Page 68 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 2

ISSUE TWO | SEPT/OCT

I am just

SAYING

Frank talk about the little things we do in Afrika
that undermine love, unity and brotherhood.
Chioma Phillips Afrika. Is that you?

And the tuk-tuk drove past me
siye na Utu, si Mtu, says circumstances all for the greater
the message in Swahili on good. Where the beauty of our again and I remembered the man
Athe tuk-tuk (the 3-wheeled common unity determines our injured in a collision who sat on the
ground bleeding and I drove past
taxi) that shuttled past us multiple community. and said to myself, they should
times in one day. take him to the police station. I am
It translates to ‘he who lacks Yet the tuk-tuk drove past me
compassion is not a person.’ several times and I remembered as guilty as everyone else on that
road that drove past the bleeding
the mama who makes the nice man, while offering no help.
God said to Cain, who had just smoky chapati that I sometimes
murdered his brother, “Where buy, who had her informal stall And the tuk-tuk drove past me
is Abel your brother?” and Cain made of sticks and polythene
replied, “I do not know. Am I my demolished by the woman who is again.
brother’s keeper?” Didn’t bat an building new stone shops behind I once said to one of my brothers,
eyelid, no remorse, no tear shed. the mama’s shack. The very “Do all things with the heart of the
Just that, “Am I my brother’s mama who feeds the construction Father.”
keeper?” And, God showed Cain workers who are building the new
compassion in his punishment, shops. Seems like Ubuntu was Afrika, it is not shiny buildings
and put a mark on him to protect thrown out of the window. and smooth roads and plenty
him from being killed. of hospitals that actually speak
Cain cried to God that his The tuk-tuk drove past me again of who you are. It is the heart of
punishment was too harsh and he and I remembered the woman who
could be killed. And God protected shared photos of herself multiple the Father, who carefully watches
over His children and loves them
him. times on Facebook seeking even when they go against Him
approval and people flat out lied and His desires. Who lovingly
This whole story for me shows to her about how good she looked, chastises, yet does not condemn.
me the heart and the mind of God even when her makeup made
in His dealings with men. He will her look like she was plastered Who took away His own rigid laws,
which were killing His people, by
warn you, fully aware that you will with cement, leaving her with no sacrificing His own Son. His Own
not listen, watch you do the deed tools to be transformed into what Son Who willingly volunteered for
He warned you not to do, find a way she ought to be. Sister’s keepers the responsibility and said to His
to have compassion on you even indeed.
while you face the consequences Father, in answer to the blood
of Abel still crying out from the
of the choices that you made. God The tuk-tuk drove past me again ground, in answer to the blood
is simply amazing. and I reflected on the parliament of our children, husbands, wives,
that chooses salary increments siblings...He Who was innocent of
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” while the men, women and
The posture of the heart lacking children they say they represent wrong answered Our Father with
His Life and said, “Yes, I AM My
in remorse or compassion. Saying are struggling under the burden of brother’s keeper.”
to God, “I’m not sorry and I really national debt and crippling taxes,
couldn’t care less about anyone unable to keep their businesses Afrika?
but myself.” open anymore, while the MPs
Yet, here’s Afrika. I was told about drive past in shiny new cars on Well...I’m just saying.
this place, this land, this continent their way to shiny new homes to
where Ubuntu defines her. Where represent the people who can
communities of people are barely feed their families even as Please share your “I’m just saying”
constrained by compassionate many businesses are closing experience with us for publishing.
love for one another to respond to down. Use:
wehearyou@msingiafrikamagazine.com
68 HEALING - RESTORING - REBIRTHING - AFRICA