7 Practical Things I Learned Being a Missionary in Africa
If you're getting ready for a mission trip, or would just like to learn more about the African culture, I'd like to share with you seven practical life hacks that will help you. These are things I learned from the locals, Christ for all Nations bootcamp, or learned myself. They are helpful tips and tricks for any missionary, evangelist, or a minister starting off.
1. Don't drink tap water. Do not even use the tap water to brush your teeth. When I was in Mexico (I know, not in Africa), I used the local tap water to brush my teeth. Bad mistake! I paid the consequences of catching a sickness from the water, and was sick all the way home as we drove for 3 days. Make sure to have bottles water with always, and use it to brush your teeth.
2. Some Christians are after your money! Not always, of course, but many ministers and pastors in Africa see white Americans as dollar signs. They say they worship God, and I'm sure they do, but their hearts may be far from Him. Look out as you wonder the cities, that you're not there to hand out money left and right but to preach the word of Christ.
3. Keep your valuables on you. As I was in Uganda after dark I pulled out my phone to check a message. Instantly the man beside me strictly told me to put away my phone. "It could be stolen," he said. Even when I was in a local bus, it was not safe to pull out my phone, because they steal phones through the open window and would run for it. My passport and wallet was on me at all times, unless I had a trusted house or hotel I knew will keep my items safe.
4. Go to bed early and wake up early. African is a continent where the sun rises and sets consistently throughout the year. For example, in Tanzania, the sunrise is around 6:30am, and the sunset is 6:30pm throughout the year. With this adjustment, the people go to bed early and get up early. Even the church services often started at 7am. So get ready for some early mornings!
5. Always negotiate. Daniel Kolenda told us not to negotiate if you're in Africa if we are there only a few days, but if you spend a good chunk of time where you'd want to master the art of negotiating. I remember how I was walking down the hill from my hotel and saw a motorcycle taxi. When I asked him how much the ride was down the hill he said 8,000 shillings. Normally I'd cost 2,000, so I told him I'd walk down. Then of course he budged and took me for 2,000. I learned that there are ways to negotiate without getting mad or angry, these are all people who are trying to make money, so we should see their side, but don't let them abuse the grace. Be kind and smile, maybe crack a joke. This is a good way to get on the good side of an African.
6. Get ready for everyone to be late. Don't be surprised if someone shows up an hour or two late. In the United States, everyone is on time and even early, but in Africa people just take their sweet time. Some don't even have a clock. One time I came to a big church at 7am to preach, and I found two or three people there. Within a few hours, that place was packed with at least 500 people. The best advice I can give you is to set appointments earlier than expected and emphasize being there on time.
7. Everything is relax mode. Hakuna Matata. It's low-key, and there is no hurry whatsoever. But when we're there on a mission from God the gospel is urgent. No time to waste! Of course, there are moments to relax and hang out, but African people tend to get lazy if you tend to leave them. Once, we had 20 volunteers come, and they were all getting paid good wages to help with the crusade. But when it came to working, we had to keep our eyes on them all the time, because if we left, they stopped working and would wander off. Keep pressing in so the work gets accomplished.
These are practical tips that you can learn from, and use on your next mission trip to Africa. Please subscribe to the newsletter to receive more emails and posts about our ministry. God bless!
