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| I've added some more pictures on my bubbleshare.com site. Click on the link below:
http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/60414.234257fe9cf
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| I'm riding home in a poda poda, crammed as usual. I am still amazed at how many people they can fit on those things. I also have realized, well this realization came once I first climbed into one, that they are not made for 6'2" individuals. But, being the cheapest form of public transportation (price: 800 leones...3,000 leones = $1...you do the math), it is the usual form of transportation. Actually, the cheapest form of transportation is walking, which I have been doing lately. But anyway... I am lucky this evening to have a window seat. Unfortunately, that night, I decided to head home during rush hour...so the streets were busy. Those lucky few who are privileged to have a window seat are also the ones who are forced to look into the eyes of the poor children selling things on the street. And, being a white man, I am approached twice as much as the regular Sierra Leoneon. But, this time was different...I was not approached by a street vendor, I was approached by a young boy with an amputated arm. His left arm was outstretched, palm open, just hoping, just praying, that someone would give him something...anything. He wasn't "in your face." He just stood. By describing this particular scenario, do not think that it was a rare occurrence. No, it is a daily occurrence. But what should I do? Do I give all of my money to the child on the street? Do I give whatever I have with me to the blind man sitting in the corner? Or, do I stop whatever I am doing and just be with the person. Because, they, just like me, need personal love and attention. It is easy to classify beggars into a category as unique, out-of-the-ordinary people. And sometimes, the physical gift of presence is what is needed most. So often, though, I am tempted to give presents...not presence. But, the poor are poor...to not address their physical need for physical nourishment would also be doing them a great injustice. So, what am I to do? How do I address this? I am surrounded by needing and hurting individuals, but I am limited by my own constraints. I only have so much time and so many resources. I have been really asking and praying to the Lord to help me with this situation.
Blessed is the Lord who knows the desires of our heart and answers our prayers!!
What the Lord wants of me is to seek Him first. It seems so simple. But, how could it be that simple? Lord, what do I do when a little boy approaches me on the streets? How do I respond? He simply asks me to seek Him first. If I am constantly seeking the Lord, He will direct me with what to do...IN EVERY SITUATION! The Lord knows the name of every person in this world, even the names of those on the streets. He knows their personal situation...their deepest need. He knows whether the child needs food, money, water, or simply someone to sit and be with them. I simply have to trust the Lord to direct me in each and every situation. It is a constant reliance on the Lord.
I thank the Lord for placing Abu in my life. Abu is a friend of mine who begs on the streets. I usually see him in the same spot, holding his hand out, asking for those passer byers to generously give. When I was on my way to Lighthouse one afternoon, I saw Abu on the sidewalk ahead of me. We immediately met eyes. I didn't avoid looking at him, but simply offered a smile and passed right by. I mean, I had to get to Lighthouse and minister to the Lighthouse guys. I didn't have time to sit and be with Abu. Huh...does this story remind you of any story in particular. Let me help you out. Its called the Good Samaritan. But, I was not the hero character of the story. I was the hypocritical priest who passed by on the other side of the road. Luckily for me, though, I felt the conviction of the Lord, and I turned back around. By grace, God still used me in that moment. I was able to provide Abu with a little bit of food...what I had. But more importantly, I was able to start a relationship. Who knows where it will lead. I have since seen him a few more times. But, in that moment, I learned that all I need to do is seek the heart of God. From there, He'll take care of the rest. He will direct my path. He will provide me with opportunities to show His love to those around me as well as direct me with what to do in those particular situations.
This has been an unedited version of my thoughts. My walk with the Lord is a continual process of "editing" and "revising." But, I want to allow you to join with me in my process.
Thanks for listening.
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| What a joy it is to see 350+ children praising the Lord God Almighty.
When you enter Kroo Bay, you see poverty and despair. You see
people bathing in filthy streams, houses made of metal sheets, and roofs
secured by rocks. It is easy to enter such a place and instantly
gravitate towards the negative. The surroundings scream
hopelessness; however, it is within the people...the children...that
beauty is found. Nothing articulates this better than the Good
News Club at Kroo Bay...
As I turn left off the main street to head down to the school, I am
quickly reminded that Sierra Leone is a place of struggle. But
only a few more steps into the heart of the district, little
children begin shouting "Ale Ale." They only know us by the words
of a song they have learned. Their excitement and anticipation
climaxes when they see the Lighthouse guys and us servant team members
walk towards the school. It is there that roughly 350 children
are packed into a one room school, fitting absolutely as many as
possible so that no child is turned away. There, they will join
together in praise to our Father. They are led in song, a brief
teaching, and then are fed an egg. Following, each child has the
opportunity to stay behind to receive basic medical treatment. I
will forever remember the child with the boil on his shin. These
children have to experience more than a child should. But they
need not be pitied. They need loving care. They need
someone to see the hope in their eyes, in their hearts. They are
the future leaders of this country, yet they are also the ones pushed
to the side, neglected. What joy is in their hearts just waiting
to be allowed to be set free. Good News Club is a place where
these children can experience such freedom. How much more
glorious to witness these children channeling their pinned up joy in
song and dance for their Father in heaven...their Father who will
never harm them, never neglect them, never push them aside, but instead
forever open His arms with love...the truest love. What a
privilege it is to be used as God's hands. It is God's work
through us that these precious children are able to lay their weary
heads in the arms of His embrace. What a privilege...what a
responsibility. Thank you Lord for allowing me to hold that
beautiful little girl in my arms and let her sleep, knowing that she
was safe...that she was loved. That is what I want to do for the
rest of my life Lord.
Use me as your hands.
Amen.
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| This is a poem that I have started and hope to finish. I was
inspired to write it after walking along a beach here in Freetown.
Enjoy...
You walk the beach solely focused on what lies beyond
The crashing waves and the bending of the shoreline
Focused on an unforeseen spot to pause and turn around
Spontaneously pausing to gaze upon the sparkle of the water
Yet, never pausing to notice the hidden beauty of what lies behind
Although one's return is inevitably down the same path
A perspective is lost unless the time is taken to notice the path which one has traveled
Oh the beauty missed from never looking back. | | |
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