Is your Story a Gift to others?

Kevin Sites has been one of my favourite photojournalists, ever since i stumbled upon his 'hotzone'.

His photos and stories from the world's conflict zones seek not a mere momentary exclamation from the readers - they internalise the grim environment and circumstance so well into the faces of their victims that they tug hard at our heartstrings, evoking a deep sense of empathy, compassion... sometimes an unavoidable awe of admiration at and inspiration from the people's strength and grace in the unthinkable situations.

Kevin Sites had a conversation with Anne, a pregnant 15-year old Ugandan girl (above). (photo taken by Kevin Sites)

Sites did not start out to gain buckets of tears through his picture stories. What i really love about them is that 'part of the obvious answer for him as a reporter is to try to show the full dimension of these people's lives -- not just their suffering -- but also their silliness, their laughter, their humility, their grace' (Sites' exact own words).

This is what Sites said: "Through hearing someone's story, in all its complexities, we gain the potential to grow in kindness or generosity toward those closest to us, as well as those far away.

Which brings me back to Anne. Instead of fretting about the immediate need to do something for her when we hear the tragic aspects of her story, we should also realize how she is helping us; that her story is as much a gift to us as anything we can give to her."

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I received much from Anne's story.

That is the power of a life testimony. Brothers and sisters, just as we were taught in church to always be prepared with testimonies to share, our life stories of how Jesus has transformed our lives and hearts can be an extraordinary gift to someone out there who cares to listen. We do not need to have drastic and atrocious life events like Anne's (i pray, never for anyone of you) to be a shining testimony for Christ. Jesus can use you (yes, you) and every broken bits in your life to speak to others powerfully. In the first place, i do not think that any life story is ever small.

(A powerful testimony of a wonderful brother who used to live 'high' on d r u g s)

(My own life story)

A unpleasant twist to Anne's story is that the man who hurt her was part of a rebel paramilitary group in Uganda who call themselves 'The Lord's Resistance Army' (LRA). LRA outrightly violates and blasphemes the name of the Lord and God's laws, abusing these to conduct astrocious terroristic acts in Uganda. The name of the group is truly just a name. And it is a shame.

I have no right to judge anyone. But from my own journey of knowing and understanding God, i really see that LRA do not work in the ways of God. I dare to say that they live lives showing Jesus is NOT the Lord of their lives. If they really label themselves Christians, their acts would be the worst testimonies for Christ.

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*Are you living your life such that your story will be a gift to others?*

i believe that Anne's story is God's gift to everyone who reads it. i gave thanks to the Lord that my own bunch of dear 15-year old girls are not going through life like Anne, yet i prayed that they will have her courage and grace to go thru life's disappointments.

I believe that my story of living with an ever-faithful God can encourage you too. Isn't God clever to use our stories to encourage one another? He understands exactly our needs for mutual encouragement. If you are His son or daughter, make a commitment to live such that Jesus is truly your Lord, so that we will have a constant flow of exciting powerful and positive testimonies of His goodness and miracles to bless others with! =) Speak them out!