Reflections on 5 years later

5 years ago, 12 people from West Shore Evangelical Free Church in Mechanicsburg, PA went to Zimbabwe to see how our church could get involved in the AIDS crises. Each night, around a camp fire under the big African sky, we reflected on the dozen local approaches we saw. From that initial trip of learning and listening, the beginning dreams of what would become FOrgotten Voices emerged.

When asked for volunteers to share some brief reflections about that first trip, now 5 years later, several graciously agreed to offer their thoughts with us.

Here's the first from Linn, who was featured in our first website banner picture about Getting Involved. Enjoy! -Ryan (Note: image doesn't lead to link now)

"Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close
You could touch it but your heart would break..."

Reflecting on my time in Africa always brings to mind sitting on the rocks at Shumba Shaba looking at the amazing night sky "so close you could touch it". This memory brings to my mind the lyrics of a song by the late Rich Mullins, 'Sometimes by Step'. As I considered the lyrics, I realized they express my thoughts on Africa and Forgotten Voices. Zimbabawe is an amazing place where God has done much in the hearts of many and yet "there IS so much left to do". There is great pain and suffering that at times seems too steep. Yet, what was just as clear to me was that they have hope of not being beyond God's reach.

God is their God and they praise him admist the circumstances of life, "the darkness of the night", they journey on each day, each step. As I look at that sky, I am reminded that one of those stars represents me and each of us as descendents of Abraham, loved by God.

As in the song, I have images and memories of the struggle and suffering but the greater sense and picture I have is of the journey that "step by step" shows that the focus is not on what still needs to be done, but on the joy in following him and recognizing how "much he has already done."

~~Linn Marie Murray

Look for more reflections from other members in the weeks ahead, as we celebrate 5 years.