I have come to learn that I did not go to Africa to teach orphans and return home to my usual life. I did not go there to play, to donate money and supplies or to experience their amazing and admirable culture (though it was a pleasure to take part in!). I did not go there to solve plaguing issues or magically provide all their needs. I went there to make lifelong relationships. I went there to connect with people who could teach me more than I could ever have learned without them. I went there to see how God works miracles on earth. I went to Africa to feel the true love of Christ.
I am so touched by all of the donations, concern, support and interest people have extended my way. The children at Hope Foundation Orphanage in Tanzania, received new shoes (badly needed), should be receiving new sweaters soon (they must be sewn first), school supplies, medical supplies, financial donations, and even some new movies (Lion King being among them)! :) They also felt the love that people, though strangers, have for their precious and tender souls. What a blessing and what an experience to see their eyes light up. I was told to send my family and friends their greetings and appreciation for the things they received and the love they felt. I was proud of my friends, family, church and country for what we were able to provide and represent.
In contrast, I gained so much from the people of TZ. There is no way I can come close to expressing it, or summing it up in a blog post. So, I'll just explain a portion of what I saw and felt while having the honor of living amongst them....
First off, I was humbled by their zest for knowledge. They all (yes, ALL) seemed so eager to learn, whether it be the English language, about my country, academics, Christ and His gospel, my opinion on politics,...it didn't matter. I had a misconception that US education was somehow more advanced because we have so many resources at our fingertips. Little did I know that people, even young, tender-hearted children, can learn at the speed of light, if they have the desire. While resources certainly make the process easier, they are not the end-all, be-all of a good education. The foundation and the heart of learning lies in our chests, not our pocket books. It is our desire, our open-heartedness and our willingness to learn that makes all the difference. The children and adults at Hope are very intelligent, very motivated and very excited about knowledge. I can't imagine what could be accomplished if we combined their motivation with our opportunities/resources....who knows what kind of cures and technology we would see!
I also admire their constant smiles, greetings, happiness and positive attitudes. Again, I have no time or ability to describe my admiration for the wonderful attitudes I had the pleasure of witnessing. The children I met have been through things I could not fathom. They confront disease and poverty on a daily basis. Yet, they are smiling most of the time. You will not witness any temper tantrums and you will not witness and spoiled whining with these children. They are constantly singing, dancing, holding your hand, loving you, serving you, and wishing you the blessings of God. Sure, they're kids, they might want to play soccer instead of wash their clothes, but it only took a gentle nudge remind them of their responsibilities to see "results."
I learned the value of patience, of service, of prayer, as I watched the community's prayers being answered on a daily basis. I smiled to myself as I thought, "If I ever need anything, I'm asking THEM to pray for it!" :) I believe that the wonderful people I lived with for a month are blessed because they are obedient, humble, and seek truth through God and wisdom. I believe they are blessed, not out of coincidence, but because the Lord promises blessings if we obey. We all the know the scripture, "I the Lord am bound if ye do what I say; but if ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." The Lord is just and honest. He has promised to bless those who are obedient and He always makes good on His promises, in the most appropriate and wisest ways possible.
The children at Hope are very obedient and take care of each other. I respect them and hope that I can always remember the lessons I learned, the feelings I felt, and the security and freedom of a life grounded on firm principals rather than misleading marketing, extreme capitalism, loud billboards, a lust for money, fame, superficiality, fun, frivolousness and ease. I feel pretty comfortable saying that we know the difference between wanting to support one's self, and lusting after money. We know the difference between treating one's self to a nice vacation and spoiling one's spirit to the point of pride and loftiness. We know that life is meant to include fun, but fun should not be the motive behind all decisions...even if that sounds really tempting! :)
I have so much more to learn from the people I met in TZ. I plan to remain friends with them for years and millenia to come. I have had the good fortune of staying in contact with their coordinator, and my new friend, Thomas Soi, who keeps me informed regarding the children at Hope Foundation, and reminds me that they miss and love me. It helps ease my pain just a little, as I miss them terribly and yearn to hug them all again.
This post may just be for me...to remind myself of what is really important, when times get hard, or when I find myself feeling above reproach. Nevertheless, I hope it taught you a little something about a people far away, whom you may only know from history books, movies, or here say. The truth, my friends, is that their humility, their love for one another and for God proves them worthy of nothing less than my admiration, respect and love. I loved witnessing their joy, their happiness and their gratitude for life and its many blessings.
I pray that I may meet them again soon and that, together, you and I might continue to provide for just a portion of their needs and wants along the way.
http://hopefoundationtz.cfsites.org/
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