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
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
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