A Tale of Two Trips

Flash flooding, lost luggage, missed flights, I've been following the news carefully and wondering what would I do if I were in the same situation.  While it sounds like a disastrous trip, these frustrations have plagued the team from our church who just arrived in Kisumu, Kenya today.  They were the first of two teams heading to Africa this summer.  Kim and I will leave in just over 3 weeks and make up the 2nd team.  

It's amazing how teams heading to 2 countries so close to each other can have such a different purpose and agenda.  The team in Kisumu is coming as a result of an urgent need--an orphanage in crisis.  A "Crisistunity" it's been termed--an opportunity presented in the midst of a crisis.  The orphanage was in rubble, the children only eating once every 3 days, the walls so broken down strangers could wander in at any given time.  Tragic.  An urgent need requiring immediate action.  

At first, it was this need Kim and I responded to.  However, as we met with the director of missions, she saw something else for us, a need--though not as urgent--that had come up in Rwanda.  

As I've mentioned before, the orphanages are in a state of transition in Rwanda.  Distant family members are being called upon to raise the children without parents.  The deadline is the end of this year for the doors to be closed on the orphanages throughout the country (whether good or bad, I don't know . . . I will hopefully understand more after our trip).  What is left is a facility that will be empty while many are still in need of hope. We have been asked to visit and really learn and scout out he area.  Yes, we are bringing suitcases filled with gifts, but these are for November.  

Instead of coming laden with things to give out, we come with open ears and a readiness to listen.  While the other team faces incredible and overwhelming need, we face a blank slate and endless opportunities.  While the team in Kenya will be working extremely hard to make a tiny dent in what needs to be done, we will need to take our time to carefully hear what is being said and understand what the needs truly are.  While one team goes to "do", another goes to "hear", it's two completely different jobs, but ultimately the same purpose--to hopefully make a difference.

Perhaps the biggest challenge we will face in the days and weeks to come will be that of "measuring" the success of our trip.  Unlike Mexico or even Kenya, it will not be by the buildings built, people fed or the number of suitcases brought.  For us, it will need to be about the people we met, the stories we heard, the concerns voiced and hopefully the encouragement we are able to give.  I think of the book of Ecclesiastes, where it speaks of a time for everything.  Perhaps, as we prepare for Rwanda, we need to recognize that this will be a time of listening, of stillness, dreaming, praying and truly seeking God in what His hopes and dreams are for this nation that has lost much, yet still found the strength and hope to move forward.