The slogan comes form a group called the MochaClub, they are making the statement that although circumstance are dire in a lot of nations on this continent, their seem to be an ingrained happiness in the people (I blogged on this a long time ago) and I was introduced to the slogan when I read it on a T-shirt of a friend who returned to the ship this year (good old repeat offenders).
Ever since reading it it has stayed stuck in the back on my mind. Standing on the aft (back) of deck 8 (our top and outside deck) it struck me the other day how true a statement it was.
As I watched the sun set into the ocean, watched the smoke hang over the fishermans village, watch the busyness of Freetown carry on into the night; those words rang true.
I love this place, I love west-Africa. Yes it frustrates me to see some of the organizational lackings and it will literally bring me to tears to see the pain and poverty in this country. As I have lived in west Africa for the last 2 years it has become part of my existence, my life, my faith, it has snuck its way into me. It has slowly become home, it feels safe, it feels familiar; lets be honest it is almost an addiction..
My time with Mercy Ships is slowly drawing to an end, in less than 2 months I will board a plane to Europe with no immediate plans to return. As excited I am about the future, as excited I am to marry Hannah and start our life together, it will hurt to leave. It will hurt more than I care to admit to myself.
It is true that their is still help needed here, I am unimaginably thankful to God that the work continues and others step in as some step out.
But in my heart of heart, that little voice keeps telling me what I know to be true.
I need Africa, more than Africa needs me.
God bless,
Ben
To find out more about the MochaClub see: https://www.themochaclub.org/i-need-africa
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