Until August 7th of this year, I’d never stepped foot onto African soil. I’d always had preconceived notions about what it’d be like or how I’d feel being here, but if I’m being honest, I was almost completely wrong. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Now that I’m four months deep into living normal life here, I’ve come up with a list of things I’ve learned. Disclaimer: I’ve only been to four countries in Africa, all in the southern region. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. Here we go!
- Most people speak English.
- Most signs, food labels, and products are written in English.
- South Africa is basically America in Africa, except people have different accents (at least from what I experienced in Jeffrey’s Bay).
- You can buy ANYTHING you need here. This is specifically relevant for future World Racers or anyone thinking about traveling to Africa. Deodorant, probiotics, tampons, you know, anything!!
- People walk everywhere. Rarely do people drive short distances. Rarely do people own cars. It’s normal to walk two miles to and from your destination. The normalcy of walking for transport is something I wish was reality everywhere in America.
- Not all parts of Africa are unsafe. In fact, more times than not, I would’ve felt completely comfortable walking around town by myself (I didn’t though mom, no worries).
- Church is simplistic. Concrete (sometimes dirt) floors, tin roofs, plastic (or concrete) chairs/benches, and sometimes an altar. All that’s required? The Word.
- Everyone wears chitenges. A two-meter-long piece of colorful, patterned fabric that women wrap around their waists and wear as skirts for modesty.
- Chitenges can be used for anything. Skirts, picnic blankets, baby wraps, cushions for carrying things on your head, etc.
- Somehow, anything can be carried on your head. Women especially amaze me with this. Just the other day, I watched two women carry literal TREES on their heads. Probably 50 pounds worth of chopped wood!!!
- There are some parts of Africa that are almost tropical in nature with lush greenery and palm trees! Much to my surprise.
- People are thirsty for the Gospel. Almost everyone I’ve talked to knows Jesus. Or at least knows about Him. People quickly gather together to hear encouragement from the Word. America needs this thirst big time!
- Everyone shares everything. If you put your aloe water in the fridge, you better expect your host to be drinking it the next morning (@Brandi). Yours is mine, and mine is yours. Sharing is caring, folks!
- Ministry can be serving soup to cyclists, preaching the Word to 1000 high school girls, going door-to-door to tell people who Jesus truly is, and anything in between. Ministry is not one thing. It is following Jesus’ footsteps and living like He lived here on Earth.
- African heat is a real phenomenon. Especially in Zambia in the month of October (107 degrees!!!!).
- African food is yummy. Pap/satsa/shima/sima, greens, beans, veggies…all of it. If it’s prepared by a local, I could eat it all day every day.
- Public toilet paper is rarely available. You’re lucky if there’s even a real toilet when you go into town. And forget about hand soap!
- Americans are highly idolized. From the unending stares by kids and adults alike when you walk down the street, to the special chairs to sit in at the front of a church while all the locals sit on the dirt floor, be prepared to be treated like royalty if you visit Africa as a white American. Or just a white person in general (read my previous blog to learn more).
- African clinics don’t use disposable gloves. Sanitary? Nah. Worth it? Apparently.
- Dirt and dust inevitably get ingrained into your skin. The red dirt is EVERYWHERE. Outside, inside, you can’t escape it. Exfoliate all you want, you’ll still be rubbing dirt off your skin 3 months after you leave Africa.
- Song and dance is huge. People worship enthusiastically and joyfully. Half of every church service consists of worship, and you better prepare to worship like no one is watching. Dance foolishly before the Lord!
- Don’t let market people rip you off just because you’re white. Someone once tried to charge me $5 for one apple, and through resistance and bargaining, I eventually got the price down to $.40. Don’t let them take advantage of you!!!
- You know that story in the Bible where the wealthy woman gives a substantial offering but it barely makes a dent in her savings account, and the poor woman gives a few cents but it’s all she has? That’s true of everyone here in Africa. These people have nothing to give, but they give everything they have. The true definition of cheerful giving.
- Malaria-carrying mosquitoes only come out at night. Who knew?
- Cities never sleep here. If you live anywhere near a city, or even a small town with a market, you better bring ear plugs if you want to sleep. Blaring music and roosters will keep you up all night no doubt!
- Cockroaches are just a normal part of life. As soon as the sun goes down, they crawl out of the walls and into the bathroom, the sinks, the beds, on my feet, and all over the walls. If you want to make a game out of it, just start naming them (or training them, as Elaina loves to do).
- Hand-washing laundry isn’t as bad as it seems. It’s kind of fun and therapeutic actually. But if you have the opportunity, pay a local to do it for you, because they’re sure to be a lot better at it if you’re unexperienced like me!
- People are so kind, friendly, and generous here. Walking down the street, everyone says hi, will give you a handshake if you’ll allow it, and is sure to invite you into his/her home. One woman even gave me an entire bag full of mangoes once for FREE! Praise God.
- The general perception of Americans here is that they’re wealthy, so don’t be surprised when everyone and their brother asks you for money. Especially children. Children are sadly trafficked into begging white people for money, and on more than one occasion I’ve been followed for extended periods of time by kids holding out their hands waiting for me to give them cash, no matter how many times I’ve told them no.
- All dogs look the same. Why? I have no idea. But there’s only one breed of dog in Africa, and it’s called mutt.
- It’s possible to live normal life in other countries. Wild concept, right? For some reason, before leaving for the Race, I never thought I’d feel at home in another country, let alone in a 3rd world country. I thought it would always feel foreign to me. Boy, was I wrong. I guess I had this misconception because until the Race, I had never lived in another country longer than a week, so I never had the chance to settle down and experience a normal routine. But after having lived in four different countries for a month at a time, I realized that no matter where I travel, it’s possible to make any place home. It is so beautiful, and such a blessing!
- Each country in Africa is wildly different. That’s why I had a hard time titling this “What I’ve Learned in Africa”, because that generalizes the continent, and each country is so unique. I’ve had completely different experiences in each country I’ve been to, and even within each country, each team on my squad has had different experiences from the rest. But overall, when I think of Zimbabwe and when I think of Zambia, I think of two totally different places and cultures, whereas before I left for the Race, I lumped them altogether because I had no other concept at the time.
- “Just now” means in like 20-30 minutes, not right now, like one would think.
- The Lord is the same in America as He is in Africa, as He is in the rest of the world. Although He may be working in different ways in each place, God was the same yesterday as He is today, and as He will be tomorrow and for forever. We all worship the same God. Which is the coolest thing, because no matter what church I go to, whether or not there’s a language barrier, I have always felt at home. Because when they sing songs, whether in English, Ndebele, Ntonga, Afrikaans, or Chichewa, we’re all singing to our Creator, the One who designed each one of us. How amazing is that?! And it’s comforting to know that God will also be the same in Asia, especially since Christianity is a crime in most places. Prayers for my squad and I as well as for the people in the countries we will be ministering in there.
- Monkeys are in fact not cute, but evil.
- People wear long sleeves and long pants in 100 degree weather with 100% humidity. I don’t think I’ll ever understand.
- You can buy steroids, antibiotics, and mostly any other medication without a prescription.
- Time is a foreign concept. Relationships matter far more than time does. I’ve already talked about this in a blog, but it’s worth mentioning again, because it’s a huge part of African culture.
- Safari animals don’t just roam around in everyone’s backyard. You have to go on safari in a national park to see the Big 5. Sadly, that’s probably the only place you’ll see a lion or an elephant.
- Breastfeeding is normalized. No hiding it, no breastfeeding covers, none of that. If a babe needs to eat, he/she needs to eat, and there is no shame in feeding him/her in public. America, take note!!
- “I’m fine” is the same as “I’m good”. It’s not as rude to say that here as it is in America.
- There is abundant joy despite struggle. 80% of Malawi lives below the poverty line. I honestly wouldn’t know the difference between a person below the poverty line and a person above the poverty line upon meeting them, because everyone is just so darn kind, happy, generous, and grateful no matter their circumstance. It is so inspiring to me.
- Squatty potties are real and they’re just as gross as you’d expect them to be. Expect flies up your butt!
- Chapati is life. Chapati is a pita/naan-like bread that is made all over Africa in different ways. So easy to make, and so freaking yummy! I can’t wait to bring this delicious bread recipe home for my friends & family!
- Meat is expensive and not as widely consumed as one might think.
- You either live on “this side” or “that side”. Not a mile away, not “over there”, not “next to the grocery store”, but “this side” or “that side”.
- There’s no such thing as a short church service. Church never starts on time, and it always runs over. Think it starts at 10? You’re lucky if it starts at 11. Think it’ll only be an hour long? Think again! 3 hours later you’ll be wondering when it’ll be over.
- Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated here. Might be common knowledge, but I really had no idea until my hosts mentioned that this Thanksgiving was their first. So sweet celebrating with them!
- Quiet time with the Lord is super important. For me, it’s most beneficial to have that time in the morning. The best part of my day, by far.
- The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Both here and in America. And in Asia. He’s faithful and good all around the globe. What a good Father we have! This season of walking with Him has been the sweetest of my life.
Love from Asia,
Allison
