Rwanda- Part Two

This Rwanda update is late, and I'm really sorry about that.. Life has been crazy, busy, and absolutely wonderful-- I'll have to update about all that another time. =]

Alright, where was I? Oh yes. Day one in Kibavu, Rwanda! The building we arrived at was not your typical "church". It was a small home made of wood with blue shudders, a blue door, and a tin roof. This was one of the nicest buildings in the village. Many people were crowded outside of the church; most of the adults sat on long hand-made benches, the children sat on the grassy front yard of the church, and we sat in wooden chairs that had backs built on them (only the very nicest chairs have backs on them.. they would probably be equivalent to our American Lazy-Boy recliners). We started out with a wonderful time of worship. The people danced and smiled.. Waved their hands in the air and jumped up and down for Jesus. They had so much joy. I believe this was one of the first times I've seen true, unbridled, untamed, unashamed, heart-felt worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.. I have to imagine that is ALOT what heaven will look like.

After worship, Carrie presented the Evangecube to the crowd. An Evangecube is how we share Jesus with people in Rwanda (and in other countries as well). Most of these people cannot read, so they learn through stories. The Evangecube presents the Word of God in a story form with pictures. If you would like to learn more about this or see how it works, go to www.simplyshareJesus.com. Next, I shared my testimony with the crowd gathered at the church (a crowd that had at least doubled in size since we began worship). After this, Alex asked if anyone would like to accept Jesus as their Savior. He did not ask everyone to close their eyes so the ones who wanted to profess faith wouldn't feel "embarrassed"... He didn't make promises not to "call them out" in front of everyone.. No. He said "if you want to accept Jesus, stand up and walk to the front!" Let me tell you, those people were PROUD to walk forward and say "I WANT TO KNOW JESUS!" They were beaming with joy and pride that they could know the Savior of the world, His forgiveness, His love.

I just wonder why so many times we have to make those "we won't embarrass you" promises.. Why do we have to coax people out of their seats to respond? Why is it so hard to get someone to raise their hand when no one is even looking around? Why are we not running from our seats, joyfully celebrating the fact that we are given the free gift of salvation, graciously and mercifully saved from an eternal Hell? Do we not get the reality of that truth? Do we just not get it? I don't know the answer to those questions.. I've even felt that fear of embarrassment.. But it just makes me wonder...

Back to Rwanda.. We trained teams that first afternoon on how to share the Evangecube, and we gave them their own Evangestrips. These were just like the Evangecube except they're more like bookmarks. We then divided everyone into teams, each team equipped with at least one Evangestrip and "response cards" and we sent them out in different directions around the village (each North American on their own witnessing team with their ministry partner/translator). So Carrie and I went opposite directions down the road.. That was a little unnerving, but not as much as what would come next. Children ran all around me down the dirt path, many grabbing my fingers or touching my skirt or arm. They would laugh almost every time I made eye contact with them. So so so precious.

We came up to a small compound of about five mud huts. In the center, a man had carried out two long benches from his home. I sat down on the bench and 7 or so adult Rwandans gathered around, and a few children as well. Then Enock looked at me and said "Okay, they really want to hear from you. Please share your testimony and the Evangecube" .. This was it. My first Gospel presentation. I said a quick prayer, and the Holy Spirit took over from there. I don't remember what I said, but I do remember feeling like it just poured out. I said things that I didn't plan on saying.. Things that I believe the Holy Spirit prompted me to say. It began raining in the middle of the Evangecube presentation, and in Rwanda, when it rains you don't just sit out in it. You go into the nearest mud hut. You don't have to know whose hut it is, you just go inside. So we gathered around the small mud hut, and our group of 7 had doubled to 14 at least. People kept piling in seeking shelter from the rain. (A funny note: many people came rushing in like it was no big deal, then they looked my direction.. The look on their faces when they saw a white person sitting in a mud hut in their village was so funny!.. It's unheard of for a "muzungu" to come to your village, much less inside of your hut! They would almost jump back from surprise.) Well, I re-started the Evangecube from the beginning, and almost every single adult in that hut accepted Jesus as their Savior! I could hardly believe it! Here is a picture of this sweet group of people:

The days following this were much the same. We would arrive at the church and have a wonderful worship service (the BEST way to start the day in the village).. Then we would divide in teams and go out witnessing. As the second and third day came around, we let the nationals begin sharing on their own. Nationals are people who live in the village; they volunteer to lead a group around the village so we don't get lost. My national's name was Anastasia, and though we spoke different languages, I felt as if she was my sister by the end of the week. I miss her so much. This is a picture of Anastasia sharing her faith with a friend (who chose to accept Jesus by the way!! YAY)

Another thing we did was go to homes and have "I am SECOND" groups. These people did not know they could participate in a Bible study. Many think you must be a pastor to pray or talk about the Bible. They were so excited when we would read a passage and the ask "What do YOU think this means? What do you think this tells you about God?" Their eyes would light up, and they would give the deepest, most sincere answers. It just showed me that the Spirit is the only Teacher. These people who had heard about Jesus for the FIRST time were giving answers that were more "spiritual" than anything I was saying. Amazing. This next photo is of a woman who we had a SECOND group with. She has seven children (some of them photographed). She told me that the witchdoctors killed her husband, and cut off both of her eldest son's legs. Not only this, but her youngest son has a mental disability. This woman was left alone to raise seven children, one legless and one with mental issues, yet she still told me that God loves her and takes care of her. Wow, and I question God's love when I have a "bad day" ... Unshakable faith is the only words I can think of to describe this precious woman (she is the one to the left. The woman in red is Anastasia, my national).

There are so many more stories I could tell from Rwanda. So many neat experiences. God revealed Himself in more ways than I could ever type out. He is so good and so faithful.

All I can say is this.... When you feel a calling to go somewhere, GO. Look into it. God called me to Africa during the Go Serve celebration at Jackson Way. There were no trips to Africa being presented, but I knew that was where I was supposed to go. And four months later, I was in Rwanda.. Preaching His Holy Word through the strength of the Spirit in mud huts. WOW! Glory to the Father :)

We are all commanded to GO and share God's Word and the story of Jesus, but God can lead you to a specific place. Keep your heart open and listen to Him. Even when it doesn't make sense, even when it seems impossible.. God is greater than circumstance, and He will supply.