On the world race, we like to joke around about our “World Race Problems.” We’ll be explaining something that happens on the world race that would never happen in real life. Either we wouldn’t have had to deal with it or it’s something we don’t encounter apart from on the race. I gave you that explanation to set you up for my African World Race Problems. I’ve had a few.
To start off, let me say that Africa and I just don’t get along.
There are a couple reasons for it. There’s different vegetation here that affects me differently – and negatively. Then there are, of course, the embarrassing language barrier blunders. Let me explain.
This is going to be fun.
Something I’ve had to deal with in both African countries we’ve been in so far is the new vegetation. I have been sick for two straight months, and I didn’t understand why. I got a sore throat and runny nose in Uganda during the first week, and it hasn’t left me. It was gone for about a week this month, but other than that, this sickness is relentless. My team leader, Shelley, is a nurse. I asked her about it in Uganda and she told me that I probably have allergies. I denied and completely rejected that answer. I don’t have allergies in America, so how can I be this affected by allergies in Africa? The answer: different vegetation. So, I must be allergic to Eastern Africa. Or it can just be classified as a World Race Problem.
I saved the best for last. I have two language barrier stories to share. This is where it gets good – and embarrassing. I have a story from Uganda and one from Kenya.
So, Uganda. I led a Bible Study at the church with about 8 people. The topic was “Why Do Bad Things Happen?” Well, I studied hard, listened to podcasts, and researched in both my Bible and books on my kindle. I felt prepared. I was excited to bring the truth. So, I’m about halfway done and I’m explaining about how sometimes bad things happen because of spiritual warfare. I had asked my translator to read Ephesians 6:12 which says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” So, he reads a verse, and as he’s reading I look up from my Bible and see everyone staring at me. Even though we don’t speak the same language, I could tell the look in their eyes they were saying, “Are you kidding me?” So I asked my translator what verse he read. He said, “Ephesians 6:5.” I look at it. It says, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.” As soon as I read it I exclaimed, “No! No! I said 6:12!” Oh, it was awful. I don’t know if they took anything else I said seriously or if they just wanted to get out of there. I didn’t know what to do, so I just continued with my teaching as if nothing happened, but it was awkward. World Race Problems!!!
And, one other story for you. This one’s from Kenya.
It was our second week in Kenya. Mama (Pastor’s wife, she and pastor were our main contacts) walks up to the front door of the house and mutters under her breath, “Oh my God.” I asked her, “Are you okay?” She comes out of the front door and onto the porch where we were relaxing in between ministries. She says, “I lost my sister.” Now, before I tell you what I said, let me tell you what’s going on. She looks super confused. And I was looking in the back of my planner at the maps of the world before she came out. That explains why when she said, “I lost my sister,” I responded with, “Where’d she go?” As soon as the words came out of my mouth I realized that what I had said was very stupid. She told me, “She died. Fell in church. I lost one last year and now this year. I hope it doesn’t continue.” She then puts on her shoes and leaves the house. I sit in a pool of shame. How embarrassing. It was confusing and I somewhat blame the language barrier, so I will classify this as a world race problem as well.
So, there are my four main reasons for why Africa and I just don’t get along. I have more, but this blog is long enough as it is. I have one more month left in Africa. We head to Tanzania in 5 days, and I’m really hoping that my time there will redeem these past couple months of embarrassment and world race problems.
