i need africa more than africa needs me.

every monday i get the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at the mocha club with some amazing people on an amazing mission. now, you may be wondering (if i haven't already told you)...

"what is mocha club??? is that like a coffee shop with membership???" and my response would then be, "MOCHA CLUB is super cool...it's a thread from our hearts to the hearts of those in Africa. here's how it works--- you join by giving $7 a month- the cost of 2 mochas- to support a project in Africa. once you join, you can create a team and invite your friends to join you in giving to a specific project. Mocha Club's vision is to provide a way for people who don't have hundreds or thousands of dollars to make a difference in Africa."

now that we've had that nice conversation, Mocha Club is starting a new campaign with the idea of "I need Africa more than Africa needs me" and we're trying to spread the vision through blogging about it today. so, i'm supposed to give my thoughts on this idea. for the past few years africa has been the rage among those desiring to help the world. with invisible children's campaign, the vision to help those in Africa spread like butter, or that's at least the feeling i got. suddenly all of my friends wanted to go and "help." this idea of helping is kind of funny to me, though. i know that the resources in Africa may not be as "good" as in America, according to American standards, but they are so rich in other areas. 

 Kristin went to Africa last summer, and i've heard many stories of her trip, but here's a little something she wrote that i think explains a little glimpse of Africa... "Today, we took a walk, with a local, through the slum of Kibera, the largest slum in the world. Of course, when you think of slum, you think of dying sick people on the side of the road; everyone looking so depressed and hungry; dark clouds and just a generally bad atmosphere. What we saw today was quite different. While there is trash everywhere and lots of people in a small space, life still goes on. The place was bursting with life and energy. People were laughing, people were in deep conversation. Children were learning in school. People were cleaning their businesses. Life still remains. I was only there for about an hour, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had here."

From what I've heard and hope to experience one day, they have so much more joy. They see life without the veil of materialism. They seem to have a different motive. They don't need a laptop or a wii to have joy. I often find myself wishing I could see the world from their perspective at times. Of course I feel blessed to have grown up in a wonderful family and provided with everything i have needed, but I wonder how much of my view of NEED is socially constructed. I NEED Christ. I NEED love. I NEED a Savior. that's it.

So does Africa NEED us? maybe in some ways, but in other ways, i feel like we need Africa. do i still love to give every month? of course. why? because i know i'm making a difference- providing clean water. it's not about giving because i think they need me. it's about giving out of love.

I'd love to know your thoughts, and maybe you could make a blog post yourself! whoa! join Mocha Club in the worthwhile cause of recasting the already existing ideas of Africa that force pity over partnership. It's truly a partnership- giving and receiving from both sides.