Month 2 has been slow. Last month was like driving in a fast car. The excitement was unbelievable, the travel was great, and all the places I visited were remarkable. But it is good to slow down sometimes; that is when you get to pay more attention to the surroundings.
God is more visible when I slow down.
That basically summarized this month in case you won’t continue to read.
Our squad traveled from Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda after a 10 hours bus ride. We stayed in a hostel for few days and seek direction from the Lord. Thanks to one of my teammates “Liz”, she connected us with our first host – The Carroll’s, a young married couple who were called and moved from America to Rwanda. Liz was happy as she got to see her friends and we are excited the contacts the Carroll had for us. “Oh Lord, you took us through an incredible journey last month. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in Rwanda!”
The Carroll’s
It was the Superbowl Sunday. I wore my Atlanta Falcons jersey which I saved for that day. I was even more pumped after finding out Chase (our host) is also a Falcon fan. We had a great lunch with the Carroll’s and they were so kindly to take all of our packs and drive us from Hostel to their home. Everything was just wonderful.
Then we got to the house and realized it just got robbed. All of their valuables were gone.
It happened while they picked us up, the only time of the week that the house was unattended as the guard was at church. It was really difficult for the Carroll’s. They spent all afternoon contacting their friends to get help. The police were at the scene investigating. We turned on our laptops and tried to locate their lost phones. No one was caught, nothing was found. Me and my team just sat at the backyard silently and felt guilty because they left the house to get us. We spent the next 3 days tried our best to be supportive for the Carroll’s and prayed with them. Here is the thing: even with everything they were going through, they still treated us the best they possibly could by inviting us back to their house before we leave Rwanda, drove/showed us around, cooked for us, and sat down for hours to make us a list of non-profit contacts and described each of them. I have learned a lot and have so much respect from the way they handle everything. Although bad things can happen to Jesus’ followers, but it didn’t stop them from loving like Jesus.
During the day of the incident, few of the Carolls’ friends came to help and we met one of them (Jill) who became our host for the next 2 weeks. I began to see what an actual community looks like. A group of Americans left the comfort and moved to a foreign land where they stick together, support one another, and serve God. The thief stole the valuables, but gave us an opportunity to build relationships with many amazing people through this community.
The Gilley’s
I always thought doing ministry in Africa would be like hanging out with the locals and traveling from place to place all the time. While that was also the case, we have met more Americans than we expected and stayed in the same town almost the whole time. The Gilley’s is one the families we met. They welcomed us to stay at their home with open arms. It was just like in the bible with the way that people invited guests to their houses and offer their best of everything. The cost of living in Rwanda is about same as living in America in some aspects, it gets expensive sometimes. Yet the Lord provided for us through the Gilley’s. While we signed up The World Race to bring blessings to others, we were blessed abundantly by them instead. We spent everyday to get to know them and hanged out with the three beautiful children. It was more than just a place where we rested. It was a place where we received love.
After all
Perhaps I could just summed it all up by saying “I spent my month with 2 great hosts and they took good care of us”, but I can’t ignore the fact that these are real Christ’s followers who came a long way to be where they are now. They go through ups and downs just like me and you; they adapted in a whole different culture to be a part of the community; they showed me what fully trusting God looks like.
On the last day in Rwanda someone asked me what is the most memorable moments during the month, I replied “the people”. Truth is I will probably say that for every country I visit because it really is about connecting with others. A pastor once said “the significance of Christianity is that Jesus didn’t offer us a religion but a relationship”. Before the race I imagine mission trip is all about experience the power of Jesus through miracles, now I understand “if I have faith that can move mountains and have no love, I am nothing”. (1 Corinthians 13:2) In the beginning of the month God gave me the words – “love one another” which I didn’t quite get it until this very moment as I typed. There are still many stories with people that I haven’t get to share. If all these words don’t mean much to you…I hope at least you will learn to receive God’s love and give it to the people around you.
