i was young and foolish
I moved to Africa twelve years ago today.
It feels like a lifetime ago in some ways, and in others, it feels like just yesterday.
Some people think I was brave and bold for packing up and moving to Africa when I was 19.
If I was either, I certainly didn’t know it.
I felt a whole mix of emotions on that long flight across the Atlantic, but brave and bold weren’t in the mix.
Sad, frightened, and unsure were though.
Right next to equal doses of anticipation, hopefulness, and nervous-excitement.
I was young. And slightly foolish.
Foolish enough to think I had something offer. Foolish enough to believe I’d felt God’s leading. Foolish enough to imagine He could use me.
Twelve years later, I smirk as I thank God that I still have some foolishness in me.
Part of me thinks it’s a little wrong to celebrate my “Afriversary” in America. But it isn’t the first time. And it probably won’t be the last.
And it doesn’t change the fact that twelve years ago today, the entire trajectory of my life changed forever.
Here’s to another year lived for Africa, even if not in Africa.
I love the way circumstances of life haven’t dampened your passion to help those in need in Africa. Happy Afriversary.
sigh. i wish i had some of that foolishness. boldness. either one.
PLUS, i think God that you had whatever-you-had. otherwise, my life wouldn’t be what it is. and that feels like the hug i need today.
@moxiemandie says:
Happy Afriversary friend. :)
my life has been completely altered by your faithfulness 12 years ago. THANK YOU!
p.s. love you pretty lady and hope to meet up in atl soon :)
Thinking of you and praying for you tonight. Especially that God’s SUSTAINing love and grace would carry you. Blessings my dear.
Beautiful.
You are such an inspiration, Alece!! Thanks for sharing! Happy Afriversary! Looking forward to reading about your continued journey as it unfolds! Keep being ‘foolish’ for Him! (o:
@thevelvettrunk says:
Happy Anniversary girl! I know it’s hard for you to be here, when your heart is there, but my heart still smiles b/c I just know He’s not finished with your story…
And one day, I want to be a crazy old lady who’s deemed foolish by some, but completely fearless by the Lord. How incredible would it be to live a life where you fear nothing but the Lord in all His goodness. Now that is living…
Love you girl. Proud of you.
Hugs,
Mel
Love this!
I remember the butterflies as I left American soil for my first missionary term. I remember the tears. I remember the unbelievable feeling that I was embarking on something wonderfully Awesome. It feels good to remember.
Happy anniversary!
I think a more accurate statement would be….”The entire trajectory of everyone you have met and challenged and lead and loved has changed forever”
@bahava says:
agreed!!! and even “met” because even though you haven’t met me in person you have definitely played a part in changing my trajectory of life.
and I’m right there with you living the “Here’s to another year lived for Africa, even if not in Africa.”
@atangie says:
Love this applesauce girl! So true.
Veels geluk!
Ek het nooit tevore van ‘n Affriversary gehoor. :-)
@christielici0us says:
Thing is, I think you’re very brave. Thank you for doing what you do. Not just in (and for) Africa, but here in the blogosphere and for me.
@traceepersiko says:
Dang! over a decade ago!! Can’t believe all you have done in the last decade. Changing lives. Africa soil or not you have/are changing lives here and there. You have changed mine. I might be selfish when I say I am so glad for this past face to face year with you! You have made my life rich! Bittersweet afriversary. I am grateful for you. No matter where you are you will/are summon nations you know not.
@atangie says:
First: Congratulations! Wow. That is spectacular!
Second: If you could somehow travel in time and whisper a message to that 19 year old you twelve years ago what would you tell her?
Third: I am so very, very proud of you, Alece.
@gritandglory says:
my answer would probably change daily, but right now…?
i would tell my 19-year-old self: don’t forget. don’t forget the rawness and realness of these moments, of how this feels. don’t forget the passion, the fire, the silent stillness in your heart. don’t forget what made you fall in love in the first place. don’t forget. don’t forget.
@atangie says:
I get that there would be a different answer daily. Thanks for sharing your heart as she is now. Don’t forget… good words.
I loved reading this! I felt all those same things almost 8 years ago as I moved to Botswana.
Sometimes I wonder if it was God leading me there or if I just jumped at the first adventure that came my way. I wish I had it all to do over again. There are SO many things I would do better or do differently or just not do at all! But that’s looking back with 20/20 vision. And eight years of added wisdom.
Its always bitter sweet when I tell people I lived in Africa for almost two years. They look at me with like wonder and amazement and start asking a million questions. Its like I suddenly achieved some sort of rock star missionary status with that little piece of information. I never was a superstar missionary I was just a girl living my life in a different part of the world. I loved it and wish I was still there.
Thanks for your thoughts. Its nice to know someone feels the same.
Happy Afrivecery!
Wahoo!
I love celebrating the steps that we take even in uncertainty and foolishness to the world and to see what God grows and produces out of them. As others have said, the trajectory that God launched you on has forever changed the trajectory of so many.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
Wow! I am still amazed to see all God has accomplished through you in less than two decades. so cool.
So glad you decided to take the risk… it has definitely helped you become the woman that you are now. That woman I think is the epitome-of-coolness, the uber-ambassador-of-kwanness, the rockin-woman-of-the-grit… God is good girl… so good.
I think it is so amazing! How long where you there? Are there stories about your life in Africa on your blog? I will go search!
@PrudyChick says:
I wanna be foolish. Just saying.
Happy Afriversary. I know Africa misses you like you miss her.
When I met (and fell in love with) my (now) husband, I knew there were some ppl that wouldn’t be happy about it. My mother, to be exact. In fact, she actually said (though it’s not characteristic for her and she probably doesn’t remember saying) she would never accept him into her family. Then they moved to Idaho, where they didn’t spend time getting to know him and God changed their hearts anyway. Now, I think she likes him more than me. And it ticks me right off. lol jk.
Anyway… lots of people tried to convince me that he was not the one for me. ANd they had valid points. Looking at his past, he didn’t look that good on paper. But God doesn’t care about that. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. So in choosing him, was it faith or foolishness? I strongly believed (still do)(though I’ve certainly asked at times, are you sure, God) that it was God’s design.
It hasn’t been all roses, surely, but I still hold fast to that. And I believe that is part of what God has asked me to do, part of teaching my husband what commitment and marriage mean. Because he surely didn’t have any good examples.
Sometimes I think that youthful foolishness is a good thing. Because when we get older, and more “reasonable,” it’s easier to “reason” why we shouldn’t be so “foolish” for God’s glory. Yay for your foolishness!
Oh, and I’ve never told that bit about what my mom said, to any one, ever. And I’m not sure I intend to, since it’s not flattering to either party, and rather hurtful. But it is part of the story (for me) and since I don’t really know you, but, well, can I consider you a bloggy friend?, I’ll trust you (nor your faithful readers) will go and tell my hub, mom, mil, etc. THanks ;D
may we all be “young and foolish”….
happy africaversary to you!
happy afriversary to you, Alece! Your passion for Africa is downright infectious….good stuff.
@pa3cia says:
remain a child at heart my friend. =]
@kamriereed says:
this sounds great. You must have a lot of memories when you look back on that section of your life. It is always weird looking back on moments and seeing how much you grew and even though you may have been really confused back then now it makes perfect sense.
Happy Afiriversary! You certainly have something to celebrate! I’m sure every life touched in any way by Thrive is celebrating too. I know I am! Isn’t it funny how God uses our “foolish” enthusiasm and willingness to risk? (See, you’ve been risking for a while now. Maybe you just didn’t see it as risk!) I don’t know if I can explain this very well, but I’ll try. I think there are times when we do things that we are convinced God wants from us that, on the surface – and to others, requires tremendous faith. But we just DO it, maybe not seeing it as such a big thing, that we’re just being obedient. And the faith thing for us shows up in things that other people might just overlook as routine or whatever. Maybe that’s what you’ve done, Alece. Maybe your big faith moments have just looked like obedience to you.
My heart is so full right now, just thinking of you, of who you are, who you are becoming, and how the Lord has used/is using you! Blessings on you, my friend! Huge, rich, wonderful, immeasurable, beyond imagining blessings!
And yeah, twelve years later, what WOULD you say to that 19-year-old girl? Just love her!
Love and hugs from VA!
I really think that it is better that we don’t know quite what we are getting ourselves into. Otherwise I think there are many times when I might have run in the opposite direction.
It is true that Africa gets into your heart and under your skin. I also have a bit of a side which craves adventure and South Africa certainly provides that!
I’ll be back in Cape Town in June after a year in the US and I CAN”T WAIT! I hope you get back soon too.
Jy is braaf en wonderlik en ek wens jou geluk op 12 jare!! Hier’s aan die volgende 12, ne?
Dankie van my Afrika aan jou!
@gritandglory says:
ek het jou lief, my vrienden.
“Here’s to another year lived for Africa, even if not in Africa.”
Beautiful words, friend. And what matters most.
Bon Afriversaire. :)
Makes me think of how you say, “Do it scared.”
I wonder what the next twelve years will hold.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…….
Amen.
Happy Afriversary!
@cassgirl says:
Africa ~ She has never been the same since you came. She speaks healing , freedom, and HOPE,,, a steadfast HOPE>
Love YOU ALECE
my FF!!!
Me!
When I read this post, I thought back to how I felt in a hotel room half-way across the world, just waiting to meet my Tongginator. Happy Africa-versary.
The 29th of this month marks one years since I’ve been back in America
…and it breaks my heart
don’t get me wrong. I love it here. I have been blessed beyond measure. I love my life, more than words can describe. But that was such a beautiful time in my life.
such a refining time
I lived my dream
and I can’t help but wonder….when will I go back? Will I ever go back?
this has been an incredible year. But one I didn’t expect.
I SHOULD be back in India rigt now. That was my plan.
but apparently not His
coming up on this anniversary is hard for my heart
my hope is to just make it through that day
it’s gonna be a tough one
I can feel it already
Love the last line, “Here’s to another year lived for Africa, even if not in Africa.”. …makes me think of the Isak Dinesen quote about kenya that I have on my signature to my email. ” If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back, of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers, does Africa know a song of me? Will the air over the plain quiver with a color that I have had on, or the children invent a game in which my name is, or the full moon throw a shadow over the gravel of the drive that was like me,or will the eagles of the Ngong Hills look out for me?”
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen, chapter titled, “Kamante and Lulu,” page 83