MaryAnn Benjamins was part of a volunteer team of five from Jarvis, Ontario that spent almost 3 weeks in West Africa on behalf of Christian Reformed World Missions.
Eyes Opened to Africa!
I looked out the window of the plane and I could hardly believe me eyes. We were flying over Africa! My heart was full of anticipation, but with no point of reference Africa felt like a big question mark! What would it really be like? Only experience could answer my questions, and we were about to land!
My husband was asked to lead a conference for the missionaries and their families in West Africa. He was asked to assemble a team of volunteers. My first thought was that there was no way he was going without me! I could help teach the missionary’s kids VBS- it would be fun, right?! We’d spend some time touring the various mission posts and then fly to the conference.
Getting off the plane at 10:30 at night was like walking into a wall of heat and I had yet to shed my Canadian clothes! Going through customs was an experience in itself. There was a crush of people speaking different languages, low lighting, no air conditioning, and very little organization. Our pick up person, an MK (a.k.a. missionary kid), was a blessing in the midst of chaos! His calm humour got us through security without a hitch. That night we met the organizer of everything for the missionaries, as well as many of the missionaries. One of the missionares who has been with World Missions for more than 20 years became our instant guide and interpreter.
Our first images of West Africa were red dust flying, a maze of bumpy roads, a unique metallic scent of their dirt permeating the air, low lighting, and wall to wall people! We arrived right on the cusp of the rainy season. The rains were just beginning up in the hills, but the streets were under construction and dusty to boot. The morning introduced us to the splendour of our host country. Our breakfast included bananas picked right from the backyard. They were small and oh so sweet. Yum! Lush green trees of every variety greeted us- palm trees, papaya, mango, and more. We toured the port in the evening and the smells there were as unique as the mass of people haggling for their evening dinner.
The trip on the next day was a five-hour drive on a surprisingly good highway, but we passed many vehicles loaded far beyond their capacity. Fruits and vegetables were available in front of every compound or grass hut as the highway wound its way higher and higher into the mountains. The beauty of the country was blinding and yet contrasted by so many mosques on the horizon. The deep need for the freedom in Christ was displayed in the face of beggars. The eyes of women covered from head to toe in linen garments tell the tale of the bondage that many are in.
The bustling town of about 4000, was noticeably cooler. The greenery was more pronounced with streams and rivers everywhere. The highway wound its way through the town, but every side street was a potholed, rutted, eroded, rough nightmare! We were shocked that they were even called streets! No wonder the missionaries vehicles had to be so sturdy! Our host did so well in the face of his wife’s absence. She had baked and cooked up a storm and we ate very well while we were there. I often caught him checking the list that she had left him and we so appreciated their hospitality.
A few days later we flew to the Gambia to lead the conference. What an exciting time of learning, fellowship, and renewal! Caring for the children was great fun! The warm ocean breezes only served to highlight the best part of my whole adventure: building relationships with our missionaries! Their personalities are diverse, but their dedication and teamwork is amazing, and their message is the same: Jesus Christ is the answer! They have adapted to a wide variety of living situations-everything from city living to village life with little or no amenities of home. I felt so privileged to be part of this work in progress!
Our final day in Guinea arrived so quickly. Saying goodbye was so hard! I felt like I was leaving family behind! In a short time we came away with relationships that will linger for a lifetime. My heart is forever changed by their impact!
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