Back home, in America, the state of Michigan, I am a Young Life leader! Whoo-Hoo! Some of you may know what that is and some of you may be clueless. Four years ago I was clueless. One of my mom's friends introduced me to it and shared with me what it was all about. Shortcut version is it's a worldwide organization that gets to know high schoolers and love them right where they are at!
Once a week during the school year we gather at a students house and have a crazy, fun filled, controlled chaos hour of entertainment. We play many games, us leaders put on random skits that make you laugh, odd and embarrassing, usually nasty food related activities also take place. All these things are fun, lively, entertaining and humorous but the main reason why we meet is for the last ten minutes of the night.
These last ten minutes are important to me. Each week a leader will give a talk about Jesus and His character! As amazing and crazy as the night is, the end of our time is the reason why I love Young Life so much! Some kids zone out. Other kids listen intently. A few try and sneak out the door and venture home early. Some also listen but don't really care. If we can tell stories about Christ all year and we only plant one seed, its still worth it! Sharing the gospel with others is what we are called to do. In Matthew 28:19 it says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." So for me, I did it in my home town!
Although I despise public speaking and would much rather be given a different task, I still follow through. Usually with the help of my friend Kate, I am able to pull off a pretty good talk. Upon arriving in Rwanda we were told that we would be preaching to the whole country! Preaching, speaking and teaching is what we did. All day. Everyday. As much as I hate public speaking at home, God was going to make me love it this month! I came up with a few different sermons or teaching and was able to give them multiple times at a variety of churches we attended. One day, God had something else in store.
My team and I sat in our rows at Deliverance Temple, our home church. Brian had told pastor that he would be the only one speaking that day for we all were becoming drained and needed time to breathe and prepare more talks and teachings. Brian, my brother and teammate is so gifted with teaching. He always does such a fabulous job with making the word relatable. He makes it come to life and shares new insight that I never knew or noticed before! After he shared for forty-five minutes a topic on his heart, we assumed church would end. Nope. Nada. Zip. Zipo! The afternoon was just getting started! Our friend Tenjuan had other plans. "Motoni!" He cries out. I sat there shocked. He just said me, Motoni (my Rwandan name). I started to shake my head no. I didn't have anything prepared. I wasn't ready. Raincheck?!? Please!!! With a physical push from Leanne, I found myself walking to the pulpit with my Bible in hand. I stood there, smiling but still shocked. I opened my Bible and words started spewing out of my mouth. To be honest I have no idea what I said. I told a story, shared some scripture, ended with Amen and called it a day. My team high fived me and encouraged me as I took a seat. Phewf! I did it! I spoke without "being prepared."
The truth is I am prepared. I was prepared! The Lord has brought me this far on the race. He has taught so many incredible new things about my identity, Jesus' character, Paul, God's grace, mercy and compassion and so much more! He prepared me with His truths and I have hidden His word in my heart! The Holy Spirit lives in me! I need to have confidence! Confidence in myself and in what I know is true!
I know I wouldn't have had that ability to stand up there month 3, 4, 5. Now it's month 7. The Lord has me right where He wants me and I am so pleased! I am so blessed to be here and doing His will!
Loved Rwanda….. Watch out Kenya here comes team Change!
Hugs from the future,
Kale
