winsome abandon

"Love will come set me free..."

Posted by c3 , Thursday, March 19, 2009 10:47 AM

"We cannot do everything in Africa, but doing nothing is not an option." -Lee H. Hamilton

Last night, at our college group, we watched the Nooma video, Store. Throughout the video Rob Bell talks about anger and the things that make us angry and whether or not that helps the situation. Then he starts talking about things that it's okay to be angry with and how Jesus used his anger to fix things and make the world better.

At one point he starts talking about our purpose. He suggests that when trying to find your purpose or career in life that instead of looking at what we love to do, we should look at what makes us angry.

Woah.

Like, for real.

That pretty much just changed my life.

I am starting to get that feeling I had in January of 2007 when I couldn't stand to be here any longer. There's an organization called Dusty Feet Ministries. They use the quote, "The dust of Africa will never leave the soles of your feet." I can't describe to you how true that is.

My first trip to Africa literally changed my life. I have never been the same and I never will be. I will never be able to walk past a jewelry store without thinking about the slaves that are digging the diamonds out of mines. I will never be able to look at a pair of tennis shoes without thinking of the people making them who can't afford to buy them with year's worth of income. I can't walk into a grocery store without thinking of the thousands of people that die every day from starvation.

I am so burdened by these thoughts and it makes it really hard to be here sometimes. I know that God is totally working in my life right now and I am so excited at all the things He has planned for me. Now, I just have to wait.

Tunes!
"Ain't No Reason" by Brett Dennen (where the title comes from... awesome video!)
"When the Saints" by Sara Groves
"All I Need" by Radiohead (the video doesn't really go with the song but it is incredible)

6 Response to ""Love will come set me free...""

Jess Gallegos Says:

i know of a couple people in uganda who would love you to come for a visit ;-)

March 19, 2009 at 1:55 PM

lee ellen Says:

I heart you, cayla! it's so motivating and almost restful somehow to be around someone that is really going where God leads. thank you!

March 25, 2009 at 9:44 PM

Toni Smith Says:

I was online searching for africa tatoos and the picture on this blog came up and I clicked on it and then I started reading what you wrote. Wow, is really all I can say. I have said the exact same things many, many times. I struggle daily with the dynamic of being here and yet with all of my heart longing to be in Africa. I have vowed never to own a diamond and can not wait until the day that I no longer have to use oil because of the way the oil industry is destroying the lives of Sudanese people and other oil rich areas. Africa is my herat, it is my passion. I have days where it is hard for me to function in America because we have bottled water, we use water on our grass to make it green and 3,900 children die EVERYDAY because they don;t have access to sanitary water. My heart aches for the (known to the U.N.) 300,000 children used as child soldiers. The young girls in the sex trade, whose number is unknown but unacceptably high (not that there is a number other than zero that is acceptable). So many days I wrestle with God and wonder why? why was I born in America, why do I have such a passion for a place I have never been and what can I do to fix all of the abuse, pain and suffering. So, to put it mildly, I feel ya. Keep seeking His face and know that even though we want to be the main character in our lives, that we want our lives to be about us, we are only the supporting role. It's not our story, it's God's story and He will use you in whatever capacity He made you for. Nonetheless, He gave you this passion and that means you never stop fighting for the oppresssed. I could go on forever about Africa and God (my 2 favorite things!), but I'll call it quits. I just had to post something because what you said resonated deeply within my soul.

July 22, 2010 at 9:52 PM

c3 Says:

Toni-

Thanks so much for the comment! It's so funny that you commented on this now because, as you probably know, those feelings ebb and flow and right now they are really strong. A good friend of mine just got back from Uganda with the same organization that I went with and seeing pictures of how much all the kids have grown up has been beautiful and heart breaking. I know I'll end up back there someday... it's just a matter of when.

Also, the comment you made about diamonds... I just got married in December and my engagement ring has a diamond that is Kimberly Certified to be conflict free. There is an AMAZING company called Brilliant Earth that sells ONLY conflict-free jewelry and they were so amazing to work with. Most of their diamonds are from Canada but they do have a select few from Namibia. They also have conflict free sapphires and eco-friendly gold. Great company! Thanks again for the comment!!!

July 23, 2010 at 12:03 AM

Anonymous Says:

I am currently working on fundraising project for a youth soccer team in Arusha, Tanzania. The photo you have on your profile is ideal for what we are doing. How would i go about getting permission for it?

Thank you in advance for your help.

September 22, 2010 at 7:49 PM

Rachel-Amy Carmichael Says:

thank you for being so real... love that!

i spent 6 months in uganda last year... longing to go back....

loved your opening quote and the dust will never leave your feet... so true.

thanks again. blessings xx

April 16, 2011 at 4:47 AM