Africa on His Mind

Lately, Dylan has become even more obsessed with Africa.  You may remember that last year, he would say that we lived in Africa.  (I guess because he heard me talk about it so much)  This year is different.  I think he understands that it's far away and any time some mentions it, he says, you've been there.

Recently our friend T.K. came over from dinner while he was visiting from South Africa. (I met T.K. in Malawi.  He recently moved to South Africa with his family.) I told Dylan, guess who's coming to dinner.  I said, T.K. from Africa.  His response "that doesn't surprise me" Yes because apparently people from Africa eat with us all the time.

Then the other day we were driving down the road and the conversation progressed from cars, to friends, to Africa.  It went like this....

Dylan "is that Bek's mommy's car"
Me "no that car is white.  his mommy's car is black"
Dylan "why is Bek's face black"
Me "God makes us all different and he made Bek with a black skin. Also Bek is from Africa, lots of people from Africa look like Bek"
Dylan "oh ok (loved it), one day do you think we will live in Africa"
Me "if God wants us to, I guess we will but God has to let us know"

A few weeks ago at VBS, he saw 2 black kids run in the doors, and he looked at me and said...mom, look. I looked and I was like what?  He said, "Africa".   I said not everyone with that skin color is from Africa....gotta figure out how to best explain this to him better. Open to suggestions :)

I have wondered for some time when Dylan would start noticing differences in him and other kids, color of skin, deformities or size. For instance, we get mail from the Smile Train all the time and a while back, Dylan asked to open it one day.  I was waiting for him to ask what was wrong with them, but he never did....but the skin and size is something he has mentioned recently(with his friend from Ethopia and when I was flipping through the channels and stopped on the show "the little couple". He asked are they adults and again I explained how God makes us all different.  Kids are so innocent and I love how accepting he is of everyone and I pray that this continues into his adulthood.