United with Dan on a Mission

The application and planning to join the staff in Scotland went relatively smoothly, but there would still be a fair amount of waiting. South Africa was on the UK’s “red list”.

So, in March, I decided to start a course with the Generation Impact Bible College (GIBC), just to keep busy. Then in a last minute decision in April, I decided to do the FCM (Foundations for Counselling Ministry) in Worcester. With all honesty I found the FCM particularly easy, it was a foundation in counselling courses and with having done a Psychology degree it was a breeze. Even so, I soon found myself forming some amazing connections and gaining valuable counselling skills and experience. I also had the opportunity to do some Word by Heart seminars which had a great impact – in one case a student even went to share the stories that were learned in a gang-rife region of our town. 

Once outreach locations came into the radar one that really stood out for me was Tajikistan (a country relatively closed to Christianity). Our goal there would be to provide counselling and support for both the missionaries working there, as well as Afghan refugees. An added bonus, I thought, was that Tajikistan was on the UK’s amber list, so if I travelled to the UK from there I could avoid a quarantine hotel, saving both time and money. Unfortunately about a week or two before our departure, rules changed – it was decided that everyone had to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. Since vaccines were not yet available to my age group there was no way I could go. God closed the door.

Towards the end of my FCM in July, the financial implications of going to Scotland still intimidated me largely. I spent A LOT of time brooding over it and trying to work something out. One evening it just got too much for me, the fear and uncertainty was overwhelming and I decided to give up. Just then, one of my classmates came to me and said, “Daniel, I feel like God is telling me to tell you: Don’t Be Afraid! Do not worry!” Then, the next day someone came to me and said that God had instructed them to give me a mug. When they revealed the mug, William Wallace’s face was printed on it with the lyrics of Scotland the Brave. For me that was overwhelming confirmation that God wanted me in Scotland and that He would make a way. So I steeled myself, ignored my fears and pressed on towards Scotland. 

Soon the departure for Scotland was drawing near so I shifted my focus to: how to get to Scotland and avoid the quarantine hotel. Tajikistan was no longer an option, but I came up with two other ideas: One was Georgia (which I did not need a visa for) and the other Ukraine (which I could get a quick e-visa for). During that time though, Georgia had been moved from the Amber list to the Red list for the UK, which meant it was no longer an option… this, together with pressure from my family who still very much associate the Ukraine with Soviet Russia, I decided to ditch the idea and just trust God with the cost of a quarantine hotel. 

When the departure date came (12th of August 2021) I ended up still testing positive for COVID. My entire family caught Covid early in July. Fortunately we did not get seriously ill. Unfortunately traces of the virus can be detectable in one’s system for up to 3 months or longer.  So, after some prayer God led me to try again for the 3rd of September. At first it seemed like it wouldn’t work because the quarantine hotels in Glasgow were all full, but thanks to some inspiration I checked Edinburgh as an alternative, and indeed there was space. From then on everything went relatively smoothly. Worcester United Church even offered to pay for my air ticket which was a REAL blessing! God’s direction for the 3rd was precise and my PCR test was negative. I departed for Scotland and arrived safely. I implore you to watch this testimony unfold.

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