The dreams of an African child… GOD
What does an African child dream about?
We will find out in this new column, by Xaverian missionary Father Oliviero Ferro
And when we understand that dreams (but not rights and possibilities) are the same as those of our children, it will be time to wake up and perform works of mercy.
Because through them, an African child (and others) will be able to live in the joy of being able to dream of something that can become possible
If you ask a child who God is, he may not be able to give you a great answer.
But he will let you know that mom taught him, praying, accompanying him to the community celebration AND that he then saw him in the nature where he lives.
He also got to know it by listening to Mom and other people singing religious songs as they worked.
Then, one day, he saw a person from far away who invited him, together with others, to learn about many things about God. And so he learned to pray together with others, to understand that there is a God who is our father and that we are all brothers.
He learned about Jesus’ story and began to be his friend, to talk to him every day, to see him as someone who loves him and is waiting to be loved.
He then saw the older people going to visit the sick and the elderly. Then he also went with them and realized that it is more beautiful to give than to receive.
Slowly, in his heart, that God who seemed far away began to take an important place.
He was now one of his family. And so it was normal on Sundays to go and celebrate with Him and the other brothers.
He felt part of a big family. And he saw that person, who had come from far away, talking about Him with joy and wondering why He had left home, family, country to come over there to Africa.
It was a lot of questions. Some also returned in his dreams. Who knows that someday he too may go somewhere in the world to help other children dream and live out this love of God….
READ THE OTHER DREAMS
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- Photo by father Daniele Criscione
- Image digitally created by spazio + spadoni