A Long Way Gone

A Long Way Gone is by far one of the most mesmerizing books I've ever read. In this first-hand account of the life of a child soldier in Sierra Leon, Ishmael describes the path that led to become a child soldier as well as the battle to escape such a life. I was absolutely riveted the entire book.

To be honest, I had never truly thought much about the overwhelming social problems that plague the entire continent of Africa. I mean, I've known about the AIDs epidemic and have donated money, but I've never been moved in my soul. I am ashamed to say that until my Global Studies senior sem class at APU, I never really considered that the problem of child soldiers still existed. Shameful, I know.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the amount of need in the world and it causes me to continue about my days paralyzed by inactivity, as though my life was all that existed. At the same time, I believe in a God who's heart breaks for individuals and governments that are so deeply oppressed. And this same God reminds me that my life is not my own, but exists for a purpose. I want to be concerned with the same things that concern God. I want my heart to break over what his heart breaks for. And I want to be someone who is moved to action even as it involves personal sacrifice.

I hate sounding too much like a fresh college grad with the "I can change the world" mentality, but I truly believe that God can empower individuals to evoke change on various levels. Sometimes I wonder what a Masters in Social Work will allow me to do in the world. While I feel called to care for missionaries, is it at the expense of other projects/ministries? I don't think it is. I'm curious to see the way that life plays out and how God will determine to use me. And I want to remain aware and sensitive to people like Ishmael Beah and the life that he led.

"O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8