When I first spent time in Africa, I fell in love with it. By no means had I planned out my future, but I had developed an appreciation of Kenya, various cultures, and the shared experiences of Pan-Africans in general. Africa gets in your blood. Having come home from Kenya the first time with this medical condition, I feared that when I came back to Africa things would be “different.”
When you first go to a new place, everything is exotic and exciting, especially another country. You want to soak it in. But what happens when a place or culture is no longer exotic and unfamiliar? What happens when you become familiar with how to live and move in a place, with the language and culture, etc?
If you are in a place long enough, life will just become normal. Having spent five months total in East Africa (3 months in Kenya, 1 month in Uganda, 1 month in Tanzania), I have found that sense of ease and familiarity. It also helps that I studied this region a little in college. There are things I can point out that are distinctly East African, or Kenyan at the very least. Mannerisms, language, ways of dress, dance, customs, etc.
Would it still feel new or exciting? Would I still hunger to know more about the cultures? And the scariest question perhaps of all…would God call me there?
No, most of the time it was not exotic anymore and there were no more travel butterflies in my stomach when I was there. Things were different this time, but not how I expected. I don’t feel called to move to Africa, yet. I think I will be back to Africa at some point (for a visit or short-term trip at least). I also really like India a lot so far and would like more time here, but no calling here yet either. You see, it wasn’t Africa that was different; it was my perspective that changed. I realized I was looking at this from the wrong angle. I always thought I would fall in love with a particular ministry or geographic location, and that’s were God would call me.
The truth is, he wants us to fall in love with him. God wants us to know him more and from that a desire to serve him wherever I am will flow out. That’s what has changed. He could call me to another country, to the States, or to a particular ministry or job. But that’s not the point. I repent of putting my own desires and plans for my future above seeking intimacy with the Father.
