Africa lags behind America in a lot of ways. It can be difficult to find a good brewed cup of coffee because instant is more accessible (blah). Internet access is not as easy and riding in vehicles can be treacherous due to the horrendous conditions of the roads, particularly in Kenya (I felt like I needed a helmet because my head hit the windows and the ceiling so much). There are a lot of things Africa could improve upon in my “humble” western opinion but instead of focusing on those things I have reflected over the past three months and decided there is a lot that America still has to learn from our African friends. So take a seat America and let Africa teach us for a change because she has got some valuable things to say.
HOSPITALITY- We thought we knew something about this down south in the US but honestly the Africans have us beat. While in Africa I was fortunate enough to live in homes with families and experienced unfailing servitude and graciousness. In Tanzania in particular, my team was warmly welcomed and genuinely made a part of the family of Pastor Mgaya even though we took up a whole bedroom in the three bedroom house that was already full, it was a given that we would stay in their home for a month and we were never made to be a burden or and imposition. But even for short visits, in Africa it is not unusual to be offered a Coke or Fanta while you are sitting in someone’s home even if this is a huge financial sacrifice for the family. It is an odd experience to have the head of the house leave to go buy you a soda to honor your presence as you sit in their single room house with a dirt floor. I felt like many of these people made sacrifices for me even though I was a perfect stranger. Africans have a better idea of what community looks like than we do as Americans and as a result place a higher value on caring for one another and for strangers. I imagine this comes from a dependency on your neighbor that we as a western culture have not understood for generations. America is set up for our treasured and fought for “independence” which we embody as individuals but Africans understand a little more about the beauty of community and it is evident in their hospitality.
WORSHIP- There is something unspeakably beautiful about a room full of people who worship the Lord without caring what anyone else thinks. Dancing, singing, shouting, weeping, and true brokenness abound. Worship is not just a scheduled part of a church service it is a lifestyle of raw honesty before the Lord. I have learned to sing loudly in Africa because talent doesn’t matter. I have learned uninhibited worship here and I hope to never forget it.
