While in Kenya our month consisted of us ladies becoming painters. We painted two orphanages and a church. One of my teammates who is a very talented artist drew most of the pictures and was able to be used by God in this special way to bless the teachers, pastors, and children. The kids loved it!
Team Tambo art!
Whats interesting is how we painted. They asked us not to clean the walls and also told us we didn't need to use any primer. We literally painted over mud. And this was inside the orphanage. While painting I couldn't help but wonder as Christians what do we have in our lives that we are painting over? What things are we holding on to and covering up with something else before being completely clean?
Even more I was thinking about how temporary this paint would be. It wouldn't be much longer before the mud and dirt would show through and also get caked on there again, finding even harder to get rid of. So those things in our lives that we keep covering on the surface are getting dirtier and muddier. They are only being fixed by a band aid a cover up so you will look good or feel good for a little while to soon find out the mud is still there. It's time for us to give it to God. Give the dirt to God and allow Him to clean the mess in our lives!
One of my favorite things about Africa has been the trees. Africa has so many different types of trees! My favorite has been the trees here that look like pipe cleaners! Everytime I see one it makes me smile! While in Kenya I also saw my first banana tree. It made my day, maybe even my month 🙂
After traveling 20 hours through the most amazing scenery of Uganda and Rwanda, we have made it to Kigali, Rwanda. This has been the cleanest and well taken care of place we have visited. Sitting in the front seat of the van with our ministry host Etienne. I ask him what our ministry will look like this month. He looks at me and says you will preach…. Everyday. So, Going from painting everyday to preaching everyday and can I just tell you how pumped I am about this! Not that I didn't enjoy the painting but I'm so ready to be pushed more into the word. So far, I have preached in pretty much every country we've been to. But, this preaching is completely different. Ask me to preach one Sunday out of the month no problem. Everyday and sometimes twice a day for a month is a little more challenging.
Our first day here our contact wanted us to be informed on the background of Rwanda so we went to the Genocide memorial that was full of the history of the genocide, pictures and remains of those massacred, and interviews of those who made it out alive.
As I looked through the photos, the lines and lines of photos, it struck me how normal everyone looked. I would see the pictures of the women and my heart would break for the fact that I knew many of the women I was looking at had been raped multiple times and tortured. Many of the babies had been tortured and many of the kids were forced to kill their own family and them themselves were murdered.
Seeing all of this broke my heart for these people and its something that has stayed in my mind while doing ministry here. Visiting the genocide has fired us up and has put a passion in us for these people. Knowing that there are people listening to us who have in some way been affected by the tragedy that took place here 17 years ago.
It's the end of week one now of preaching and it has been amazing! One day last week I even got to share my testimony with a group of prostitutes and pray for a man who has been controlled by alcoholism.
The night before Christmas our host came to me and asked if I would preach on Christmas morning. I said yes of course, but then was sitting talking to my squad leader Jason who was also asked to preach that morning and we realized how much of an honor it is to speak truth and life into these people on this special day of Christ's birth. Later, as I sat by myself I thought about how never in my life would I ever imagine 1. that I would be a Christ follower and 2. that I would be preaching in Africa on this day.
If you would have told me three years ago that I would be a Christian and also tell me that I would someday preach on Christmas I would have laughed in your face! Seriously, I wanted nothing to do with that lifestyle. So now I get to where I want to be in this blog.
To encourage you.
To encourage those of you who have friends or family in your life who are not saved.
One thing God taught me last month and still is teaching me is patience.
I have read the “Love is” verse over and over and over since I have been a Christian.
It wasn't until we were in Kenya that I realized man! Love is PATIENT!
For so long I have been trying to fix people and I think that I can make them change.
I have had moments being team leader that I have spoke my teammates out of impatience and frustration and it completely backfired.
God brought me to my knees again and again to tell me “Kendall, my love. I am patient with you I have always been patient with you. What is love? "
Thats when the love verse hit me hard.
1 Corinthians 13:4 the very first thing love is. “Love is patient…”
I really don't think it just happens to be the first description of love for the heck of it.
God is trying to tell me and you something.
To be patient with those we love.
Whether its people under your leadership or your friends or family keep praying and fighting for them.
But know, God is listening and God is in control.
He knows exactly what is going on!
He has the power to change any heart!
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas
Happy New Year from me and the Rwanda sunset!
