A big thank you to all whom have supported me financially and prayerfully. Your contributions are priceless. On this journey I’ve encountered Jesus in radical ways. I’ve learned so much more about who He is. My faith has been strengthened and my prayer life transformed. I’ve experienced divine appointments. I’ve had opportunities to meet and love people from the slums of Haiti to the genocide survivors and their children in Rwanda.
This month in Rwanda, because of YOU I’ve had the privilege to experience something new. Through the course of the last 10 months, I’ve met thousands of people who are less privileged and in need of help. My heart broke every month. This month the Lord not only broke my heart for a young man but immensely tugged at my heart to pay for his college education. With tears running down my face and a bit nervous about what I was about to commit to, I agreed to it.
Let’s back track for a moment, so you may understand why my heart beats for education around the world. Moving to the States from Kyrgzstan at the age of eight was one of the most amazing, memorable and biggest blessings for my family and I. In the States, I attended school for the first time. Not only did I receive free education but the school provided free meals. Many countries not only don’t provide free education but also school meals are non existent. This may sound like such a small thing but for families across the world who can’t afford to feed their children, a meal at school would be a miracle. Living in the States I was blessed with an opportunity to earn a college degree. A degree that broadened my horizons and opened doors of opportunity. We are all so incredibly blessed to live in a country full of resources and opportunities.
What I did know when I donated the money, was that God had placed this on my heart for a reason. What I didn’t know was how long and how hard his church was praying for God to provide him with the funds to receive a college education. I didn’t know that his parents had both died during the genocide and how hard he had had to scramble for work from a young age just to buy a piece of bread to feed himself. He dreamed of going to college but he didn’t believe it was something he would accomplish. He wanted to earn a degree in business and then use it to help people in his community be employed.
When I donated I wanted to stay anonymous but he figured out it was me. The night before he left for school he thanked me after dinner. I have never in my life seen someone be this genuinely thankful. If It weren’t for God tugging at my heart I wouldn’t have thought to commit to this.
I believe whole-heartily that this young man is going to transform his community one day. Thank you for your contributions that have allowed me to be here today in Rwanda. Thank you for being part of this story and part of a ripple effect that will transform generations to come.
