Departure

The all too familiar mixed emotions of departing for the field are here... Going on an adventure with Jesus to the other side of the world, lots of new people to get to know and build friendships with. Important and fulfilling (and occasionally frustrating and even heart breaking) work to be done.

Yet at the same time it is leaving the security of familiar England, the comfort that comes from existing friendships and family and heading into the unknown. Having done all that needs to be done in order to prepare there is the less concrete objective of saying the goodbyes and preparing mentally and spiritually for the season ahead.

While I am in Rwanda they will be commemorating the 20th anniversary of the genocide for an entire week. It is a very broken nation and within my lifetime has seen more horror than any of us would want to imagine, let alone be witness to or be a part of. Doubtless over the weeks I will be struck with different impressions of how this has affected those left behind. Not just those who are older than 20 but also the next generation of Rwandans who have been born out of fire and hold the future in their hands.

At this juncture I stand thankful for all of the support and encouragement that has enabled me to be ready to go. I am thankful also for the lessons that are yet to come, as varied and difficult as they may well be, they will be unique gifts from God.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

- St Francis of Assisi