I hate goodbyes.

They make me feel sad. But as you know by now 'Investigation' was my last
issue as editor of the smartest youth magazine on the planet. Fortunately,
I've taken with me a little something to remember you all by, but I'm not
telling …

I've embarked on a new adventure – radical to my 'normal' life but yet so
natural in my heart. Have you ever had something in your heart and though
it seems so weird to people and will cost you something and they might
laugh and think you're a little crazy, it just won't go away?

Right now I'm sitting in a little town in Ohio, USA, surrounded by rows
and rows of cornfields. Did I come here to be a farmer? Erm, not quite. I
don't have a tractor's license.

I've come here to be part of something called Impact World Tour, a
campaign that goes around the world with a message aimed at motivating and
encouraging young people – just like you.

You see, not every person in the world has a dream, or hope … or even a
reason for living. Not every young person believes in mottos such as that
of HIP2B², 'Think. What you can be.' Not every young person has someone
around them who tells them that it's smart to choose life – not drugs or
destructive habits.

On this tour, we have teams of off-the-wall individuals: Team Extreme –
super-strong dudes who can do whacky things like smash concrete blocks
with their heads (eina!), GX International – funky hip-hop dancers,
professional skateboarders and talented BMX-ers who do amazing tricks,
and Island Breeze who do different cultural dances, sometimes while juggling fire sticks.
Eek!

And no, I'm not breaking bricks or juggling fires, but I'm part of the
team that takes these talented individuals to high schools, skate parks
and other places young people hang out. There we share with them a message
of hope.

Most of us on the team are Christians - so our hope is in Jesus.

Hip stars, do you have something that brings you hope? If you don't yet,
I'd love for you to soon find something worth living for.
I return to South Africa at the end of October and then I want to continue
hanging out with young people to help them think what they can be … and
make sure they go out and be that.

There's a song by Nichole Nordeman that sums up my new journey:
'I say your Name, just your Name, and I'm willing to jump –
Even willing to fall …
So long status quo, I think I just let go
You make me wanna be brave
The way it always was, is no longer good enough
You make me wanna be brave.'

Yours in smartness and courage - even when it seems dumb)

Nevelia (see you now-now … no goodbyes!)