9 Days and counting: Why break tradition now?

In accordance with tradition, I have a very legitimate and unavoidable compulsion to write, and it may be partly due to the fact that I have a paper due tomorrow. But tonight was SUCH a good night.

Here’s what happened:

Abednego, a student here at Simpson from Kenya, and one of my closest friends (one of three) Sara P. spoke at my team meeting tonight. In a word: inspiring.

Abednego spoke about his home, Africa. Good golly I want to go there. I wish you could hear him talk. He validated everything that Blood:Water Mission says about the water crisis in Africa as well as a plethora of other issues. We have no idea what it is like to be without convenience, or basic essentials, like so many people around the world. He said that he was thankful that he had been born to humble beginnings, such as living in a leaky hut for the first years of his life, because then when he came in contact with others who were suffering he knew what it was like and could understand their suffering. And I have to mention that if you saw the way his eyes lit up when he smiled you would know there is hope for the world. He was the epitome of thankfulness and grace. Putting a voice, to a person, to a face, to a problem meant the world in realizing why this trip is worthwhile. Everyone needs to meet an Abednego in their journey.

Sara painted a beautiful picture of the humanity that is suffering from this ravaging disease we call Aids. She helped us catch a glimpse of the pain of losing a loved one to an often misunderstood disease. The disease itself, however, was not the topic for the night, it was the person. The parent forced to realize that they may never see their child walk or get married. Her uncle lamented the awareness that he would not be around to make her prom dress. That’s concrete my dear reader. Can you imagine coming to grips with that sense of loss? It’s unrealized potential in every aspect of life.

As a semi-elitist English major I try to steer clear of over-sentimentalized causes etc. but when you hear truth, there is an undeniable emotion that tags along. Within truth dwells a force that compels us forward, towards action, and emotional connection with the subject is part of that force.

I’ll ride 3200 miles, because people like Abednego and Sara assure me it’s worth it. I have faith in their story and the God who loves them. If we are compelled by love there is no fear of burnout (so long as one is careful) . . .I’ll admit to not having that love and it’s had me in quite a panic. Tonight helped like you wouldn’t believe.

“If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames [or sacrifice my summer and common sense to go on a philanthropic bike ride], but have no love, I gain nothing” 1 Corinthians 13: 3.