What I saw in the vastly difference world of Cote d'Ivoire, Africa was an outlook of hope and a passion for change in the presence of difficulty that cannot be easily missed. It's easy to come into a third world country as an American and think you have all the answers. We think because we have resources that we are somehow superior in all areas. Obviously we weren't going around saying this, but I speak from experience -I sort of knew going into the trip that I carry around this sense pride in being American and middle class, but I didn't fully realize these inward flaws until I was face to face with a completely different way of life.
Africans have spirit. They have spirit when they greet you, talk to you, when they dance, sing, play games, and interact. There is a joy and freedom of expression unique to these beautiful people, and it is unlike that the rigid culture we live in. What I didn't realize is that God is Lord over every culture -He is Father to all, and we are united in Him. I quickly saw that worship and style of ministry is not relevant in measuring superiority, because there is no need to measure at all. There are no divisions between us, because we all have a common Father who adores us and died to make us His.
One of the most significant parts of my journey was realizing the incredible amount of blessings I enjoy. I know I don't need to feel guilty for what I have, but being in Africa was a huge reminder of the importance of thankfulness. I have been amazingly blessed by God with an absolutely lovely family. I have supportive and crazy awesome friends who are in it with me for the long-run. I have a car, more clothes than I could ever need, my own room, I never miss a day of eating, and I have infinite opportunity to pursue my goals. I don't think it really gets much better than this. The Ivorians really taught me to be practicing that attitude of thankfulness; they thank the Lord for everything, and they pray for each other constantly. While in Africa, I remember finding myself trecking through the mud and pouring rain with nearly broken shoes for a mile just to get to dinner, but feeling full of joy as I remembered the ways I have been blessed. Thankfulness really is transforming.
This past week in church some short-term missionaries were sharing about their recent trip to Malaysia. They spoke about the African children who had been adopted and brought into the culture and school system in Malaysia, but were rejected and bullied because of their skin color. Even though these children had been rescued from poverty and loneliness, they were being mistreated for what makes them beautiful.
This broke my heart as I thought back to my experience at the orphanage in Abidjan. There was a little boy named Prince who I connected with particularly. We had simple conversations in French and he told me about his five other siblings who had recently come to the orphanage with him.
It tore me up to think about how the 30-some children living in the orphanage hardly have a chance -there isn't even a way for them to be adopted by people from outside countries as the process has never been set up. I was so overwhelmed by my desire to rescue all of them and just love them. I want them to know that someone genuinely, wholeheartedly cares for them and wants to help them in life.
 |
| Prince |
"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adoption you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory." -Romans 8:15-17
