The Most Important Lesson Of All

I’ve wanted to write a final blog entry to sum up my “summer in Africa experience” for a long time, but have just been putting it off for so long! I’ve started it a few times even, but just never finished (obviously). I guess the reason for this is because once I finally sit down and write about the ending, it will be just that….the end. I have now been home for 35(?) days. It’s really weird to sit back and think that so much time has gone by since I’ve been back and some days it even seems like I never left, yet somehow my whole experience sneaks into my mind every day. Honestly, there hasn’t been one day since I’ve been back where I haven’t thought about it. I hate to be dramatic, but this experience was 1-the best thing I’ve ever done in my life and 2-The thing that changed my life the most. I learned SO much. There are so many things there that I wish all my friends and family here could see, and so many people I truly wish they could meet. Although that is impossible, I also know that it would be impossible for ME to forget it. What an experience! I love that when people ask what I did for the summer I can say, “Oh you know, just went to Africa.” What I hate though, is that nobody ever understands what it was like, and couldn’t ever understand unless they went and experienced it for themselves. Some days I get really sad thinking about it, and how the chances are much greater that I will never see those people again. Other days I’m just happy that I was fortunate enough to get to go there, and meet those amazing people. STILL when Les and I talk about the day we left, or some of the cool things that happened, I shed a few tears. I look back at the pictures of my friends that I met over there, and wish so much that they were as fortunate as me, and could be blessed with the many things that I have. I wonder, “why me? Why I am so lucky. What did I do right?” Yet, thinking that makes me remember the most important lessons I learned while over there which is that God truly loves all of his children, and knows what is best for each of them. Many of the people over there had sad lives, and yet found ways to find true happiness through faith and love for God. They don’t wear nice clothes, live in nice houses, or even have a car-yet they still believe that God is mindful of them. I have a nice house and car and yet still struggle remembering that God IS there, that He DOES love me, and that He knows what’s best for me. I have a lot to learn from these African people, and am convinced that this is the reason I was able to have this experience. God IS mindful of all of his children-I am sure of this now. It took me 3 months in Africa to gain a much greater understanding of this, and I hope that I will always keep this lesson in mind. I used to think I understood what that meant, but I really didn’t until I lived in Africa.
The people in Africa are hardworking, friendly, happy and love God. The village/town that we lived in had not yet heard of the LDS church. The closest LDS church to them was about 35-45 minutes away. That means a good 2000 shillings (or $1.15). Many of those people could not even afford that taxi ride. Yet I am sure that when the church is finally able to come around to them, there will be many who will accept-and I can’t wait for that day.
I learned many things from the people and about the people, but may have even learned much more about myself, and who I am as a person. I am a child of God, just like each of those people I met over in Africa. And though it’s hard to admit, I probably won’t see those people again….at least not here. Which makes me even more grateful for our church, because I know that one day I will have the opportunity to see them again. One of my most favorite little boys from over there is named Mathius. He used to sing this song that said, "Tuliba nyumbemu mu yesu- In Jesus we are one family". So, I'll leave that as a parting thought and just add once again that I’m thankful for all that I experienced this summer, and I wouldn’t trade a thing-not even for peanut butter granola bars and personal space!