It is this year's last day and as I think back on this year has been quite turbulent. Still in the midst of this there has been many positive things happening.
My most interesting or maybe most absurd experience 2014, took place in now war torn Donetsk. It was evening of May 9th, the Victory Day, the celebration of the Soviet victory of World War II.
This day also marked the escalation of the region's now ongoing conflict from riots into armed violence. People were killed in neighboring cities and fighting erupted where we were. Between the services people came with news of killed and wounded. It was almost surreal. How could this happen in a city where I have spent so much time over the years? And how could this happen to friends of mine? This was not news on a TV-screen. This was happening around us.
As I got out of our car at night, I heard automatic gunfire nearby. We took cover not to be hit by stray bullets. Well inside the house, I opened the window to hear if the shooting would continue. No more shooting, but I heard male voices shouting. What was happening? Somebody got hurt? Or killed? My thoughts were racing. Suddenly in some bushes near my window a nightingale starts singing, seemingly unaware of the ongoing drama nearby. Somebody might just have been hit by gunfire and this nightinggale looks for romance!
This little awkward moment in a way encapsulates life in this world. Tragedy can strike, and still life goes on around. And life also goes on in the midst of tragedy. Even there, rays of hope and beauty can simmer through!
This year some of there things have come closer to me than usual. The typhon last Christmas in the Philippines, the war in Ukraine, the war in Syria and the rise of IS, the Israel-Gaza war where we have come into direct contact with people that suffer. I am glad that we have been given opportunities to help. We sent rescue and relief team to the Philippines and built 30 boats for the affected fishermen. We could send help to very pressed Christians inside Syria and in refugee camps outside, send help and support fleeing Ukrainians as well as Ukrainian Jews plus helping children from the Gaza war zone to get away from the front lines.
Still there is so much suffering and the truth is that it can seem unsurmountable. No one can help all! But! Everyone can help someone! That is true for every one of us. It starts with us not being so preoccupied with our own "nightingale singing" that we suppress and ignore the sound "firing kalashnikovs".
As Christians we have an unbeatable network of friends all across the world, a network of people that are motivated to stretch out a helping hand to those in need. We for example are already planning to send a medical team to help refugees in Iraq.
We don't know what 2105 has in store for us. There will be challenges for sure. But we can set our mind to be ready.
In a few hours a new year starts! A year not only of challenges, but also of wonderful opportunities and much blessing.
God bless you, my dear friend!
All God's best 2015
