//People of Peace//
“And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let you peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”
Acts 10:11-14
//Divine//
A beautiful young woman who managed the front desk at the Discover Hostel in Kigali Rwanda. Our resting place for a few days before being sent out was a place of peace because of the Lords covering and the gift of Divine. Speaking with her about Christ, Kigali and Rwandan history not only gave me insight but encouraged my spirit.
//Chase & Rachel Carrol//
This young couple from Alabama showed us (6Pac) generosity, hospitality and grace beyond what we deserved. They quickly became family as we walked through tragedy and adjusted to Rwandan society. When they came to pick us up, they were robbed. A significant amount of money and technology was stolen. They could have displayed anger or said we had to leave. We were predominantly strangers and needed a lot from them. However, they turned to the Lord. Rachel said, ” we will not live in fear. The Lord is enough for us and if you feel safe we want you to stay with us.” In the midst of taking care of all the things pertaining to the robbery they fed us, gave us a place to stay, showed us around town, taught us about pricing and transportation and connected us with locals in the community. They gave us all they had with no reservation. Through the Lord’s redeeming grace we were able to spend our first and last week in Rwanda with them.
//Shawn & Jill Giley//
During the moments of chaos preceding the robbery we saw the Carrol’s community of believers rally around them; Jill Giley was there. We met Jill in passing at the Carrol’s home and she gave us her number, ” in case you need anything even a place to stay for a few nights let me know.” Little did all of know the Lord would provide an oasis of peace at the Giley’s home for our team. We stayed with them for two weeks.
They allowed us to take over part of their home and back yard with tents, mounds of produce and packs the sizes of small children. We worshiped, ate meals, prayed, watched movies and shared testimonies together. The Giley’s poured wisdom and the light of Christ into our team. As we were learning to be a family they modeled family life connected to Christ for us everyday. How to forgive, make decisions, the importance of studying God’s word individually and together and having fun were things we watched and have attempted integrate into our 6pac family.
//Best Family Rwanda//
Through the Carrol’s community contacts and a lot of prayer we got connected to Jean Claude and Best Family Rwanda. They are a sponsorship program started by Rwandan Genocide survivors that have partnered with USA churches and private donors. They were so kind and thoughtful. Sharing their stories, taking us out to lunch, allowing us to serve with them, driving us around and worshiping together we’re some of the highlights. I loved working with the children on Saturday mornings, visiting the mom’s at the sewing group and hearing about their intervention programs. And we got to work in one of the villages during the end of the month community work day hoeing a road and sharing our joy with others. I saw the power of forgiveness and redemption working alongside these brothers and sisters. You can learn more about Best Family Rwanda at www.bestfamilyrwanda.org
//Abraham//
We first met Abraham when Rachel Carrol took us shopping in Kigali because he owns a beautiful shop. Abraham is an inspiring creator. He buys hand crafted works of art ranging from paintings, bags, key chains, rings and greeting cards. He supports local artisans that have quality work and love Jesus. He creates beautiful pieces of jewelry made out of recycled materials including but not limited to melted down locks, glass bottles and pottery. I am so thankful for the friend and prayer warrior I found in Abraham and his shop was right across the street from the Giley’s. He spoke so much truth into my life about racial inequality, social entrepreneurship and restoration through Christ.
//Brandon & Hope on a Thousand Hills’ Team//
Going with the Giley’s to Kibagabaga Anglican Church the first Sunday we were in Kigali we met Brandon Walsh. He is the priest at this perish and in leadership at Hope on a Thousand Hills. The Carrol’s had given us this contact to reach out and we were so thankful for the way the Lord was providing avenues of connection for our team. 6Pac has many different gifts and skill sets represented and some are still yet to be discovered. Through Brandon’s kindness and openness we were able to partner with HTH to redesign and update their webpage and do odd jobs throughout their different programs. I did all the writing on their webpage but my creative team made the project come together. My favorite program is their agriculture program and I especially loved getting to know Matthew and his family. Check out Hope on a Thousand Hills webpage and programs at www.hopeonathousandhills.org
//Eugene//
He is a social entrepreneur that owns a fair trade coffee shop connected to a women’s empowerment co-op that sells handcrafted pottery. This shop sat a few blocks from the Giley’s home and was a frequented spot for rest and sharing the gospel. Eugene shared with us the challenges of his life and through prayer and meeting together a beautiful friendship was born. His vulnerability and kindness taught me how important it is to live life in the freedom of Christ.
//Poppi//
Our time would have looked radically different in Rwanda with out this joyful soul. He was our taxi driver. Poppi reminded me that life is ministry and ministry is life. He organized outings for our team almost daily and through broken English and twenty min car rides he encouraged my heart and testified to the work of the Lord in his life. He was our last goodbye in Rwanda.
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