Rwanda was a really special month for me. Our ministry was incredible. We lived at our host, Pastor Moses’ house with his wife and 5 children, yes, FIVE kiddos! They were the absolute light to our lives last month. ‘P Moses’ (as we ended up calling him) was so hilarious! The sarcasm is thick and dry in Rwanda, so I fit in exceptionally well! Although our experience was so incredible with our host alone, the best part of the month was that my dad had the opportunity to fly out and spend the week with me!
I was a little apprehensive about his coming for a number of reasons. I wondered if he would be proud of me, if he would understand me now, if he would enjoy his time, but the biggest problem was, what in the heck is he going to do for ministry?? You see.. my dad doesn’t do anything “half-ass”. He’s a man’s man and literally lives his life on the edge in every aspect. He races dirt bikes, is a blue belt in jiu jitsu, is still taking courses in school because he loves to learn and literally.. never argue with him because, spoiler, he’s always right. Knowing all of this, I’m not sure why I was surprised that he shattered his clavicle riding his dirt bike a month before departure. This isn’t a little ‘oops’ put a brace on him and go.. no he shattered his bone.. in three spots.. and now has a metal rod instead of bone in there. His surgery was two weeks prior to his departure, and he didn’t even get cleared to fly until the day before. My mom sternly warned me that he wasn’t suppose to lift anything with that arm, “not even a coffee cup”.
At this point, I know that we are going to be building a road for ministry that week. Or teaching. So I’m thinking hmm.. either he’s going to shovel dirt all week (bad idea) or be a human jungle gym for 50 five year olds (bad idea).
See this is where I’m just going to stop, because God is SO GOOD! Maybe God didn’t break my dad’s clavicle (he’s dumb and did that all on his own haha) but he DID use the situation to make this trip so much more incredible!
God showed up so big that week for us. My dad not only got cleared to come, but he felt so good he barely even wore his sling! (Sorry mom, I’m not responsible and you know dad cannot be controlled.) Aside from that, God had a specific ministry for my dad. He was able to help and empower the local leaders with creative ways to engineer the water flow on the mountain to help the roads in the future! It was so cool to walk alongside him that week and see God move through his life. My dad is so talented and so smart (remember, don’t argue with him) and it’s no wonder that God is going to continue to use him to minister to so many people in the future.
So without further comment.. the man, the myth, the legend- Rick “Braaapp” Grinols, wrote a little something on his experience!
Wow, I just returned from Rwanda where I visited my crazy, wonderful daughter on her adventure with the World Race. I could write a page or two on the amazing work the Racer’s accomplish while traveling within World Race organization but this page is about my personal point of view while in Rwanda.
First off be aware that I was released to travel just days prior to my departure due to a recent surgery repairing a shattered clavicle. I was planning to go over and help build something or repair equipment, I didn’t know what but whatever it was I was up for the challenge. Now, with my arm in a sling, I figured I would be basically worthless for any real manly challenge. I am picturing singing in choir or correcting papers and nothing else comes to mind. Sling or no, I am going anyway, so off on a thirty plus hour trip across the world to Rwanda.
Rwanda is beautiful, the history is tragic and the people are resourceful and oh my God so JOYFUL! I have been around the world a couple times in my life. I have met many people in many cultures. I have never met people so happy, quick to smile, welcoming, -they are truly full of joy. These people have none of the material things we as Americans are indoctrinated into believing we have to have to feel joy. It was good for my soul to see these people filled with joy in the way God intended us to be filled.
African church, a whole new meaning to worship. This was too fun to be worship. Pastor Mosses was able to get a few words in there from time to time but mostly it was full body, full sweat, mosh pit time (without the slam dancing) to an African beat. I now know what it looks and feels like to be full of the Sprit, and amazingly didn’t damage my arm while trying to participate.
Our group did work at a local village. The village was located on the side of a steep hill and suffers with water run off causing erosion problems. The village had a plan to build a system of ditches to funnel the water run off to a safe place where it would not damage roads and buildings. Our group of volunteer helpers show up and start digging a ditch to the village leader’s direction. This is a pretty cool thing to see, as almost a hundred people show up and knock out some serious work in short order. I can observe this because I am doing nothing with my arm in a sling, well, I did stomp on a few dirt clods.
It is funny how our God works. I have spent years of my life on the working end of a shovel and would have been content to race everyone on who could dig the fastest or deepest or any other manly competition one could come up with using shovels. But I was damaged goods, I couldn’t even explain how to use a shovel to one of the racers who was busy wasting her back muscles with poor shovel technique. So defeated, a walked to the other side of the road and watched.
A village leader walked up and asked what I thought of their project. I told that it was nice and everyone looked to be busy and accomplishing something. Then he said “could we make it better”? This began a conversation that as we talked I began to realize he really did want to know how to make things better and was interested in what I had to say to improve their project. So for the next few hours and into the remainder of the week, we worked together using an interpreter and graph paper to build simple blueprints of ditch construction, basic physics concerning water flow and emergency preparations for possible erosion control. So in reflection God used me with my broken clavicle, in a very important way.
I have a hundred stories of the Rwandan people. Their spirt, hope and inclusiveness is contagious. On a simple walk you can have 10 conversations and all will invite you to their home and or share what little they have. It is seriously humbling and you can’t help but be self-reflective. As in all trips, I can’t stay and I can’t bring them with me but I so desire to return. To see the village and the children with their big smiles, listen to their hopes and dreams, work with people that have no other desire than to make their lives for themselves and their neighbors better. Because here, what I am really witnessing is God’s love at work and I can be part of it all!
Next time with a shovel….
Brraaap
This experience really grew our relationship so much closer.. which is crazy because I told everyone he’s my best friend. But aside from being close in the way we think and the activities we like to do, we are now spiritually connected. That’s so amazing!! We loved our experience in Rwanda so much, we even talked about making a yearly trip out of it to visit P Moses and his family and continue work on the road, churches and schools in the village. I just love how God can take such a small fear and say, watch what I can do, and then just blow all expectations out of the water.
It was an incredible week, one I will remember for my entire life. I’m so lucky to have a dad that leads me and loves me so unconditionally and is willing show me what it looks like to serve God well.
I love you daddy.. thanks for coming to Rwanda. I’ll see you in 3 1/2 months! And I promise to make you proud!!
(p.s. – exposed brick wall in the basement hehe love you!)
