Looking Back

It seems, this time of year, a lot of time is spent looking back. We look back on memories from years ago and we look back on the past year and, as is often the case, we are left to wonder how we ever made it to where we are at. As I look back on this past year, I am amazed by all that has happened and the strength that has been given to press on.
I am sure if you were to go back through my posts from this year you might begin to wonder if anything good ever happens in Sudan. I have experienced two destructive fires, a wind that blew the roof off our operating theatre, traveled through mud and dust over countless miles of ruts referred to as roads and had encounters with people who are at times more than frustrating to deal with. I, myself, have at times wondered if Sudan ever offers anything but calamity to those who live within its borders, and have spent many sleepless nights listening to the rats rustle through the thatch above my head while questioning how I ever ended up in such a backward place.
I am reminded, however, that the King did not enter a world that had its act together, but rather, he entered as light into darkness; as a breath of sanity in the midst of our insanity. We like to sing Christmas carols such as “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night” that make us think of Christ’s birth as the most serene moment in history, when in fact it, if some thought is given to the event one would be led to believe that it was most likely far from tranquil. The Author of creation, mother screaming in pain, came wailing into the world covered in birth and all that it entails, and like all new born children must have wondered at what an awfully uncomfortable place this was. Sure, there were shepherds, wisemen and angels, but there was also infanticide, a daring escape and refugee status without the UNHCR to hand out free food and blankets. Our King did not enter the world of storybook and legend, he entered OUR world; the world where we sit in the filth of our humanity, dripping with the wretchedness of our vain efforts to fix ourselves, in desperate need of a Savior.
I have had the immense privilege to be at home in Uganda with my family for Christmas. Christmas day was spent having fun in the warm waters of Lake Victoria but also came with the sad reminder of the fallen world we live in. We received news that our “home” village in Congo, Faradje, was attached by the Ugandan LRA rebel group. Our friends’ homes were burned down and many people were killed and abducted. This news has brought with it a strong mix of emotions. I find myself angry that such atrocities are committed and frustrated by my own inability to do anything about it. We do, indeed, live in a monumental mess of a world!!
This morning, a Congolese pastor friend mentioned that the story of David and Goliath has been a great encouragement to him as he looks at the troubles in Congo and his testimony has in turn encouraged me as I think of my work in Sudan and the continuing violence in Congo. The Israelites were afraid of the pagan giant and out of the bush walked a boy with a sling and some rocks to take him down. David didn’t see the giant, he saw the Great Shaddai (Almighty) and took up His battle cry. Our King entered our crazy world to give us hope and light. Sometimes it is daunting living in this world so full of darkness, but we have such a wonderful opportunity to face this darkness with the light that has been so freely given to us. May it be so.