Expect, but without specific expectations

The packing got done, the goodbyes were said, and my adventure has now begun. After over 24 hours of traveling, I am now safe in Rwanda. Our house is beautiful and the compound has what is said to be, “one of the best views in town.” The house has five bedrooms: one 3 man where the boys are, 3 2 man’s (one of which is mine, and one five man. In addition, there is a kitchen, a family room, and an incredible porch where I am currently sitting on my computer. The temperature is amazing.  Siting out here at 9:15pm in some sweats and a t-shirt...I could definitely get used to this. There is another house on the compound where our American host family lives: Jordan, Leah, and their-month-old baby, Zeke. Our cook, Idah and her son occupy the other house. Other workers on the compound are our two guard: Alfanz and Celest. I have yet to see Alfanz without a smile on his face. I look forward to building relationships with all of these people and seeing how we can impact each other’s lives.

The community in which we live is called Remera and our walk around the town was incredible. I couldn’t wipe a smile off my face. As we headed towards the town, we have to walk up a long, very, very, very bumpy dirt road to get there. Once we reach the top of the hill, if we take a left, we go toward the stadium and the market, and if we take a right, we go toward the city of Kigali, which is a 20-minute bus ride away. As we walked around town to get a feel for the land, people stared at us as our pack of 15 young white people. We are indeed the minority. Being the minority is going to be an amazing opportunity to see the world through a different lens.

While the things I just described above have been my physical experience thus far, my emotional experience has taken me a different direction. When I take the time to stop and think of the concept of poverty, my thoughts are this: I am poverty. I am no richer than those I am surrounded by. In God’s eyes, we are all equal. While I may have more material things then the people here, that is so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. My material possessions are nothing. As I immerse myself in this culture, I must realize that I have nothing to give other than my heart, service, love and personality. My hands must enter Rwanda face up, ready to receive what the Rwandans have to offer. They have God, He is present here, and that is the richest blessing.

2 Corinthians 11:30- If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Sitting on the Airplane, I opened a letter given to me by my incredible sister, Amber. From her letter, I have taken this and I will look to use this in not only my experience here, but as I grow and develop throughout my entire life:

• We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us...
• Look for God to,  “Break my heart for what breaks yours, Everything I am for your Kingdom’s cause.”
• 4 Rules to Live By:
• Care more than others think wise.
• Risk more than others think safe.
• “And which of you by being anxious can add a a single hour to his span of life.”-Matthew 6:27
• Dream more than others think practical.
• Expect more than others think possible.
• EXPECT, BUT WITHOUT SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS
• What does that mean for me and this trip? It means I will make more of a conscious effort to understand and appreciate that God is each moment. Whether I am simply in my bedroom, or I am out walking the streets, God is present. It is important to find excitement in each moment, knowing that God can use me. This goes back to my image of walking into this experiences, with my hands up, facing God, ready for anything. I expect God to be in each moment, but I do not have specific expectations for how he will use me.
• And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best. -Philippians 1:9-10
• Certainly, travel s more than the seeing of sights, it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living. - Miriam Beard

Well, just so you all know, I have Internet in my house, which I didn’t originally think would be the case. I will have Skype open whenever I have Internet. The best time is probably between 1:00 and 3:00 EST because that is 8:00-10:00 pm my time.

Also, I can’t currently get pictures to upload correctly because of a glitch with our Internet, but I put them on Facebook. I will do my best to get them posted on the blog.

God is good all the time.