Anna-Marie Franken - The World Race 2006

Ann's photo page

Mon, 8 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Another worst ride ever - dedicated to Kim and Asley

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I was lucky to get a seat next to grandma. We exchanged a few smiles as the bus speeded down the mountain.   Ten minutes later she franctically opened her window and started puking. The problem is that the ice cold wind was kind of blowing it in my direction. Politely I shifted nearer to the isle. The young boy who collects the money gave her a bag and she closed the window. I patted her on the back to communicate sympathy.

Three minutes later, grandma in front of me turned to her right and let it all out in the aisle! My shoes!! The busdriver had to stop and throw sand on the mess. By this time I was sitting on my left bump almost in the isle, leaning backwards with my feet pulled up as far as it could.

You will not believe this. One minute later the young boy behind me stood up, screaming for a bag which did not reach him in time.  It was all over my right shoulder - on my new red jacket!! (It is on sale for a special price - for you only!)

You need to know that Kim, Ashley and I had a jogging date in China, but I think we have another bonding factor now.

At the end of the earth

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This is the third time I am writing and loose it when trying to submit it!

Fourty hours of ricefields, ricefields and endless flats, made me feel like we are on our way to the end of the earth! Taking 10 taxi's for the last stretch, we drove through mysterious, brown, canyonlike mountains. It looked like driving into middle earth. Apart from the snow, even the air had a surreal feel to it.

Walking in the city or towns is an adventure on it's own. People are staring at you. After meeting these very remote people groups, I am even more convinced, this is the end of the earth.

I remember the words of Jesus: Go ye, to the ends of the earth...

The people who are working here, humbles me. I am amazed that God often calls the very gifted to the ends of the earth. Recently Henri Nouwen's book on leadership; In the name of Jesus, challenged me greatly. Here, they do not even face the ministry temptations to be relevant or spectacular. They just obey and lay down there lives.

Next time I will show great pictures of a wonderful experience with the yellow team. For now, I am still alive and happy. My computer was stolen, my finger broken...

on the train and we have the worst bathroom facilities you can imagine this week. Like my friend Cassie used to say: It is the best of times, it is the worst of times, we are standing at a crossroad.

Unsure

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I am not sure if...

... the very old lady with her sad eyes sold any of her few mangos ad one coconut last night?
... the women we were told about, who lost her husband and nine children in the mudslide, will ever recover?
... Hugh, who is going to stay behind in Matamores, is going to be fine?
... all the houses will ever be rebuild?
... poverty will one day end?

I am not sure if I am just emotional or tired, but I do feel like crying.

Moses and the mountain 2

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This is where I met my Moses!

Skeer tyd!

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Daar is nie lopende water in die huis nie en locals bad in die meer. Toe gebruik ek die geleentheid om my beenhare te skeer. Clara gee pad........!

Moses and the mountain

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In Afrikaans we have a saying that literally translated will be: I met my Moses (Ek het my Moses teegekom!) You say it when you encounter something that is to big for you.
Well, I decided before leaving San Pedro I have to climb the vulcano! The night before I met my guide and his name was Moses!! I did not sleep well that night...
Hugh was so gentle hearted that he decided to do it a second time and at 6 am we were picked up.
It was wonderful and worth while. I made it in 3 hours 40 minutes. Hey, I guess I should post my times and maybe it might just be a surprise!! New team takes the lead!!! By the way I decided to be the White Team. You know, like purity and innocence...

Last night I went to church with the red team. It felt like Africa on an outreach.

Before we left SA we shared at Alabanza a bit of our expectations for the year. Many of us shared our desire to be depended on God in a new way. The night when Anita got sick was scary. Knowing her, we all knew this was serious. I cried out to God that night. I strongly sensed that the local pastor should pray for her. People that are used to not being able to afford and have access to medical luxuries had learned how to put their trust and faith in Him. It was such a night of resources of faith being pulled together and He that is faithful, helped us. Deep in my heart I know it was a lesson in dependance. Who will we turn to?

Moses once went up a mountain and God spoke to him: You must love the Lord your God with all your heart...

Filing images

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

At this stage I only take pictures with my eyes. In this way I file images in the mind.

The men are extremely strong. You should see the loads they carry with a strap around their foreheads and their backs bended forwards. Lyk kompleet soos 'n miskruier. And this is mountain area!

Clara and I strolled the day after I had to share with her that her beloved grandma passed away. We watched the beautiful hammocks, drank coffee, cried, walked and helped two young boys to change Australian dollars someone gave them.

Me on a motorbike with a friendly local who offer to help me look for the Africans.

Two young girls knowing they are suppose to bath in the lake, but giggle and run back and play till they both fell in.

Hardworking people with easy smiles and few possesions.

Young backpackers flocking in and party and drugs that it want to make you cry.

There are far to many pictures to show you. You will have to come and see.

A fisherman passed by

Thu, 9 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I sat this morning at the lakeshore and watched as the fisherman with his funny shaped boat worked his way passed me. Maybe that is what made me read again the way Jesus called his disciples. When stuff from Scripture comes alive, it is one of the greatest adrenaline rushes a human being can experience! Anyway that is how I feel when Gods word brings insight and understanding.

What I observed afresh was:
1) Jesuswords still echo today to come and follow and I will teach...
2) Jesus ministred a long time alone, before calling them - after He passed Satans test
3) Jesus first discipled them and then apointed them to ministry. Double calling?

I am still pondering on a few thoughts.

Sorry, I do not want my blog to be preachy. The lake is still Azul (the word for blue) and I ask God to truly teach me how to fish for men.

Getting the picture

Tue, 7 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I guess it is time to get something done with my b ack log . I tried twice, but it did not work. Goodness me, this is an in your face photo of me... This computor does not work well. Lets study the photo, A bit overweight, probably coloured her hair, blue eyes, smiles easily, love life, devoted to Jesus...

Thats me.

I am more and more amazed by the ways God choose to use me. When you look at the inside of this picture you will see a somewhat insecure, reluctant leader and yet, God decided to gift me with a pionering spirit. Good. Therefore the glory goes to Him.

What else do you want to know.

The colours of Guatemala

Tue, 7 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Those of you who know me well, know that I have half of Zimbabwes crafts stored somewhere. I just have a soft heart for people trying. Everytime one of the beautiful ladies comes with the colourfull items and I think of the poverty behind the smile, I cannot resist it...

Almost eveytime I instinctively start buying for my mom ... to remember the next moment that she passed away last year. She would have LOVED the colours of Guatemala. I wish she was here to...

... dive with me into the crystal blue of the lake
... laugh with me at the chickenbusses
... sit still with me watching the yellow evening of the mountains
... saam met my in die bruin klipgepakte paadjies te stap en winkeltjies te ontdek.
... smell with me the coffee and ask for con letche, because the white of milk brings a different taste
... comminicate without the vocabulary of a strange language, right into the hearts or the most colourfull people I have met.