Your Face a Memory

I was sitting in prayer meeting yesterday afternoon telling my stomach to stop growling. It had been 6 hours since I ate my early lunch, which felt like a lot longer to me, and I was excited to go out for dinner. I made it through the next hour or so, and then we headed out. We went to a nice Portuguese place and I got crab curry. It was delicious! Just what my stomach needed to shut itself up. I had ordered the big portion, and there was plenty left over for lunch the next day, which I was already looking forward to as we headed out of the restaurant. I was feeling full and content as I walked across the dirt and rock parking lot towards the car, when suddenly there was a man next to me saying something in Portuguese. I'm sure I had a blank look on my face since I didn't know what he was saying, but when he began gesturing toward my doggy bag I began to get an idea. I gave it to him, and the whole exchange really hit me deep. There I was, thinking how long 6 hours without eating was, yet knowing I would be eating a great meal shortly. I wonder about this man's story. I have never had to ask someone for food before, and I couldn't help thinking what a humbling experience to wait outside of a restaurant, hoping for the left overs of someones meal to fill your stomach for the day. As we drove back home, we passed the lady who lives on the sidewalk across from CAM. It was dark and she was curled up on the ground covered with and clutching her few belongings. Again, what is her story? Everyone has one, and the contrast of all of our stories was really striking me. I am so used to having all that I need, when I need it, yet there are so many people out there who don't know when they're going to get a meal, whose only place to call home is the sidewalk. I am thankful for the life that God has blessed me with, though it is difficult to be comfortable with it when I hear and see stories like this. These are pictures that will never leave my mind, I'm sure, and as we drove home I remembered a song my best friend showed me. It was written by Sara Groves after she returned from a trip to Rwanda. It is a different country, but the same continent and similar stories....so here it is:

"I saw what I saw and I can't forget it

I heard what I heard and I can't go back

I know what I know and I can't deny it

Something on the road, cut me to the soul

Your pain has changed me

your dream inspires

your face a memory

your hope a fire

your courage asks me what I'm afraid of

(what I am made of)

and what I know of love

We've done what we've done and we can't erase it

We are what we are and it's more than enough

We have what we have but it's no substitution
Something on the road, touched my very soul

I say what I say with no hesitation

I have what I have and I'm givin it up

I do what I do with deep conviction

Something on the road, changed my world"

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