Widen Your Heart

"This isn't the Africa I pictured."

I confess I have made this statement countless times in the two weeks I have been here. 

Where are the red dirt roads and babies tied on backs and ugali at every meal and the barefoot children with sparkling eyes? Instead I'm surrounded by roundabouts and American fashions and iPads in church. Why does that disappoint me? I didn't come here to alleviate poverty; I came here to share the hope of Christ. But I admit that in my mind, that looked more like cradling orphans and less like trying to build relationships with skeptical university students. More like sitting on the dirt floor of a hut sharing the gospel as it fell on ears who were hearing it for the first time, and less like dripping with sweat while prayer-walking the campus. But God is not surprised by my surroundings or my naiveté. And despite the differences between my expectations and reality, I have an undeniable peace that I am supposed to be here!

A week or so before I left home, I had a thought-provoking conversation with a very dear friend. She remarked that everyone equates orphans with the "least of these" that Jesus refers to in Matthew 25. "Why do they get to be the 'least of these?' " she asked. She was right. They are all His. The hungry orphan and the emaciated woman with AIDS and the polished university student and the rough combi driver. They all have the same need for a Savior. 

And as Paul instructed the Corinthian church, I heard the Father saying to me, "widen your heart."

An interesting thing happened this week. I visited some of the more poverty-stricken areas outside my city. It "looked like" Africa. Seeing those living conditions made me sad, but it didn't break my heart quite like I thought it would. Perhaps because I have learned that poverty is not simply a physical problem; it is a loss of hope. And hope comes through Christ alone. 

So I was not jealous of the orphan ministry in Lobatse or the traditional African feel of Old Naledi (although I am encouraged to hear how the Lord is working in those places!). I am jealous for the hearts of the UB students, that their desire and delight would be in the Lord.

It is not easy. University students are not like the children who clamor to hold my hands, each one grabbing a finger. But their need is the same. 

Oh Father. Widen my heart. 

University of Botswana Campus

Sweet kiddos!