I try to update my blog as often as possible.

I try to update things that are not mundane, but always feel so when writing about stuff.

But I'm passionate about living by the truth spoken by God, and his good news for us.

Everytime I listen and take notes in my African study class, I see the opposite of good news being taught. That angers me. Alot. I hate inflicting pain in the name of helping; I hate how the Church was heavily involved in the Atlantic slave trade; I hate how the European Government, which foundation based on Christianity, is responsible for its colonization system in Africa, leaving Africa cripple from development. (China as a country as a must better chance to succeed in development than a continent. You tell me is there something wrong.)

With that said, I'm making a goal to update my progress in that specific class (Modern African History) and my thoughts on it. I'm not good with words and my opinion is strong, so I know I will write something incorrect. If it happens, correct me.

In today's class, (Feb 7th, 2012) we spend our time discussing Colonialism In Africa. If you think slave trade is horrible, colonialism is as horrible, because colonialism completely deconstruct any hope for Africans to recover from the slave trade.

Most importantly, when Europe countries start their "Scramble of Africa", they did not see worth in any of Africa's original economy, social, political, religions, and cultural structure! As colonism take root in Africa, in came the European business and government, they did not seriously considered the human rights of Africans, and that is their major mistake. Through Colonism, these business introduce the money economy, then encourage an import-export economy for the Africans. Both system focus on the profit Europeans, not to equip African with self-sustaining knowledge/technology.

The part that troubles me is how much evangelism is used in this process. Through it, Europeans could convince people they are doing good while they rob African's resources. English evangelists established schooled to teach children, forcing them all to learn the Bible in the name of learning English. I would not argue that is meant for a good cost, but the evangelists did a lot more than that. This quote by the famous 1st Kenya president speaks it all,

"When the Missionaries arrived, the Africans had the Land and the Missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible" - Jomo Kenyatta

Unfortunately that this is not uncommon in the history of African countries. There are many reasons an African descent can use to argue Christianity is the worst thing known to them. My professor believes it is a tool to occupy people minds in spiritual lives, so that they will forget the unjustice they live in.

I sympathize his reason, but knowing this reality angers me. My professor truly sees that Christianity in Africa today is not a vocational practice, and I agree with him, but he blames this religion (introduced by the colonists and missionaries) for the mess in Africa today is not what I can take. Yes, fault on colonists, whom likely to be Christians, and the missionaries, whom enforced the injustice of colonialism in Africa, but no, THESE are not Christ intention for Christianity.

I hate the fact that the class, full of international students and university students, should learn this in a classroom.

I hate it, but I want to see redemption from the mess, which can't be done without love.

How do I be bold in the class while engage an academic study in the classroom? How do I interact with my professor with the 10 classes remaining (it's once a week), and even outside of class? How should I honor Christ but not secure the impression Christians are stubborn brain-washed worshipers?

The answers are still a mystery to me, but I'm eager to see something different than this. Still praying, but just myself will not be enough, so if you read this, please say a prayer for my class and my professor.