I really enjoyed this year’s Torrey Bible Conference. The speakers gave powerful expression to the needs of those who are suffering around the world, from the videos about HIV/AIDS in Africa which Kay Warren showed during her talks, to Rev. Adrian de Visser’s passionate speech about the deep suffering of the widows, orphans, child prostitutes and others in Sri Lanka. The subject of this year, suffering, was so appropriate to the deep pain that many of my friends are experiencing. Much of the worship spoke deeply to people. It was incredibly powerful to watch Wednesday night as worship continued past the end of the evening session and nearly the whole gym stayed; then again on Friday morning as the entire gym filled up for Francis Chan, far exceeding the Friday morning attendance at past conferences.

At the same time, something was missing. Much was said about the deep suffering of those around the world and how we, who have been blessed with much, should help them. And indeed, these things are true, but little was said about the deep suffering of many here, at Biola and of those we know. Why? Not to sound callous, but Missions Conference is the time to talk about those who are suffering and needy around the world. I am glad that we heard about these people. It has spurred me to find a way that I can help those from other countries, even when I don’t have the money to travel outside of America on the vast majority of missions trips. I want to know what I can do now to make a difference for those who are suffering in Sri Lanka, in Africa and in other countries.

But what do we do when we are suffering? What do we do to help our friends who are suffering? What do I tell my friend whose dad died of cancer early Thursday morning in the middle of the conference? What do I tell my friend who lost one friend to sickness and found out at the same time that another has cancer? How do I love them in the midst of their suffering? What do I do? These are the questions that I wanted to hear answered during the Torrey Conference, especially in Rev. De Visser’s session, “Bringing Hope in the Midst of Suffering.” There is great suffering around the world — I won’t deny that. There is probably greater suffering in other countries than there is in America. I’m even glad that I went to Dr. de Visser’s session and heard what he had to say. I think that I enjoyed his talk and Francis Chan’s the most, if I looked at them simply in terms of how well they were said, what they said and how much they made me want to act.

But there is still great suffering here — and we’re only college students. We have experienced so little in the world. How will our questions be answered? How will we deal with our deep suffering if those with more experience tell us only of the suffering of those we don’t know? The closest answer I heard was from Kay Warren: just be with those who are suffering. Sit with them. Talk to them. I thank her for saying that much. I’m disappointed that I didn’t hear practical solutions from any of the other speakers.

On Friday morning, Francis Chan told us how he wrote a book which would ultimately bring him a million dollars or more. He and his wife decided that they didn’t need that money, so they set up a foundation which would give all of that money to charities. Some told him that he should have kept some of the money for emergencies. His response? Well, aren’t there greater emergencies in other places around the world? Yes, there are. I congratulate him on being selfless enough not to keep any of that money for himself, but he didn’t stop by saying that there are greater emergencies around the world. As he spoke, I felt as though he was ridiculing the suffering of those here in America and at Biola by telling us that the things we need to deal with aren’t as important as the emergencies of those in other countries. As both Kay Warren and Dr. de Visser had already done, he told us of the great suffering around the world.

But what about our suffering? Do they deny that we are suffering? I have news for them: we are. Francis Chan told us that we should desire suffering, that we should take joy in suffering, but the suffering he talked about is the persecution we receive at the hands of unbelievers. How do we deal with suffering that is not persecution, but merely the result of a fallen world? He gave us a missional call, he did not speak to us about how to handle the suffering in our own lives. How do we love our friends who are undergoing pain deeper than we know?

What do we do about the suffering of those at Biola and in our community? Tell me that, Torrey Conference.