The last three weeks, I have spent reflecting on my time in Africa. One that has, honestly, been the hardest thing for me to do. As the trip approached in early June, I had the worst anxiety of my life. I was terrified of the trip. Terrified I would get sick. Terrified our plane would have issues. What if I didn’t come back from Africa? The what if game, brought on more anxiety and tears than I’ve ever experienced. Looking back after the trip, it makes me almost laugh at myself. I’ve been through a terrible c-section and cancer, and yet I was afraid to go to one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Now upon my return, I feel the same anxiety. Except this time, I can’t explain it. My soul feels changed. My mindset is different. My heart is being pulled away from everything I thought I cared about. I haven’t been able to pin point why I’m feeling the way I am until today.
A friend, who happened to have also been on the same trip, sent me a sermon from the Church of the Eleven22 called Storing up Treasure- 1 Timothy- Wk 11, and it struck me deep. About 10 minutes in the Pastor begins to share scripture and thoughts on consumerism, “We think the stuff of this earth makes us alive, but if we have food, and clothing we will be content.” He then suggests why everyone should go on a mission trip. Although my trip wasn’t a mission trip, we still were immersed in how the people lived and how they ran their agriculture operations.
The Maasai Mara tribe, often referred to simply as the Maasai, are a semi-nomadic people known for their traditional way of life, pastoralism, and distinctive culture. I had the honor of spending an afternoon with the tribe learning about their way of life. It truly was eye opening and humbling. Photo credit: Janyel Taylor , The Veranda View
The Pastor states (11:15) “It ain’t because they need Jesus, it’s because we need Jesus. You’ll roll up on an East African or Uganda hut and this lady will be in a beautiful, colorful dress (she only has two of them) and she is going to wear the best one for you. She’s going to sweep those dirt floors until that thing looks like marble. You’ll ask what is this and it’s real, clean dirt. And they are going to have a joy unspeakable and you’re going to lay in your bed at night and ask what’s wrong with me. The answer is, you are wrong what’s wrong with you. “ In America we are so tuned to believe that STUFF is what brings us happiness. Money and more money can improve our lives. It can’t. “For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. “- 1 Timothy 6:2-10. The people of Africa are just trying to put food on the table to ensure their families are fed, but after that, they just enjoy life. They soak in the beautiful creation that they are surrounded by and are content.
But their beautiful creation surrounding them is in jeopardy. They face some of the TOUGHEST conditions on the planet, from extreme heat, floods, droughts, famine, and more. Africa is a continent that is most susceptible to climate change, and I saw it there. Not only did the people talk of it, but you visibly saw it. Take Lake Naivasha, a historical fishing community that was once surrounded by Acacia woodlands, but now those trees are dead. The rapid deforestation happening in the highlands has decreased the permeability of the soil. With rapid rainfall during 2019, one of the wettest years on record, the waters rose and have now claimed more than one kilometer inland. That’s over 1/2 mile! “Scientists have two reasoning for this- Tectonic activity was partly responsible, it also stated that greater levels of rainfall caused by the climate crisis, was the main cause. “– The Guardian
At the end of the day, even if you aren’t a believer, we all need to embrace the calling to care for the Earth. From recycling, reducing our waste, planting Florida Friendly plants, conserving water, preserving soil, and more. We have to start holding ourselves accountable. We are a country of waste. Our pantries are overflowing, our freezers are packed full, our closets have more clothes than we will ever wear, our kids have more toys than they could possibly play with before they age out of them, and beyond. We all want beautiful parks to visit. We all want gorgeous beaches to sit at with our families. We all want “Old Florida” to be preserved. We want, want, want, and yet we make choices that adversely effect the fragile ecosystem of Florida, nationally, and across the globe. Genesis 2:15 says “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” We seem to be only working for ourselves, and it’s time we work in the garden more.
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-Written by Janyel Taylor
The Veranda View 