I have always loved fairytales, but not the pretty cleaned up versions. My favorites are the grundgy ones, with a little more peril the ones that seem to have more reality mixed in with an evil that I once thought could only exist in fairytales. One I dearly love is the tale of Robin Hood.
If the romance between Robin and Marianne was removed it would look much less like a fairytale and much more like a war story taken from history. I know it is more of a legend than fairytale. A legend holds more of the harsh reality of life, but the endings are more than a marriage, they are the evil being concurred the good guys coming out a little bruised and hurt but triumphant.
Being in Tanzania has had some hardships. I have not fallen in love with Africa so far. In fact I would much rather stay in the house we are living in this month than go into town. Last month was a little better, but hey there was a coffee shop at the corner of the city center that had…mazungus(white people). First off I am not a city person, crowds, shopping, and busy streets do not appeal to me. Secondly I get so frustrated with the people. Yes there are wonderful men and women in Africa even in Tanzania. For the most part I get to tired of being yelled at, grab at, given dirty looks because I have failed to say hello to each and every person who yells hello/how are you at me, no matter if they are 20ft away and I have no clue where they are. When I am just waking down the street trying to talk to a friend, but every man wants to talk to her too, probably to propose or ask for our numbers or where we are staying.
I am tired of it. I was done with it. I had gotten overwhelmed. I was so overwhelmed I did not really know what the cause of it was. Life on the race throws many things at you, not only was I dealing with the men, but also African culture, with sicknesses on the teams,and also with all that God is teaching me.
Last week we spent 3 days in a village out in what seemed like an oasis, even tho the land is in a drought. We slept in out tents under 2 huge mango trees, a low river ran lazily next to us. Palm trees and little kids dotted the land. There were no mud huts in this village, only brick, but we did venture out in the heat and dry bush to a Masai village where we spoke at a church and went to a families hut.
Those few days felt like heaven. I preached on the last day and was was blown away by the Holy Spirit(maybe a blog later). It reminded me of where Robin Hoods hide out. Far away from big cities and mass amounts of people. The days pass slowly, hard work is done, but lots of playing goes along with it. Music and dancing in the evenings and lots of good food…..antelope! I felt like we were the merry men bringing the good news to these people. Yes we only spoke to church going people and little kids, but we all need to be feed everyday and we all need refreshment. It is an honor to bring it to the world.
When we got back to our house in Morogoro I felt so sad. To walk threw the metal gate into a concrete box. The high concrete wall surrounding us seemed so ugly, a house empty except for our things. I am blessed beyond belief by having this place filled with teammates, music and my bible. Those have saved me this month!
This morning I finally realized something that has changed my perspective on Africa. You see I felt like I was a stranger here. That I was an outsider in these countries. I forgot what it meant when I said my father was the King, and that I was his daughter the heir to his thrown. I forgot that I have a right to this land, that I could step out with confidence knowing who my father is and what that means for me. Where ever I go I have a right to be there. As a daughter of the high King I do not have to fear where I step. Yes, this world is over run by evil rebel forces right now, but they will lose. A day will come when every knee will bow and tongue proclaim that God is King. We may be outsiders right now, but one day all of us will bow before the rightful King. Some will be told well done good and faithful servant and others will be begging to be saved. I hope that I am one of those. This month has real. The only way I can face the day is by beginning it with prayer, my bible and the beautiful faces I see everyday.
This month is not a fairytale. This is real life, with real hurts and real joys. I can walk in this broken world with the confidence of a daughter of the most High King. I of course have hard days, days that require his strength in abundance, but hey thats what a dad is for.
