Mask Dilemmas

God’s been speaking a few key scriptures to me lately:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

“Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

We were in a lockdown here in Rwanda until 2 weeks ago (It was “lifted” but we still cannot travel out of the city and bars, churches, and borders are closed.)  During our lockdown, we were not supposed to go out unless it was to get food, medicine, fuel, or banking.  Thankfully, we could even do that.  Thankfully, we have a bit of a “front yard” where we could go out and sit in the sun.  Thankfully, there was still a bit of freedom.  Thankfully I always had hope for a brighter tomorrow. 

One of our team members said something during one of our zoom prayer meetings, “we’ve been in lockdown for about 40 days.” And immediately, I thought about Noah.  It rained and poured for forty days and nights.  And their total stay on the boat was about a year.

It reminds me of this whole situation.  We are in a storm.  It’s “raining and pouring outside.  Storming.  Thundering. Lightening.”  COVID is the storm that is wreaking havoc.  We have been torn away from freedoms that we normally have and most of us are confined in what feels like a box.  But we are safe in God’s arms; in his shelter.  And even when the storm passes, the waiting must still continue for a bit until it’s safe to step foot on the ground.  (The masks and way of living might be modified for quite some time until a normalcy comes back)  But God promises to be with us the entire time.  He asks us to trust in Him, be still in Him, and to fight fear with faith. 

As you can imagine, my time in Rwanda has looked a lot different than planned.  I’ve had to lay down some of my own plans too. Ministry has consisted of praying, messaging people, zoom rooms for Bible study and prayer, listening prayer, and all things “locked” in.  

We finally have some action!!! Two weeks ago (right as the lockdown was lifted) we opened up the tailoring school so masks could be sewn for the government.  Since Ashley and I live at the house connected to the tailoring school, we were called to duty. 

On the first day, we did a presentation on safety and hygiene and stressed the importance of wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing, but not living in fear:)

The team members could not be here all the time, so we were very essential in helping facilitate everything.  We have been told several times by several people that many things HOPE has been doing during this time could not have been done without us.  Us living here, has been essential to the process. 

We communicated dilemmas, hardships, frustrations, and joys.  The mask production happened so quickly that we were in a bit of a hole when we started and it felt at times like we were drowning.  But, day by day, things got smoother.  Yes, we still had some issues like materials not showing up in time, ladies coming almost an hour early for their shift, ladies not understanding that at 5pm it’s time to stop work so masks could be counted and the room sanitized, and just some general miscommunication among the team.  Cultural competence (understanding differences in cultures like communication styles and how others view time) was an essential skill during this time. 

Even through that storm, we endured.  However, after only 9 days of production, the production came to a quick halt.  The fabric that was approved by the Rwandan government and health and safety was diminished.  Elastic.  SO hard to find and when it was found, it was expensive.

On the last day of production, they had brought a different kind of elastic.  I helped the ladies out by cutting it to the right length and width for 4 hours.  I understand now why people get arthritis from so much sewing/cutting.  My hand was dying by the end, but the ladies loved me working with them, something I hadn’t really had the opportunity to do until that point. (we would just greet them in the morning, do check ins throughout the day to make sure they were ok and also wearing their masks, count their production, and see them off at the end of the day).  In a way, I was glad they had to switch elastic types because that gave me increased interaction with the ladies. 🙂  Everything aside, I’m so very happy to be the hands and feet of Jesus during this time and lavish love on the ladies.

So what’s next?

EXCITING NEWS!  As one door seems to be closing, another is fully open!

The ladies will be making masks for someone Glenda (HOPE’s International Co-Director) has been in contact with in Canada (her home residence).  Masks will be produced here then shipped to Canada.  It’s a different design than the ladies were making, so they may take a bit longer to produce, BUT the fact that the ladies will have work and be paid is exciting!  And there are already orders that need to be filled. 

Today the teacher, Edison, is working on learning how to make the design so he can teach the ladies how to make the masks TOMORROW!  God has been so good at providing during this season of unknowns.  I should not be surprised.  He tells us in His word that he cares for us more than the birds of the sky and the flowers that wither.  All glory and honor to Him.

Today, I’m challenging you to put your trust in Him and trust His ways.  He will direct your path. 🙂