As our bus pulled away from the Johannesburg airport and we traveled closer towards the people God had called us to drench in His love for the next several days, I couldn’t get these song lyrics out of my head…
now that I have seen, I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
now that I have held you in my own arms, I cannot let go till you are
(Albertine – Brooke Fraser)
What would we see? Who would we hold…in our own arms? I knew God had awesome things in store for our team, but I couldn’t help but feel a little anxiety about the unknown. Although–there’s something about Africa…the dusty roads, gorgeous faces, and the incredible landscapes…that makes my heart come alive. And just knowing that I was now standing on African turf, made me so excited!
Before we knew it, our hearts were completely engulfed by es’ Khaleni (our care point) and the Swazi people who spend their days there. The sacrificial lives the Go-go’s lead as they cook meals for hungry children everyday with out fail humbled us. The sweet, soft faces of the beautiful kids as they thoroughly enjoyed blowing bubbles for hours on end changed us. The 30 minute (one way), rocky hike down to the river stirred something inside of us, and I don’t think any of us will ever be the same…I hope not.
When I let myself really think about the desperation of the Swazi people, I am overwhelmed with sadness. We saw many signs of malnutrition in the children, and the stories of daily life told at our home visits shocked us. But the smiles on the faces of those children and the indescribable joy that overflows from the people reminds me that our God is not overwhelmed by what’s happening in Swaziland. He is fully aware of every intricate need that exists there. How blessed we are that we get to be a part of His work at es’ Khaleni! His presence there is obvious.
So now what? Now, we’re an ocean away, and a good two weeks into our cushy lives back here in the States. There is a question that’s haunted me since my very first trip to Africa 6 years ago. Why was I born here? Here…where I sleep on a soft comfy mattress rather than a blanket on a dirt floor. When I’m thirsty, I have the option of walking to multiple rooms in my house and turning on a tap rather than taking a 3 hour walk to the river. When I don’t feel well, I take some medicine or get in my car and drive to see a doctor rather than suffering through the symptoms and pain because there’s no other option. Why is my life so comfortable while so many don’t know where their next meal will come from? And I still don’t know the answer to these questions…maybe I won’t ever know this side of heaven.
BUT…I do know this…I know that God has called me to be an ambassador for His people in Africa…to tell their brave stories to any one who will listen. To “rally the troops” in a sense, because the “harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”. Every time I come home from Africa, this calling is clearer. I pray that the passion God has given me for Africa will spill over into the lives of those around me because “now that I have seen, I am responsible”.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27
