This month in Rwanda has definitely been the most challenging month for me so far both spiritually & physically. I have not been feeling well for much of the month, but also the spiritual darkness has been weighing on me heavily. I felt as if we were fighting a spiritual battle from the moment we arrived at our ministry site, and then we faced a huge attack. Our teammate Jessica lost her mother on Christmas morning & returned home to be with family, and we are definitely missing her joyful presence on our team.
For ministry this month, we have been doing door-to-door evangelism in the mornings & preaching at the church services every evening. It has been difficult for me to continuously pour out encouragement & meaningful words because I have felt so spiritually dry this month. I have continued to read the Word & pray, but something has been missing—something has been off, and I have spent much of my time trying to find peace in an environment that does not feel peaceful to my spirit. On the surface, everything appears fine here, but there is much deep-seeded pain and evil in this country. The genocide that took place only 15 years ago has left many wounds that still need much healing.
During door-to-door ministry, we had the opportunity to bring multiple people to know and accept Jesus. Others told us they want to be saved, but they are not yet ready to give up their current lifestyles. For anyone who knows a little about African culture, you know that the pace of life is much different than in America. People here do not get in a hurry or worry about time. I love this aspect of their culture for many reasons; after all, life is short and should be savored. However, when it comes to a matter that affects your eternity, you might not want to put it off until it’s too late. I preached on this topic of urgency this past Sunday—our duty to share the gospel and secure our eternal resting place.
Another major difference in the African culture is that they are so welcoming & neighborly. The people here will welcome anyone into their homes, giving them as much time and attention as they need. We were never turned away from a single home or store that we approached; we were greeted with smiles and handshakes, we were trusted with the testimonies and personal stories of strangers. In America, we close our blinds and ignore the doorbell when we see the Jehovah’s Witnesses passing through the neighborhood. I encouraged the people of the church here to take advantage of this cultural perk—the willingness of people to listen and respect each other’s beliefs is a huge advantage for sharing the gospel with people. On the same note, I have encountered many people who seem to be easily convinced; this worries me for the fact that they could easily be led astray.
Rwandans are a passionate people who need something/ someone to be passionate about; after the pain & suffering they’ve endured, Rwandans need something to believe in & live for. Let’s pray that it will be Jesus. I watch the church members here pray & worship with the most intense passion I’ve ever witnessed. They jump & dance, they yell & wave their hands wildly. But I have to wonder if they have the same passion for Jesus outside of church that they have for him in church. How much of it is performance, and how much of it is a lifestyle? While church family & community are undeniably important, I challenged the people of the church to not get so consumed by saved people that they forget about the lost people. While they may attend church nightly, how often do they visit the depressed widow or alcoholic down the road to encourage and share truth with them? In a neighborhood where many people attend church daily and appear to be on fire for God, there are many lost souls & people who are starving for the word of God, starving for something to live for. Yet, it seems that people here are more concerned with fellowshipping only with believers, keeping their distance from those who may cause them to “backslide”.
Matthew 9:37-38 …”The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
The great commission tells us to go and make disciples of all nations- not only to tell people about Jesus but teach them & disciple them. If we are not equipped to do the discipling ourselves, it is still our duty to point them in the direction of a pastor or church that can. It is easy for me to follow this instruction from Jesus while in a foreign country where I don’t know anyone, but I worry about how well I will continue to do so when I’m back in my American lifestyle. It is a challenge for all of us to continue the great commission in our everyday lives—at work, at school, with our friends, etc. Yet, our pride gets in the way. We worry about what people will think of us, how they will receive our words, and whether or not we are crossing a boundary of personal choice & belief.
For all of my life I knew about Jesus. Actually, it was all I knew. I took my Christianity for granted…it’s never been something I’ve had to fight for. Until now, I’ve never fully understood the urgency needed to share the Truth with others.
John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
If we believe the Bible to be the Truth, then we must embrace each and every verse as truth. This verse tells us that Jesus is the only way. So, we shouldn’t sit by and watch as others choose paths & beliefs that will not ultimately lead to God and eternal life. In Rwanda, many people will try anything to get physical and spiritual healing—they often try out multiple religions & pray to multiple gods, while many others turn to witch doctors. All the while, they need only Jesus. It’s much the same in America—we look to the world for comfort, seeking fulfillment from worldly relationships, material things, or mind-altering substances when really Jesus is the only one who can satisfy.
my redeeming factor for the month… my best buddy "Baby"
we went out for a soda on my last day…
Updates:
1. We leave tomorrow night for Uganda where we will spend the next month (Month #7 already!)
2. I am fully funded, so thank you to those of you who have contributed to my support account! Further donations are not necessary & will be forwarded to the general fund at World Race. Some of you signed up for monthly donations & you will need to contact AIM to deactivate the automatic monthly donation
3. Thank you to those who helped support my teammate Emily~ she will be continuing on with us!
4. Please continue to pray for my teammate Jessica & her family after the recent loss of her mother.
