IMPACT!
This is a word that we tend to underestimate. It was spoken about often during our debrief at the beginning of the month. I have written of the attention that gets drawn to us everywhere we go. We were encouraged to be thankful for the opportunity to influence others and use that influence for a positive impact.
(Sharing the Gospel with some children at a school in Uganda)
I tend to not recognize how great that impact can be. The other day I was reminded of what I am representing. I am often seen as a rich, young, white American woman. And the other day I was broken and shocked by what can come to peoples mind when they see a representation of that image.
(This child passed out during kids church)
When we first arrived in Rwanda. We got to go to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. We took a sweet bus there that had American music videos playing. I was so shocked and sad to see these popular videos. The words, the actions and the meanings were so hopeless and shallow.
I am aware that our ‘trashy’ film and video have been this way for a long while, but it impacted me in a new way. I have lived abroad now for over eight months and do not see such images or hear such language often. It was truly so sad. We do have such an influence as Americans because we impact the entire world. In these videos we were representing trash, hopelessness and desperation.
That broke my heart. It broke my heart for what it represents and that it is setting an example to the rest of the world. And for whatever reason, everywhere we go, I find people who do respect Americans greatly.
I wanted to write this, to share of what I am experiencing and to remind you that people are hurting right next door to you and your impact is great. Our country is desperate and hopeless. People are selling their bodies hoping to find something to satisfy. But it will not be found in relationships, in material possessions, in partying, in achievement… I know this is stated often, but I want to remind you and encourage you to share that Jesus is who satisfies every desire. And it is a privilege to live a live that is satisfied and we ought not keep it to ourselves!
Psalm 107:9 “For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.”
