Africa!
written by Oh Tae-Don
1709097989907.jpg "1709097989907.jpg")
An opportunity has come to visit the African continent in my lifetime. This was accomplished through a long-standing relationship with Professor Kim Hye-jin, CEO of VOEM Theater. I was willing to go, but as the departure date got closer, I started to feel anxious. ‘Aren’t you going to go and get kidnapped? 'Wouldn't it be a shame to die at this age?' Horrible imaginations followed. My husband said, “Make sure it’s not dangerous to go!” He said something irresponsible 4 days before leaving the country, scratching my anxious heart.
Moreover, two days before my departure, I felt dizzy and achy all day long.
‘Should I not go? If I keep going like this, I'll just be a nuisance to my group...' Fortunately, the headache ended that day, and I boarded a plane to Rwanda. I came to know through YouTube that Kigali, Rwanda, is the cleanest city in Africa. The term “a thousand hills” was vague, but I understood it when I came here. There were hills everywhere, so the view was really nice.
It was the first time in my life that I saw a landscape filled with dark-skinned people everywhere. So I took a closer look, and as time passed, I realized that skin color is really just a color. I realized how severe people's prejudices and distortions due to color are after talking with them and getting up close with them.
Moreover, there were many handsome, atmospheric, and cool black people. And this time, I learned something myself. White people are the first to age, followed by yellow people, and black people (since the world is divided like this, I can only express it this way...) are the last to age. When I asked about the ages of some people, they seemed to be in their late 30s or early 40s, but I was often surprised to learn that they were in their 50s. The locals on the streets of Kigali looked vibrant and I felt hopeful.
At the dedication ceremony for the VOEM Theater at World Mission High School, my mouth dropped open as I watched the traditional dance of high school students on stage. The unique gestures and dance moves that cannot be seen in Korea were truly beautiful and the excitement was through the roof. If I get the chance, I want to learn this dance.
I also performed a short 15-minute gala performance called ‘For Sarah Baartman’ on this stage with two other actors, and it was an unforgettable moment of glory.
As a non-Christian, it was my first time seeing the lives of missionaries up close. When I thought of a ‘missionary,’ I vaguely thought of it as a Christian doing good work in a remote area, but in fact, no specific picture came to mind.
Even when I heard that I was going to visit a mission field or mission center, I could only think of it as a point on a map and could not imagine anything inside. (Even if you criticize me for being indifferent, I can't help it.) This was the life of the missionaries I saw, leaving behind the convenience and comfort of civilization and relying on God in a harsh environment, silently helping local people through their difficulties and leading them to God. Although they were people like me, their actions and hearts were holy and touching that I could not follow. At first glance, I could imagine to some extent the countless hardships experienced by the early ministers. I was truly moved by the various activities and leadership of missionaries who over the decades established high schools and universities, built churches, and produced and educated local pastors. I felt like my head was pounding and a light was turned on when I finally realized that what Yonsei University and Ewha Womans University are today was created by American missionaries in the past by sowing seeds in a country mired in poverty and desolation. I got goosebumps thinking about how many smart local talents were created through the efforts of Korean missionaries. The faces and eyes of the children and orphans I met here still remain vivid in my mind.
This was the first time I realized that black children were so pretty. As I stroked the heads and hands of one or two people, they hugged me one after another. I was embarrassed for a moment, but I hugged her as much as I could. Although it was a short stay, I will never forget the beautiful nature of the place where the mission center is located.
Uganda appears to be lacking in supplies and the administrative hand is very disappointing. Tanzania is home to students who walk quite a long way from home to school and the endless and vast nature of the Serengeti. Tanzania seemed much more organized than Uganda. However, it still seems like administrative power in many areas is needed.
After visiting three countries (Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania) for 15 days, I learned that my thoughts about Africa before I left were purely due to misunderstandings about Africa caused by news and fund-raising TV images.
Of course, most foreign countries are not as safe as our country and have different cultures from ours, so we always need to be alert and careful. The Africa I experienced this time was a country that seemed to be lacking in supplies and social infrastructure, but it was a home where people like us live our daily lives. At least my initial thoughts were nothing more than concerns born out of complete ignorance about Africa. Then, I think Africa is a treasure trove of content that our media can produce by focusing on different angles, such as people, industry, and culture.
February 28, 2024 | 
424596104_3641657965972771_435071954296416914_n.jpg)
