Chapter 2 - Page 11 - Vision Of Africa

  He had been removed from his office. He now sat on green grass. Around him were strange-looking buildings constructed of bamboo framework, with straw roofs. He was made aware, within himself, of the purpose of each building. On his left, a small hospital had a porch on one corner and several windows along its side. A paved road with curbs and streetlights ran in front of the hospital, and across the road were several blocks of African-style houses. The houses had no garages or driveways. All the streets were paved and streetlights dotted the entire residential area.

   Jim looked to his right, across another road with curbs and streetlights, and saw another large building that he knew was a dining facility. His eyes slid along this building to the public meeting building in the village park behind it. He saw several shaded picnic tables scattered throughout the park, and a play area with swings, slides, and a merry-go-round in one corner. At the opposite end of the park was a beautiful flower garden with bordered plots.

   Many black people were walking in and out of the buildings and along the streets. Jim watched one man approach him and then pass right through him as though he was a ghost.

   The African village faded away and Jim found himself back in his office. “I don’t know what all this means,” Jim said. “It’s all strange to me.”

   “Jim,” the messenger replied, "God wants you to go to Africa and be a witness to thousands of people who have never heard of the Bible.”

   Jim knew if he went to Africa, he would have to leave his business and the only way of life he knew. “But sir,” he argued, “why does God want me to go to Africa? Aren’t missionaries already there?”