I found a bug. I don't know what kind of bug it was exactly but I didn't like it. The creature had way too my legs for my liking and it had made it's bed on my favorite shirt. How in the world did it get in my packing cube?? As I took the shirt to the window to flick the little monster out to the grass I got increasingly grossed out.
"That's it, I'm sweeping under all my stuff. That's three bugs so far."
I stamped off into the kitchen (which was really the back porch with a tarp around it) and asked Jackie and Mary where the broom was. There were some exchanged words in a mysterious language and Mary was walking with me to my room with broom in hand. As we reached the spot where I had already cleared my things to my bed to clean the invested area I gave my thanks and held out my hand for my weapon of choice against the critters.
"No, no."
"Mary, it's okay. I just want to sweep this spot. It's fine, I can do it."
"No. Clean with water."
She quickly left the room with my one sign of defense in her hands. Minutes passed and she returned with a large bowl of water and a towel. She then proceeded to "mop" the whole room, moving my teammates things as well to reach every nook and cranny. Despite my attempts to help I was ushered away, Mary wearing a bright smile.
Let me tell you a little something about Mary and Jackie. They are not our mothers. They are not our keepers. They did not know us from any other white person that might walk through Rwanda when we arrived here. But they clean for us, they cook every meal for us, bring us tea 86 times a day, do our laundry, and love us. They do everything for us.
All I asked for was a broom. I asked to sweep one spot in my room. I ended up having a clean bedroom floor and a clean bathroom floor, without lifting a finger. You know what is even more amazing about this? This just comes naturally for them. They crave to serve us, it makes them happy. So why do I complain over simple mundane tasks at home like having to fold the clean laundry out of the dryer? Jackie hand washes seven people's dirty clothes, moving them in and out of the house as the rain comes and goes. And she still has two kids at home she cares for!
I want to live like that. I want to serve with a smile on my face, and always do more than I am asked. I never want to just do enough to get by, just enough to satisfy. And it shouldn't stop with my team or my contacts, and certainly not the people I come in contact with. I want that passion to serve the Lord. I want that desire to strive to be the best servant I can to my Father. No matter what is asked of me I will walk in it, a smile spread wide across my face. And when the task is completed, I will not stop. I will push through to do even more.
I am still in need of $2,513.67 to reach my final deadline on the 31st! Please pray about donating. If you feel lead just click the Support Me link under my picture!!!
