Now that I have seen, I am responsible
June 4, 2009
“Albertine”
I am sitting still
I think of Angelique
Her mothers voice over me
And the bullets in the wall where it fell silent
And on a thousandth hill, I think of Albertine
There in her eyes what I don’t see with my own
Rwanda
Now that I have seen, I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
Now that I have held you in my own arms, I cannot let go till you are
I am on a plane across a distant sea
But I carry you in me
And the dust on, the dust on, the dust on my feet
Rwanda
I will tell the world, I will tell them where I’ve been
I will keep my word
I will tell them Albertine
I am on a stage, a thousand eyes on me
I will tell them, Albertine
I will tell them, Albertine
I came across this video tonight and it struck a cord deep with in me. The words, the landscape, the buildings, the people, the children… it all reminded me of Sierra Leone. I could have sworn it was Sierra Leone… it took me back to our time there. I know at times it was very hard, but I find myself wanting to go back. I miss it. I miss Remie, Ali, Beatrice, Keyara… and so many others. I think about them often and wonder how they are doing.
I remember reading this book after we left Sierra Leone and recalling how we felt upon our departure. Almustafa has waited a long time to return to his birth place and is joyful as he learns he is leaving the city of Orphalese…
But as he descended the hill, a sadness came upon him, and he thought in his heart:
How shall I go in peace without sorrow? Nay, not without a wound in the spirit shall I leave this city.
Long were the days of pain I have spent within its walls, and long were the nights of aloneness; and who can depart from his pain and his aloneness without regret?
Too many fragments of the spirit have I scattered in these streets, and too many are the children of my longing that walk naked among these hills, and I cannot withdraw from them without a burden and an ache.
It is not a garment I cast off this day, but a skin that I tear with my own hands.
Nor is it a thought I leave behind me, but a heart made sweet with hunger and with thirst.
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Ryan and I were ready to leave at the time… anxious to get home to what was familiar and comfortable… yet there was a sadness at the same time. Although we didn’t spend years in SL, I can liken our feelings to that above. And now as memories and faces come flooding back, all I can think is…
Now that I have seen, I am responsible.
We are responsible. I pray that God grows, not only me and Ryan, but in all of us, a heart and vision to live out this responisbility.
That was a great video. It does remind me of Sierra Leone. And how true it is that we have been allowed a chance to see and not we are responsible: responsible to be an advocate for what we have seem and heard and experienced. Thanks for sharing these thoughts. It is always a good reminder>
i liked this. i’m proud of you guys. thanks for challenging me and others to remember what we have learned. not always fun being responsible… but we owe our friends who have shown us so much of God’s heart, don’t we? wow. and i love that part of the prophet! love it! i should work that in during debriefing huh?! thanks for reminding me how much i love that place…
Wow! What a powerful video and message. Even though I haven’t gone to Africa yet, I know that day will come and I can’t wait. I know it’s going to be a life-changing experience. In the mean time, your thoughts have challenged me to be responsible with what I have today, and each day. To God be the glory and may His people be loved and served.
I don‘t know If I said it already but …Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,
…..Frank Scurley
Awesome blog!
I thought about starting my own blog too but I’m just too lazy so, I guess I‘ll just have to keep checking yours out.
LOL,