Out of Africa...

After 2 days of jet lag recovery I am finally writing my wrap up email, of what I got ‘Out of Africa’. Hard to capture in summary how this trip impacted both me and the mission, but there is one thing for sure. I didn’t get out of Africa, Africa got into me. I am changed, sold, heartbroken, yet heart filled all at the same time.

The theme I walked away with was ‘I have seen the Hope of Africa first hand’. These are truly amazing people, they are uniquely gifted, anointed leaders who live on very little ($600 a month), and are impacting hundreds of thousands of kids every year. After seeing abject poverty first hand, one thing is very clear about Africa. There is not a money issue there, there is a leadership void. These national directors are and will change the face of this continent, I am convinced. It was holy ground and I was honored to be a part of it.

Let me share a brief story about one of my new friends, Benga Msoshi (see me pictured with him in the two photo’s) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Benga is full of gratitude that God would spare his life in the midst of war for the purpose of loving Christ and loving teenagers! Benga grew up in the eastern Congo where his Dad served God in the Anglican Church and Benga at age 7 started singing in the choir. His image of God changed when war broke out around Uvira, the small town where he lived. Benga and his family walked over 500 miles on foot in the forest and without food followed by four weeks down the river Congo in a boat in search of safety and a fresh start. “It was painful then, difficult and hopeless, but today I look back and say it was grace and mercy and love.” Why? Because this experience changed his life and as he reflected on all of the people he knew who were killed or injured or lost loved ones he realized that the Lord kept him alive for a purpose.

Benga was introduced to Young Life at the University in Kenya and knew that teenagers in the Congo who had lost hope in the context of war and its aftermath desperately needed the hope that only Jesus can bring. Benga started Young Life in Bukavu in 2007 and now they have over 22 volunteer leaders, three clubs with an average of 60 kids coming to each club and in September 2009 during their first outreach camp 96 kids came to know Christ! As a result 8 new Campaigner groups were launched.

Benga and his leaders are praying to grow the ministry in the towns of Goma; 200 km north of Bukavu and Lubumbashi about 600 km south of Bukavu. Benga and his leaders are doing ministry with boldness and grace as they work under the continued threat of violence, injustice and impunity. “People are shot frequently during the night. The infrastructure is crumbling and nothing is working. We live in a town that has not had electricity and water for months now. Painful news awaits us each day but we don’t lose hope. So we pray.”

I am humbled and honored to call Benga my friend. Our only hope in Africa is leaders like Benga who are anointed, called, and gifted.

Finally, one of the reasons I went was to engage the staff around their fundraising plans for the future. Right now donors from the US pay for about 99% of the work currently in Africa. We know this can’t last, nor should it. The Africans are thankful and blessed for the generosity of their American friends, but are ready to ‘own’ this aspect of the ministry. I lead a session with them on fundraising that was met with open arms and embraced with enthusiasm. It may be 10, 20, 50, or even 100 yrs from now, but I believe Africans will one day pay for Young Life themselves. Take a listen (and look) at this short video in response to the fundraising training we did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_S5aYoIv8c

While I left Africa a few days ago, I can’t get it out of me, I am sure I will never really be ‘Out of Africa’, Africa is in me, for good.

Thanks for joining me as the journey continues….till next time..