« The future of Burkina Faso | Main | Links to Sudan »
February 11, 2005
I love Africa
The BBC has been doing a series on their website on "why I love Africa." Here are some of the things I love about Africa:
I love the beauty of the vast starry sky and the stillness of the night;
And I love the noise and colour of vibrant local markets, where meeting friends and sharing in the life of the community are more important than simply making profit.
I love sitting on mats under the acacias, drinking tea with Fulani among the cows;
And I love riding my motorbike across the sand dunes, through the river beds, and past villages where children run out and wave.
I love sleeping outside, gazing up at God's handiwork as I drop off to sleep;
And I love sitting inside with the door open when the rains finally come, watching silently with friends the pounding of water on the earth.
I love the sense of awe when a sandstorm blows up;
And I love the joy and relief when the harvest is safely in.
I love that there is always time to talk, that people are more important than the day's programme;
And I love it that God is central to everyday life, and a part of normal conversation.
I love the generosity, that when you arrive at meal time, you are invited to sit round the bowl and share whatever food there is;
And I love the hospitality, that when you arrive in the evening you are invited to stay the night, and a mat is laid out for you.
I love the sense of community - that when you go into a neighbour's yard, you have no idea how many of the dozens of laughing children there actually belong to that set of parents;
And I love it that family is important, and that the elderly are respected and taken care of.
I love it that when you arrive somewhere, you don't do anything until you have properly greeted everyone;
And I love it that when you leave, you are always sent on your way with the blessing of God.
And here are some of the things Steve loves about Africa.
What about you? Have you ever been to Africa? And what did you love about it?
Posted by Keith at February 11, 2005 09:16 AM
Comments
I loved the smell of woodsmoke hanging on the breeze.
I loved the cool of the morning before the sun chased the chill away
I loved the heat of the sun on my bones.
The haze on the tarmac on the brow of every hill
The painted coca-cola adverts on the side of buildings.
The flying ants coming out of the ground after rain like a string of kids bubbles.
The red stain of soil on my feet!
The darkness of night.
The taxi's with God's blessings written on them.
Mundazi's (doughnuts in Kenya).
Above all the people!
Posted by: gordon at February 11, 2005 04:32 PM
You're making me homesick!
Posted by: Keith at February 11, 2005 05:09 PM
How about the smell of the hot ground when the rain's just fallen, and the ground dires in about 5 mins flat? Great blog, Keith. I was doing a course for ministers on emerging church and stered them in your direction!
Posted by: Wol at July 12, 2005 12:59 PM
I Love.....
.... the open heartedness of the people... the desire to talk and get to know...
.... that smiles always include the eyes... laughter is always deep, loud and contagious... dancing is freedom... and emotions are rarely buried...
.... the vastness of the land melting into the horizon in every direction.
....the joys of driving... avoiding lifestock... being amazed that the bridges are still standing... wondering how on earth the vehicles are running still .... the creativity in maximising passenger numbers on every vehicle....
.... the chaos at the markets, clamouring people fighting to sell you their 'best'
.... the reality of 'necessity being the mother of invention'... seeing a man carry his goods to the market (a wicker sofa, 3 armchairs and 2 tables all on the back of one bike!!!!)
.... being in the middle of the bush... yet never more than a minute away from someone appearing to sell you something and chat....
.... the vastness of the sky ... during the day... at sunset when there is nothing more breathtaking... at night ... (when there clearly is something more breathtaking than sunset!)
.... lying on the beaches of Lake Malawi at night... drinking in the stars, listening to the hippos 'laughing' and the villagers dancing to drums...
.... worshipping with a freedom that i've never experienced before... living life free of 'clutter'...
.... learning to see beyond the challenges, injustice and despair and live in hope...
.... standing at the top of the steps of the plane ... feeling the heat and smelling the smell that's like coming home.
.... the beauty of the bush... the colours of the poinsettia trees against the red dust roads... frangipane blossom... acacia... bourgainvillea.... sunsets... blue skies... the richness of the landscape...
.... living in a place that truly does not understand the concept of 'on the go' ... Coffee to go??? when is there not time enough in life to sit and share coffee with a neighbour.. talk about the important things in life....
.... listening to the stories from the villages... weeping and laughing...
.... playing football... (okay watching people who can play) in the villages...
....the names blessed upon people... precious... beautiful... mighty... bountiful... dishwasher???... toyota?!?!?....
.... driving at night... village fires burning along the road, seeing glimpses of life at night.. hearing singing and seeing dancing...
.... being welcomed ... truly and open heartedly..
....providing hours of entertainment as friends try to teach me to carry things on my head...
.... waking up, picking bananas and sitting in the garden drinking fresh coffee and listening to the call of the Lowry bird ... breakfast's never been better....
.... that visiting people is important... a phone call is not enough...
.... wondering what the next surprise will be...
.... living in total reliance on God's provision... where to be centred on God is the norm...
... the hysterical names for places... 'Double Vision School for Boys'.... 'Assertive Driving School'....
.... sitting in a room with Government Ministers and a packed agenda... but the proirity is to meet and pray before the meeting....
.... working in an environment where the desire to change, improve, succeed is heartfelt...
Posted by: sarah at February 15, 2006 10:08 AM
