Rwanda Challenge
  • About Us
    • The Core
    • The Context
    • The Call
    • The Challenge
    • The Potential
    • The Team
  • Partner with Us
    • MACU-Rwanda Campus
    • RC - Emergency Fund
    • Support a Student
    • Reopen Churches
    • Kinyarwanda Study Bible
    • Microfinance Ministry
  • Contact Us
  • Recommended Resources
  • Calendar
  • Newsletters
  • Videos
  • Blog

Ben's Reflections

6/27/2013

3 Comments

 
My time in Rwanda has come to an end. It’s hard to put into words what I’m thinking. So much happened in 2.5 weeks and I’m still processing what this means or how I will react to this experience.

Here are a couple of things that I’m thinking about:

On Monday night when we were going to the airport Theophile said, “A good rain always returns.” He explained that by us being in Rwanda it has been like a good rain, and now what will we do? Will we return? Not necessarily return physically to Rwanda, but will we seek to pray and be involved in what God is doing in Rwanda?

Over the last few days, Theophile told me why he is in Rwanda. Theophile has had multiple opportunities to leave Rwanda and go into church ministry in the western world. He said his family would have had a better life and received better education. However, Theophile expressed that Rwanda needs him, and God wants him there. The church and the people in Rwanda need him more than anywhere else in the world. I ask myself a question: am I that dedicated to helping my own country?

I’ve known (uncle) Frank all my life. However, this was the first time I’ve been able to work alongside of him in a ministry setting. Now it’s clearly evident to me that Frank loves doing this. He loves teaching the Bible. He loves seeing others grow in their understanding of God’s Word. He realizes that if these church leaders can better understand the Bible it will change their families, communities, churches, and ultimately the whole country. Now, I ask myself: how can I be more like Frank? How can I make the most of every opportunity?

Lastly, are we doing missions right? That question keeps coming to my mind. Missions is for the benefit of the people and not the missionary. Many times I’ve heard people (myself included) return to the states and say, “That trip changed my life” or “We are so blessed and have so much in America.” Now, that is not necessarily wrong. The question is: what did we do to empower the local people? What did we do to empower the local church? Can this carry on when we leave?

Being with Rwanda Challenge has certainly shown me so much about missions. I don’t know all the answers, but are we using the resources God has entrusted to us for the church and for others?

-Ben

Picture
3 Comments
Tim Wilson
6/27/2013 03:26:27 am

Ben,

Great reflection!

I ask the same question here and not abroad about are we (the local church) empowering the local people? I believe we have some of the same issues if not more than our friends far away and in our pride we want to believe that we are better than them. With this prideful attitude we turn a blind eye to our own neighbors who have no clue who Jesus is. Bless you for your willingness to travel and share your heart with God's people around the globe.

Reply
Matthew Woodrow
6/27/2013 04:14:58 am

Ben, I love this question: "what did we do to empower the local people? What did we do to empower the local church? Can this carry on when we leave?" What if everyone in missions wrestled with that question? Thank you for sharing this reflection.

Matt

Reply
Raquel
6/27/2013 04:59:13 am

Ben, your words sound like there were grown from God's plantings in Frank and Myra's heart for making difference in the lives of all people for the Lord. I really needed to read this post today for it has lifted my spirits and open up the clouds to seeing the Lord work in the lives of others. He is a faithful God for sure. Blessings!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    November 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    May 2019
    September 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly