The native people of Africa are truly amazing. Maybe I've said that before, but to think that they have only known real equality in South Africa for 15 years, boggles the mind. South Africa is now the model of democracy for this continent and as such has become the destination point for immigrants from neighboring Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique, where the political climate is either oppressive or very unstable. Unemployment in some of these countries is as high as 80%, so South Africa is their 'land of opportunity'. The news in Johannesburg reports that people are flowing into SA at a rate of 105,000 per month, and considering that, this country is dealing with things relatively well.
Again, when one considers that it was only in 1994 that things legally changed to allow equal rights and opportunity to all South Africans, (maybe we in the states forgot, since all we heard at that time was about the Clinton White House and Monica Lewinsky, etc.) it is great to see how well it has all been implemented ...remember that it took the USA from the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865 until 1964 to get integrated schools, restaurants, hospitals and a Civil Rights Bill passed. In South Africa, the 'over 30' population group here has suffered through the years of Apartheid and has a different set of memories than the folks in their teens and twenties do, and the young children of Africans will grow up in a far better set of circumstances that the prior generations had to deal with. Below I have tried to capture a variety of the people we see and meet on a daily basis. It will be up to you to put captions to the photos.
These are the 'faces of Africa"
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A difficult past...a transitional present and a hope filled future.
Freedom, Opportunity and Gospel centered lives will make all the difference.
"Let us therefore follow the things which make for peace,
and things wherewith one may edify another."
-Romans 14:19
Stay well!
12 comments:
How can just seeing happy faces make you emotional? Don't know but it does. What beautiful people with great smiles and great hats. I wish we had more hat fashion in our country. Then I could get away with doing my hair a lot less. Thanks for the beautiful pictures of the beautiful people of Africa Dad.
Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing your photos and your thoughts.
Hello! Hope you are both doing well! The pictures are beautiful and sad also. I have never visited a site that made me get so emotional. I'm so glad I got to know where you both are. Hope that Brigham is doing ok. I have a great family,my son is 4 1/2 already. I still live in Douglassville. Hope to hear from you both soon. Take care! ~Megan
I just want to squeeze those people. So happy, I love their smiles! I am so glad you are there to teach them the gospel so that they may have happier lives. I think it is great that you are taking all of these pictures so that you can remember them all when you get home.
Thanks for the photos. The people seem to be really happy and I love that they are able to reflect who they are and how they feel - no hiding behind botox, face lifts, lip injections and makeup face. Here it seems like you never really "see" the person.. well at least women... there's somethingso genuine about seeing someone bare faced and smiling. I miss you both and am happy to see you've made so many friends. :O)
I don't know how you do it. You have truly captured the beauty of the people. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about them and their hopes and dreams. You are having amazing experiences and your gift of being able to share them with us through photography and words is a blessing to us all. Thank you so much. We send our love.
wow! what awesome pictures...look like they came from a magazine. Made me teary.... you can tell they are a humble people. I'm sure they feel blessed to have you in their lives! Love you guys...thanks for sharing your beautiful daughter with me. She is truly amazing. I am blessed to have her as my daughter too. Have a great day......Rexanne
Ditto...ditto! The people of South Africa truly seem VERY happy and have a lot to give. I especially love the music you've chosen this time - African rhythms are so amazing! Reenie - I hope your Mother's Day was special - I imagine you talked to your children. Isn't it wonderful to have such modern conveniences to connect although so far away! Enjoy each and every day, won't you both - I know I am!
I just love these pictures. Every person does truly seem so happy. I especially love the picture of the last little boy- he is just adorable!
What a marvelous photographer you have become.You can see the love you have for the African people. We miss you and can't wait to hear more of your experiences as you share the gospel with these children of God. I also love the music. Do you hear them singing in concerts or what?
I have just caught up on your blog. (Sorry it took so long, life got in the way.) I love these pictures and the posts I have missed. I hope you both had a wonderful Mother's Day and Father's Day serving our Heavenly Father.
Love to you both. Think of you often.
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