“I stopped an old man along the way, hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies, he turned to me as if to say, hurry boy, it’s waiting there for you.”

Those may seem like mere lyrics to an 80’s song, but when I hear Africa by Toto, it brings a smile to my face because in some way I knew Africa was waiting there for me … and I for her.  In the summer 2005, I was given the opportunity to travel to East Africa to be a part of a short-term missionary team.  The main goals of the team was to assist in the construction of several metal roofs, to provide children’s programs for the local kids and to, of course, build relationships with the people of Africa.  One of our stops was at Starehe Children’s Home in Mwanza, Tanzania.  Unlike America, where babies are “oohed” and “ahhed” over, most of the children we met in Mwanza were seen as inconveniences … not blessings, but burdens.  It was an amazing experience to spend a week with these wonderful children and their tireless caregivers.  We spent our limited time at Starehe teaching the songs and words and colors, but most of all, teaching them that they are loved and important to this world.

Right before I left for Africa, my mom told me about an experience she had with my grandmother, who passed away just months before I was born.  In her last days, she spoke of a dream she’d had of a young girl, holding and surrounded by children of a “darker color.”  My mom and family had no idea what this meant, but felt the need to share this with my upon my depature.  Soon after we arrived back to the states, a fellow team members shared a picture she had taken of me “covered” in some of the children from Starehe.  (I like to call it the human jungle gym.)  I will never forget that day … Kalisa on my back, and all the other children just waiting to be held and played with.  It’s like they’d been waiting there for me all along.  That will be one of the most precious moments of my life.

I was once a part of an African “tribe” of bright young orphans in Tanzania.  I am now a part of GHA … where will it take you?

- Laura Witter

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