Africa holds a special place in my thoughts & so you will find that I will talk about it often.Today is just some random thoughts :)
There have been a lot of news headlines involving Africa this week:
Kenya closes border with Somalia to keep militants out ~ CNN
Somali fighters: We'll heed al Qaeda's Call ~ CNN
Libya to Build Statue of Saddam~ BBC News
Al Qaeda urges Islamists to attack Ethiopians ~ Nazret - Ethiopia News Portal
And many many more. I wonder if my dream of returning to Africa is going to become just a distant memory. With all the wars & terrorism & destruction going on in Africa & the middle east, I feel like travelling to these countries is no longer safe nor wise. In fact, will overseas travel in general become a gamble in the future? I truly believe that our time of 'peace on earth' is a thing of the past, if it was ever a reality in the first place. Wars & rumors of wars? Nation against nation. The outlook is suddenly becoming the UPlook. How near is Christ's return?
True, there are many safe & neutral areas these days. As always, Australia pretty much keeps to itself, Switzerland never meddles in any one else's problems. No terrorism going on in Antarctica that's been reported lately. The Canadian North seems like a safe place to vacation...
But seriously, after the time I spent in Africa, I fell in love with the country & promised myself that I would be back. But a whole lot of 'ugly' has happened in the world in the past two years that has spread its terrorist fingers to places where people are desperate. As if these countries don't have enough to deal with like famine, poverty, drought, AIDS, & more, so lets add terrorism & more war.
Maybe this is all the more reason to go back, not just to fulfill my own pleasures but to give back to those who need it. The troubles & wars aren't likely going to get better, so why not help while we still can? There are so many ways to help that I just don't know where to begin. But its a growing thought, that will require some research and some time.
"And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows." Mark 13: 7-8
I sometimes wonder which is worse... Walking into a country where you know there is danger and violence or walking into a North American neighborhood unaware of what is going to befall you. Unfortunately, a lot of the time we have to live in fear. We shouldn't have to but ...
ReplyDeleteA verse that come to mind:
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God...
There is a third option. Whether you go back or not, you can still help those who are there by a) supporting relief and development work, b) making noise about the wars in Sudan,Congo etc that seems to be ignored by media and c) support a child with World Vision.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say "you", I mean all of us.