Africa: A searcher's journey.
There are moments in one's life that define who they are and set them on a path that alter their beings. My upcoming trip to Africa is just such a moment. I am in the process of counting down the days to when I fly to Toronto and wait patiently to leave this continent and seek a life altering event. I'll be travelling to Ireland, both Congos and then Turkey.
Two years ago I felt a stirring in my spirit that I was to visit Africa, and see a long time friend. In the middle of my plannings to go, he passed away from a heart attack at the tender age of 40. My plan got put on hold, but the longing to go abroad never fully left.
Fast forward a year and a few months and another long time friend approached me to go over to Africa. This time the Congos and instead of South Africa but still to the continent. Plans came fast and quick and it looked like I was going to go in March or April of this year. Then news came that tensions were high in the country and we would not be receiving our letter of invitation to go over. Our trip was temporarily cancelled and dates of early fall got thrown around in conversation.
Then in early August we got the go ahead, and the dates were set, September 25Th to October 18th I'll be travelling to a part of the world ravaged by dictators, hunger, AIDS, and a general lack of care of human life. I'll be going over there to help with an agriculture project, do some preaching and teaching. I know I won't be the same when I get back. Actually that is what I'm afraid of the most. How after such an altering time will I be able to reintegrate myself into society. How will I continue to care about my daily work? The trivial things that annoy me, I pray will begin to reveal themselves.
I need guidance, direction, covering, and protection. All these things will not come from me, or the person I'm travelling with. They will be coming from above, with much prayer and petition. My heart bleeds for those who suffer, but yet I allow myself to have too much. If one says he loves God, but hates his brother, he is a lier. For one cannot love one and hate the other.
I still need roughly $1500 to pay for the rest of the trip, but it will come in. Preparing myself for this adventure has been interesting experience in and of itself. I had 5 vaccinations this week with another few more to come. Constantly making sure I had the time off work.
I will be posting updates here over the next couple weeks, and any chance I get I'll be making postings here while I'm abroad.
Two years ago I felt a stirring in my spirit that I was to visit Africa, and see a long time friend. In the middle of my plannings to go, he passed away from a heart attack at the tender age of 40. My plan got put on hold, but the longing to go abroad never fully left.
Fast forward a year and a few months and another long time friend approached me to go over to Africa. This time the Congos and instead of South Africa but still to the continent. Plans came fast and quick and it looked like I was going to go in March or April of this year. Then news came that tensions were high in the country and we would not be receiving our letter of invitation to go over. Our trip was temporarily cancelled and dates of early fall got thrown around in conversation.
Then in early August we got the go ahead, and the dates were set, September 25Th to October 18th I'll be travelling to a part of the world ravaged by dictators, hunger, AIDS, and a general lack of care of human life. I'll be going over there to help with an agriculture project, do some preaching and teaching. I know I won't be the same when I get back. Actually that is what I'm afraid of the most. How after such an altering time will I be able to reintegrate myself into society. How will I continue to care about my daily work? The trivial things that annoy me, I pray will begin to reveal themselves.
I need guidance, direction, covering, and protection. All these things will not come from me, or the person I'm travelling with. They will be coming from above, with much prayer and petition. My heart bleeds for those who suffer, but yet I allow myself to have too much. If one says he loves God, but hates his brother, he is a lier. For one cannot love one and hate the other.
I still need roughly $1500 to pay for the rest of the trip, but it will come in. Preparing myself for this adventure has been interesting experience in and of itself. I had 5 vaccinations this week with another few more to come. Constantly making sure I had the time off work.
I will be posting updates here over the next couple weeks, and any chance I get I'll be making postings here while I'm abroad.
posted by Unknown @ 9/07/2007 04:23:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home