Retreat

We have spent 5 lovely days with our work colleagues at the retreat in Mali. Over the last 3 days we focused on Psalm 84: 5-7: Pilgrims, change-makers and visionaries (maybe I will share some thoughts of the actual teaching in another blog because it would be too much to share in one go).

Many thoughts have spoken to me, which still need some time to form in my heart. But there is one thing, I would like to share: The last day, before we took communion our speaker read a poem, which really touched my heart; it is called Conclusion and is from George MacDonald.

Please read for yourself and let God touch you through it.

I said, “Let me walk in the field.”
He said, “No, walk in the town.”
I said, “There are no flowers there.”
He said, “No flowers, but a crown.”
I said, “But skies are dark and there’s nothing but noise and din.”
And He wept as He sent me back: “There’s more,” He said, “There is sin.”
I said, “But the air is thick and fogs are veiling the sun.”
He answered, “Yet souls are sick, and souls in the dark undone.”
I said, “I shall miss the light and friends will miss me, they say.”
He answered, “Choose, tonight, if I am to miss you or they.”
I pleaded for time to be given.
He said, “Is it hard to decide? It will not seem hard in heaven to have followed the steps of your guide.”
I cast one look at the field, then set my face to the town.
He said, “My child, do you yield? Would you leave the flowers for a crown?”
Then into His hand went mine and into my heart came He;
And I walked in a light divine the path I feared to see.

Many of you know how much I like the countryside, walking and hiking and enjoying Gods creation, this is probably why I saw myself like the person God was talking to.
Because in Conakry, I feel people, don’t seem as friendly as in Liberia or Ghana. I would dare to go out just by myself and walk around. Maybe time will tell, after Macenta, when we are back in Conakry, if people see us every day, maybe they will open their heart more towards us.

Right now we are with friends which we have meet in France, studying with us french. We are spending with them a few days here in Mali, before we leave next Wednesday at 6 am to head to Macenta, back to Guinea.

Guess what, but we have a little swimming pool, and a nice comfortable bed and a very nice bathroom. Probably the nicest house I have seen so fare, since coming to Guinea. Everything is so light, compared to our room in Conakry, which is dark and kind of depressing. So we will enjoy our days here and try to see a few things.

I will post another blog next Tuesday. Until then: God bless you!