Bottom line, this walk is hard. In a
lot of ways it’s more difficult than I expected. Day three through
five were tough. Physically the third day was the hardest, my
blisters were huge by that point, and each step sent waves of pain
through my body. It didn’t matter how well I triaged my foot wounds,
every time my shoe connected with the pavement I was not a happy
camper. We were walking through a national reserve so there were
also no people to talk with. I was frustrated! Why were we walking
through Swaziland? What was the point of this whole thing?
Day four and five were more mentallytough. Right before stepping on the plane I sent out a very quick
e-mail to my contacts list. I overviewed the parts of the trip I was
doing and asked people to pray specifically for certain things. One
of my College Professors, who I greatly respect, sent an e-mail back
saying that what I was doing sounded like missionary tourism. I
reread what I had sent out and realized that in a way he was right,
in my haste to get something out before my row was called to board, I
didn’t express my heart for this trip well. His e-mail combined with
other questions about the walk were ruminating in my head with every
painful step.
It was really bothering me that I
didn’t have the perfect mission statement for the walk, or even a
great answer for why we were walking across Swaziland. If put on the
spot I could come up with lots of things that sounded good, but
frustration and pain made me want to punch trite platitudes in the
face.
didn’t have the perfect mission statement for the walk, or even a
great answer for why we were walking across Swaziland. If put on the
spot I could come up with lots of things that sounded good, but
frustration and pain made me want to punch trite platitudes in the
face.
While walking I though a lot about what
I want to see Steps Over Swaziland become. Ultimately, I desire that
this endeavor tap into the beautiful spirit of hope that the Swazi
people have. They carry on despite the devastating losses that
HIV/AIDS has inflicted on this nation. So many families here have
lost Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters and Children. When an
entire generation is decimated; platitudes crumble like a house built
on the sand and all the nice words in the world fall painfully flat.
I want to see Steps Over Swaziland become. Ultimately, I desire that
this endeavor tap into the beautiful spirit of hope that the Swazi
people have. They carry on despite the devastating losses that
HIV/AIDS has inflicted on this nation. So many families here have
lost Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters and Children. When an
entire generation is decimated; platitudes crumble like a house built
on the sand and all the nice words in the world fall painfully flat.
Despite the tide of emotions swirling
in me I kept walking. My focus was on putting one sore, blistered
foot in front of the other. I pressed on because, no matter what I
feel, I believe in a God whose love only gets stronger and more
consistent when my shallow hope and uncoordinated attempts to help
run dry. God loves the Swazi people more than I can conceive.
That’s the beauty of Jesus, when we are done, completely emptied, and
have no hope left he doesn’t leave. Instead, He defies the odds,
conquers death, and explodes on to the scene bringing beautiful life.
in me I kept walking. My focus was on putting one sore, blistered
foot in front of the other. I pressed on because, no matter what I
feel, I believe in a God whose love only gets stronger and more
consistent when my shallow hope and uncoordinated attempts to help
run dry. God loves the Swazi people more than I can conceive.
That’s the beauty of Jesus, when we are done, completely emptied, and
have no hope left he doesn’t leave. Instead, He defies the odds,
conquers death, and explodes on to the scene bringing beautiful life.
