“Welcome home.” These were nearly the first words out of Pastor James' mouth. Now, only the second day here it already feels like home. I don't know how else to say it…I feel alive in a way I have never felt. Probably because I have been dreaming of coming to Africa for at least 23 years and now I am finally here. If I spent time thinking about it I could probably cry just from the goodness of God.
Yesterday I spent most of the morning and afternoon sitting atop our outer wall that surrounds the Pastor's home. Even though we have only been here a short time it is already my “usual” spot. I drank in the afternoon sun that was warm without being hot. My curly reddish brown hair, that I am finally learning to like, was drying in the cool breeze that flows through the hillsides that encompass us. The weather here is like early fall in Missouri. Crisp cool mornings, where a jacket and hot tea make it perfect, and warm breezy afternoons.
From my perch I can see the whole hillside and the road that leads to the church and the school. I enjoy waving at people as they walk down the road to their respective places. From time to time I draw a crowd, no doubt wondering what this crazy muzungu (white person) is doing sitting on a wall. Down the road a little ways is a large football (soccer) field where people gather in the early afternoon to play. Somewhere in the distance someone listens to a radio and I find that it perfectly accompanies the sounds of the wind rustling through the dried cornstalks on the opposite hill.
We have received a welcome in this country unlike anywhere we have been before. We are expected to make ourselves at home and everyone is ready to embrace us where ever we go. Pastor James often introduces us as his “beautiful daughters” and teases us by telling any young man we encounter that we are all single. In the culture here it is rude to not let someone serve you which even sometimes goes so far as to have someone feed you bites of food. This is usually a source of much laughter and is a great way to start the day.
Last night I spoke at the church about God's love as THE good father. (Not even 24 hours in the country and I was preaching.) Usually I get very nervous speaking in front of groups of people, as anyone who knows me even a little bit could tell you.) But it just seemed right, and it doesn't hurt that God is always worthy to be spoken of. I told them that to be in front of them was a dream I had as a child and that being here was an answer to many prayers. I am so overwhelmed with the blessings that we have already encountered, and the month has barely begun.
We have already been introduced to the kids we will be teaching English for the month. We have also been told we will be attending an Rwandan wedding, have someone teach us traditional dance, possibly baptize one of our team members, have someone come and teach us about the history of Rwanda, and organizing a soccer game with people from the church. Not to mention having a day of fasting in preparation for going up on a mountain to pray for Rwanda. We were also told that tonight is the night that we get our African names. The Pastor and his wife pray about it and choose names with meaning for us. I am very excited about this. I don't think I have stopped smiling since we got here and I can't see myself stopping anytime soon.
As I sit in my spot I feel as though God is sitting right beside me, smiling as he watches me bask in his love. Tears of joy sting my eyes as I see God in his role as a father. I imagine my own Dad's delight when he gives me a gift that he knows I will like and gets to see my reaction. How much more is the joy of God in seeing this gift that he has prepared me for since the beginning of time. All at once I am awed, humbled, and overjoyed. Many things could be said as we sit atop this wall and watch the beauty he crafted here, but no words are necessary. If anything I may repeat aloud Psalm 84:1 “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty.”
In a loud and confident voice I can declare God as the ultimate Dream Giver and can't wait to see what the rest of month holds.
