They Are People.

Statistics are the face of Africa to the world . Poverty, Injustice, Slavery, Starvation, AIDS, Orphans, Hopelessness are the face of Africa to the world.

BUT I HAVE SEEN THE FACE OF AFRICA.

The faces of Africa are people. People just like you. People just like me. Parents who want to work to provide for their children, who want the pride of raising them well. Children who want to run, play, jump. Children who have never known the beauties of childhood, but smile with full contentment. Followers of Christ that praise the LORD for all He has blessed them with, when all they have could fit in a car trunk.

THESE ARE THE FACES OF AFRICA. THE FACES OF AFRICA ARE REAL PEOPLE.

Now I have to share some situations "A Friend of Mine ;)" was in.

1.) One of my best friends, Em, brought in cookies for our Social Studies Class (more about that AMAZING class later). We were all enjoying them, and one girl found a hair in her cookie. Em apoligizes and uses a well-known statement in America, " I'm sure starving children in Africa would appreciate it." Now this, TICKED ME OFF. I immediatley said, "That was rude . They are people still and probably don't want to be handed are left overs." We talked it out and I'm pretty sure she will never say anything like that in my presence again. Hopefully.

2.) This is the worst thing I have ever seen an American do. ((Probably)) I was at the Christian bookstore and they have World Vision children's profiles there. The two thrity/ twenty year old women were asked if they would like to sponser them. This is there conversation:

W1: Oh this little girl is so cute.

W2: Oh, Barb, there are some really cute ones over here.

W1: Which ones?

W2: (Thumbing through the profiles, skipping over the ones who weren't CUTE enough) Here, theres a few.

W1: Oh, look at this ones cute little dirty shirt!!

W2: Don't you already have 3?

W1: Yeah, one is Sri Lanki, India, and Bolivia.

Now this made me sick. People, I'm sure very God-Loving people, would really pass over children to sponser because they are not cute enough. These kids are not vacation homes or puppies, they are childrens They are children with a heart, emotions, dreams, and most importantly, souls. They are children who need the love of a parent, of a friend, of God just as much as children anywhere else in the world.

I HAVE HELD AFRICA'S HAND.

I HAVE SEEN AFRICA'S FACE.

I HAVE HEARD AFRICA'S SONG.

THEY ALL RING LOUDLY IN MY EAR.