Six times the size of U.S, a metaphor of sorts

October Sarah, my friend and new executive director and I will spend three weeks in Africa. We will fly to Kenya ( on the Indian Ocean) then on to Entebbe on Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake at the bottom of the Rift Valley that begins in Israel. "the Land of a Thousand Hills" ( and a million smiles) lures us next. That means we fly from Uganda to Rwanda. All thes flights between the East African countries are about an hour each in length. THREE weeks and still I don't get to show Sarah my beloved Malawi, special friends in South Africa, or the budding relationships in Zambia. And it would take us about as much time as flying from Jackson to England for us to fly from Kenya to Libetia, my latest favorite country. Why do I love Africa? In 1996 I thought Malawi was an island, part of Hawaii. My knowledge of the continent was "typical" of many Americans I know. I knew the Sahara Desert, monkeys, gorilla, lions, the savannah, the Massai Mara, and even Cape Town. Add to that knowledge the perceptions of AIDS, starving children and wars. Though much of my "knowledge" was based on many hard realities, it in no way pictured the continent. Now, recently friends have been sending me a series of pictures of "the other Africa" gorgeous scenes of placed peppering that vast continent. None of all this captures the TRUTH of Africa. And yet how presumptuous of me if I were to suggest that I can define truth about Africa. In these 15 years, I have gained impressions, have had numerous experiences that give me a small glimpse of insight, AND YET not even Africans themselves can grasp the enormity of their continent. Want to focus on lushious landscapes? Exotic animals? Varying cultures and languages? History? Economic matters? Health issues? Six times the size of America could serve as a metaphor for describing the complexity of problems to solve. No matter where on this tiny little planet we go, we all really find the same reasons for loving the places that capture us, the people! I wish I could explain what it is about my friends in Africa that make me want to write about them in blogs. In my head I know that all human beings have the same longings. I love my own family, my nation, my friends. I can't explain why Africa has so griped me that I am willing over and over to make this arduous journey. But not knowing the answers won't keep me home! I will keep going and keep using these posts to verbalize what is going on in me during the process of "figuring it out". Last week I met a young man from Rwanda studying here in Jackson. When he saw my Rwandan dress, his eyes lit up. We connected. When I get home from this trip, Joyce from Malawi will visit. Oh how I hope many of you my friends will want to connect with her. Will you contact me if you would like for us to consider that possibility?