When we entered Africa, my expectations for living arrangements were pretty low. I didn't know what it was going to look like, but I didn't expect much. This was supposed to be a year of abandonment after all. I was ready to live on way less, to go without, and to abandon the western way of living.
However, when we enetered the home we will be staying in for the month of Rwanda, my jaw dropped.
There was a couch!…The first couch I had seen on the race.
There was a table full of food, prepared especially for us!
We even had a matress to sleep on!
The family welcomed us in and let us take over their entire house. They confined themselves to one room while we got to use the other bedrooms for ourselves. They do everything from washing our clothes to preparing our meals. I felt so incredibly spoiled.
The other night at church, Pastor Moses started preaching about his last visit to America. He talked about how he always had food accessible and about the living conditions there. Then, he said something that broke my heart. He said, "I feel bad for you guys who are choosing to live in a place that's not big and where you have to wait on your food"…and other stuff I don't remember. The congregation proceeded to clap and thank us for our sacrifice.
I was a mess.
The Lord stirred up an unrest in my heart so big that tears were flowing from my eyes. I got up from my seat, walked to the front, took the microphone and started speaking. I don't remember all that I said, but it was something like this;
"In America, I have everything I could ever want. In our counrty, it's a lot about me, me, me. Well, when I accepted Christ, He changed something in me. My life wasn't about me anymore, it was about Him. We all chose to give up everything and follow Christ when we came on this trip. We wanted to go without. But the funny thing about the body of Christ is that when we got here we had a home, a bed, and a hot meal. We came to serve, but we have been served in the process. It has been such a blessing to have all that we do. It is such a blessing to have a loving family and church family take us in like you have……"
It breaks my heart that people see us "mzungus" and think that what they have to offer is not good enough. When, really, I feel like I am being too blessed by them. The people in Rwanda have such huge servant's hearts. They reflect such Christ-like love and compassion.
I am so incredibly humbled by how well they love us. It has impacted me more than words can express.
I am so thankful for my Rwandan family and that they have adopted me into their lives.
　
　
Now, for your entertainment, here are a list of quotes from the funniest man in Rwanda:
"I do not think you are American. I think you are Rwandans who were lost in America"
"I do not think you came from America. I think you came from heaven."
"Were the mosquitos feasting on you last night?"
*Little boy crying, while Pastor Paul carries him towards us* …."He fears mzungu"
"I will cut all of your hair off and give it to Mary…Actually, no…I will not do this anymore. I think that if I cut off all your hair, you will be ugly."
-Pastor Paul
