my beautiful africa
“Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance.” I’ve been asking for Africa since I was 15.
And while I hope to have left my His mark on the continent I love so much, I know for sure that she’s left a mark on me.
Africa is beautiful, rich, compelling. She won my heart with her beckoning eyes and captivating smiles. Her laughter comes from deep in her soul, her tears from a place even deeper still. And as deep calls to deep, she reaches the most sacred part of my heart.
Like any true love, when I close my eyes, she is as close as my own breath.
With eyes wide shut, I see majesty in the shape of mountains and elephants and elderly women. I hear spontaneous harmonies, heartbreaking mourning over yet another life stolen away, shouts of praise to a God they deem faithful despite their circumstances. I taste the bitterness of grief and the sweetness of community. I smell the blanketing fires of winter and the matchless fragrance of coming rain. I feel the joy of carefree children, the contentment of simple lives well-lived, and the stirring of God sweeping through narrow unnamed village streets.
And when I open my eyes again, she’s still right here—standing tall with her hard-earned pride, holding my hand with her tight ebony grip, and looking forward with an unspeakable hope.
Jesus gave His life for my magnificently alluring Africa.
She is so worth me doing the same.
You are by far one of my favorite writers….have you started that book, yet?
Love ya,
ME
@danielleH says:
for real! book!!
Alece……you put words around thoughts that I can’t quite put words around when it comes to speaking about Africa…….I love that.
My thoughts exactly, but in your words!
Hugs!
@gritandglory says:
when do you get over here!? you’ve got a date with a red cup of happiness, my friend!
@coloraturajoy says:
so poetic. and heartfelt.
you wowed me with your writing.
and i am a VERY picky (sometimes snooty) reader.
but this.
this i loved.
i saw everything you described as vividly as if i had seen it with my own eyes.
that says a lot.
@gritandglory says:
really!? wow. thank you…
@nateonamission says:
AHHHHH! I wanna go on that trip!
@ventigrace says:
I love that the journey of our friendship started with a shared passion for Africa. She is what brought us together. I’m so thankful for that. I’m so thankful for you.
@gritandglory says:
me, too, kitty…. me, too…
( i still love this post a lot. mmmm, yes. i see Him so much in you, here. )
@atangie says:
You take my breath away, Alece.
I want to go to Africa… I see it in my heart…. I feel it in my heart….. I told my husband, he thinks I have lost my mind. lol.
Remember that really old christian song, “Please, Lord, don’t send me to Africa” LOL, I thought of that as I wrote my words above.
Wow. That was special. It was like music welled up inside of me, and feels like I took a short trip there just from having read that.
@danielleH says:
this post is amazing. glorious.
when i came to your page i just saw the title and out loud this is what came out “ooohh…mmmmm…..exhale”. she is beautiful. she captures hearts, she has captured my heart.
even as we are getting more involved with the 10/40 and slavery, i keep wondering to myself, and to Him…Africa is still so large in my heart. and this post reminded me of how much that is true.
Your words are God inspired! As you delight in Him, He delights in you.
That was so beautifully written. Inspiring!
Keep well
Mercedes
@etsetara says:
you’re lovely.
@gritandglory says:
hey girl!
I am dying (okay that is a strong word but you get my point) to get to Africa. It is on my list for 2010. I’ve got to sit down and figure out how I’m gonna get there (plane probably would make the most sense) and what I’m to do once I am there.
Thanks for casting the vision.
@gritandglory says:
i’ve got some ideas for you. let’s talk about it!
Just beautiful Alece! Sometimes I wish I had never left. How different my life would be.
Thank you for another glimpes. With every passing day, God is preparing me to see her again.
@bajanpoet says:
LOVE THAT POST…. I want to go to Africa too… one of my Spiritual sisters is South African, and we’ve been talking about us ministering together over there…. and as a Caribbean man, many of my roots have stemmed from that majestic land! Awesome!
And I agree with the posters above – poetic – AND God inspired!
This is so beautiful. She is beautiful. I love her for so many reasons–many of which you articulated–and I love her because she introduced me to you. This makes me want to go back…right now.
I love this post, Alece!! :) Makes me want to be there too!
@jclayville says:
beautiful. you make me feel as though i can do anything.
@bahava says:
i love that I know exactly what you’re talking about and how my heart beats also beats for her…mmm, thanks for putting to words the echo of my heart.
ditto :’(
Beautiful. Africa has for sure won my heart. I miss her.
ooooo….. i want to go SO much!
I have only been there once, for 3 weeks, but she grabbed my heart as well. You captured it beautifully. It doesn’t take long before it gets deep into your soul. I have a feeling that I will be back again. Does that yearning and aching for her still grab your heart as it did before. Has the time away left you with just a fond memory of what was, or is that desire and excitment still so much a part of you that you will most assuredly return for your love of her, her people, and the love of your savior?
@gritandglory says:
oh i will return, weezer! for sure!
@cassgirl says:
I don’t want to sound like a scmuck. But before 2 years ago, I really did think alot of Africa. I heard stories of course across CNN. But I was just pause and walk away. not now.
When I started to follow your blog at first, I was intrigued:
One: AlL the pictures (amazing pictures) I was captivated
Two: Then we met via the web. (my life was changed forever)
Three: then I started to support (in prayer)
Four: Then we became fierce friends.
Five: Then you introduced me to NKosi thru the pictures
Six: I fell in love with him and became his prayer warrior
Seven: I fell in love with Africa because of your eyes.
Now I can’t wait to get there. SOME day. I want to see your magnets on your fridge myself, I want you to take me to Nkosi’s village, I want to see snow?? in Africa?? I want to touch her and smell her and take many photos of her.
THis post just confirmed that!
I Love you!
@gritandglory says:
i love your list. i love hearing how you went from not really caring or even noticing africa, to having such a strong heart for her! i can’t wait till you can come with me there…
@mallyflip says:
uh… yep. crying. I miss Africa so much. One day… I will live there. I really wish that I could go on that Thrive adult trip but I will be in Japan. I think that it would be so awesome to be on a mission trip over my birthday… March 9th that is. :)
@gritandglory says:
i wanna hear more about this japan gig…
@mallyflip says:
I am moving there to teach English. I will be teaching 1st grade Japanese students English. They are so stinking cute. They are not allowed to speak Japanese. :) I will be there for uh… 14 months at the least… but it might be more… who knows. haha.
68 days and counting down…
Homesick. Homeless. Homesick.
Homeless.
Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake.
@moweezle says:
Do u know that song, “You Said”? I love it!!! Reminds me of it everytime I hear this verse.
@gritandglory says:
i loooove that song.
WOW!! I am in love with your wording girl!! I’m really proud of u, my sister. I thank God I met u and that He made me to be African. U describe us sooo well. Love u so much, Alece.
@gritandglory says:
hearing YOU say that means so much, thoko! love you!
mmmmm. beautiful. i’ve always wanted to go to africa.
@gritandglory says:
come on out, stranger! seriously! (got plans this summer???)
I love that I can feel your love for Africa in every cell of my body when I read your writing. I think I may have just fell in love with Africa, too.