Africa. It sounds so far away for most people- especially those who live in the Midwest. I don’t think it’s far geographically. People travel much further distances- usually for vacation or business. I think most people don’t understand Africa…they don’t know anything about Africa…and honestly most people don’t care. Most people don’t care about places far away…places that don’t have an impact on there day to day lives...places that are full of people so much different from themselves. How many people really cared about the fate of Iraq 7 years ago?
I watched ER last night…Dr Kovatch was thinking of going to Africa-the Sudan to help Dr Carter-. While I was watching I was thinking- how many people watching are compelled to find out what is happing in the Sudan- how many people care? How many people think that it’s fictional- that what happens in Africa isn’t really that bad?

Africa is a mystery in most people’s minds. I think that’s why people are so intrigued and yet objectionable when I tell them my wife and I will be spending two weeks in Rwanda this summer. It doesn’t make sense that two young people trying to figure life out- trying to save money- hopefully start a family soon- would travel for a second time to somewhere so far away. We are going because Africa isn’t a mystery- it’s a tragedy. And it will remain a tragedy until others- especially those with influence- hear the stories.

When people start to see the stories in Africa- and places like it- not as mysteries but tragedies, some will be moved to turn those stories to Romance. Can you imagine a people devastated by civil unrest- feeling hated for who they are and forgotten because of who they are not? Can you imagine what a story it would be if those people were taken in- cared for and loved. If others from across the world start to show grace and mercy- to people that are completely different from them- can you imagine how that could change the future?

Last year I walked in and out of homes that would be unworthy to be called sheds in the US. Last year I saw ten year old children that would be unable to compare to a five year olds in the US. Last year I saw households made up of only orphans- struggling to survive. Last year was the last year of doing nothing about it.

It is one of the most basic of human needs- to know and be known. There are people who need food- yes…who need water-yes…and shelter, and clothes…but that is not why I go. My wife and I go because these people need to know that someone is thinking about them…that someone wants to see them…that someone would take whatever resources they have just to spend a few minutes looking into their eyes and say “I’m glad to be here with you- you matter to me.” Their stories will not go untold.