From the friendliness of the people to the weight of spiritual darkness, a couple writes about what has surprised them as they adjust to life in North Africa.
Within days of reaching our seven month mark (which doesn't even seem possible!), we look back at what we have learned during our time in North Africa. We're all at a point where we could certainly say, "Didn't expect that!". Having lived in Sub-Saharan Africa for so many years, we sort of thought we had a jump start when we moved here. We didn't think there was too much that could surprise us. Turns out that we were wrong. Here are a few of the things that have surprised us about life in North Africa!
The friendliness of the people.
This is by all means is a social culture. People are priority. I had the privilege of observing a friend who is an older woman greet her neighbor, who is a younger woman. They kissed on the left cheek several times and then the right several times. They embraced.
They kissed again, and again, and I was taken aback by the kindness of these two women. I asked my friend if it had been a long time since they had seen one another. She replied that it had been several weeks since they had been in contact. I thought maybe it had been a few years! It was a beautiful display of the care that the people have for one another.
While friendliness abounds, the city still struggles with homelessness, and beggers.
The amount of begging breaks my heart.
While begging was quite common when we lived in Kenya, it was something we hadn't anticipated in coming here. It still tears at my heart and I continually ask the Father to guide me in my response. I want to be generous, like my heavenly Father is generous with me. These are real people, with really hard stories, and each needs the love of the Father.
Cooking from Scratch!
Where is my boxed Mac and Cheese?
We make almost everything from scratch; we were surprised by what we have found to not be a basic staple here. For instance, Mac and Cheese! Our friends just received a care package from the good ole US of A and mac and cheese made the cut! They heard of our kids love of the gooey stuff and invited our little peeps over to share in the deliciousness. It's neither a good thing or a bad thing, it's just different, another adjustment. It is amazing how little things like how you cook compound to the stress of figuring out life in a new culture.
The Weight of Spiritual Darkness.
We Feel the Darkness Deeply.
Even our son agreed with us that he did not expect to feel the oppression of this country as fully as he does. He says that it's hard to feel close to God, and to stay close to Him. Our team leaders would be the first to say that this is why we abide, abide, abide. We spend time with Jesus. We have to. He is our lifeline.
There are so few 'lights' in this city that the darkness can feel overwhelming. Our team leaders gave us a great analogy. As we come to this country, something in the form of an x-ray blanket is placed on us. It may feel a little heavy at first. Eventually we get used to wearing it. We wear it everywhere we go.
Then occasionally we go to a country that doesn't have as much darkness as this one and suddenly the weighted blanket has been removed. We feel lighter, a bit more free in our worship. When we return to our country, the mantle has once again been set in place. We bear the weight of the darkness once more. Some feel it more than others. We definitely sense the oppression.
The Joy.
He came to Christ!
We did not expect the magnitude of complete and utter joy that would come to our hearts when a friend would come to Jesus. Just last week we experienced the unbridled joy that came as we learned that a man we'll call Hector gave his life to the One who will never take it. (John 10:28)
This came after much wrestling with the Holy Spirit and counting the cost of his decision. I am reminded of the prodigal son, and his father who ran after him while he was far off. In his joy he sees his son coming home and embraces him so readily. I see Jesus embracing Hector and telling him, "Welcome home, my son! I have been waiting for you." What a joy it is to do this work.
Please lift up 'Hector' as he begins his new journey following Jesus. Pray against a spirit of fear, which is prevalent in those who are like-minded in our city. Please lift up his family and friends, that they would see the Holy Spirit working in his life and that there would be entire households coming to faith because of Hector's trust and obedience.
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Pray.
Please pray against a spirit of discouragement for our team. Along with the constant darkness that pervades our daily responsibilities, even illnesses could potentially contribute to a spirit of weariness. The enemy is likely not happy with the proactive ways that we are attempting to reach the people in our city and will certainly continue to come up with ways to try to knock us flat. Please pray protection over our team in North Africa.
For us, please pray specifically for our language learning abilities, for our children as they continue to adjust to life in North Africa, and for nearness to Jesus.
Learn more about serving in places like North Africa
About the Author: This was written by a couple serving in North Africa, due to security concerns we will not be sharing their identities.