From a Summer Project Volunteer
“Your courage made me ask what I’m afraid of and what I know of God.” Courage, freedom, dignity. Those three words sum up three things that I saw in full and also saw a lack of.
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Courage: My courage is rooted in my faith in God. If it is not, then I am without the strength with which courage lies. While I was in country, I learned what it means to actually get that my life is not my own. I own nothing and the moment that I think I do, then I lose everything. My courage stands because of my faith. My courage was exemplified this week in each bus ride. At each security checkpoint. Every time I heard about another roadside bomb or another shooting. My faith was tested each time I began to think and worry about whether I would make it home okay. It’s the feeling of release that I noticed the most this week. The slow uncurling of my tight grip around the things that I believe to be my own. As if I brought any of those things into my life on my own! My courage stands from the core of my being when I can say from the core of my being that my GOD supplies all of my needs.
Courage: My courage is rooted in my faith in God. If it is not, then I am without the strength with which courage lies. While I was in country, I learned what it means to actually get that my life is not my own. I own nothing and the moment that I think I do, then I lose everything. My courage stands because of my faith. My courage was exemplified this week in each bus ride. At each security checkpoint. Every time I heard about another roadside bomb or another shooting. My faith was tested each time I began to think and worry about whether I would make it home okay. It’s the feeling of release that I noticed the most this week. The slow uncurling of my tight grip around the things that I believe to be my own. As if I brought any of those things into my life on my own! My courage stands from the core of my being when I can say from the core of my being that my GOD supplies all of my needs.•Freedom: The black and white contrast of this thing that we Americans take for granted. While in one area of the country we learned of people whose lives were destroyed by previous leaders. They live in freedom now. Once a nation who lived in fear – fear of death. A nation whose freedom is limited by earthly standards and whose spiritual freedom is nonexistent. Bound in chains, bondage, and helplessness. We walked streets in short sleeves and tracks. We drove around with windows open. We walked, played, and smiled with these beautiful people. Yet, my heart broke for their souls. Those who didn’t know where to place their hope. Physical freedom, yet spiritual bondage. In another part of the country the lack of freedom was represented in every aspect. We sat in privacy in our homes, on our buses, and in our rooms. We blended in and covered our skin, our hair, our personalities. The air was tense and the walls shielded bombs and cars from neighborhoods, hotels, and markets. A city of chaos because outsiders do not want to see progression in this city. As sports coaches, and American at that, we sat under a thousand tensions. In a conversation with a local she stated that “yes, unfortunately I was born here”. While the air is thick with fear, security, and dread, I pray that our lives exemplified a form of spiritual freedom. That we are who we are and there’s no denying it. That as a young woman I am free to be who I am called to be. That I can do what I love to do.
Freedom: The black and white contrast of this thing that we Americans take for granted. While in one area of the country we learned of people whose lives were destroyed by previous leaders. They live in freedom now. Once a nation who lived in fear – fear of death. A nation whose freedom is limited by earthly standards and whose spiritual freedom is nonexistent. Bound in chains, bondage, and helplessness. We walked streets in short sleeves and tracks. We drove around with windows open. We walked, played, and smiled with these beautiful people. Yet, my heart broke for their souls. Those who didn’t know where to place their hope. Physical freedom, yet spiritual bondage. In another part of the country the lack of freedom was represented in every aspect. We sat in privacy in our homes, on our buses, and in our rooms. We blended in and covered our skin, our hair, our personalities. The air was tense and the walls shielded bombs and cars from neighborhoods, hotels, and markets. A city of chaos because outsiders do not want to see progression in this city. As sports coaches, and American at that, we sat under a thousand tensions. In a conversation with a local she stated that “yes, unfortunately I was born here”. While the air is thick with fear, security, and dread, I pray that our lives exemplified a form of spiritual freedom. That we are who we are and there’s no denying it. That as a young woman I am free to be who I am called to be. That I can do what I love to do.•Dignity: I believe that dignity is given to one by those with who surround them. I believe in restoring dignity to those who have forgotten what it means to be honored. To be special. Dignity is seen in a young girl’s hopes and dreams, in a teenage girl’s smile, and in an elderly woman’s eyes. In this culture, dignity is found in a man, and a man alone. There is no room for women except for in a home. In a world where this is the tradition, how do you restore dignity in the short time that you are with someone? Actions – words – deeds – truth. Make them feel loved. Make them feel special. Give them a taste of dignity and teach. Teach them how to share their dignity with others. Teach them how to love.
Dignity: I believe that dignity is given to one by those with who surround them. I believe in restoring dignity to those who have forgotten what it means to be honored. To be special. Dignity is seen in a young girl’s hopes and dreams, in a teenage girl’s smile, and in an elderly woman’s eyes. In this culture, dignity is found in a man, and a man alone. There is no room for women except for in a home. In a world where this is the tradition, how do you restore dignity in the short time that you are with someone? Actions – words – deeds – truth. Make them feel loved. Make them feel special. Give them a taste of dignity and teach. Teach them how to share their dignity with others. Teach them how to love. This trip has been pretty huge. Not only have I learned what these three things truly mean, but being able to experience the people in different areas of this country was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. Each person’s smile and courage reminded me of the reason that I was there, and it was such an incredible experience to be able to have one-on-one conversations with the girls. As Ramadan continues, I keep praying that the seeds that were planted would continue to grow and that the individuals with which we talked to would be reminded of their American friends.
I was reminded on the trip that in a puzzle there are many little pieces. When you get to the end of the puzzle, and are putting in the last pieces, if there is one missing it is extremely frustrating! Each person that I traveled with, met, and interacted with had a puzzle piece, and during those two weeks it was such a testimony to the body of Christ that each person had their own gifts, talents, and abilities that put another puzzle piece into place. As I continue to pray for the people I met and didn’t meet, I pray that their lives begin to crave the hope of the Gospel. The hope that comes with spiritual freedom and the joy that comes in knowing that our lives are not our own—they are in much bigger and better hands.
