carrying pain*

by Amy

Would it be better to be blind?
To close my eyes to the injustice around me
To allow my heart not to feel and my eyes not to cry
Could I pretend the pain isn't real?
that although they are poor they aren't hurting or dying
Could I separate myself from them?
To be here in body but not allow their wounds to touch my heart
To serve and give and hold but not see.
Maybe it's better to be blind

Ah but to miss the joys of seeing would never be worth it.
The pleasure of watching Kizza's face light up as I tickle his bloated belly and to know that although his pain is deep, he feels loved for at least a couple hours a week
To see the comfort on Karim's face as he nestles his head into my neck and holds on tightly knowing he is safe even if only for those few moments I can hold him in our arms
To dance with them and hear them shouting "God loves me" at the top of their voices as we pray those truths seep deep into their hearts

I will cry.
I will hurt for their pain.
I will scream at the injustice that surrounds me.
But I will laugh with them as a simple toy delights their world.
I will celebrate when a baby once starving is now growing muscle and fat all over his body.
I will experience the joy of God exploding through this nation!

The pain is real and shocking almost everyday. I am falling in love and love hurts. It's hard to not let it all feel too big. But I believe we are loving a nation back to life as we choose to see and touch and love the child in front of us,

I urge you to do the same. See the one in front of you, the one whose path you cross everyday but remain blind to. Choose to for a moment feel what they feel. And see the one hidden behind miles of distance and a culture that is nothing like yours. Choose to see them and let your heart break a little and then do what you can to change that to a smile for them.

*from amy's blog