Today I went to the dentist. Of course an explanation was required to the hygienist and receptionist why I wouldn’t be able to schedule a next visit in six months, and the reason—"I’m moving to Africa for a year"—I found, was met with excitement, their wanting to know more, my sharing a Mamelodi Stories business card, questions, more explaining, their pledging to follow along on the blog, etc. Overall, fairly uplifting support.

When the time came for my dentist to appear on the scene and do her thing, poking and prodding and inspecting, the hygienist excitedly shared my news. My dentist was excited, too, and asked similar questions; but interestingly, the feedback that she offered, I began to discern, was almost immediately and entirely that of pity for the continent of Africa. The situation is so sad there, I was sure to see some horrific things… as if the continent was a God-forsaken place.

Later, when I was switched to a different chair for a preventive procedure my dentist graciously squeezed in knowing I was due to leave Durham the day after tomorrow, she offered more feedback, again, reflecting on how hard it will likely be for us, how sad it will be, etc: "So little food, so little medical care, so little education there…" Alluding to what we’ve heard before: it’s just a mess. I was frustrated I couldn’t respond (the novacaine having set in and four hands and all sorts of metal obstructing any attempt at a response). I would have wanted to respond, "But there’s another side of the story. Yes, the situation in Africa is tremendous. But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are some amazing things going on there, too, in spite of circumstances we in America are completely immune to and do not have to face." I would have wanted to tell her more about the Powerhouse Church. I would have wanted to tell her more about Mamelodi Stories, how Nate and I have set out to produce something different with than what some covering Africa do—to show not just the hardship, but to show the triumph of the human spirit over immense tragedy and the manifestation of God-given hope and love in the midst of this tremendous suffering.

Here’s food for thought:

The continent of Africa has more orphans than any other continent in the world. The United Nations and UNICEF estimate that by the year 2010 there will be approximately 42 million orphans in Africa (that number I cannot comprehend), half of those due to HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is having a tremendous impact on South Africa, in particular. The country has the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world (5.5 million), and the prevalence rate among adults is more than 18.8 percent. Over the past few years, life expectancy has declined by nearly 20 years, infant mortality has risen and the number of men and women in their 30s and 40s has decreased, yielding the highest number of children left without one or both parents in any African country.

So, in one sense, my dentist is right in thinking that these problems are not going away anytime soon, despite global efforts that have been made to curb this tragedy. The HIV/AIDS and poverty crises are massive, and it will take the attention of the world to respond.

BUT, in Africa, I would argue, no one else is better positioned to help the widow and the orphan than the local church! And as part of our work with Africa Revolution with various local churches uniquely poised to help as the centers of community, Nate and I will attempt to document the harsh situations facing the people with whom we will live and interact as they struggle with disease and poverty, yet as they find hope through faith. I don’t doubt that it will be very hard on a daily basis to witness the realities of suffering in a third-world place, but I’m convinced that we will return to the U.S. with great admiration—not pity—for the people of Africa.

My first response to my dentist’s pessimistic outlook on the situation in Africa was to think to myself "I should switch to Nate’s dentist. He totally gets it." But as I sat there in the chair, jaw beginning to hurt, I thought, "No, this is exactly the kind of person whose heart God has in store to change. This is exactly who Mamelodi Stories is for." Besides, I like my dentist.

It’s a powerful moment when one realizes that the global tragedy the world regards Africa as being and the inconceivable stats she boasts has a face, and a voice. Those are the faces and voices of human beings, made in the image of The Creator and not be felt sorry for, but to be loved as Jesus would love.

"But from above, in the eyes of God, sorrow and joy are never separated. Where there is pain, there is also healing. Where this is mourning, there is dancing. Where there is poverty, there is the Kingdom." —Henri Nouwen

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Filed under: General by Rebecca on July 24th, 2008, HIV/AIDS, Powerhouse