The Smells of Fire in Africa

Journal writing at Vuma Hills tented camp,
Mikumi National Park

One of the joys of working for Kulea, is taking volunteers to experience Africa, to see the beauty, to feel the needs, to meet our friends, and to serve on a Kulea project. Each evening, we gather as a team to share reflections on our day. Additionally, some travelers keep a journal. It's a pleasure to share this excerpt from the journal of one team member, Walter Huston. Thanks, Walter!

20 August 2012

Kimotonge Hotel, Chalinze, Tanzania

8.30 PM 

Building a church in Chalinze, Tanzania

     The smell of a wood fire as I walked back from the other guesthouse reminded me of home. However, it is also my first sensory reminder of Africa. The smell of a burning fire is everywhere here in Chalinze. It was present in the homes we visited yesterday and it was present as we walked home tonight. It smells like it does when one walks through a campground on a summer night. The difference is that the campers back home are choosing it to relax, to get away, to connect with nature. Here, it is a way of life. There is no other house to return to, no other life to continue. This is it. They live, they breathe, and they survive by the fire.

     God does not call us to live by a campfire but by a different fire, the refiner’s fire. Not just a fun,‘get away’ fire, but a fire that consumes, devours, and causes only the purest to survive. A fire that glows with the highest, hottest flames and is so brilliant, we close our eyes due to fear and also in sheer reverence. As we walk closer, we tremble with fear but a Guiding Hand comes around us and assures us that though it may hurt, the fire will never completely destroy us but will only refine us in order to purify that which is hidden by human eyes.

Playing Simon Says in Chalinze

     We walk through the fire feeling the flames as they touch us and begin to feel the scorching of our flesh. We cringe, we cry, and even begin to scream. We don’t think we can go any further, but further we must go. We beg to stop, for something to ease the pain, but there is nothing except the Hand that continues to push us through to the other side.
     And to the other side, we finally emerge. Not as a lump of rock or coal but the most brilliant gem we are supposed to be. Some will be like diamonds while others like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. All will be precious to the King. 

Kulea's August 2012 Team visits the future site of Ubazi Children's Village