How Visiting Africa Changed Me | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

How Visiting Africa Changed Me

I thought that I wasn't "called" to Africa, but I was so, so wrong.

201
How Visiting Africa Changed Me
Book in Africa

For quite a few years, I was convinced that Africa wasn’t for me. Sure, I was moved by the stories shown in short clips during World Help presentations, but Africa wasn’t “my” mission field. God had called me to other parts of the world, I was sure. Entirely convinced that I had no interest in visiting Africa, I ignored the first ten emails about an educational trip to Rwanda with my school’s Psychology department. Until one day, I saw yet another Rwanda email in my inbox, and I felt God say, clear as day, “Apply.” Thinking I was crazy, I put it off, but the feeling that I should at least apply grew stronger. I convinced myself that I would apply to appease this strong feeling, but surely there was no way I would ever get accepted. By this point, the deadline was in two days, so I hurriedly got all my documents together, hastily wrote the short essays, and scanned everything in to be sent to the leader of the trip.

Fast forward about a month or so, and I had almost entirely forgotten about this trip. Until an email came in that I had been accepted onto the team. So naturally, I freaked out. After a few meltdowns and extreme nerves about the trip, I touched down in Rwanda with my team in November 2015. From the moment we stepped out of the airport, the manager and a few employees of the hotel we were staying at met us to take our bags and give us a flower and a piece of candy, to remind us of the beauty and sweetness of their country. That set the tone for the whole trip.

The people of Rwanda touched my heart in so many ways. They were incredibly welcoming and loving. They truly showed us love and grace, and it was clear that it was not only because we were tourists. They were so trusting… which is so opposite to American culture. They trust you until you give them a reason not to trust you; in America, we don’t trust anyone until they “prove” they can be trusted.

The people we met in Rwanda were also much more focused on interpersonal relationships than we are in American culture. They view themselves based on their relationships with other people, not just on their “individuality” that is so celebrated in America. Although it’s great to be your own person, the people of Rwanda seemed much more fulfilled than many people I know in America.

Every single day since my trip in November I have thought about the sweet people of Rwanda that I met. I thought that we were going to serve them, but instead, they taught me so much about having a servant’s heart and loving everyone like brothers and sisters. I thought that Africa wasn’t a place that I was “called” to go, but I was so, so wrong. I am so thankful for my time in Africa, and I truly hope to go back one day! Never assume that you know where God is calling you, or where you belong. He might just surprise you!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

930
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

447475
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

20560
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

43786
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments