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Africa Changes You

Lots of people go to Africa expecting to change it, to help the people. What they're totally unprepared for is how Africa changes you, how it reaches deep into your soul leaving you with a broken heart and an unexplainable love...

It's the reason I get a message from a girl, 4 years after returning from Africa, saying that she's still processing her trip and wants to go back.


It's the reason grown men weep as they reflect on what they experience as they go over to lend a hand.


It's the reason someone will move their whole family over to a foreign land to build chicken coops.


I recently sat down with Scott Snow who returned from his second trip to S. Africa with Ten Thousand Homes this past March. We jokingly laughed at our first conversation that started something like this...


Scott: "I don't understand why they (our church) is doing so much in Africa. There's so much need here."


I tried desperately to plead Africa's case, but it wasn't until Scott succumbed to the inner promptings from God to GO that he understood what I meant. While Scott grew up caring for the underdog, he was also taught to take care of what's around you. That's not a bad thing. However, most of the world does not live like America. There are millions of children out there living without a Mom and a Dad, and they simply need someone to hold them.

I was literally amazed listening to this man who, just a couple of years ago, seemed unconcerned about Africa and ever going there. Now, he can barely talk about his experience because of the choking of his voice and the tears in his eyes. Africa has touched him.


"The kids crushed me as I saw them wearing only one shoe."


"God broke my prejudices."


"We're blinded by our circumstances (here in America), but the Spirit of God is there."


"I was impacted by the hopes and dreams of these Africans, even in their circumstances."


"I went there to bless, but I was blessed in return."


I asked Scott about a single moment that impacted him the most...


"One day we were in Dwaleni. We had brought little bags of plastic toys that almost seemed like junk. There was a 15 year old girl there and I felt that I was supposed to give her a bag of this stuff. I was almost too embarrassed to give it to her, but I did anyway. She cried and hugged me and said that it was the nicest thing that anyone had ever given her. I knew I could do more for these kids."


And he has. Scott has gathered a group of people to give monthly to supply food for our feeding programs. He raised money to build twin boys chicken coops. And he's trying to do more.

This story isn't intended to build up a single man. I know there are more Scott's out there who either need to go to Africa or who have gone and been changed.


Are you interested in experiencing something that's bigger than your world right in front of you? 


Do you want to be ruined for the ordinary? 


Do you have a desire to love on people simply because they're valuable? 


Yes? Then you should come. You should come with a heart to serve and bless others and in return, you'll come away feeling like the people of Africa did more for you than you did for them. It's a beautiful exchange.


I'll leave you with Scott's very powerful words, "We Americans will never solve the problem in Africa, but we can make a difference. They are our children, too."


To inquire about a short-term visit to work with Ten Thousand Homes in S. Africa, please email info@tenthousandhomes.org.


written by Jen Price, communications director

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