I can't believe we have left Nagatare already. I think I've felt this way at the end of every month so far, but it's true again. Where did the time go?
Once again a place that was completely new a couple of weeks ago now seems familiar and almost home-like.
I'm going to miss some of the people here so much. Especially Jessica, who was our main translator, and Irene, who helped cook our meals. But telling you their job discriptions doesn't tell you why I'll miss them so much.
Jessica is the first person on the race that we've worked this closely with who is my age. She is so full of life and loves to laugh loud and long. She's so easy to like and she became like a part of our team for this month. She is so beautiful and I enjoyed playing with her many braids. There are a million little thinsg I love about this girl so I was thrilled when we accidently ran into her again here in Kigali! It was a little easier to say goodbye since we'd already done it yesterday.
Irene is a beautiful girl who lives with our contact, Pastor Caleb and his family, and helps around the house. She is the only member of her family to survive the genocide. But you wouldn't know that just to look at her. She was really quiet when we first got there, but she warmed up to us and soon no one was safe from her tickling fingers. Irene didn't let her lack of English stiop her from teaching us several games and hand claps. We had so much fun and I feel like she became my friend despite the language barrier. I was so happy to see her gorgeous smiling face every time we came to Pastor Caleb's for a meal. And when we left she gave me a ring with a blue stone set in a cursive "I". I almost didn't take it because I know she has very few belongings, but to refuse her would be unthinkable. So I took it and I will remember her always.
(Irene with Pastor Caleb's son Joshua)
Now we are in Kigali staying with another team on our squad called Fire Desciples. Since my team is called BLAZE, it might get pretty hot!
We had an amazing time of music and fun last night all under one roof. It was like a sleepover with our friends.
I've been dealling with some culture shock since coming to Kigali. Everything is westernized, (including the food!) and there are mzungos everywhere! We have been able to see just about the whole squad and you can't know how refreshing it is to see a familiar face and be able to speak regualar, American English to them without having to talk slowly so they'll understand.
Please don't think that this means I haven't enjoyed our time here. Because I really have.
I've loved seeing the dedication of the people at Faith Centre Church as they meet for services every night of the week.
I've loved meeting the people in Nyagatare and seeing how God is working in their lives and how every genocide servivor I've met has given God the glory for the fact that they are alive today.
I've actually loved talking to people on the street about Jesus and answering the muslims' questions about who Jesus really was. They really want to know wether He was just a prophet like Mohamad or if Jesus was something more. It was so good to see that God doesn't wait for us to come to Him before He starts working in us. And I was reminded of how great God's love is for us as I told these taxi drivers and random people caught in the rain with me under a stoor front.
I have always known, or at least been told, how much God loves us. But to explain to people who actually don't know makes me have to think it through about why I believe. When I had to tell these men why it was so crazy for God to come to Earth as one of us and die for us, it made me realize how crazy it sounds.
What would make the creator of all, the master and God of the universe want to give up everything for a few of His particulary rebelious creations? It had to be love.
He didn't get anything from it exept us. He didn't need for us to be saved. But He wanted us to be saved so we could have a relationship with Him. It really is mind boggling!
So that's a little bit of what I've learned from God since I've been in Africa. It's nothing new really, rather, it's a new understanding for me of something I've always known.
I'm a little nervouse about the upcoming team changes since I have come to love each member of BLAZE so dearly. But I know God is faithful and He will work everything out for the good.
Support update.
PRAISE GOD!! I'm now past the deadline! I will deffinately be continuing on the Race for the next three months! If you would like to help me reach the final deadline please click on Support Me on the left. I only need $3,900 to be fully funded.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped me reach this point!
The next blog I write will probably be from Thailand. Bring it on Asia!
