I’ll be honest—when I was applying to the Race and looking at the different routes, I was trying to find the route that included the least amount of African countries. It’s not like I disliked Africa or anything like that, I just never had a desire to go; and—like many people—I had all these fears of what the environment would be like. In my mind, it would be hot, dry, barren, totally removed from all civilization, and…spooky…? And those things aren’t completely true or completely untrue. As with everything, there is some truth to stereotypes, but the entire continent is comprised of very different countries. And my personal perspective on Africa has been transformed.
Let me share with you some of the fears I had before arriving here, and maybe you’ll get a fresh perspective, too.
1. Fear of having no running water. So maybe this is a legitimate fear to have in other parts of the continent, but in Maputo, Mozambique, water is readily available through the government and privately owned water distributors. (There actually was a strike this past week among the water distributors, so we really didn’t have running water for a few days; but we survived perfectly well off of what water we did have. Thus, fear was realized and overcome.)
2. Fear of unattainable personal hygiene. I would consider myself a pretty clean person. And I like that. Naturally, if I was afraid that I wouldn’t always have water, I questioned whether I would ever be able to shower, too. True, a shower is not a daily event out here, but I’ve realized that my “need” for a consistent bath is definitely more of a preference than a necessity. I have showered twice since being here—once last Monday and once on Saturday—and I have been okay, haha. Some of us have started exercising, though, so maybe I’ll add an extra shower in during the week. Also, baby wipe “showers” work just as well here as they did back in the jungles of Ecuador.
3. Fear of a fruit famine. I love fruit. At home, I probably exceed my daily suggested serving size in this food group. I was told that I wouldn’t be able to find much fruit in Africa. This is totally untrue. Again, I’m sure there is a scarcity of fruit in other countries, but Mozambique is not one of them. Fruit is available to me every day, and Mozambique oranges might be the best oranges I have ever tasted (and I live in California!). They’re like big Cuties: really sweet, easy to peel, and seedless J. (Not to mention, super cheap.)
4. Fear of intense spiritual warfare. Before coming on the Race, I would read blogs or hear stories of people having very tangible experiences of spiritual warfare in Africa: demon possession/oppression, physical healings, encounters with witchdoctors, etc. I’ve already been thrust into the battle—but it’s not scary. It’s hope-inducing to pray for an abandoned girl with two broken legs; it’s exciting to watch a crippled man stand up out of his wheelchair and walk sturdier than before; and it’s powerful to pray against demon attacks in Jesus’ name. (I did end up visiting and praying for the woman mentioned in my previous entry whose mother was a witchdoctor). Some of the manifestations of the spiritual world are still very unfamiliar to me and my own unbelief can lead me to doubt sometime. But despite what I am familiar with, the Holy Spirit’s presence is very evident, here, and when I am fully engaged in the situation—my mind is in the present, distraction-free—the reality of spiritual warfare is undeniable.
5. Fear of preaching. We were told that pretty much every World Racer ends up preaching at some point in the year, especially in Africa (that’s just what ministry looks like, here). Back in Ukraine, I started praying that God would grow in me the gift of teaching and thereby giving me more confidence in preaching and public speaking. I believe that He is doing this now, but I need to do my part and seize the opportunities He gives me to develop this gift. I actually ended up speaking at church this past Tuesday (yes—there are services at our church every Sunday morning, Tuesday evening, and Saturday afternoon, as well as service at another church Thursday evenings, all at which we get the opportunity to speak and sing “special songs.”). I talked about identity, referencing Romans 8 and how we are God’s children. It wasn’t the most complete sermon, but I know that it was well-received and that I’m in the process of growing.
In summary, don’t judge a book by what you see in the movies. I love Africa!
