Culture and communication are fascinating to observe whenever possible. In this country we all find ourselves dependent on the Internet for our source of knowledge and current events. Each man connected to others and information through his device of choice. Mine is the Iphone. I often believe that this technology serves me well but after my last visit abroad I wonder if I serve it and lose out in the process.
I have just returned from a trip to Kenya. There I witnessed a human Internet system. People actually talk to each other all day long. I witnessed a fascinating and constant exchange of information through face-to-face interactions.
I met a man named Sammy that took us on a day long Safari. During our time together he would often stop and speak to the other drivers or pedestrians as we were on our journey. My curiosity caused me to ask him if he knew the people that he was talking too. He said they were all his brothers. Sammy then explained to me that two are better than one and that all his brothers (friends) inform one another on what is happening in the city and on the roads that day.
Sammy learned about a traffic jam that we had not yet met up with instead of using a GPS. He found out why the schoolchildren were out and practicing in the front courtyard without researching it on the net. He chatted and laughed as he shook hands and had a brief moment with his brothers. A definition of a brother is a person who shares the road of life with you in one-way or another.
Sammy was a rich man in friendships and information. He casually fascinated us with the history of Kenya, his family and his faith. Sammy knew many details and specifics about everything he talked about. He didn’t fail to mention how much he learned from people.
I was watching a human Internet system at work and was impressed at the kindness and joy that were also being exchanged in the process. The human connection holds more power than a flow of details. It also allows a moment to lock eyes and share a moment of empathy and affection.
Upon witnessing such a beautiful exchange of human interaction I decided to not serve my Iphone by being at its beck and call but to leave it off as I jumped into the community pool. I ended up having a wonderful conversation with a neighbor I had never met before which lasted well over an hour. Information was exchanged, community updates were shared and God was glorified in the sharing of two lives as we looked into each other’s eyes.
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