During my life of working and Traveling Overseas, I was most often in the Far East, Middle East, Europe and Latin America. Oh, I was occasionally in other areas for short visits, but my trips never included Africa!
In recent years I find myself more and more digging into detailed study of the nations and capitols of Africa, and the interesting cultures there. Now I find myself with a real drive to experience Africa first-hand! Over the past year I have found myself making flash cards to associate Capitol Cities and Nations, then learning to locate each of them on the map. (This is still a work in progress, but I have come a long way in developing at least a rudimentary understanding of the scope of the study.)
How many countries would you imagine are located in Africa? Of the 195 countries in the world, some 53 are on the African Continent!
I am constantly amazed at the lack of American understanding of Africa. Often we hear people speak of Africa as if it were a nation - instead of the enormous continent that it is! It spans 6 time zones. In area, you could put Russia, the entire USA, and India into Africa, and have some left over!
It encompasses some very diverse ecology - from the vast Sahara Desert in the North, enormous stretches of jungle, savannas which roll for miles, and several significant mountain ranges. Over 1,000 languages are spoken there.
From a Traveler's standpoint there is much to enjoy in Africa, wildlife which can only be seen there, breathtaking expanses of triple-canopy forests, interesting cultures which have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years, unique languages and costumes. Africa has beaches of great beauty as it touches two of the worlds great oceans, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Given the fact that much of the landmass of Africa is impoverished, there are many chances for the experienced traveler to join a mission group for the experience of a lifetime. Consider the rich blessing of helping others while learning and immersing yourself in their world!
Bookings advice for Africa on websites like http://www.yBoggle.com can provide you with advice on when and where to go, and even have information on Mission Groups who can enrich your personal or family vacation. For example if you would like to assist in Eastern Uganda, there is a wonderful group who would love your help. It is headed by a remarkable young man, Mukhobeh Moses Khaukha. He is Executive Director of a group, called Randa United Farmers Group (RUFGROUP). They assist impoverished orphans and families to learn farming and animal husbandry which can feed them and provide sustainable income.
Instead of taking a normal personal or family vacation, why not turn it into a very special ministry trip where you can make lasting relationships with new friends, learn about another culture and see a part of the Dark Continent?
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