My Heart is Shaped Like Africa.
Ever since returning from Africa... I don't think I have ever been the same.
No matter how much I tell stories or try to explain to people what I've seen... They will never understand unless they see it for themselves and even then I am not sure how many people would understand. I'm not even sure if I could even explain what happened and still do it justice.
I know I have annoyed most people with how much I talk about Africa. The truth is... I'm completely and utterly obsessed. And I can't even begin to tell you how many annoyed remarks I have gotten because of my obsession. I've heard everything from "You're consumed by this Africa thing" to "Your crazy. What happened to you?" and things like "You have a life outside of Africa you know. Just be greatful for what you have in America."
But the thing is... I have an Africa shaped heart.
I don't think a day goes by that I don't think about the people I met there. I know I have a life here but I know that my future lies there.
There is something so beautiful and so different about Africa that I love... It's what is drawing me back and I can never seem to get it out of my head.
It's the people: The way they smile, the way they just welcome you into their homes, the way they seem to live life to the fullest despite the fact they are living in the most unlivable conditions
Its the children: The way they cling to you, the way they hold your hand, the way they just want to spend every minute with you, the way they want you to dance and sing with them... The way the touch your life.
It's the land: The way its beauty captivates you, The fact that the sunrise and sunset just seems to be more beautiful than anywhere else on earth.
It's the lack of distractions: They don't have TVs or video games in every household. They don't have a mall every 10 miles, they don't have lives centered around technology alone... You don't have all the luxuries that we are blessed with in America. You are taught to enjoy life and live it in such a different way. You find yourself truly waiting and listening to God in such a way that you just become lost in Him. You suddenly feel Him closer and you experience Him in a way you never thought possible. You are focused on Him.
Ephesians 4:1 "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
I know that God has a calling on my life to Africa. I know that He has given me this passion for a reason... He gave me an Africa shaped heart. I feel compelled to pray all the time and when I do it still feels like I need to pray more. Everytime I think about Africa I just feel empty... like there is this longing I have that only it could satisfy. And I know some people would say "God should be the only one you feel empty for and long for." Yes, but I do have a HUGE longing for and passion for God!!! I do! But God gave me this passion! God doesn't call you to something your not going to end up crazy for!
Every time I think about Africa... I think about God. All I can think about is how greatful I am for this calling He gave me. And I remember that He blessed me with these opportunities to go to Africa... I know that God has so many great things planned for Africa and it's people and I... I am just the vessle. And I can't think of any better way to serve Him than to be His vessle... I have an Africa shaped heart.
Thankful to be His vessle,
Olivia (Thabisa) Cartwright
No matter how much I tell stories or try to explain to people what I've seen... They will never understand unless they see it for themselves and even then I am not sure how many people would understand. I'm not even sure if I could even explain what happened and still do it justice.
I know I have annoyed most people with how much I talk about Africa. The truth is... I'm completely and utterly obsessed. And I can't even begin to tell you how many annoyed remarks I have gotten because of my obsession. I've heard everything from "You're consumed by this Africa thing" to "Your crazy. What happened to you?" and things like "You have a life outside of Africa you know. Just be greatful for what you have in America."
But the thing is... I have an Africa shaped heart.
I don't think a day goes by that I don't think about the people I met there. I know I have a life here but I know that my future lies there.
There is something so beautiful and so different about Africa that I love... It's what is drawing me back and I can never seem to get it out of my head.
It's the people: The way they smile, the way they just welcome you into their homes, the way they seem to live life to the fullest despite the fact they are living in the most unlivable conditions
Its the children: The way they cling to you, the way they hold your hand, the way they just want to spend every minute with you, the way they want you to dance and sing with them... The way the touch your life.
It's the land: The way its beauty captivates you, The fact that the sunrise and sunset just seems to be more beautiful than anywhere else on earth.
It's the lack of distractions: They don't have TVs or video games in every household. They don't have a mall every 10 miles, they don't have lives centered around technology alone... You don't have all the luxuries that we are blessed with in America. You are taught to enjoy life and live it in such a different way. You find yourself truly waiting and listening to God in such a way that you just become lost in Him. You suddenly feel Him closer and you experience Him in a way you never thought possible. You are focused on Him.
Ephesians 4:1 "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
I know that God has a calling on my life to Africa. I know that He has given me this passion for a reason... He gave me an Africa shaped heart. I feel compelled to pray all the time and when I do it still feels like I need to pray more. Everytime I think about Africa I just feel empty... like there is this longing I have that only it could satisfy. And I know some people would say "God should be the only one you feel empty for and long for." Yes, but I do have a HUGE longing for and passion for God!!! I do! But God gave me this passion! God doesn't call you to something your not going to end up crazy for!
Every time I think about Africa... I think about God. All I can think about is how greatful I am for this calling He gave me. And I remember that He blessed me with these opportunities to go to Africa... I know that God has so many great things planned for Africa and it's people and I... I am just the vessle. And I can't think of any better way to serve Him than to be His vessle... I have an Africa shaped heart.
Thankful to be His vessle,
Olivia (Thabisa) Cartwright
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