Greetings from Kigali, Rwanda! We got here safe about a week ago. We first were in Uganda for two days. Originally we were to be doing our month there, but with the upcoming elections in February AIM thought it would be better to not be in the country for political unrest reasons. So we are officially the first WR Squad to be in Rwanda!
We are staying in a “house,” Heids and I share a bed under a beautiful electric blue mosquito net. We get about a gallon of water in a bucket to shower with whenever they ask us to. We use the bathroom on a squattie pottie and wash our hands with germ X. However we have been ABUNDENTLY blessed, and they treat us like royalty. I mean we are all in pain every time it’s a meal from how much they serve us, and I would be lying if I said I did not love the meals.
We arrived to our location Tuesday night and I have felt at home ever since. Things are SO different than anything I have ever known but I couldn’t ask for anything better. I find myself constantly smiling and thanking God that He finally bright me here, how blessed am I? Our contact is Pastor Emmanuel, or Emma as we call him. Our translator is James, Emma’s 19 year old brother (who feels like another member of our team). Right away he fit into all of our quirks, jokes and thanksgiving of Jesus. The first morning we went to Emma’s church and it was everything I hoped for. People jumping around praising the Lord, even down to the sweet little babies with their eyes closed and hands held high. At one point during worship some little boy just came up to me lifted his head looked me in the eyes and hugged me. God spoke to me so loud and clear
“No Ashley, this is Africa.”
Greetings from Kigali, Rwanda! We got here safe about a week
ago. We first were in Uganda for two days. Originally we were to be doing our
month there, but with the upcoming elections in February AIM thought it would
be better to not be in the country for political unrest reasons. So we are
officially the first WR Squad to be in Rwanda!
We are staying in a “house,” Heids and I share a bed under a
beautiful electric blue mosquito net. We get about a gallon of water in a
bucket to shower with whenever they ask us to. We use the bathroom on a
squattie pottie and wash our hands with germ X. However we have been ABUNDENTLY
blessed, and they treat us like royalty. I mean we are all in pain every time
it’s a meal from how much they serve us, and I would be lying if I said I did
not love the meals.
We arrived to our location Tuesday night and I have felt at
home ever since. Things are SO different than anything I have ever known but I
couldn’t ask for anything better. I find myself constantly smiling and thanking
God that He finally bright me here, how blessed am I? Our contact is Pastor
Emmanuel, or Emma as we call him. Our translator is James, Emma’s 19 year old
brother (who feels like another member of our team). Right away he fit into all
of our quirks, jokes and thanksgiving of Jesus. The first morning we went to
Emma’s church and it was everything I hoped for. People jumping around praising
the Lord, even down to the sweet little babies with their eyes closed and hands
held high. At one point during worship some little boy just came up to me
lifted his head looked me in the eyes and hugged me. God spoke to me so loud
and clear
“No Ashley, this is Africa.”
Our days are long and filled with a whole lot of sitting
around, but all in God perfect plan for us individually and our team. Some kids
stopped at the gate to stare at us, and now there are a dozen or so who I get
to hang out with, play ball, laugh, hold hands, or color with at any point in
the day. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Our “official” ministry
here is preaching at Pastors church, door to door, evangelism, and a conference
that is coming up next week. However all the “unofficial” ministry I feel will far
pass our expectations.
I will do my best at keeping in touch these next three
months, we do have some internet however I have been feeling ok with letting a
lot of communication go. No news is good news, and have grace with me if I
neglect to answer emails or facebook. (Pics will all come when I get to debrief
so take the collages when they come…much more to come!) I am praying for you
all, thank you so much for all your support to help get me here, an answered
prayer I have had with the Lord for years now!
Xoxo
