andrew’s Church, the place that sends us out and supports us. 

And finally, we included the Bible quote Philippians 4:13  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It’s part of the holiday club song Be Happy, which loads of us grew up singing. It’s one of those verses that sticks with you, especially when you’re nervous or excited about something big. It reminds us that even though we’re young, we’re not doing this alone.

By Jack 

Commissioning Service - Sunday 26th July

Commissioned for Mafambisa: A Moment I Won’t Forget 

On Sunday, something happened that felt bigger than just “getting ready for a trip.” At the end of the service, our team gathered at the front of church for our commissioning and even though I’ve been to South Africa once before, this moment hit differently.

We were asked to say our names out loud. Simple, but powerful. It was like saying, “I’m here. I’m part of this. I’m stepping into something God is calling me to.” Then we made our commitments, to be a whole team, stronger together than any of us are on our own; to be active and sensitive, not just doing tasks but noticing people; to deal with the unexpected (which, if you’ve been before, you know is basically guaranteed); and to go the extra mile with humility, leaving pride behind so we can be open to whatever God wants to show us.

The congregation promised to support us and pray for us. It meant a lot.

Then came the moment that will stay with me: we held out our hands to be anointed with oil. One by one, we said:

Hands to work. Hands to embrace. Hands to give. Hands to receive. Hands to create. Hands to bless.

It was simple, but honestly, it was powerful. Standing there with oil on my hands, I felt the weight of what we’re going to do not heavy, but real. These hands will carry bags, play games with kids, share food, hold someone’s arm when they need support, and maybe even wipe away a tear. They’ll give, but they’ll also receive. They’ll bless, but they’ll also be blessed.

Going back to Mafambisa feels like returning to family. To stand with the community we love, and to keep learning what it means to serve with open hands and an open heart.

This commissioning wasn’t just a moment in a service. It was a reminder of who we are, why we’re going, and the God who goes with us.

And now… we’re ready.

By Carolyn 

 

Meet the team - Alice!

​Hi, I’m Alice, and it is a privilege to be leading this year’s team to South Africa, and in particular to Mafambisa. Although I say "leading", that doesn't quite feel accurate when so many members of the team have played a vital role in getting to this point. Every member of the team plays a part, bringing their own unique gifts, skills, and experiences, and I am incredibly grateful to those who have stepped up to help make this year's trip possible.

This will be my ninth visit to Hands at Work, and in 2023 I also spent time volunteer teaching in a primary school near Durban. South Africa truly feels like a second home to me. I love my job as an Assistant Headteacher and SENCo in London and the privilege of walking alongside vulnerable children and their families. I feel the same sense of purpose and joy whenever I spend time in South Africa and at Mafambisa.

As our team embarks on what has become an annual journey to South Africa, Hands at Work, and Mafambisa over the past decade, I/We do so with mixed emotions.

The joy of the Care Workers and children is enough to fill anyone's cup to overflowing. Their smiles, laughter, and resilience bring happiness to everyone around them. Yet there will also be moments of reflection and sadness as we remember that Chris (Dad) will not be with us. Somehow, though, I know he will still make his presence felt when we least expect it, or perhaps exactly when we do. After all, who else is going to shout "Ramp!" from the bus as we drive to the Care Points, or manage to get nearly every Service Centre and Care Worker name wrong throughout the week?

Over the years, I have visited Mafambisa and Hands at Work with many different teams, and every trip has been unique and special. No two visits have ever been the same, and I believe this year will be no different. God has carefully brought together this year's team: young and not so young, those who have visited many times, those who have come once before, and those experiencing it all for the very first time. What I do know is that this team already feels like an extended family going to visit our extended family in South Africa.

I love to chop the vegetables, particularly the  beetroot! There is something about the way they prepare and cook the beetroot that tastes so good! I love being able to walk alongside the Care Workers, encouraging and supporting them, while also spending time playing, singing, and dancing with the children and seeing how much they have grown from year to year.

Every time I visit, I am blown away by the joy, hope, and love that shines through the Care Points, the Care Workers, the Service Centre staff, and ultimately the children themselves. Mafambisa, along with the other Care Points we have visited and will visit, serves as a beacon of light in communities facing significant challenges. Despite the hardships, the children remain at the heart of everything they do.

As we prepare for this year's trip, my prayers are:

• For safe travels to South Africa and throughout our time visiting the Care Points.
• For our team to encourage, support, and empower the Care Workers and Service Centre staff, and that we may be a blessing to them during the short time we have together.
• For those visiting for the first time to experience God's love, peace, and faithfulness as we journey together.
• For those returning that their faith will be reignited. 
• That every member of the team would hear God's voice, be led by His Spirit, and be transformed through all that we experience over the next two weeks.
• For plenty of fun, laughter, and joy in every part of our trip

Please keep reading our blog, comment if you are able and hold us in your prayers. We love to wake up in the morning and read your comments and encouragements. Thanks for partnering with us on this journey. 

Meet the team - Ben!

Hi, I am Ben and I’m looking forward and excited to go back to South Africa with the team this year. I have been lucky enough to go twice in the past and enjoyed every minute of both trips. 

My two trips to South Africa gave me a different look on Christianity and my faith. The way they pray, preach and come together to enjoy worship inspired me and allowed me to connect closer to God. Even in some of the cruelest times, these people are still able to believe and give their lives to the Lord and celebrate that each day with uplifting songs. 

The second year I went, to see the children and Care Workers in Mafambisa again was something special. As they run up to you shouting your name after 2 years is incredible. Seeing the Care Workers come out of their shells more post Covid taught us all how meaningful these visits are. 

Since I have last been, I have struggled to stay close to God in the business of life after Sixth Form. However, just before I go to University in September, I believe this is a great opportunity for me to go again and relight my relationship with Christ.