Recently, I became “facebook friends” with a young man named Uche Hampo. Obviously, we found each other because we share the Hampo name. But Uche lives in Africa, Nigeria to be exact.
Two or three times a week we chat back and forth, generally asking lots of questions. I love looking at his pictures because some have ox and carts and huts, while others were obviously taken in a more urban environment. Some of the women in his photographs have on white burkas (I think that’s what they are) while others are dressed in a way we would consider normal.
Uche is extremely polite and respectful he’s also smart. He teaches math but wants to be an entrepreneur. He has plenty of time.
Recently, Uche told me he was part of the Igbo Tribe. That made me so happy. He told me his tribe was known to be industrious and hardworking. then he asked what tribe I was part of. Humm, The Ouachita tribe? Razorback or Hampoland Tribe maybe. Perhaps he will teach me his native language.
Recentlyhe asked if my” home was at peace”. That one threw me off. Because I was in the office I squawked at Jere Matthews, who’s office is next to mine. Laughing, I explained Uche’s question. It seemed funny and bewildering to us. Of course Arkansas is at peace.
Sure, yesterday a lady bumped into my cart at Wal-Mart and I got mad and I flipped a tweak er looking guy off earlier in the day because he ran a stop sign. But Arkansas is a peaceful place. I’m rarely afraid, of anything, because there is peace.
So I answered Uche’s question honestly, but I was a little flippant in my heart. “We are blessed with peace. Arkansas almost never experiences violence from terrorist or because of war.”
Just two hours latter I was listening to NPR and there was a report. Extremist in Nigeria blew up three police stations and killed dozens of civilians. Holy Cow, there was horrible and unimaginable violence in Uche’s country. No wonder he asked about peace in Arkansas.1256550000 people in all of Africa, but you also have to take into …
There are roughly 125, 6550000 people in Africa as of 2010. There are 308745538 in America. Every day Uche and I have completely different lives in huge different countries. Still we found each other, we are friends and we have plenty to talk about and we have the same last name.. What are the chance?
After hearing about the bombings in Nigeria I was suddenly worried about my facebook friend, thousands of miles away. And I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you Lord for letting me live in a country where I feel safe, where my children are safe…every day.
I have a friend who is not so blessed. So for those you who want to bash our president, those running for president, our congress and senate and house, knock yourself out (though I disagree with most of you because you’re not very smart) It’s your right as an American.
But for those of you who bash my country. Shut the Hell up! You are blessed, fortunate and privileged because of our president, congress, senate and house. If you don’t understand this, you need to find your passport and pack your bags.
You are blessed, even if you are too stupid to realize it.
That guy requested me as a friend a week ago. I didn’t add him though because I’m so paranoid about creepy people. I guess he turned out well though. You did find out that he was ok though right?
Yeah, he’s not a creeper or anything. He just thinks it’s really amazing to talk to anyone from America. Will you be in class?
Yes, we are.