Steven Port's Thoughts.
A short story by Heidi
I wish I could stop worrying about my friend John Akuba. He was the first Nigerian refugee to come to our mission house. He was shy of us and withdrawn, but then what would one expect, after the violence he had witnessed and the fact that he had lost ALL of his family?
Maybe he had never seen white people before. I think what helped me bring him out of his shell was the fact that I like to wear really colourful clothes – or rather should I say ‘alternative’ clothes. I like my patchwork jeans and shirt made from nettles, and my waistcoat with elephants embroidered over it.
I suppose it’s new-agey, but one shouldn’t judge by appearances.
Anyway, John was fascinated by my clothes and we slowly became friends.
He began opening up to me a couple of weeks ago – about what had happened that night the raiders came.
I’ve always believed in God, I made a personal commitment when I was only ten. I have had many trials and difficulties (like when my parents got divorced), but my trust in Gods goodness never diminished. He’s always taken care of me and guided me. But how can I get that across to this young boy – also from a Christian family. He’s facing the greatest trial of all. Not that of dying at the hands of Christ-haters, but of surviving and choosing to believe in God’s goodness, wisdom and providence still.
Will he get angry and resentful?
Will he still trust God?
The God of LOVE?
You know what people will say back home – “If there’s a God, why does he allow….”
I wonder if they know what it’s really like. Do they just come out with a clever question to evade personal involvement? Do they REALLY care about the people they quote as suffering? Care enough to get involved and offer help or even hope. That’s why I’m here. We Christians don’t just throw money at the problem while keeping the other 90% for ourselves. Maybe I can’t help, but I CAN offer HOPE. More than that, God’s love..through me is with John Akuba and others like him.
There’s a saying of what goes around, comes around, and many speak of it.
That those raiders will get what’s coming to them, a taste of their own medicine. But that’s the trouble with payback – everyone owes everyone. Where does it stop? Jesus showed us a different way to break the cycle. Now, where’s john?...Oh,there!... He’s kneeling at the mission’s cross…
THE END
