Ok, I think we're officially counting down now. Wow. We're really getting close to our departing date (16 days away!) and the reality of our visit. My moments have been filled to the brim with anticipation. I feel as if I'm going to meet the president and have the honor of hearing and sharing his story with the world. In fact, I'll be meeting a child of God (quite a few of them) and will be sharing their stories. There's such a pressure to not misunderstand (which we need prayer for that. The language barrier won't be as bad with the translator, but because we still don't speak a common language, there is room for details to be getting lost in the translation). Lord Jesus. God of wonders. Please make me the instrument that I need to understand facts and communicate them clearly given the equipment You provide, amen. Friends, we are now feeling the weight of our journey. Though it's heavy- WOW! What an honor to be going to this "Land of Eternal Spring".
Last night I was restless and began to read "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza (im-a-cue-lay ill-i-ba-geez-a). My eyes fell on the first sentance, "They were calling my name." and I was gripped with empathy and fear along with her. ... from the very first sentance. Who are they? Why are they calling your name? Well, about 6 hours later when I happened on the last 15 pages of that book, I knew just who they were and why they are calling her name. More importantly, I learned who she stood for (Jesus) and the honest journey that she took to achieve peace in Him in suffering.
Her example of a believer in Jesus, the power of prayer, the belief of God-offered hope spelled out as she took me along to view her anguish. Three months inside a 3ft.X4tf. bathroom with 7 other women while being hunted. She was able to listen to the killers chant hate songs and was forced to weep in silence as she learned that her family had been massacred. This book is one that has brought me to Rwandan soil even while in the US. I feel as if I'm there in my heart, loving the people affected by the genocide (nearly 1,000,000 killed in a mere 3 months) and their families alike. I HIGHLY recommend this book to those who are searching for a way to be intimately connected to believers in Jesus who even through the most horrific persecution can find joy in suffering and love/forgiveness for thier oppressers. Immaculee shows us Jesus in her book. Buy it. Read it. Feel it. And pray that that dark history would be learned from and would not repeat itself.
Rwanda is just two weeks away. Lord Jesus, prepare us!
~Joy
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