Lessons Of Joy From Africa
I recently spent 10 days in Africa, Kenya to be precise. It truly was an amazing experience. As I have reflected on my time there , I keep returning to the unbelievable thought of how joyful the people are. I witnessed real hardship. Families living without electricity and running water. A shortage of food and medical care. Lack of schooling opportunities and unsafe living conditions due to crime and shelter inadequacy. So how can people be so joyful when I just told you all they have to overcome to survive each day?
I believe one of our MomCo leaders gave me insight to answer that question. Her name is Favour and she is an incredible woman. She lives in Zambia and her heart for Jesus and young moms is truly inspiring to me. I have had the pleasure of spending time with Favour several times now over the last few years and each time I leave her presence inspired. On our first day together I asked her how she was doing and she answered, “ I am doing well, by the grace of God.” When asked if she had a good night sleep or if she was learning a lot at the leadership summit she would answer, “Yes, by the grace of God.” Favour has a deep faith in God and truly lives out her faith even in her genuine responses to ordinary questions. She lives every day by the grace of God. Reality is if you are reading this, you are alive, by the grace of God.
I also learned a lot from the African culture which I think helped me to understand their joy despite their circumstances. Here are a few things I observed…
- Strong Community – Many African cultures emphasize communal living and close-knit relationships. This helps provide emotional support and a sense of belonging.
- Resilience and Optimism – Despite the many challenges, I watched the African women show up and work hard to provide for their families each and every day.
- Deep Rooted Culture – Music, dance, storytelling and festivals are central to many of the countries in Africa. These activities create shared moments of happiness.
- Connection to Nature – Many Africans live in close harmony with nature. I think this creates a sense of peace and appreciation for life.
- Faith is Important – Faith plays a significant role in many African societies. Having faith in Jesus and the promise of eternal life provides comfort, purpose and a positive outlook.
I am even more convinced that happiness comes from our circumstances and JOY comes from the Lord!