In Africa ...

What a privilege to be here in Africa ...

Far from home, yet near to friends
Made just yesterday;
Happy smiles on darkened skin,
People stopping to welcome us in.

Sunny clear skies that warm up the day,
Starry nights with that cool African air;
Dusty dirt paths that lead into town,
Tall grass yesterday, but now burned to the ground.

Women with babies upon their backs
And street boys who should be in school-
Both selling food along streets in the town;
Uniformed children are walking to school.

Men who are talking and walking around;
I wonder, "When do they work?"
Young people searching for joy in their lives -
Many not knowing only ONE satisfies.

Different languages, different dress;
But all with the same kind of smile
That reaches beyond oceans and lands
No matter how many the miles.

Oh what a privilege, oh what a dream;
Images etched in my mind;
Unanswered questions, unforgotten faces;
A summer like none of its kind.

To God be the glory -
Great things He has done -
Forever I'll sing of His praise
And never forget that His mercy and grace
Saved me, a sinner in need of that grace.