This Is Africa

I went to Africa on a Missions trip in 2008. It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes to a different world. I wish the feeling could have lasted forever. I still hold Africa in my heart, but it was only a matter of time before western culture infected me and my consumerism nature overthrew all I had learned. I think of Africa as if it’s a distant dream. I remember the faces as if they were angels. I hold them close within, deep in a part of my being that will never be tainted. It is difficult living here to distance myself from the ways of life, the cars, the money, the greed. But sometimes, when the sun is shining through my blinds, and I haven’t quite woken and I am not yet a part of this world, I think to myself, T.I.A This is Africa...and I am thankful in those moments to know, Africa, somehow, will never leave me. Lisa, I will never forget your beauty. Below is my first journal entry:

3:00 pm, Sunday.
I woke up for a moment and forgot where I was. When I realized that it was African sun shining through the window, energy surged through me and I instantly kicked off the covers. Everyone was awake at 6:45am, easily, because our bodies felt like it was 9:45 at night. For breakfast we had oatmeal, which we had to add sugar to. Their sugar is larger and has a more natural sweetness to it. We arrived at the Grace Academy with time to walk around and see the children. I met this little girl Susan and instantly loved her personality. She danced and sang for us, and introduced us to her friends. The church service was unlike anything I have ever attended. They sang songs, using only clapping and a single drum as an instrument, yet the power in the room was unbelievable. They prayed with such passion and devotion, yelling “praise Jesus!” and “Hallelujah!” I was incredibly moved by their voices, and couldn’t help but cry when I looked out the window towards the flat lands and let their songs remind me of the beauty in the world, the power of people coming together...I felt so blessed in that moment to be a young adult so capable of adventure. The music, the dancing, the clapping and worship filled the room with such an amazing intensity, I felt a comfort in the overwhelming feeling of appreciation. Susan, before I got to know her, was the young girl standing beside me singing along with the choir. Her voice broke through a layer of my heart and I closed my eyes to focus on it. When I opened the, my head was tilted towards the ceiling and I was humming to the tune. The pastor invited us to stand, the room welcomed us by chanting “love, peace and joy!” I did not feel for a single moment that I did not belong there. We are all of the beloved one. After the church service my hands went directly to my chest, I hadn’t realized how quickly my heart had been beating. I left the church and stepped outside where the sun embraced me, reminding me where I was. I put my hand against the wall to steady myself and for a moment. I stood with one hand on the wall and the other over my heart. It was beating so magnificently fast, this place is so beautiful, so full of joy, and I felt completely whole, not wanting to be anywhere else. Tears streamed down my face but no sound came out because I felt no pain. My heart was not crying out of sorrow, rather releasing all my amazement through wet banners decorating my skin, tears! Tears! Tears! Amazing, perfect tears! I didn’t want them to stop...I wanted to feel this much power all the time. These are the things that opened my eyes. These are the things that I need to take back to the people and give them this love. I didn’t realize there was love like this, and how important it is. It doesn’t matter who or why, just love...love unconditionally...without limits...there shouldn’t be any rules...love who you want to love and love who you don’t. Just love.