a provocative statement

"I need Africa more than Africa needs me."

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that ever since I decided to go to Uganda for a few months, I've been hearing things that suggest that maybe I shouldn't be going. First, I wonder if I should be upset or worried that these are signs that I've made a wrong decision. But those thoughts don't last. They do, however, make me think and evaluate why I'm going.

Perhaps these things that I'm hearing resulted from the "Africa fad" that has in a way permeated much of our pop culture, to the point where people have grown tired of it. They're weary of hearing about it, so they decide to believe that nothing can help. It makes me wonder if cynicism may replace apathy when it comes to opportunities we are given to partner with the people in many nations on that continent who are working for solutions.

As I prepare for my time in Uganda, I have found that this provocative statement in the short video below really resonates with me. Everyone wants to feel needed. I am no exception. But I have found myself being drawn more and more toward the idea that during my seven months in Uganda I will probably do a whole lot more learning than DOing. I really like DOing things, so this will stretch me, for sure. Maybe that's why God has seemed to draw me there.

I have very much to learn.

I invite you to watch the video. It resonates with me because it speaks to a lot of my thoughts and desires as of late. Because while I have no idea yet what God is going to teach me about what it means to NEED Africa, I'm really looking forward to finding out!



This video was produced by a project I'm involved with called Mocha Club.