As i embark on the unknown journey ahead, I am full of the invaluable love from so many at home. I have no idea what to expect. I am honoured to have so many of you apart of my life, your support, love and prayers I cherish and am so very grateful. It is invaluable. As many of you know returning to northern Uganda for me was just waiting to happen. In 2009 when i went to build, Uganda and its locals stole a piece of my heart, started to open my eyes to what is occurring and what i can do to help. That was the start.
All those typical questions...Why Africa? Can’t you help from here? After this or that? Is that really necessary? What do you think you could even do to help? That’s Africa, it will always be like that. Or there is the response of Ok. You just go and get it out of your system. Going to Africa for me is certainly not a spiritual crusade or trip to seek one’s self.
The views of others can be destructive and hinder so much. We all have deceptions and views of places, especially Africa. How can we say anything till we have placed our feet on their soil. The papers is usually opposite of what a ‘situation’ is like. Were drenched in lies that have been sold to us and we have accepted them and stored these in our perceptions. Not just us westerners, locals in Africa I have heard numerous times mock “why would you ever want to go there? (Northern Uganda) I wouldn’t” Call it insanity, I feel peace and freedom.
I remember before i left i would catch myself during typical ‘everyday’ conversations saying expressions like ‘why are we talking about this, who cares, can we talk about something else.” Usually towards innocent Joel, who would usually respond with a confused, annoyed face. After, i would utter to myself what? What would you rather speak about, why am i annoyed that were speaking of our everyday life?’ I see now that it’s out of my frustrations for the question of why something’s are spoken of and others never.
We cannot solely blame our news sources for the unwritten and unheard stories of what is occurring. We all know that there is something that is wrong to say the least in parts of our world. It’s that we chose to ignore to search for the truth, because we know what we will find will cause us to act. To act = uncomforting, unfamiliarity, fear of unknown and what it will put us out. That is when we convince ourselves that it could not be me that should help. The lie drops that were satisfied, comfortable and do not need to respond to our heart that cries, that beats along with the abducted child’s for equality.
What would have happened if William Wilberforce and others didn’t fight for slavery? What if there was still severe racism? If they didn’t stand up and say ‘it’s not ok that a dark skinned person is valued like an animal. If activists in history decided that someone else will come along one day and help instead of them.
The silent fear inside of my head, of what could i ever do to help. Where is my role in fighting for peace? I don’t know. I’m finding if you just go. Walk out (usually from your comfort) willing hands will fulfil a duty. When that happens, that is joy, love. Surprise that maybe there is something more to life and yes, meaning to my existence and the person in front, a responsibility to the less fortunate. I know that by simple acts one can transform a person’s life, and that’s truly a privilege to do.
Before leaving people would get excited by their question of “what are you going to do or what would you like to see done?” I feel i would have disappointed them with my lack of agenda.
It is simple though. I just pray I give help regardless of tribe or religion, with no strings attached, nothing in it for me. I pray I am lead to the most affected, most downtrodden, most vulnerable and I will be a hand to them.
I would like to think that if I was in that position someone would help me.
What decides where we are born and into what kind of life and why? The more I ask, the more I feel the answer slipping out of reach.
Every generation has the opportunity to do something great. We CAN actually abolish poverty and fight preventable diseases. That is a fact. So I enter with this as a hope.
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