God’s Vision: 20/20

If I’m honest, this time in Rwanda has been a mixture of ups and downs.  There are great moments of joy, and sometimes, hard moments of sadness and loneliness.  But I’m sure 2020 hasn’t looked like anyone thought it would look like…except to God.  He knew all this would happen.  I still fully believe 2020 is giving us a view of what 20/20 vision looks like.  What God’s vision looks like.  The fact that we don’t have control over our lives as much as we try to plan, schedule, and anticipate things.

You could fall in love during a lockdown, get engaged several months later, and be trying to get your fiancé a visa so you can get married in the states (Yes, that’s the story of my roommate!  God is BIG and can make things happen).  You could feel like you are in the wilderness trying to find the promised land (that’s my story, and a story for another time.). 

In all of the crazy ups and downs, God has remained faithful.  It’s made me closer to Him.  And no matter what, I’ve kept loving on people. 

Near the end of July we had a one week mask project, 500 for Canada and 500 for Rwanda Give A Way.  After that, ministry shifted.  For a week or so, there wasn’t much with HOPE that I did.  However, I found ways to love on the people around me.  One day I came back from buying produce and there were 5 kids playing in the street.  I took my produce inside and grabbed my polaroid.  Although they didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak enough Kinyarwanda to communicate what I was doing, we made it work.  I motioned about taking a picture and they huddled together.  The picture printed. And they were ecstatic!  Now, they understood the camera.  I pointed to one of them and motioned taking another picture of her by herself.  It ended up a few of the others joined in but that was “her” picture.  I ended up taking enough so they all had one, plus the group picture.  One of the kids said something to the girl that was holding the group picture and they ended up giving it to me.  Wow!  What a blessing to be blessed back!  Although the interaction only lasted 20-30 minutes, it was impactful.  They are now hanging on my prayer wall.

Since things have shifted with HOPE, I’ve been going to the office to work on some administrative things or just say hello to the team. 

One of the first days there, I took brownies and ginger tea for Judah’s birthday. We got to sing to him and celebrate another year of life!

I’ve been helping with a guide for guests who come to the house.  I also finished up some odd and end tasks with the mask projects.  I’ve also been attending the Monday staff meetings and learning a lot about HOPE in the process.  They are in the middle of revamping the programs.  COVID has been a blessing in that way so that the team can really slow down and focus on the programs and see what’s working (or not) and how to improve them.  I’ve even been able to suggest some ideas too.

I also enjoy going to the office to interact with Adera (one of the cleaning ladies).  From our first encounter, she has sought me out every time I am there.  We try to communicate in my limited Kinyarwanda, and I’m thankful for when one of the team members is around to translate for me.  No matter what, there is always laughter, a face that lights up when she sees me, and lots of love.  God is good.

Lastly, the office has opened up an opportunity for me to get to know the new accountant better.  He’s been helping me with some Kinyarwanda, sharing God experiences, and it’s always an uplifting time.      

Going to the office, has its outside perks as well.  It’s really helped me interact with the family down the road.  Ash and I used to drop off produce to them every now and then when we would walk by and just wave to the kids as they would come outside and say in English, “See you tomorrow teacher”.  I did polaroid pictures with them earlier in the  month, and since then, they’ve become even more friendly.  The two older girls are ALWAYS eager to run out and hug me.  The two smaller children are usually eager to be held (the one is shyer than the other).  And then there is the youngest boy.  I think he cried the first time he saw muzungus.  Then would stay at a distance.  And just the other day he crawled out to me and touched me.  It’s been amazing to see the progress with these kids!  I look forward to my walks home from the market or the office.    

There is a home repair man that we use for house leaks, wall cracks, etc.  Ever since the first interaction with him during lockdown when our roof was leaking, we’ve kept in contact.  He came and visited the other day just to say hello.  There was a guitar in the room and he started playing, self taught so he was still learning.  But it still blessed ME.  As he was leaving, he saw cards sitting on the shelf—he asked me if sometime we could play.  We decided to arrange a day for the following week.  He came, and again played the guitar.  Then he played cards with me and two of the ladies here.  We played UNO for several hours.  Before he left, we (the ladies and I) gave him a gift.  You see, his wife was due in about two weeks.  He was beyond baffled at the clothes!  He immediately was like….give me three names for the baby and he would use it in her name.  Within the next couple of days, I sent him names.  When the baby was born the following week, I got a message saying he really did use one of the names I gave him.  Guys, I got to help name a baby!!! What an honor and privilege and something I never expected.  (I’ll update you on the name when they finally tell everyone….Rwandese have a naming ceremony a few weeks after the birth to let everyone know the name).

I hosted a friend and several of his friends for a birthday.  I made an American meal complete with beef bbq, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash, and watermelon.  Oh yeah, we can’t forget the banana cake too!  It was nice to bless in this way.  One of the friends that attended also has a wife that is going to be giving birth so I gave him baby clothes to take home as well.  He was smiling ear to ear and mentioned something about Auntie Kelly.  It was nice to hear the phrase “Auntie Kelly”.  How cool is God in creating relationships with people. 

Speaking of relationships…I’ve realized I really like hosting people…so at our last Monday meeting, I hosted the team for lunch since our meeting was at the house.  I went Rwandese (mostly) on this meal.  Rice, beans, cabbage, black bean avocado salad, watermelon, and banana cake.  (The banana cake seems to be a hit!)  I believe this is ministry in itself.

Besides all this, I’ve also been hanging out with the ladies.  Dinner.  Movie nights with popcorn.  Literally, just sitting with them in their room, letting Ange play with my hair, sometimes learning some new kinyarawnda, but always ending in photo shoots, hugs, and prayers. 

I was sitting in their room last night and almost started crying.  “How lucky am I?”.  These are moments that I will NEVER forget…moments that I will always cherish.  Moments that I often take for granted. If I’m honest, if I was 10-20 years older, I probably wouldn’t connect as well as I can right now.  I’m thankful I’m all in.  I’m thankful I said yes to 2020 in Africa, because I’ll never get these moments back.  It’s amazing what God can use you for when you just stand with arms wide open in surrender to HIS AGENDA.  TO HIS VISION.  20/20 VISION.

So, although mask production has stopped, being God’s love hasn’t.  Stay tuned for another blog with some other ministry opportunities I’ve been doing with HOPE.  

Lastly, quick KENYA update! 

I AM going! 

I’m hoping to book a flight the week of September 14^th.  Please be praying for wisdom on the right day.  Things COVID wise are starting to pick up here.  They are doing more random tests, especially in the markets.  And they are finding cases.  Numbers have reached all time highs several days in a row.  Places are being shut down for weeks at a time.  Our curfew was also changed to 7pm-5am.  However, I’m not fearful.  I’m at peace.  I know God’s vision is better than mine. 🙂