Thursday, April 7, 2011

Lessons Africa Taught Me

سلام لكم في هذا اليوم


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30,000
children die every day in Africa.

They are killed by starvation.

Unsafe water.

Malaria.

Diseases that have been eradicated in the Western world.

Infections.

HIV/AIDS.

25% of African children born will die before they reach the age of five.

Every 30 seconds, an African child dies from malaria alone. And that's just the children.

That isn't counting the millions of adults who are currently infected with HIV/AIDS and will die within the year. That isn't counting the millions who will die from starvation, war, disease in the next day.

But what is amazing about Africa is not so much that the people are suffering. Suffering is a human condition, it affects every part of human life, no matter where we live or who we are or how much money we have.

What is amazing about Africa is how wonderful the people are. In a place where people should be in the depths of despair...
They're happy.

In a place where people should be bemoaning their lack...
They are glad for what they have.

So why then is it that I, who have so much, can't get over my perceived lack? I suppose humans will always want more, and since I'm human, I guess I'm the same. But I don't want to be that way anymore.

Because I don't want to forget the lessons Africa taught me.

爱於耶穌, ~Liberty

4 comments:

Cassandra said...

I loved this post, Kyla and I wish that I could have gone to Zambia too.

I posted this video on my blog a long time ago, but it matches this post perfectly:

http://insidecassiesmind.blogspot.com/2009/06/unconditional-joy.html

Love,
Cassie

elizabeth said...

Great post! I don't want to be that way either. Its a hard habit to break. I have been raised and taught by society that even though I have so much, I should always want more. Its good to be reminded that I don't lack anything. Thanks. :)

Kyla Denae said...

Indeed it is, Elizabeth. :D

jordyn said...

very cool. mission trips really change the way you think.. are you planning to be a missionary?