Tags
Africa, Culture, gambia west africa, Journey, Language, nairobi kenya, Service, travel
When I was a little girl, my favorite book was “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters”. It is a wonderful African tale that speaks to the importance of showing hospitality to strangers, being kind to all and the essence of love. I encourage you to read it so I won’t spoil the entire story for you, but I will say that even as a young girl, I was able to walk away from the story with three major lessons:
(1) Beauty is not about what’s on the outside, but it’s true essence lies within.
(2) There are many people you will meet on your journey to your dreams. Don’t allow your desire to get there expeditiously to hinder your ability to love those you meet along the way, even if they have needs different from yours.
(3) “The Prince” had been with you the entire time, testing your true character. Therefore, your character is not about the show you put on in front of others, but it’s about what you do when (seemingly) no one is watching.
Now, at six years-old I could not articulate these conclusions as eloquently. Nonetheless, I got the point. From that day on, I knew two things; that I wanted to be the good sister who was loving, generous and kind and that I wanted to travel to this land called Africa.
After many summers of dreaming about traveling to Africa and ALWAYS coming up “a day late and a dollar short”, I finally got my opportunity. In 2007, my whole life changed. I was crowned Miss Black North Carolina. The awesome “caveat” (oxymoron, right?) to that victory? An all expense paid trip to The Gambia, West Africa to compete with some of the most profound women I had ever met in my life in the Miss Black USA Scholarship pageant. It was on this trip that I would recognize that my love for Africa was greater than I could even imagine. I had connected with my purpose, my calling in life.
From 2007 to 2010, I had traveled to The Gambia, West Africa about 7 times, Morocco, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Nigeria, El Salvador, Greece and South Africa. Suffice it to say that I love to travel! Traveling for me is less about myself and all about new experiences, cultures, language and best of all PEOPLE. Not only have I had the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world, but I’ve had the opportunity to engage in cultural immersion experiences that have literally changed how I see the world.
From working with women cooperatives in El Salvador to visiting townships where they bury masses of people who have died from AIDS on a weekly basis, I have met some of the most empowered people. From studying social policies in Greece to visiting a village where the mentally ill and outcast of society go to get the best means of treatment they can, I have experienced God in ways that are indescribable. My world travels have confirmed and affirmed my gift to serve people.
What’s so amazing to me is that this journey is just getting started. My next stop? Kenya! I hope that you will join me as I begin this next chapter of my life in “Mama Africa”. I don’t know what your dreams are in life or what you feel purposed to do, but I do know that whatever it is that you are called to do is waiting you! And so are the people who are connected to that vision. Dare to believe God for the impossible. Dare to take a chance in life. Dare to Dream. Who knows where it may take you?
Thank you for joining me. Next stop…Nairobi!
