History in the Making.

Imported from old blog, Feb 11, 2011:

I love history. As a child, learning about Canadian history always fascinated me. There's something about the past that is truly amazing. Maybe it's because history is what shapes who we are today, maybe it's because you learn so much from the accomplishments or faults in the past. Maybe it's all about identity. History shapes our identity. After all, we are a country founded upon our love for maple, beavers, hockey and yes, our beloved timbits.

These past few weeks, it's been a different experience. Watching history unfold itself is so potent and powerfully striking. For the last 18 days, Egypt has been in a tense standoff between the "elected" President (*cough Dictator) Mubarak of 30 years, and the good people of Egypt. 

The passions of these people, fighting for democracy until the very end, some sacrificing their lives for it. It strikes me to see what people would do for their rights, and how we've taken democracy for granted (low voter turnout), and allow our elected officials to make bad decisions without a peep of disagreement from the general public.

Last week, Egyptian Christians protected around the Muslims praying in the square. Yesterday, Christians prayed PUBLICLY in the square surrounded by a circle of Muslims protecting them. Now, Egypt is 90% Muslim, and a lot of tensions rise between the two groups, throwing stones, attacks, vandalizing mosques/churches. 

Seeing the people put aside their differences and fight together for freedom....it's just so awe-inspiring! God is truly amazing.

Resisting the threats of attack from the government, the Egyptians stood firm, and after 18 days of protest, 18 days of violence, 18 days of prayers, 18 days in solidarity, Egypt is finally free!


Now, the road ahead will not be easy, and to reach full democracy will take a lot of work and more challenges ahead, but there's hope yet for Egypt.


Following the story for the past few weeks, you feel for the people, seeing their struggles, crying out in protest, never dying down, and coming victorious, it's one of those days you feel like you've witness greatness, history in the making. 


It's one of those stories that tugs at you, seeing the human heart, soul, and mind triumph. I remember watching the Chilean mine rescue, where I followed the entire rescue story live throughout the day on CNN and watched, one-by-one, the miners come out alive after 69 days of entrapment. The human strength and determination is so formidable, but it is God who gave them the strength. A story of hope and joy that brought me to tears.

At the end of the day, it's one of those smile to yourself, feeling good and fuzzy moments that makes me appreciate all the more how God is in control of everything. His plan will always come out for the best.