I have arrived in the US as of last night. It was amazing to me as I stepped off the plane how in less than 24 hours I could be in the US, a place that feels galaxies away from Rwanda. I had mixed emotions as I left, very sad to say goodbyes yet I had a peace that I will return. When... only God knows. However I trust my Eternal God, his perspective and timing are perfect.
Reflecting back on my two months I am so grateful for God's divine appointments that He made for me. I could go on and on, but I will list a few and reflect on my list week at Kumbya.
1. The appointment with my Theater/Art class girls: Brilliant and beautiful young woman from church ranging in age from 13 to 19 years. Each girl on a unique journey with God, each girl blessed with gifts and talents. I am grateful for the opportunity we got as a group to bless Christ Church in Rwanda by painting a mural for the 10-12 yrs Sunday School Class. I am grateful for the confidence and creative growth in each young lady who performed poems as a worship offering at church on my last Sunday. This was one of my most challenging appointments; I had never taught acting, improve, movement, painting before. Though it was challenging, I felt I was in my element and I very fulfilled by what I was doing. I was so encouraged by the friendships that were made between the girls and me.
2. The appointment to teach Sunday school each week. I must confess my favorite class to teach was the 2-3 yr olds. The simple teachings of God cares for you and God made you encouraged me also.
3. The appointment to work at the school I graduated from, alongside quality administrators and other volunteers. Even though administrative tasks, organization etc, were not my favorite things, it was encouraging to be pouring back into my school. It was important to see the growth, changes and to do the little things that will help others later on this year. I found myself praying a lot this summer for KICS, for the students, teachers, and administrators. I am a huge believe in the school's vision, how it makes missionary families and other Christian cross-cultural workers sustainable in Rwanda AND how it exposes children to the transformative power of the gospel, children’s whose families may have only choice KICS for its academics, English instruction or American curriculum.
4. Another appointment that surprised me involved me getting to participate in campaigners, a weekly Young Life bible study. When I was a senior at KICS Young Life just started at my school and I was a leader. It was wonderful this summer getting to reconnect with KICS students and Young Life leaders.
5. Divine appointments also manifested themselves in living life with community, from my church community, missionary community to my small KICS alumni community. I was blessed with coffee dates, invitations to people's homes for tea and dinner. I also participated in a church small group bible study where I was able to build more relationships. My last week in Kigali, I stayed with two missionary families because my housing was no longer available because of KICS teachers returning.
6. The last appointment I would like to share about was my week at Kumbya, a missionary retreat conference. Kumbya started around the 1950's when the first missionaries came to Rwanda, and decided they would not be adversarial to eachother, that they would come together once a year missionaries from different denominations and from all other East Africa. Kumbya has been a place of rest, renewal, and encouragement for the missionary community, a time to build unity and solidarity. While my family was in Rwanda, Kumbya was always the highlight of every year. To me Kumbya was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, to spend quality time with my family, and most importantly Kumbya marked significant spiritual growth and replenishment in my life. Returning to Kumbya this year, I was encouraged by my and many others prayers that had been said at Kumbya. Almost every other morning I would rise up early, so that I would not miss my appointment with the Lord. I would walk down the path through the canopies of tree and vegetation, (the Kumbya Peninsula is the only part on Lake Kivu that is all natural and local ecology) to the grassy and rocky beach. I was reminded of the answered prayers that this peninsula held for me. The last time I was at Kumbya I had prayed that God would move in supernatural ways for me to be able to attend and afford Wheaton College. And before that, years previously someone prayed with me that I could be healed from old hurts, and anger and doubt. At Kumbya I was reminded of God's faithfulness in my life, His healing and providing mercies He has poured out on my life. My week at Kumbya was a little different than in years past because I was serving alongside a team from the UK to lead Vacation Bible School for missionary kids ages 5-11 yrs. I was in skits and puppet shows each day, and lead a small group of 5 and 6 year olds. As exhausted as I would be at the end of our morning sessions, I was encouraged by their faith and wisdom far beyond their few years. (As a MK myself I'm sure I'm a little biased to praise and love these kids) God reminded me of the passion I have to serve missionary kids and other children that have grown up in a culture other than that of their parents, TCKs. My week at Kumbya was also filled with fun activities and traditions; a 3k swim out to Three Hump Island, sleeping out on the beach under the stars, game and skit nights, etc. I look forward and hope to return to Kumbya in the future.
Wow. What a journey it's been!
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