Muli Bwange Muzungu!?
(Literally translated: “how are you feeling white man?”)
Africa is MY PLACE.
I LOVE it.
I had the awesome opportunity to visit Zambia three years ago on a summer trip with CRU. I LOVED it. But even before that I loved Africa. I don’t know why, but I was so drawn to it’s people and culture. It’s like I KNEW it was the place for me.
Three years ago confirmed that. Big time. I had the time of my life on that trip. I balled my eyes out when I got home for Africa, hoping God would take me back.
Three years later…
“GUYS!! WE ARE FINALLY IIIINNNNN AAFFERIICCAA!!” – The words I yelled two months ago as we entered Lusaka, Zambia Airport.
Month 10, finally, after 9 months of world racing, waiting and waiting to get to Africa. Don’t get me wrong I liked the other countries, even loved many of them. I enjoyed my time in each One I didn’t like each country less because they weren’t Africa, but they WEREN’T AFRICA.
I have barely cried on this trip. It’s not like I have a “Stone-Cold-Steve-Austin” heart, it’s rather soft. But I just hadn’t…until Africa.
I was flying into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it was the most beautiful fly-in I’ve ever witnessed. I was even bummed up to first class, where you’re supposed to be well-composed…I lost it. When I saw the African land tears just started streaming down. I was so over taken that God would bless me so much to come back to a place I loved so much, so soon.
God promise me there, “Jacob, I love you, this is your place.” It’s hard to describe but I knew he meant even more than that, more like: Jacob I love you. I know you LOVE this place, I made you that way. My favor is all over you to be here over and over again. You don’t have to worry about your life, I’ve planned blessing and amazement beyond your wildest dreams. This extends in all areas of life, but today it includes YOU being back in AFRICA. This is your place :).
I just soaked it in, tears and all.
Why do I love this place so much? It’s hard to say specifically. It’s not a formula or chain of events. It just simply IS.
But here are a few examples…
The people are AWESOME. All of them. It’s not like I went to Africa and found a few cool people, more like I went to Africa and found ONLY cool people. They all seem to be happy, smiley, joyful and fun. I’m an instant brother to everyone.
The handshakes. At least in Southern Africa they all do this shake-shift, where they rotate between a palm grasp and handshake. It’s fun. I got so used to it, I do it to all my friends.
The Rasta’s. There are not as many as in Jamaica. But, they are in the elite category when it comes to fun and loving life. Even compared to the rest of the Africans. Rastafarians are my all time favorite people to evangelize to, and buy stuff from :). Dreads on dreads on dreads.
The sky. Literally the African sky is BIGGER. I know it doesn’t really make sense but if you could see it you would understand. It’s huge, and gorgeous, everyday.
The fritters. Basically fried bread, like apple fritters without frosting. They sell them everywhere for a nickel. They are solid.
It’s magical. I don’t know how to describe this either. It is like a fairy tale land with the atmosphere it provides. Again if you’ve been there, I think your understand. The immense Victoria Falls, relaxing tropical Lake Malawi, the sparkling people. It’s all like something from a movie.
It’s B-E-A-Utiful. Our American view of Africa is not accurate. We from our view from a combo of Worldvision commercials and Lion King. Africa is not all dirt, not all huts and not all animal kingdom. In their summer/fall it is super green and lush. Especially in Malawi. 2nd place only to places like Hawaii.
The music is so upbeat and fun. It practically makes you happy, and when your happy you have to dance. Africans dance A LOT. I love that too. We dance in the street, at dinner, at ministry and especially at church. You would think we were clubbin’ at church with how every one twists and shouts. Groovin’.
The kids. They play. All the time, all the ways. Their imaginations are vast. They will play Soccer for 10 hours straight. The technology fad has hit Africa more than you think, but it hasn’t yet started to affect the way and amount kids play. They don’t even need supplies. They make soccer balls out of Walmart bags, and roll tires around. They are also VERY athletic. They do gymnastics and other acrobatics everywhere. Bonus – they have the cutest kids on earth.
Every family tree has an Aunt Jemima. An over-the-top, deep laughing, love the dickens out of you, squeeze you to death, motherly figure. She is always a great cook and confident singer.
The entire demographic of our 50 person squad is North American. Needless to say, we stick out in most of the cultures we visit. Some places treat us with contempt, some are polite, some think we’re loud, some think we’re celebrities, but Africans just love us. They treat us as their long time friends or family. I feel the love every time I walk down the street, they are very accepting.
The colors of Africa are so bright. Every country seems to have some combo of bright orange, yellow, green blue or red. The flags aid to making the African horizon great. The clothes almost seem like wild flowers, scattered all over the land.
They speak English in Southern Africa. Great for a guy that only knows English. They’re local languages are great too, easy to learn because they’re phonetic, spelt exactly as they sound.
Everyone seems to love Jesus in Southern Africa. The biggest problem a not battling another religion, but rathe battling the lukewarmness in our own. But the greatest part is the Africans are super responsive. They are very active in sermons, making you feel like Billy Graham when you preach. They are so hungry, you make walk into a room hoping to make one disciple and walk out guiding ten.
Africa time. For some people that know my family and I, they know we’re always late. Consistently 10-30 minutes past when we should be at a destination. Some times more. African time is on a whole other level. Ranging from 1-4hours late. For example if church starts at 8:30am our western minds think “ok I’ll be ready at least by 8:25. In Africa the pastor and equipment guys don’t show up until 9:15, service itself may actually start at 9:30 if you’re lucky and all of the Attending members will be there at 10. Service is usually three hours long, but for the Americans who have been waiting since 8:30 it’s 4-4 1/2 ha. Over all African time is great once you get used to it. They are the most easy-going, flexible people you’ll ever meet.
No matter how poor or needy they are, they’re STILL happy. Have you ever seen a beggar smile? Before getting money? In Africa they do, because their happiness doesn’t rely on money, it’s something bigger.
I’ve never seen heaven and hell meet in the same place so clearly before. Africa has more life poring through it than anywhere else I’ve seen. They also have more pain. Aids and malaria smite the people over and over. Lack of education and medication cause it to spread wild. They need help. Desperately. The average life expectancy in Zambia is 37. Half of what it is in America.
The biggest reason I love Africa is because of the feeling I get when I’m there. I always feel lucky, As if I’m on vacation. I feel so free aNd adventurous. I feel caring and loving. I feel so full of life. It is always a great day to be alive in Africa. If you don’t believe me, read the first line of my journal entries.
That is why I LOVE Africa. That is why I can’t wait to come back. Why I can’t wait to go to medical school, to learn so eventually I can help.
That’s my dream, to be able to do medical missions on the coast of Africa. I’m believing God will make it happen 🙂
Cheers,
Jake
