Life Lessons of Africa - Explore Archived World Race Alumni Blogs

As I have been reflecting over my four months spent in Africa, I can’t help but become reminiscent of all the good things God did. Africa as a whole changed my life, with my heart growing deeper for it’s people with every country we went to. Your heart grows 10 sizes there as you witness and experience the authentic African lifestyle. There is no other place quite as special as this continent. So many people get a misconception of what East Africa looks like. We assume that the entire continent is grasslands and not much else..oh how wrong that statement is. There are mountains and lush greenery that span for miles. There are the vibrant cities of Kigali and there’s also small villages surrounded by grass huts. There is both poverty and wealth. There is life and joy everywhere you walk. There is peace in countries that have been plagued with war. There is beauty everywhere you look. This is Africa. God opened my eyes and taught me so many things about Him and His creation through these months. Here are just some of the top things God spoke through Africa.

God’s presence lives here. Immediately when we stepped off the plane into Kigali, Rwanda I felt a rush of peace come over me. I was the furthest from my worldly home, yet spiritually I felt right at home in His presence.
Worship is so much more…so much more than singing a few well placed songs with my hands raised. Worship is praise and it requires your entire body, soul, and spirit to be present. This could be dancing and singing for hours on end or it could be reverently on your knees of the church. Life is meant to be lived full of worship
Food. Each country had the major staple food of rice and potatoes, but what I will miss most of all is chapati!! It is a flat-bread that can be added to any meal and you’ll be sure to love.
Joy isn’t circumstantial. I have witnessed the poverty of these countries. I have sat in homes where they have nothing. I have listened to families share their stories of how the wars have torn their family apart. Yet, they still are joyful. They still have hope and a belief that God is still good. They don’t allow what is going on around them to affect the joy that the Lord has given them. It’s truly inspirational.
Forgiveness. After the Rwandan genocide these people had a choice. They could harbor bitterness and resentment or they could choose to forgive. The genocide was only 25 years ago. It is still fresh and emotional wounds are still healing. You couldn’t walk down the streets without knowing that each person was affected by it. They chose to forgive..forgive neighbors and friends who betrayed them. Forgive the rest of the world that remained silent and oblivious. They chose to forgive and rebuild a new Rwanda that is guided by grace and love.
Life lived simply will make you appreciate the day. Many of our days were spent living on “African time.” They aren’t in a hurry and they enjoy the time spent with each other. You become an expert at hand washing clothes and find it quite peaceful. You watch amazing ladies cook over a small fire top and admire their diligence to wok endlessly to prepare for you. You will stand amazed a minimum of 5 times as you watch the African sun set over the trees. You will stop worrying about missing life at home, because nothing else feels so simple at home.

I could go on and on about my time spent here. There are memories and experiences that are still hard to translate into words. There are people who I will never forget. There are lessons that I will take home with me. I will be back one day to visit all the places that I hold special to my heart. I am so thankful for this route to have spent 4 months learning and growing in a beautiful place like Africa.

Rwanda: End of day school feels