Four years ago while on vacation in the UK with my family, my wife and I had a most unforgettable experience. Ed, 6years old then and as active as most kids his age gave us a good reason to re-evaluate our duties as parents.
The rail network in the UK makes it quite a visitor friendly nation. But what do you do when your child exits the train at a station and it rolls off just before you could get your act together?
You have 60secs or less to exit, but with a dozen people disembarking from your coach and you are pulling on luggage in one hand and carrying a newborn babe in the other, how do you respond when the door slides shot and the train heads to the next station separating you from your son, who on sensing the problem is now running after the train on the platform?
well, that was our experience that faithful but unforgettable winter afternoon. The sight of Ed running after that train on the platform, shouting Daddy, Daddy, Mummy, Mummy, stop ,stop…, provoked a feeling inside me too hard to describe.
If the windows of that train could be opened, I’d have jumped off to be with my son. My dear wife freaked out as we pulled away and the tension in the coach was almost tangible. All chit-chats ceased and I guess most of us were trying to imagine what next.
Was Ed going to keep running, hoping the train will soon stop for his family to exit or for him to get back in? What if he keeps running and steps on the rail tracks? Was he going to get lost somewhere in the town or someone we don’t know pick him up and disappear?
Ed was taken to the station manager by a kind passenger and was picked up few minutes later by our host. Thanks to God and cell phone technology.
This same awkward feeling of loss and helplessness pervaded my mood again the last time I was in South Sudan. I left rather unceremoniously as issues on the home front demanded my presence. Just few days to South Sudan’s declaration of independence, I had to chose to either stay and celebrate the independence day with my friends in Yei or return home immediately to address pressing family matters.
I chose to return home sooner and weeks later, it proved to be the right discussion. The responsibilities I feel as a parent with the needs in South Sudan continues to stir my spirit. I have kids needing the grace of God I carry, both as a parent and a leader, but the train I come and go with seems to thunder-in and lightening-out often, leaving us limited time for deeper interaction.
As I depart again this morning to Yei via Kampala, discipleship is on my mind. Leaving my kids to go be with other kids and families is a big sacrifice for us. But we keep a level head by focusing on the goal.
In most parts of Africa, raising children is a communal responsibility. I’m looking forward to the day when this train will offload me and mine for good so that these kids won’t have to run after it in their minds.
Until then, I covet partners that will fill the gaps we leave behind each time we go.
Author: Uche Izuora
I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda.
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Godspeed on your trip.
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My Love to all the brethren in Yei, South Sudan. Hoping to see them again God willing.
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