| Cairo (Sudanese) City Overview Photo Gallery Director Bio Journals: · Jun 29 2008 · Jul 04 2008 · Jul 13 2008 · Jul 19 2008 · Jul 26 2008 Trek 2008 Home |
Global Urban Trek 2008
Shattered ExpectationsJuly 4, 2008
I imagine God is entertained by our reactions to upset expectations.
We have all these ideas of what is going to happen, when in reality, we haven't a clue as to what is what.
I have had certain expectations for this trip, particularly for who God should be. I'm realizing that I limited and underestimated Him. I suspected that after looking poverty in the face, I would struggle with a God who is distant and uncaring – a father who left His children to fend for themselves, unconcerned and uninvolved in their day to day efforts.
Instead, I am experiencing a compassion and depth of love I could not have imagined. Faith in the U.S. gives much lip service to a “personal” God, but we American Christians have little comprehension of how intimately involved He is in the lives of people. In the streets of Cairo, I can see and sense God everywhere.
I have seen Him through the daily gathering of people at every given opportunity. They meet on balconies, store fronts, homes, the metro and even the street. These people care not for time and task but for being with one another. Likewise, God is ever-ready to meet us wherever and whenever. He desires to be with us if we are willing.
Through my headmaster’s commitment to the students, I have glimpsed an aspect of God's persistence. Our school, Good Hope, lost all funding it needed to be open for summer school. Despite this reality, the headmaster was determined to get it open to give children an option besides involvement in street gangs. The depth of this determination showed itself when he cried with joy upon receiving much less than half of the needed amount. We opened school the next day. I thought the headmaster’s concern for the school was a beautiful example of how much God loves us and desires the best for us.
Lastly, I am beginning to understand that God’s concern for His people garners a hatred of injustice. I have been experiencing this anger through the comments of a Sudanese friend who defended us against the taunts and threats of an Egyptian boy. The boy went so far as to threaten calling for backup buddies to beat up our friend.
Similarly, God is intensely involved in our pain and ceaseless in His compassion for us. I am encouraged by this when I see our friend’s eyes glisten with tears as he describes his family remaining in Sudan. I am realizing that God does not simply stand by to watch, like I was worried I would believe after this summer. God struggles along with us; He feels our pain just as much, if not more. And the love of an intimate God is a glorious thing. It is selfless, gentle and unassuming, and I’m realizing that it is also for me.
- Karin
Print
Email
