*Disclosure: Apparently 21 is the prime marrying age in Rwanda, and the men here are not shy hahahaha
Random Rwandan man on the street-
“Hello, I want to know you!”
Construction worker at our ministry site-
“MC, I want to be your man.” Following his marriage proposal, the worker causally went back to mixing cement.
Moses- Our 24 year old Interpreter
“I think I am going to miss you if I do not see you all day today, Amaris. I might die. I will also miss Diana because she is too holy.”
Other notable mentions:
*During his interpretation in church service* “When do you think you would like to get married? Are you single? Would you marry a black man?”
“Diana, thank you for the verses you gave me. They really hit home. I have been memorizing them when I wake up in the morning.”
Maria- The amazing woman who cooks all our meals, does all our dishes, and cleans our laundry. She is really loud hahaha
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!”
Lam- The amazing man who helps Maria take care of us
“God bless you!”
Mom Africa- Our Rwandan host who is also a pastor. She is probably the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Her house feels like home, and she watches over us like she is our mother. She is intimate with the spirit, and is an inspirational preacher and woman of God. In these five days, she has already had such a huge influence on my life.
“You women are angels, great pastors, great apostles, and great prophets. We are honored to bless you angels.”
Other notable mentions:
While preaching, Mom Africa happened to mention that most of my team was single, and that if any of the men were interested, they would have to talk to her first because she is our mom here…. all the single men stared at us for the rest of service, hahahahaha! The interpreter next to us translated Mom Africa’s proposition by saying, “You are all going to have Rwandan husbands soon.” I shrank in my seat. Oh heaven help us all.
Dad Africa- Our Rwandan host who is married to Mom Africa and is a pastor of a different church than her. He is a quiet, sweet man, who does all he can to serve us, even if it means driving us all over the city for wifi, or buying us chocolate just because we were talking to each other about how much we love it.
“No, no, you must not call me Pastor Innocent, because I am your Dad, so you must call me Dad Africa.”
Other notable mentions:
“Morgan, are you fine? Amaris, are you fine? Kayla, are you fine? MC, are you fine? Bekah, are you fine? Team leader, are you fine? Good, we are all fine, because this is your home and you are free here.”
Joshua- He’s the oldest son of our hosts, and he is as close to a younger brother as I’ll ever get. I absolutely adore him. Every morning before school he gives me a hug, and hugs me right when he gets back. We argue over the rules of card games, and play soccer in the house. He talks my ear off late at night, and I have to shoo him away so that I can go to bed. He is hoping to be the president of Rwanda when he grows up. I love, love, love my Rwandan brother.
“My favorite character in the bible is Joshua, and your favorite character in the bible is Moses. *Beams* So, you start the journey, and I am going to finish it!”
Mucho- At eleven years old, he’s the second son, also on the same level as a little brother. He is going to be a pastor. He’s watched both his parents preach, and he copies them.
*In this particular moment, we had called the boys to chase out a cockroach from our bedroom. As Mucho chased the cockroach down the hall and shooed it outside* “Get out devil! Get out devil! Fire! Fire! Fire! Get out devil!”
Other notable mentions:
*I asked him to prophesy about my future husband
“Spirit, Spirit, Spirit, okay, I’m getting something. He’s tall, his name’s Elijah, he’s blonde with darker skin, and his teeth are as straight… hold on, *closes eyes* I’m calculating… his teeth are 1.5 straight. After you meet him and get married to him, you’ll have to bring him to me so that I can prophesy over him too!”
Bonus quote:
My teammate Kayla is a champion. She does not like children, and we have had kids ministry basically all race. After church one day, following children grabbing her hands and trying to sit on her lap during the 7 hour service she approached me and confessed.
“Holding children to me is like snuggling a salamander all day… No, maybe that’s not right… they’re not snakes… I don’t know. I’m trying to find a good reptilian analogy for how I feel about children!”
I asked the Lord for a word about what this month will be about, and I heard “Rejuvenate, Revive, Re-instate.” Rwanda has already been a safe haven of rest for me, and I am so grateful that I have another few weeks here to soak it all in.
All glory to God, who gives good gifts, and meets us right where we are. Praise be to Him for the incredible people I get to love on, serve with, and learn from each and every day. Thank you for your prayers and your support! The Lord is in the process of answering each and every one.
