I’m Emily Werness and there have been moments on the Race that have made me want to roll over and take a nap, some that have made me long for my community at home, some that have made me ache with laughter, and some that have filled my spirit with something I can only describe as getting a glimpse of the great Romance – feeling alive and full, like I could reach out and touch Heaven itself.
At least two of these moments have happened here in Rwanda. When I first heard our main ministry would be door-to-door evangelism again, my heart sank a little. It was a struggle for me last month, just walking up to people, “Hello, do you know Jesus? Here’s how to get saved. Okay, bye!” We tried to slow it down and make it more conversational and relate to people, but it felt so meaningless at times…all I could do was give every conversation to God and trust that no matter what was said, even if it didn’t go well, that God will do his thing. It’s not up to me. It’s up to God, the great Pursuer. So, that is why I was not too terribly excited our first day, walking out the door and down the red dirt road. But, God knew who was waiting for me here in Rwanda.
Her name was Asian. His name was Alvin. His name was David.
God redeemed door-to-door ministry for me this month through them. It took a turn for the relational side which is what gets me going! We were able to sit down in their homes with them for 45 minutes to an hour and just get to know their stories – a devoted Christ following woman who struggles with health in her old age; a new Christian who desperately wants to learn more about the Word and wants to see his Catholic family come to know Christ; a Seventh Day Adventist questioning the whole purpose behind a life with Christ in the midst of his struggles. We were able to share a little about why we are in Rwanda, share encouragement from Scripture and read the Bible together, ask them about their lives, and pray with them. My heart felt like it was on fire and I thought I might explode with joy. Words and truth from the Scripture kept pouring out of my mouth. I have no doubt it was the power of the Holy Spirit in me. In those moments I felt so alive and full – sharing the love of Christ is what gets me going and being used by Him to reflect His glory! It says in 1 John 4:12, “No one has seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” (NLT) I know that’s what happened on that Tuesday. Getting a little glimpse of Heaven and the Kingdom here on earth…it literally makes my heart beat faster and gives me so much energy that I feel I could take on a marathon! God is revealing more of himself to me each day of this race and all I want is more.
And man, is he a God of more – he did it again in a much quieter moment. My team was piled in the bed of an old beat-up hunter green Toyota pick-up that spurts black smog from the exhaust pipe. We were on the road home from a day spent with one of the leaders at church and his family. Night had fallen, with the stars starting to peek out as we chugged up the bumpy dirt road praying no one would fall out. I sat there, with the chill of the wind on my face, the roar of the truck’s “I think I can,” and the murmur of conversation filling the air. I fixed my gaze on the horizon – a beautiful hilltop dotted with thousands of city lights, casting a soft hazy glow across the whole countryside. It is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. It hit me in that moment that each light represents a person, or a family. Kigali is literally a city on a hill – it cannot be hidden! The people cannot be hidden – they are here, ready to be loved! And in the same way, with Christ in each of us, we radiate his light – it cannot be snuffed out! Again, I felt something akin to a physical warmth spread through my entire body despite chill in the air. I couldn’t help but smile into the darkness. Once again, a quiet truth from my great Father, my loving Pursuer, whispered life into my soul. In that moment, I was reminded how simple life is – wake up and receive each day as the gift it is! Drink in the beauty that is all around and love with the gentle force of Christ.
I’m Emily Werness and what can I say? I’m being wooed hard by my Jesus.
