This year Adventures in Missions (AIM) decided to try something new for The World Race. Every week that we are in the field (being a missionary that is) we get one adventure day and one off day. The adventure day is basically what it sounds like. AIM whats us to go and adventure to experience the world. They just see it as we are there might as well go and be apart of the culture. We have been able to do some great things and I am very thankful that we get one whole day to go and make adventures.
Then theres the off day!!! Off days are supposed to be there so that we find rest. Find rest in Jesus. To refocus from our life’s back to the reason why we are out here, Jesus. We have had some not so good off days and some very relaxing off days.
Some of the best off days are just hanging out at a cafe or coffee shop and just relaxing. Nothing is planned, nor will it be. Reading is something that I haven’t really liked in my life but I’m beginning to like it a little bit. Not enough to read Harry Potter yet (for those who want me to read them ;-D) , but enough that I have almost finished two whole books. Now this is a huge accomplishment for me. Some off you guys might know this about me and some might not. I never used to like reading, but of course if you are willing Jesus will change you. Though it seems small its huge.
Then there are the off days that are just not relaxing at all. We are either traveling and trying so hard to meet everyone else’s need that you forgot your. By the end off the day you didn’t even rest. If I’m being honest these days suck, and I know what your thinking life shouldn’t suck, but guess what sometimes it does but in those times you might be focused on the wrong thing. I know I personally have done this already on the race.
The day started off really awesome!!! I woke up early like I usually do. Spent some time with Jesus, and declared that the day was going to be a wonderful day. A group of us set off to find a tattoo shop. (No I did not get a tattoo, but it has not been ruled out of things I might do) A few others were wanting to get a tattoo, but the tattoo shop was not a good fit, so we set off to something new. It almost turned into an adventure day, but I was going to relax I kept telling myself.
We made it to the Kigali Tower, which is one of the tallest buildings in Kigali. By the way Kigali Is very beautiful. If you ever get a chance to go, go. The group hung out at the tower for a while. There were other teams there and we hung out with them. We talked for a while. Then me and Brooks decided to walk around the tower to some of the local shops around the area. There are shops to be anything here. Well almost anything. We walked for a good hour and decided to walk back to the rest of the group to go find something new to do.
Almost everywhere you go you need to walk through a metal detector. Then if you have a bag they need to search it for weapons. At least I think thats what they are looking for.
As we walked back into the tower I pulled everything out of the pockets that would set the alarm off and put it in the basket, then handed them my bag. I walked through and immediately I noticed that they were having trouble opening my bag because I locked with a carabiner. I then proceeded to go and help them with my bag. Now the only thing I had in my pockets was my phone. (I’m sure you can probably guess what happens next) The lady looked for a short time in my bag and handed it back to me. I then rushed to go catch up with Brooks. He was walking into a supermarket.
I checked my bag in at the front desk because they don’t let you bring bags into most places so they check your bag so you don’t steal anything. Not that I would but its best to follow the rules, especially in another county. I then noticed I forgot something at the metal detector. (Take a wild guess, go ……………………………………..) I left my phone. I ran back to talk to the lady that spoke no English but the few words, “Your phone.” I asked if she had it and her face went blank and she began to point. Her voice got worrisome. As I was helping the security guard with my bag, I totally forgot about my phone, and the nest guy behind me took it upon himself to pick up my phone. I thought to myself great now my phone is gone, and I will never get it back
The lady began to go and tell the other security guards what had happened. She described the guy and what he was wearing. Just watching the interaction between the security guards was very intense. Probably because I don’t know the language. We searched a good amount through most off the bottom three floors to find no one. This day turned from great to bad. So I thought.
Twenty minutes went by (It felt like an eternity) and I walked downstairs. As I stood on the bottom floor of the building I prayed, “Well God, use my phone for your glory.” That prayer was not from the best place in my heart, yet I still prayed it. Then I turned and one of the security guards was pulling on some guys shirt. He was pulling him towards me. They stopped and the guy spoke very little English and said he doesn’t have my phone. The security guard didn’t believe him, because the lady said that was him, the guy that took the phone.
They proceed to tell me I must come with them to the interrogation room. So, I went. Of course I wanted to see if the guy had my phone. We walked into the room. It was very open and had very big windows that people could look into. I stood there as they started yelling at the guy. Probably asking him if he had it. Then they pushed him down into one of the corners of the room and started kicking him. My signals went off “NO NO NO!!!!!” So I rushed in and got them to stop. This was very crazy to be apart of. I can’t even explain what it felt like, but just try to imagine it.
Then guy started to get up and said he wasn’t a thief but he had my phone. So he said look and pulled it out of his bag. The guards started yelling at him calling him a thief and pressing towards him again and I had to stop them again. This day couldn’t get any worse. Then I look out those big widows that were in the room, and there was everyone that was at the tower from my squad looking into the room. Intently I felt supper embarrassed. Great now everyone gets to see that I’m in the interrogation room with a whole lot of guards that don’t look happy.
The men in there barely spoke any English but I tried telling them that I didn’t care that he stole my phone that I got it back and I’m not mad I just want you to let the guy go. Well they didn’t understand that. So I looked back out the window and seen my squad leader Cabe out there looking at me. I kinda waved my hand to have him come over; told him what was going on and that I’m trying to get them to let him go. Cabe being the person that he is ran and found someone to translate for me.
The guy walked in. He was pretty young like in his early 20’s. I told him what was going on and that I just want him to let go, so we can move on and hopefully the guy doesn’t steal again. So he translates for me. The men talk to him for a minute. Then the young man tells me that he needs to stay in there. I said no I want him to go, so he talks to the guards again. This happened a couple of times till I find out that they will not be letting him go. I wanted the guy to go free. I forgave him and I want him to go. You could tell the guy was supper surprised and very sorrowful for what he had done. I mean it was just a phone and I could probably get a new one. I was very thankful that I got it back though.
Then we told the guards why we are here. We are missionaries he to share the love of Christ and Jesus would forgive him so we want to forgive him as well. Then the guards smiled; told our translator that they were only going to keep him for one hour to teach him a lesson and then they would let him go. Now I don’t know if they really meant it I sure hope so, but I learned a lot on this day.
The lesson that I learned was about the grace that God gave me. I think I needed to be reminded about that grace. No matter what I have done He forgave me. I still had to suffer the consequences of my actions but I was forgiven and when I gave my life to Christ I knew for sure that I didn’t want to live that life anymore. I got to experience true forgiveness from the Father a few years back and I hope and I pray that that guy got to see Christ and how He can forgive him for anything that he has ever done.
There were two criminals hanging on the cross with Jesus. One of them made of Him and said in Luke 23:39 “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!!” But the other one rebuked him saying,
“”Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deed; but this man has donenothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.””- Luke 23:40-42
Jesus forgave him because he called upon him. He was about to die, but he still chose to believe because he seen the grace that could be given to him. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
This day was not all that bad it turns out. When I prayed, “God use my phone for Your glory” He really did. I have been asking God to show me something big for a while, and yet it was right there in front of my eyes on this day. I have now idea who the guy was but I hope he can find his way to Jesus and proclaim his name before the Father so, one day he will be in Paradise.
