Just in case you didn’t know this about me; I’m white. Always have been. Pretty sure I always will be. No matter how tan I get, or what kind of hair I add to mine…I’m gonna be white. It’s not something I’ve really thought about much before.
As of late though, I am painfully aware of that fact. In Kinyarwanda, the word for white is Mzungu. Probably hear that at least 100 times a day. I get stared at often; usually because I am doing something spectacular, like walking on the sidewalk. I don’t understand because they are the ones balancing buckets of all kinds of things on their heads.
They are much more impressive. There was a day when our team was doing door to door evangelism. Ryan said that ‘this is what it must have been like to be Jesus.’ We had an entourage that we basically had to check at the door of each home
because they wouldn’t fit in the homes we were visiting.
The difference is: Jesus did plenty to deserve his followers. He was performing miracles. He was Jesus! We’re white…that’s all we got. Not to say we haven’t been teaching and praying for people, because we are. We are doing great things in Jesus name. However, I am fairly certain that isn’t why they are following us. For a bit, I was kind of annoyed about this.
Beyond the irritation that it was to me, I wanted people to see past the color of my skin, and see the image of Christ in me. That’s why I wanted people to take notice of me. I wanted to be a shining light for the kingdom. The more I thought about it, I realized…who cares why they are watching me? Us white people can pack a church a building just because people are curious about these mzungus. God is so much bigger than their intentions for coming in that church building. When they enter in, we get to share with them about Jesus and his love for them.
My prayers have turned into asking God for curiosity to get the best of people. I pray that curiosity can open the door to so much more. Who cares why they are looking? I want to see it as an open door. God is making it easy for me to talk to these people. They all want to know who I am and why I’m here. What an opportunity to share the gospel with them?! God can use the color of my skin to get their attention. Then they can see Him in me. I just finished reading ‘The Shack’ (thanks Dad and Clare).
P.S. I highly recommend that book! Papa tells Mack in the book, that he can use tragedy for good. He can use it to fulfill his purpose. In Romans, Paul says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” God uses any, and everything to bring about good. What an amazing thought?! I have a hard time really grasping that.
My mom likes to think this isn’t true…but God even uses my tattoos to further his Kingdom. I get questions about them a lot and it opens the door for me talk about God. God uses everything at his disposal to bring about his purpose. Why not let him use my white skin, in an African community? My job is to be open and available for him to use me. “Here I am. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
As of late though, I am painfully aware of that fact. In Kinyarwanda, the word for white is Mzungu. Probably hear that at least 100 times a day. I get stared at often; usually because I am doing something spectacular, like walking on the sidewalk. I don’t understand because they are the ones balancing buckets of all kinds of things on their heads.
They are much more impressive. There was a day when our team was doing door to door evangelism. Ryan said that ‘this is what it must have been like to be Jesus.’ We had an entourage that we basically had to check at the door of each home
because they wouldn’t fit in the homes we were visiting.
The difference is: Jesus did plenty to deserve his followers. He was performing miracles. He was Jesus! We’re white…that’s all we got. Not to say we haven’t been teaching and praying for people, because we are. We are doing great things in Jesus name. However, I am fairly certain that isn’t why they are following us. For a bit, I was kind of annoyed about this.
Beyond the irritation that it was to me, I wanted people to see past the color of my skin, and see the image of Christ in me. That’s why I wanted people to take notice of me. I wanted to be a shining light for the kingdom. The more I thought about it, I realized…who cares why they are watching me? Us white people can pack a church a building just because people are curious about these mzungus. God is so much bigger than their intentions for coming in that church building. When they enter in, we get to share with them about Jesus and his love for them.
My prayers have turned into asking God for curiosity to get the best of people. I pray that curiosity can open the door to so much more. Who cares why they are looking? I want to see it as an open door. God is making it easy for me to talk to these people. They all want to know who I am and why I’m here. What an opportunity to share the gospel with them?! God can use the color of my skin to get their attention. Then they can see Him in me. I just finished reading ‘The Shack’ (thanks Dad and Clare).
P.S. I highly recommend that book! Papa tells Mack in the book, that he can use tragedy for good. He can use it to fulfill his purpose. In Romans, Paul says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” God uses any, and everything to bring about good. What an amazing thought?! I have a hard time really grasping that.
My mom likes to think this isn’t true…but God even uses my tattoos to further his Kingdom. I get questions about them a lot and it opens the door for me talk about God. God uses everything at his disposal to bring about his purpose. Why not let him use my white skin, in an African community? My job is to be open and available for him to use me. “Here I am. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
