“Out of Africa”
Tonight I finally caught up on an episode of “60 Minutes” I had Tivo’d a while back. One of the stories was about the raping of thousands of women and children in the Congo. It was absolutely heartbreaking. I had been told about this last year by one of our missionaries (name withheld) who works there, but to see a video account of the atrocity was another thing entirely.
A few months ago when I started this blog, one of my sons said I needed to do it so people could know the things I thought about - because so many only see me in the public eye. Well, friends - these are the things I think about. I think about how terrible the forces of hell must be to initiate such things and about how true it is when the Bible says, “above all things the heart of man is deceitfully wicked”.
I also think about the only thing that can ever turn such terror around is the love of God. I do thank God for a wonderful move of his Spirit across Africa, but know as Christians we must do more and time is short.
I think about how we must get really serious about our prayer for Africa because the reports that are coming “out of Africa” are terrible. Last week I talked with officials in Africa about helping further with the terrible unrest in Kenya. We sent several thousand dollars to help rebuild the church that was burned…but how do you pay for the 50 lives that were lost in the fire?
At Christmas I got a note from a friend working in Sudan and what is happening in Darfur is beyond tragic. I look at the book on my bookshelf about Rwanda and very unpleasant memories creep in. And I listen to my friends like Nancy (last name withheld) tell me about their work among the AIDS patients and it simply boggles my very spoiled American mind.
Let’s face it…what is coming “out of Africa” for the most part is not real encouraging…so please join me in prayer so that what goes into Africa will work to change things - hopefully fast and soon! (John 3:16)
