Enter into their Midst

Posted by Liz Chan on 22 June 2010 | 0 Comments

Liz Chan of Langley, is a youth member of the Elevation Project trip to Rwanda, departing on July 7th. The following blog wrestles with some of her thoughts and emotions prior to the trip:

The dock rocks lethargically to a nautical lullaby and the wooden railing creaks as if to protest under the weight of two cups of cold coffee. My friend Kylie and I gaze into the cosmic canvas which is seeping through with the black ink of a sleepy evening. The coastal shore, at night, as seen from the White Rock pier, is something beautiful as the sun sets, a ribbon at a time, stealing away with our yesterdays and propelling us into that which has never been known. With the star-stricken horizon masquerading as my muse, I ponder a propitious idea: “Do not be frightened of the unknown, for the unknown befriends hope.”

I suppose I am not afraid of Africa. I am so of me. For it is not the unknown that bares its teeth at my sense of adventure. But rather what is absolutely certain detains me. It is, indeed, the acknowledgment that I am so tragically bound to my shortcomings that foremost frightens me. Because it is a broken soul that traverses the distance to be greeted upon the streets of Kigali, where children swarm in a corporate attempt to extend their most innocent welcome. Yet they owe me naught their gratitude nor excitement. They owe me naught but a stern reprimand to maintain my humility. For as Esther Havens says, “Umukyo ubamurikira” – the light shines upon them. I agree so greatly. Howbeit, I pray that they are not expectant of me, heralding me as the dark horse, for this is what I fear. That I may be the manifest of very great disappointment.

But perhaps this is what God intended. That though it may appear that I was commissioned to rise as relief and deliverance for the beautiful people of Rwanda, it is they who are liberating me, humbling me, loving me, and in so doing revealing Him. And, “to me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given,” to enter into their midst, bare feet, bare heart, ready to partake in stories of “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8).

To follow the trip, and read more of what a group of Canadian young people are doing to change the world in Africa this summer and how Africa is changing them, visit www.YouthUnlimited.com/ElevateRwandaBlog