Month #6 – June, we were off to Africa! As soon as we landed at the airport, I told the people near me how I could feel the difference in the air. I was so excited for what the next few months would bring on this new continent! We were pleasantly surprised with the beauty of Rwanda and how it is filled with hope and unity despite the tragic events of the genocide just over 20 years ago. Here, my team worked with the ministry HOPE Rwanda in Kigali, where we primarily spent time building relationships with the women who lived and attended the sewing/business trade program there. We got to serve these beautiful women by remodeling their rooms, sharing in movie nights, joining them in morning devotions and worship, doing a Beauty for Ashes event, and more. We also got to meet the men who are learning trades of their own through the ministry, have a birthday celebration, and have a talent show event with them! One of the days, I also got to visit a school where one of our guys’ teams was working, and get tackled by the kiddos! They loved my long, blonde hair! Our team also got to experience running in the Peace Marathon event together (only the 10k for me) and had fun doing so! Rwanda and all the people we met were so beautiful, their hearts so kind, and I miss them very much!
One thing that…
- Made me feel alive: dancing and praising the Lord every morning during devotions with the women at HOPE Rwanda! They are fantastic dancers!
- Was difficult this month: saying goodbye to the women with whom we spent so much time! It’s of course difficult every month to say goodbye, but we probably spent more time building relationship with these young women than with anyone in months prior. There were many tears, many hugs, but also so much love!
- Broke my heart: going to the Rwandan Genocide Museum and reading all the tragic stories. Also hearing firsthand from the men and women we met of the brokenness they walked through in their own lives.
- Has been revealed about my calling: God wants me to use my love for people to take the time to listen to their brokenness and be a comfort therein. I wish to grow in this area, to be more like my Father who always listens no matter what we have to say, and who always brings us the comfort we need even if we don’t realize we need it.
- I am thankful for: the peaceful house at Hope that we were blessed to live in for the month. It had plumbing, western toilets, hot showers, and in walking distance to markets, coffee shops, and fast wifi (which is rare on the race). We needed that time of rejuvenation!
To all those we had the pleasure of meeting in Rwanda, thank you! You are beautiful! You are loved! You are children of the Most High! You are blessed! And we have been so blessed by you, hearing your stories, worshiping with you, being embraced by your kindness and warm smiles, and ministering together to further the Kingdom here on earth! I pray the Lord blesses and multiplies your household, that He opens the doors only He can open, and gives you the strength, wisdom and patience it takes to lay everything down at His feet and let Him work things out for you! I pray continued healing of wounds from the past and a unity through Christ for the entire country of Rwanda. We love and miss you all!
“Mbasigiye amahoro, amphora yanjye ndayabahaye. Icyakora simbaha nk’uko ab’isi batanga. Imitima yanyu ntihagarare kandi ntitinye.”
~ Yohani 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
~ John 14:27
