ALPHABET SOUP: KIGALI, RWANDA
A is for Abigail, my teammate that relentlessly and graciously teaches three young boys how to play card games, day in and day out
B is for bananas, given to us by Momma Africa mid-morning on Sabbath while I read the book of numbers
C is for CC (Catie Collins), my teammate who’s persistence and determination to work both mornings and afternoons cleaning and doing construction on the church is a motivation for us all
D is for dancing.. the Kigali way, in front of all of church.. every Sunday
E is for Educated.. the book I just finished reading by Dr. Tara Westover
F is for freedom, which has been a word brought to me by two people on my squad in a matter of days.. a word that the Lord told them to share with me. On two different occasions.
G is for gardening, which also means re planting grass that has been pulled up out of the ground in heaping piles, in order to replant it in an orderly fashion
H is for hope… something this country has built itself on over the last 20 years.. since the Rwandan Genocide.. hope for a peaceful today and tomorrow from hereon after.
I is for Inocent.. our Pastor who takes his tea promptly at 9AM every morning, who understands that Momma Africa is the boss. Who ensures we do not get blisters on our hands, and has the utmost regard for our health and safety. Who comes up with nicknames for us all, and is quite the jokester.
J is for joy.. the joy that illuminates from the smiling faces of all of the children here as they yell “muzungu” (white person) as we walk down the streets
K is for Kigali, a city of smiling faces, of many nations, of lights, of laughter, of love and service, of generosity, of humanity, of humility, of the Miracle House
L is for laughter, and the word “lovely” that my little Rwandan brother Prince uses to describe anything he finds..well.. “lovely”
M is for Morgan, my teammate who loves the same flavored Pringles as myself and shows us daily how to create Jesus like relationships with the women around us
N is for Nachivas.. or “it’s okay” in the native language as Maria taught me
O is for Oh so many chips! Or in the States.. potatoes! We eat “chips” at every meal, sometimes as fries, sometimes as slices, sometimes mashed.. All I know is, I may turn into a chip one day!
P is for Paige, my teammate who is a pint size peacemaker with the heart of the Lord and the grit of a princess warrior. She also loves unicorns and floral t shirts.
Q is for quiet.. which can be found inside of the church, for a few brief moments before there are smiling faces peeking above the window calling our names asking us to play.
R is for Rachel, my teammate from North Aurora! Who’s words create an environment of oppeness and honesty..who’s home is Africa, and who is always teaching us new facts about the continent we are on.
S is for Sarah Beth, my teammate who brought her joy and light from Texas, to South America, to Africa..without letting the flame burn out.
T is for team time, which has included Heads Up, listening prayers, words from God, Shanghai, and check ins
U is for underwear, that we wash ourselves and dry on a blue rope between two trees…or strategically placed on shrubbery in front of our home.
V is for Vanencia..or Momma Africa.. who is a powerhouse speaker with the lightest touch. Who sits with us on our beds late at night telling stories with the same passion and poise as when she sits behind her desk at church. Who mothered three boys and founded a school program at the church, which empowers mothers and children to receive education before entering primary school
W is for water… water in a blue jug for drinking and water in a yellow jug for showering the “African way”
X is for Xylophone.. because let’s face it.. not many words start with X
Y is for Yahweh.. who I have been learning about immensely as I spend my early mornings sitting at our kitchen table listening to Tim Mackie, my favorite Bible Nerd, investigate and research Jesus
Z is for Zion.. which I am reminded of in every country we go to..because we somehow seem to be constantly surrounded by mountains.. a reminder of what we are here to do.. build a bridge and bring everyone with us.. from here to Zion
