Baie welkom op my webwerf!
Welcome on my website! Baie dankie dat jy kom inloer!
(If there is one expression you should learn in Afrikaans, it is 'Baie Dankie', what means: 'Thank you very much'. A way to remember this, is 'Buy a Donkey'. This kind of help to remember things, is called in Holland an 'Ezelsbrug' - what literally means: 'a bridge for a donkey'. And with that I would like to introduce you (on own risk!) to 'This Afrikaans Song'.
Oh, I love playing with words and songs!)
But enough about donkeys. I have to give a good first impression of myself! But that good impression 'het ek klaar opgemors' I think? Ach, it is good to start with some humor!
I decided to write my website in English, to reach more people. Writing in English makes me humble. Because I make a lot of mistakes. And I honestly don't see them. My Dutch vocabulary and grammar are very good. I even notice mistakes on CD-covers etc. But my English was disastrous on High School! (Dus, Nederlandstaligen, moenie worrie nie, mijn Engels is erg simpel. Speciaal voor jullie zal ik er soms Nederlands tussendoor gooien. Even een 'onderonsje'. Welkom in mijn wereld, waar ik voortdurend 3 talen door elkaar heen spreek.)
Language, it is an interesting thing. It is so important, to understand and feel understood by each other. In this country people do not always understand me (and sometimes even judging me as 'less intelligent' because of languages differences. It is an opportunity to love myself deeper, even through the mistakes I make. I don't need to be perfect.
Over the years I learned there is another language, where we often misunderstand each other. It is the language of our heart. The language of our culture. The language of how we communicate love, pain and desires. We are often judging people who are speaking another language than we do, especially people who we see as 'less' or 'different'. The Lord brought me personal in positions where I felt 'less and different', to learn to understand this language. I think that is why I am able to work with people society sees as the 'outcast'. I am able to see their beauty and to hear their hearts. Even when they are not speaking 'our' language so perfect. They feel understood by me. Because I know the pain on different areas from the inside out.
The scripture of 2 Corinthians 1:4 is very important for me. I received comfort from God in my pain, so I can give comfort to others in all kind of pain and trouble.
The last year I was not very active on the internet. I think the website where I was (in-actie.nl, thank you guys!) stopped. And I just decided to leave it for a while. I stayed involved in the different areas of ministry here in Cape Town, but I also took a little more Me-Time.
It was a difficult year where I was really confronted with myself and my own boundaries. But through hard times you always have the possibility to grow stronger and to learn. And that is what I did.
I worked through things I needed to to work through.
This is a too long (and too personal) story to share online. If you want to catch up, you are always welcome to contact me.
Wesley says hi! He has been a great in the process, and still is.
Hello! I am Dorien, 34, and I am missionary in South Africa. This is my personal corner on the www, made with love. Feel welcome!
In this purple section you can read more about us, or click on one of the pictures, to go straight to my work.
A fresh start with a new website
Rainbow
I live in the Rainbow Country, so every section of my website has a different color. (Oh, what would life be without creativity and colors? I absolutely love these gifts!)
This purple section is my personal corner.
I realize more and more that I am worthy, 'royal', precious and special. And so are you!
On this page we will introduce ourselves shortly, if you don't know us.
Here you can read my background story. (I did my very best to summarize my still too personal autobiography.)
And click here to see how our daily life in Africa looks like.
I hope you enjoy browsing through my website! I made it especially for you! (You wish! But... thank you for being in my life!)
I spent a lot of time building it, so I hope you will have a good time. See you soon!