Africa has been a Missionary to Me!
By JoAnna Takeda
After another year of school and exams I found myself itching to take on the travel bug and jump on some opportunities to expand my horizons and see other areas of the world. I have been seeking interests in travel, culture, missions and career opportunity in other countries. Therefore, visiting Tanzania and staying with Sig and Joy Feser at Pamoja Ministries seemed like, and ended up being, a true chance of a lifetime.
The thing that I noticed the most, having a great impact on my attitude, was the behavior of the people here in Tanzania, whether Western missionaries or the Tanzanians themselves. Never have I been so warmly received and loved by new friends and faces. I have learned that in places like Tanzania, there are communities of God-fearing people who have learned to effectively influence, love on, and lead others due to the calling in their hearts to live Godly lives. I could not help but be drawn to this community of top-notch, fun-loving, adventurous, on-fire-for-Christ people who have a clear calling and ability to follow fearlessly in the way God leads them.
Culture differences were another thing that I was excited to learn of. Tanzania is beautiful in nature and fragrant with life. That goes for the landscape but more so for the people. In a world full of new faces, new concepts and rules of living, I found excitement in learning how people live, hearing their stories, and understanding where they come from. Some of my favorite memories that I will take back with me was the time spent in Simanjiro (The Massai Steppe), Chai time with the Tanzanian men and women, and strolling through the markets places of Arusha city. I felt that here was the best time to observe cultural strengths.
What I learned is that Tanzanians love to laugh and will do anything for a smile, a joke, a chuckle. They so well know how to live with each other as brothers and sisters. There is an element of respect for each other, and a strong dependence on one another to live as community. I also compared myself and my Western tendency to live indoors with life in Africa, where life is just too beautiful to stay inside.
I soon found myself soaking in the downpours of the rainy season, jogging through knee-deep mud puddles... willingly, obsessing over sunny breaks and beautiful skies, drooling at the sight of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, sleeping outdoors under endless amounts of shooting stars in Simanjiro's bushlands, walking with filthy black feet over dirt roads, and enjoying God's undeniable presence in the nature of places like Marangu Falls. After all this, two things come to my mind. This is truly the way life should be. As well, the first two lines of a song continuously repeat itself through my head with a whole new meaning. "The whole earth is filled with your glory Lord, angels and men adore, creation longs for what's in store."
My experience with Sig, Joy and Nadine Feser will have a long lasting impact on me. The mentorship and counsel they gave me feels like meat on my bones. Most often these influences were presented in indirect ways. As an observational and visual learner, I picked up on the meaning of living with God as a friend, a constant source of energy, satisfaction, and fuel to make it through each day. I witnessed his presence in their lives and found myself longing for more of God's presence in my own life.
During my stay I faced opportunities that not every visitor or tourist could expect. With the Fesers being well planted in ministry, with numerous connections, and experience of many years of living in Africa, I found myself visiting people from all over. I had the opportunity to stay in Moshi with New Life Foundation, a program raising African orphan infants, providing education and role models to follow, and equipping with them tools to find jobs by the time they are old enough. This foundation touched my heart in the way that these children were so loved, and were given hope for a future. I asked one young girl in school, "What would you like to be when you grow up?" Without hesitation, she answered, "The President." Full stop.
Many people come to Tanzania to be missionaries, to spread the word of God. However, being here gave me perspective. God is in Tanzania, and his presence is undeniable in the lives of the people. Africa has been a missionary to me, the beauty of this place and its people have impressed upon me a new meaning of being a Christian and living with, and for, God.
