“How do I bring closure to such a wonderful month?” It seems this is always the question in some way or another, but not always including “wonderful”. Rwanda has been all of that.
For the first ten days of ministry I was visiting the US. (I reckon that’s the only time I’ve ever “visited” the US. Weird.) But I did. I flew 7,200 miles from Ethiopia to home to attend my brother’s wedding. I had a jam-packed, wonderful week catching up with all the changes that happened at home this year: my brother’s engagement/wedding, my sister’s boyfriend/fiance’ who I’d never met before, and my newest niece born in May. It takes decades for some people to be called “nana” by someone, but for some reason my littlest nephew adds an “n” to “Anna”, so my name is “Nanna”; I don’t even care, because it was the first I ever heard him talk, and his voice was music to my ears.
My last day in the States was spent galavanting around NYC with my sister and her fiancé. I boarded a plane late that night and flew the long, long distance back to Africa, flying this time to Rwanda. I felt discombobulated and like an outsider at first after meeting up with my team, but it wasn’t long before I knew I’d absolutely love Rwanda. We lived in a village about four hours from the nearest city, and oh- how much I thrived in that beautiful countryside. It was quiet and peaceful, and just so refreshing. There was no hustle and bustle of city life. Villagers carried their jerry cans to fetch water at the local well; cows were herded through the fields and along the road; spotted goats tied to trees grazed the grass; and children everywhere yelled “muzungo” as soon as they saw us.
A few of my favorite things were these:
*Holding 1 hour old, 4 hour old, 3 days old, and 4 month old babies
*Being greeted by eager kiddos every time we walked anywhere, and holding as many little hands as could fit into the two of mine
*Preaching to an enthusiastic church congregation who intercedes and worships God with such beautiful passion
*Walking with the Pastor and listening to her incredible testimonies of God’s faithfulness and provision
*Moto taxi rides
*Walking 5K in the sunshine and then under the stars to and from church
*High-fiving/squeezing hands/hugging all the little ones who ran to the side of the road just so they could touch us
And many, many more things. Rwanda has been such a gift. I am so grateful I decided to come back to the Race instead of staying home after my brother’s wedding. It pains me to think of all the goodness I’d have missed.
I have been reminded that God gives good gifts. At first thinking of going home for the wedding seemed overwhelming and like such a drudge. I really did forget for a hot second that I had given God permission at the beginning of the Race to send me home for my brother’s wedding if He wanted. I said, “God, if my brother decides to get married while I’m on the Race, then I’ll know you want me to go home for a bit, and that’s okay.” But then, when it really happened, my actions spoke differently. I was annoyed at having to spend so much money on a ticket and take time away from my Race, especially because we were in Africa. However, having gone home and experiencing all the goodness of it, I now see that it was a gift for me to be able to go home for a short rest.
It was a gift I wanted to reject at first.
But, now I know that if God wants to do something, I must allow Him. It may not seem like a wonderful idea or resemble anything such as a “gift”, but if it’s from God, and it’s good, then it is a gift. Because He said: He gives good gifts to His children.
And how grateful I am.
Ps. In less than 24 hours I will be on my way to Uganda, the last country of my Race. It doesn’t feel real that I will be back in the US in four short weeks. Thank you for all the prayers you’ve offered on my behalf; keep them coming. I want to do this last month well, with no regrets. Your support means the world.
