It has been a great week here in Rwanda. We are living with our amazingly energetic and funny host Pastor Innocent along with his wife and three kids. They have certainly kept us busy and entertained during our time living with them. One very important thing the Lord has been teaching me is how incredibly much we need Jesus here and everywhere.
As much as our host family has blessed us, we have found ourselves in quite close quarters with little to no privacy. Our mornings begin with 12 people trying to get ready in one bathroom and our nights conclude as we drop into bed with 3 other roommates (and one other bed-mate). When we first arrived, we feared these less than comfortable conditions could create divisions within our unified team. However, within our first few days here our focus shifted from ourselves to God – yes our flesh was uncomfortable and yes we could use 1 more bathroom – but we only have 1 week left together. We weren’t going to let Satan attack us in this way after all that God had done. We admitted that if we remained in the flesh ending our time here strong would be impossible, but with Christ all things are possible (Mark 10:27).
Before we arrived in Rwanda, all I knew of the country was its tragic history of genocide less than 20 years ago. As we walked through the genocide museum I saw how evil human nature is. There is no such thing as an intrinsically good person. We all have evil hearts and as a race we are capable of the most horrid sins including murder and genocide. We live in a world where wars rage, where violence is normal and hatred is common. And yet before all of our sins, whether big or small, were even committed, Jesus died to save us (Romans 5:8). In my heart, Rwanda no longer represents a country of genocide, but rather a country that God has built as a beautiful reminder of his restoration and endless hope.
One aspect of our ministry here has been our work within a small primary school. I have incredibly enjoyed my time playing games with the P2 students and snuggling up to the crying nursery kids. As beautiful as these children are, they aren’t inherently good. They hit each other when they are mad and they run around the classroom when we ask them to sit down. In their purest form as young children, they are not good. However, we don’t love them because they are good. We love them only through the power of Jesus who loves them.
Not only do we need Him, but He is all we need. I am so thankful for how Jesus has revealed it to me in so many new and exciting ways this past week.
“I believe that you’re my healer, I believe that you are all I need. I believe that you’re my portion, I believe you’re more than enough for me… JESUS YOU’RE ALL I NEED.” –Bethel Music
