“We are Africans not because we are born in Africa,
but because Africa is born in us.”
Ever since I was a little girl, God had placed a desire in my heart to go to Africa. I dreamed of seeing God’s children, to see their little faces smiling at me, to see huge grassy plains, elephants, lions, and just a different way of life than what I am used to.
I’ve now been in Africa for three months, and my time here is coming to an end. I’ve seen everything I wanted to see. I saw the Big Five on a safari. I saw landscape that looked like the National Geographic Magazines I used to obsess over. I saw the most beautiful faces. I met the most amazing people. I learned how to handwash clothes, how to cook rice and beans, and how to navigate the bus system (sort of. I am convinced you can’t become an expert at that). I now have family in Mozambique, Swaziland, and Madagascar.
I dreamed of Africa for so long, and it was a million times better than what I expected. I lived in the city. I lived in the bush. I got to experience what everyday life here is like. Some days I felt like I was at home and could do this for the rest of my life, and some days I was beaten down by how hard life here is. I gained an even greater appreciation for the people of Africa.
I wasn’t born in Africa, but I do think Africa was born in me. I’m not the same girl I was. My heart is bigger. My soul is wilder than before. God created something new in me. My heart is more resilient than before, something I learned from the people here. Everyday when I wake up, I can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to bring my way, another thing I learned from the people here. Hope. It covers Africa.
I picked this route, because I was excited to spend three months in Africa. Now that it is coming to an end, I have been reflecting a lot on my favorite moments here. Here’s a couple that come to mind.
- Getting baptized in the Indian Ocean. (Mozambique)
- Teaching Bible Class with Katie to the boys at Beacon of Hope. (Mozambique)
- Going to the elephant sanctuary and literally being charged by an elephant (Mozambique)
- Seeing the big five. (South Africa)
- Cuddling with babies at the carepoint. (Swaziland)
- Cutting grass with machetes. (Swaziland)
- Hiking the mountain that seperates South Africa and Swaziland. (Swaziland)
- Petting a Zebra. (Swaziland)
- Walking through the rice fields to go to ministry. (Madagascar)
- Sharing my testimony and God’s love in English Club. (Madagascar)
- Evangalizing at the University. (Madagascar)
Africa, I loved you, and I’m sure I’ll be back. Veloma.
