Travel in eastern and northern Africa can be a wonderful experience. There is so much natural beauty and many diverse cultures that embrace a slow, easy way of life. At the same time it can be a bit of a challenge to one’s sense of peace, safety, and harmony. Some methods of travel seem downright dangerous, and certain locations are seemingly plagued with unrest and poverty.
Before starting a journey that would take me through Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Egypt, I spent some time considering the spiritual purpose of such a trip and how I could use this opportunity to better understand my relationship with God. Though opposed by the appearance of lack, hardship, and conflict, a true sense of peace and harmony exists, but it takes considerable thought to remove false evidence and replace it with spiritual truth.
The Bible offered some guidance towards a higher spiritual perspective when it tells that Jesus said “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life” John 5:24. This everlasting life that Jesus promised seemed less of a promise of life sustained infinitely in a thirty something year old body and more towards a higher state of existence that is not reliant on material things, but rather on the divine nature of God’s perfect child.
I felt that my growth in this understanding of the higher reality would help free me from the fear or pity that I felt when traveling. At times I would bow my head and repeat over and over “God is in control, God is in control” and shut out conditions that reported otherwise. There was nothing that could happen that could separate me from God for an instant. This is explained on page 91 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, “Let us rid ourselves of the belief that man is separated from God, and obey only the divine Principle, Life and Love. Here is the great point of departure for all true spiritual growth.” God’s protection for me never changed, though my recognition of the true basis of this protection had room to grow. What a great departure for spiritual growth.
Here are a few examples where I felt guided and protected:
- In eastern Tanzania a passenger bus that I was on swerved to miss an oncoming truck, and barely missed going over an unprotected 300 foot drop at the side of the road.
- After leaving Arusha, Tanzania I found out that there were riots following the election results’ announcement two days after I left.
- While traveling on a passenger ferry on Lake Victoria the captain mentioned that it was good that I had not taken the bus route along the border as it was occasionally hijacked
- When traveling on a passenger bus from Tanzania to Uganda the bus was forced to veer completely off the road to miss an oncoming truck that was passing another oncoming truck. The bus that I was on slowed a bit, regained the road, and kept on.
- A day after I left the capital of Uganda there was political unrest
- After being told that all bus tickets were sold out to Nairobi, Kenya. I was blessed with a last minute ticket allowing me to spend Christmas with a fellow Christian Scientist and her family
One of the greatest blessings came when I traveled to Egypt. The US Embassy there suggested that travelers stay away from the Sinai Peninsula, due to previous terrorist attacks. This is where Mt. Sinai is located, and is where Moses saw the burning bush and received the Ten Commandments. I considered my purpose for wanting to visit the Mt Sinai area and also from where my sense of protection had come. Over time it became clear that God had kept me safe and guided me. I could rely on this protection anywhere, anytime. Traveling to see this beautiful area rich with biblical history seemed like a great opportunity.
I traveled to Dahab, which is located along the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula. One night, three men walking the opposite direction passed me on the boardwalk along the Red Sea. One of the men turned to me and said “tomorrow it will all be over.” At first I felt I misunderstood or that it was a mistake but over time I felt that I needed to handle this threat of violence by turning to God.
I returned to my hotel room and sat silently, listening for guidance. It became clear that God was indeed in control and that nothing could change that. The best thing I could do was confirm that God created his children perfect, thus incapable of being harmed or harming another. I just needed to remain free of fear that man could be separated from eternal life.
The following day I awoke and continued praying to love all of the people in Dahab, as God loves them. The mountains outside of my hotel room door were bathed in sunlight and I felt bathed in God’s love. After a peaceful morning I ended up going to Mt. Sinai to see the Burning Bush and climb Mt. Sinai to watch the sunset. The rest of my trip was uneventful regarding the interchange the men.
Not long after my visit, I heard that a passenger ferry on the Red Sea, and later the town of Dahab was attacked. While I prayed for comfort for those involved, I focused most of my thought on the confidence that I had gained in my relationship with God through so many demonstrations of true safety. Divine Love did not create anyone anywhere with the intention of allowing them to be harmed. The true nature of eternal life means that it a perfect reflection of God existing without start or end.
I am grateful for the teachings of Mrs. Eddy as explained in her writings. I am grateful for a better understanding of the true reality about which Jesus spoke. I am also grateful for the idea that I need to travel with a little more prayer and a little less junk.
Labels: Christian Science, Healing
