Where was God today? (part 1)

I've seen God in numerous places.
I've seen Him from the tops of mountains in the Rockies looking down on His marvelous creation.
I've seen Him on the warm Atlantic coast as waves crash at my feet and the sun rises in the horizon.
I've seen Him in a crowded church as hundreds worship Him with reckless abandon.
I've seen Him in a hospital room as a proud father holds his newborn child.
I've even seen Him in coffee shops amongst authentic conversation between friends.
All this to say, that you and I could probably come up with a list a mile long about "Where God is," I mean He's everywhere right?

Well looking back through some of my journals, I want to share with you a day, about a year ago when I asked, "Where was God today?"

I was sitting there, on a concrete stoop as I stared up at the star-filled sky, the red soil at my feet, my mind raced with the events of the day and questions seemed to flood it quicker than I could come up with answers. I knew I should be heading to bed, like the rest of my teammates, (another early morning awaited me) but the stillness and the silence haunted me, and I wrestled with the question that would not leave my mind, "Where was God today?"

The week leading up to this night was a week unlike any other. Here I was in Swaziland, Africa excited to finally be where God had called me to, but surprised by what He actually had in store for me. My days were filled with ministries and building relationships.

Monday had me teaching a classroom full of elementary kids as they sought to know God. This wasn't your typical 'American school' either. The kids came from all over the area all wearing a uniform provided by the school. The classrooms were small and lacking in typical commodities, with as many as 60-70 students in each class. It was quite common to see children sharing a desk and often books. However, it wasn't these differences that struck me as the most profound, these kids desired to be there. They had a hunger to learn, they knew that education was their only shot, at not only making something of themselves, but for some, possibly survival. They could see the trouble and despair all around them, the astonishing 60+% unemployment rate. As I realized these children's harsh reality, my heart broke a bit.

The next I was prayer walking through the poverty stricken slums. I'm talking about the type of poverty where homes are made of mud, sticks and tin and aren't more then 10' x 20'. The type where trash and sewage flow in the streets and the smell is nauseating. As I was walking I encountered some men, many of whom were drunk on 'homemade brew' or high. There were many men, enlightening me to the 'myths' of the people. Some who believed that condoms spread HIV, others who believed you could be cured by sex with a virgin. I also talked to local women who talked about prostitution as a means of food, and feeding their children. I'd pray with these mothers who were surrounded by darkness.

Quickly things were changing. Things I had faintly heard about or seen in movies were becoming real. Things I had never imagined sprung to life right in front of me.

Wednesday, I was unloading 50 and 100 lbs bags of corn meal, beans, and dried peas from the World Food Program truck at one of the local care points, not far from where we were staying. My teammates and I would help the women prepare the daily meal for orphans that came from all over the area. We'd get the opportunity to teach and play with the kids, never could you find me without half a dozen kids hanging from my arms, legs and neck. It was a joy to see the kids smile and laugh and you could tell how grateful and appreciative the gogos (grandmas) were for our help. However, it was heart breaking to watch these orphans fight for attention and affection. Often after a couple hours of playing and caring for these kids, I'd witness one of the elderly gogo's Lucy organize the kids to say grace and wipe their hands. It doesn't sound like much, but there was something about the respect these kids had for Lucy, I mean sometimes there'd be close to a hundred kids or more, and at once they'd be silent and organized. After the privilege of feeding the children and gogo's as well, I would watch the children all around me eat. I was astonished at the amount of 'porridge' (corn meal) these small children could eat, especially in the heat. Only once I realized that it was the only meal the kids would receive that day, than it made sense. I was blown away to meet 12, 13, 14 year old girls who were heads of house, caring for a handful of younger children, many their siblings or cousins.

All of this begins to weigh on you. You are filled with emotions. Your heart breaks, but it was until Thursday........

(Sorry, to cut it off mid post, but I will post the remainder soon.)