Thriving Through Trials

In April 2016, I arranged a meeting with a local businessman and influential pastor to discuss the possibility of him becoming a financial partner for ‘There is Hope’, the charity I founded years ago. Despite waiting a month for the appointment, I had to wait another two hours in the reception area of his office before I was finally able to speak to him. Unfortunately, the outcome was not what I had hoped for. At first I felt frustrated and outraged. However, as I reflected on my life, I realised that I have endured much longer periods of waiting.

After spending 27 years in refugee camps, I finally managed to leave. It took me eight years to write and publish my memoir, ‘Refugee for Life.’ Furthermore, I patiently waited for seven years to witness the construction of the very first building at There is Hope Centre. This universal principle of waiting, applicable in every season of life, dawned on me. To endure the wait, one must hold onto the vision of what is to come. Kris Vallotton once said, ‘Vision gives pain a purpose.’

It is important to understand the reason for waiting as it provides clarity on how to navigate through it. Quick fixes are rare in my experience. Waiting is not just a passing of time but an opportunity to use time meaningfully. It is during these waiting periods that vision is refined, and character is molded.

The lesson is clear: waiting patiently is intrinsic to the fulfillment of a vision. Life’s quick fixes may provide temporary relief, but lasting rewards come to those who persevere through the waiting season.  Embrace this time with purpose and find meaning in the anticipation. It is during this interval that dreams take shape and visions become reality. The wait is not a passive episode, but a purposeful journey into the manifestation of your dreams.