The Unlikely Missionary

In this article from the Washington Post online Ms.Uzodinma Iwela writes from an African’s perspective on the disdainful idea that the West wants to “Save Africa.” It is an important reminder to us who have a “heart for Africa” (as people say) that we are reminded that Africa is full of real people living daily lives.

But, I would say to Ms. Iwela that this simplified perception of Africa is no different than other causes that make its way through the glamour pages of popular culture and society. The media perception that develops is often completely disconnected from the reality, but it is the perception that sticks and somehow moves people more effectively than the reality.

Another excellent case in point: New Orleans. The city continues to struggle to come out from under a persistent perception of decay and racism, particularly since Katrina. But many of us know of the bridges that have been built across ecumenical and racial lines since the storm, which would have never happened before.

There have been many people who have looked at me, shrugged their shoulders and asked, “But why should we rebuild New Orleans? It’s just going to flood again.”

“Well,” I normally respond, “The New Orleanians will rebuild New Orleans because it’s their home and they love it. They will come back. They will rebuild.” And so they are.

Others say that it’s not the role of the federal government to rebuild New Orleans. And, I say, that’s good because the checks that the federal government have sent are sitting in Baton Rouge because the legislation doesn’t know how to begin to spend the money.

So, the recovery in New Orleans is happening by New Orleanians. And, volunteers from across the country, mainly through their churches, who come and help out. I have seen sweaty college students with dust masks and sawzalls take three houses down to the studs in one day.

The contents of the house is then tossed into a 15 foot pile on the curb, and most of those piles are still sitting there because there is no one to pick it up. And, so it goes.

The people of New Orleans - and many other cities around the world for that matter - are fighting against the same frustrations that Ms. Iweala has voiced. Unfortunately, the true poverty of the situation is the people working in refugee camps in Nigeria or the relief centers in New Orleans are dependent on the help the “outside” world can give them and resign themselves to the continued misperception and true misunderstanding of their situation.

The local workers roll their eyes, accept the aid, and wave as the planes fly away with the generous donors so they can all get back to work.