I still find myself drifing off to thoughts of South Africa during the day. Since April 24th (when I returned to work) I think that I have done about one full day's worth of work.
Anyway, when I think of South Africa I think of the JOY that I felt there more than anything. This is strange because I am a picture person, so you would think that I'd have some specific pictures in my head, but no -- I have a feeling. JOY. There is a mark that the people of Africa leave on you, and I am so thankful to have received it.
I wonder what the kids we loved are doing right now. I pray for their lives to be richly blessed, and I pray that I'll see them again. Sometimes I pray simple, sad prayers -- like, "God, let them eat today."
The little girl in my profile picture is Tuti ... and I would have brought her back to America with me in a heartbeat. On the second day of our "vacation Bible school" program she turned to me in the middle of a song and wispered in my ear, "I am happy now". I didn't even think that a moment so beautiful could exhist. She kept touching my face all week and kissing my hand when she held it. Tuti ... I love that little girl:
Here are some of the kids at the school that is part of Charity and Faith, the church that Crossroads is a partner with:
There are some pretty funny aftershocks of being in SA for two weeks. For example, everytime I see a little black kid I still totally expect them to come running up to hug me. It is pretty dissapointing when they don't.
2 comments:
I shouldn't be commenting.... I am writing my "Mission and Evangelism" final right now... but I needed a break...
Frederick Buechner said: "Your vocation is where your deep gladness meets the world's great need."
World travel is certainly one way for sighted people (the truely gifted kind of being sighted) to rethink what they are glad for--and what the world really needs.
Culture shock stems from the lack of ability to communicate what one has experienced...not just externally, but internally too.
Rome got to me...changed me...re-prioritized just about every life goal I had made to that point. I am glad it did. It helped to make me who I am today.
I will celebrate the changes that South Africa will continue to make in you.
Back to my paper....
Thanks for the encouragement big brother. I love the Buechner quote!
Hope the paper is going well. I don't know what you are writting on, but the subject reminds me that someone recently told me that I have the gift of evangelism. Could be right. People are constantly bringing conversations to me that make me nervous, but I jump in, and end up talking about the roll God has in our lives. It doesn't mean I like it. But, it's a gift. Is it still a gift if it makes us nervous? Don't answer that -- write your paper.
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