We’ve only been in Rwanda for one week and so far, this place has completely exceeded my expectations and is quickly becoming one of my very favorite countries I’ve ever been to!
We are living another month without any WiFi and it is such a blessing to be without this distraction because the scenery around us catches my breath each time I step outside and regardless of some interesting critters that are living in our house with us, I continue to thank the Lord for placing us in such a beautiful place.
Each day after breakfast, we walk the narrow footpath behind our house through banana trees and goats grazing in the open fields to Heritage Kindergarten School. We spend the morning helping the kids learn English, teaching them songs, and playing sports and games with them outside.
Their little faces always light up when they see us and many of them follow us back home when the day is over, wanting to hold our hands and giggle as the rest of the onlookers in the village yell “Mzungu, mzungu!” (Their term for ‘white people’) as they see us passing by.
We usually can’t walk anywhere without groups of kids and young adults running to hold our hands and walk with us as we collect a gathering of people the farther we go.
Most of the children and some adults have never seen a white person before so their reactions vary- most will excitedly run to us in amazement as they touch our skin to see if it’s real and they want to spend their entire day with us. Other reactions are gaping mouths and curious stares, a little unsure and a little afraid as we walk by smiling and waving to them.
Our host, Pastor Moses, and his wife Mary have gone the extra length to make sure our stay with his family is enjoyable and comfortable. He is the father of 5 small children who we have loved spending time with and getting to know.
Our first day upon arriving in his home outside the city of Kigali, we barely got our packs off of our backs before he told us to go outside and line up youngest to oldest. He then told us that to be welcomed into their culture, we must walk in this order around the entire perimeter of his house, hands clasped and silent. Not wanting to disrespect the culture or his household, we immediately obeyed and as we rounded the last corner of his house he burst out laughing and told us that was all a joke…little does he know he’s got quite a few of us ‘prank-experts’ on the team and we’ll be getting him back for that one!
The churches here are loud, long, and energetic and they bring down the house with praises! During the church service we attended, we ran up to the front of the sanctuary and danced like crazy during their lively worship songs- we are now officially Rwandans!
This weekend we attended a traditional Rwandan wedding (that lasts for about 12 hours) and Moses told us that we were required to wear the traditional Rwandan dresses that the women wear to weddings here.
So the day before the wedding, he piled all 5 of us girls into his small car and drove us into the city to buy our dresses. We were handed a large piece of rectangular fabric and when he saw our very confused faces, he proceeded to show us how to wear the garment by wrapping the shimmery fabric around his own waist. He looked like the prettiest pastor I’ve ever seen!
Pastor Moses is a big jokester with such a loving and tender heart. He has quickly become what I like to refer to as my ‘Rwandan dad’.
He has a way of challenging us to be pushed out of our comfort zones but doesn’t do it in a harsh or arrogant way. His intentions are always out of love and through his desire to see us grow more.
He is one of those on the spot, “here is a group of people- share the word of God with them right now” kinds of pastors. I love this because instead of showing up prepared with a speech or typed up sermon that I’ve put time and effort into, it allows me to empty myself of “me” and not knowing at all what I am about to share with people but gives space for the Holy Spirit to completely fill me and use me so that all the credit goes completely to the Lord.
I know the Lord is going to continue to use us and do an awesome thing here in Rwanda and I cannot tell you how honored and excited I am to be a part of His work! I am already in love with this place and the gorgeous people here that I have a burning in my heart for all of their brokenness to be healed by the love of Jesus and I am very, very confident that it will.
And now, please enjoy a photo of one of my favorite fruits: passion fruit…
