Article: I Left Darlene in Africa
I Left Darlene in Africa
One of the Rafiki mamas and her little ones, Ghana.
Remember the sitcom Roseanne? Well, if you do, then you remember Darlene — the icon of teen angst. That was me on every family vacation from about ten to thirteen years old. This is the story of how I left her in Africa.
About twenty years ago I was sitting in a church pew, looking at the little sidebar of the handout, and it said, “Interested in a short-term mission trip to Africa?” I was at a crossroads in my life. I had just ended a relationship and my short-lived career in real estate. I thought, oh my gosh — yes, I am interested in a short-term mission trip to Africa.
I went to the informational meeting a couple of weeks later and learned about the Rafiki Foundation. It is a Christian organization that starts villages in different countries in Africa to help raise orphans in Christian, loving community and homes. The orphans are cared for by mothers who devote their lives to raising these precious children. The mothers have typically lost family as well, and are most likely widows. Their goal is not to have the children adopted out to different countries, but to be raised in their home country — to get an education, and become leaders in their community and country.
After learning about this amazing organization, I felt called to go wherever the need was greatest. Most of the people in the informational meeting were thinking about going after retirement or in a few years. I told them I was ready to go right away. There was another girl at the meeting who said she was also ready to go and would like a partner, so we decided to pair up. They sent us to the country of Ghana in West Africa.
I just spent the last two hours reading my journal from my time there. It was truly the most life-changing trip I have ever been on. I spent four weeks in an orphanage village outside Accra, Ghana. I taught school — math and computer science to twelve- to fourteen-year-old girls who lived outside the village — and spent plenty of time playing with the little ones who lived inside it.
It is hard to sum up my time there, but here is a little glimpse from my journal.
Ghana — March 2006
3/08/06
What a wonderful morning. This morning I went for my first run — 6am, sun coming up. I only ran for about thirty minutes, but it was so nice — hot and humid. Everyone I passed on the road was very friendly. I did not feel in danger at all. It was surreal (I hate that word) passing ladies carrying huge baskets on their heads, dressed in brightly colored Ghanaian dresses. I passed a Rafiki girl who is in my computer class — her name escaped me then, and now again.
At the girls’ center we have devotionals every morning. We sing songs and have a small lesson. Today’s lesson was on Grace. We sang Amazing Grace and I got chills all over my body. It was the most amazing Amazing Grace I have ever heard. A cappella, harmonizing, and just beautiful. We talked about how we do not deserve God’s Grace, but He gives it anyway. Kathy asked the girls for examples of how God has shown them grace. Magdelene answered, “by letting us live every day.” What a simple answer, but how true. These girls know how precious life is. Here, it is not taken for granted.
Yesterday, while I was trying to get “online” to check email, I saw all the American ads on MSN — “how to lose 10 lbs in 10 days,” what was hot or not at the Oscars. Wow. How removed we are from all that B.S. If every American could see how people live here, and how joyful and grateful they are just to be alive, their priorities might take a shift for the better. We have so much in the U.S. and give so little. Generally speaking — I hope I can hold these feelings in my heart when I return and not go back to the way I was. I want to be a giver — not just of money, but of time and love — to those who need it most. The look from these children as you hug them and hold them is something I will never forget.
Today, after computer class, I went on a walk with Mama Agnes, Mama Beatrice, and the toddlers. We walked to a neighbor’s house — a lady who only spoke Twi, I believe. We sat with the children in the shade, sang songs, and a few even recited Bible verses. Proverbs 3:5–6, my favorite! We sat there with chickens running around us, and the children who lived there were mesmerized by us — or probably by the strange white girl. Mama Agnes held a chicken, and whenever someone misbehaved, she would say, “Here is your friend, hold him!” — and they were all frightened of it. At least Isaac was. He’s the ADD troublemaker, but of course I adore him. He has the sweetest grin, mischievous, with huge dimples.
3/31/06
I just cried so hard, I almost threw up. Today was my last full day here. This evening I went with Barbara, Mama Gifty, Mercy, and Lizzy — and all the children, except a few older girls who were making cookies with Traci. We all piled into Barb’s van. Picture it: a 15-passenger van with 45 of us in it. No kidding. Talk about claustrophobia. At first I was in a slight panic — way in the back, crammed in like a sardine, with about three kids on my lap, one of whom peed his pants … and so mine, too.
But it was so great, really, once they all started singing. So awesome to hear their little voices praising with all of their lungs. So precious. Cured my claustrophobia. Oh — I forgot to mention where we were going. The outing was to see the big satellite dish about two miles away. Simple pleasures. Neat-O.
On the way home is when the waterworks started. I was so overwhelmed with how much I was going to miss them, and to top it off, Barb says, “Oh look, there is a Lufthansa plane — Auntie Sarah will be flying out on it tomorrow.” Sob fest. I happened to be sitting next to a few of my favorites — Baba, Randy, and Carlos — and of course they started giggling and making fun of me. Vivian was sitting next to me and looked up at me with the sweetest eyes and said, “Are you really leaving tomorrow?” I couldn’t even speak anymore. I just nodded. Mama Gifty was sitting next to me and said, “I am going to miss you so much.” More tears from me.
At that moment I realized how un-claustrophobic I was, and how much I wanted to stay crammed in that van just to be as close as I could to all of them — and wrap my arms around each and every one.
• • •
Tanzania — April 2006
My heart will forever be in Ghana, and I left Darlene there, too.
Somewhere in Tanzania, 2006.
While I was on the giant continent of Africa, I wanted to see some wildlife. Ghana is not the place for that. So I contacted friends in San Antonio who had lived and worked in the safari industry in Africa for many years, and they hooked me up with a friend, who then hooked me up with a friend of a friend, and I landed on a “budget safari” in Tanzania. Just a quick nine-hour flight across the continent. Cue: next life-changing trip.
Mind you, this was all done via email. I did not even have a phone on this trip. I showed up at the airport and saw my name on a sign: “Sarah.” Welp — that must be my ride. For some reason, I had it in my head that they would throw me in with a group of people for this safari. Nope. Turns out it was just me, my guide, and my cook on a nine-day safari. Budget means camping tents like Boy Scouts — not the fancy canvas glamping ones. I had my tent, and my guide and cook shared a tent.
Time for a journal entry:
A page from my safari journal.
4/5/06
I woke up around 1 a.m. and heard loud grumbling noises. I thought it must be the elephants in the distance. This morning Gerald said, “Did you cry last night when you heard the lion?” Gasp — what? I thought that was an elephant. No, that was a lion about one kilometer away. I hope he doesn’t visit us tonight. I’d rather be trampled by an elephant than torn up by a lion. This is by far the most life-or-death camping I have ever done! Strangely, I freaking love it. I have not even been scared — yet, I guess. Daddy would love this.
Second night, lions walk right past my tent. We saw their tracks in the morning, three feet from my tent. Luckily, I did not wake up. My missionary friends hooked me up with some African sleeping pills, and I drank two giant beers every night to ensure a solid sleep. If I am getting eaten alive, I would at least like to sleep through it.
The lion in question.
I could go on and on with stories from this safari, but let’s just say it brought me closer to my Maker in more ways than one — and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
• • •
Rwanda — Africa New Life with Noonday, 2014
With friends in Rwanda, 2014.
I had the opportunity to go to Rwanda with Noonday in 2014. They introduced the ambassadors to Africa New Life, and the beautiful country of Rwanda. From their website:
“Since 2001, Africa New Life has shared the gospel using two hands: the hand of compassion and the hand of evangelism. Our goal is to see lives transformed through meeting basic needs, to give hope for the future for those living in poverty in Rwanda, and to share the freedom and hope found in Christ. At the heart of our model for breaking cycles of poverty is educational sponsorship. With a high school education, or a vocational equivalent, children in Rwanda have hope for the future.”
Their website: www.africanewlife.org
I was able to sponsor a child and got to meet her and her family while I was there. I just finished sponsoring her all the way through school, and am now on my second child sponsorship — a boy this time. The work they are doing in that country is amazing. That country is amazing — its resiliency, and capacity for forgiveness and reconciliation, can only be from above.
I didn’t keep a journal on this trip, but sure wish I had. Yet another life-changing trip. I had this one note on my phone — that counts for something:
Thoughts on the plane to Rwanda
Remembering how I felt returning from my time in Ghana and Tanzania eight years ago. I came back changed, wanting to do more for the poor and helpless. I was different when I came home. I felt liberated and so incredibly blessed. The petty “issues” of my life seemed silly and insignificant. The people of Africa changed my perspective on life. I wanted to do more, complain less, and love more freely and openly.
I truly saw God’s abundant love in the eyes of the children in Ghana. They literally had no material possessions, and some no family at all other than their new Rafiki family (praise God for Rafiki) — yet they literally glowed and beamed the most beautiful, free smiles, full of God’s love and mercy. I realized that God was their everything. How He should be ours. They truly had faith like no others. I went to Ghana on a mission trip thinking I would help these poor orphans, but truly they helped me. They helped me see God’s grace and peace up close and personal. Through extreme hardships, story after story of personal tragedies, these beautiful people shined and praised God like nobody I have ever seen. I wanted to be more like them — and still do.
I know this trip to Rwanda will bring back these feelings, and I know already that the people are equally amazing. I am in awe of the reconciliation and peace process that is prevailing over such a tragic history. Twenty years ago, neighbors were killing each other, and now they are forgiving and moving on to make Rwanda into a peaceful, strong, rapidly developing nation.
• • •
I really could go on and on and on … seems like I might have already. Each adventure in Africa changed me. Each place and person has a place in my heart. If you have ever thought about going — go. If you can’t go, find an organization you connect with and donate. The need is great across that beautiful continent. The love you get in return is beyond measure.
— Sarah
