Hello from Rwanda! My new home is on the top of a hill overlooking this gorgeous country!
My team and I get to enjoy the view a lot, mostly because we walk almost everywhere. Which actually isn’t a new thing on the race. It’s really common and I’m okay with it. (Considering the amount of bread I’m eating).
Anyways, we walk past a lot of things… fields, churches, homes, the little store at the end of the street and people.
People we’ve never met. They’re strangers to us. Strangers on the streets.
Usually at home, I don’t talk to strangers. Well, Here. Here, it’s different. I love it. Everybody, smiles and waves hello.
The children run up to us with so much joy. Greeting us with big smiles and laughs that are so contagious, we can’t resist smiling back and giving them a big hug.
I know what they want. They want to be looked at like Jesus looks at us.
They want to know they’re beautiful. They want me to take a moment to learn their name. Ask them how they’re doing. They simply just want to be in my presence.
The little girls love to get spun around in a circle. As if I’m dancing with them.
The little boys will play soccer with us and drink all of our water.
They’ll all hold our hands and gladly walk us back home and then stay. (If I had it my way, they are welcome to stay forever). I never walk home alone. I’m sure I’ll have a new child holding my hand every time.
My point is, these dirt streets are lined with beautiful faces.That are waiting to be known & waiting to know the love Jesus offers.
There are so many other ‘strangers on the streets’ waiting to be known. They’re not all in Rwanda. I’m sure there is somebody at your school, job, church, favorite coffee shop or even in the grocery store. They’re just waiting to be known and loved.
The best part is that in God’s kingdom the strangers on the streets are no longer strangers. They’re known because, they’re his.
I’m so excited to be here, with this community! These strangers are becoming known. Praise God!
Can you do something for me?
Take a moment and love somebody today. It doesn’t matter what street you’re walking on, or where you’re heading. There is always somebody waiting, for somebody to take a moment and love them.
