Alright, so I've been back from Rwanda now for a couple of days and the processing of the trip has begun and it has been awesome for me! God really used both the people of Rwanda as well as the people with whom I went. The stories, conversations, games, experiences, and sights all had a life changing impact on me. Here are a few things that I will take away from this trip:
1) Rwanda doesn't need missionaries. I know this might sound crazy, but the people there have a fervor and understanding of grace that is much better than ours. Period. If the US were to start sending more missionaries over there, we might taint what the leaders and pastors are already doing. I don't know if it's poverty or not, but to see where this nation was in 1994 and where it is now is remarkable. They have a childlike faith that appears to be steeped in real Biblical truth.
2) Rwanda does need help. This one is obvious, but 1 John 3 applies here. We have brothers in need over there. Kids need schooling, men need jobs and education, entire tribes need to know how to clean water. My prayer is that through meeting the physical needs of the people, we will equip them to continue to see the Life that they have in Christ spread throughout Central Africa and beyond. It is a true redemption story, but the work there is FAR from complete. We need people's help.
3) America needs missionaries. This is already happening here if you didn't know. Rwanda is planting churches here in the US because they see our lukewarm attitude towards the Gospel and they think it needs to change. I agree. We need to be raising up leaders and encouraging people to come here from all over to see the love of Jesus penetrate our lives. It's no secret that the American church is dying slowly and it needs to stop. We need the gospel now.
4) America doesn't need more help. I mean this in the physical needs sense. Sure we have poor here. But I don't think we have poverty. What I mean is that even the poorest of America live better than the Pygmy's. We have become a lazy country. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. We have become entirely too entitled and dependent upon our government and forgotten what it means to work hard. To whom much is given much is expected and I know that I have not lived up to the expectations given to me. This isn't a works based attitude. It's a work attitude. I'm set apart, purchased, redeemed, set free and I am workman for my Creator. He deserves better, and the people of Rwanda (who may never have the opportunities I have) deserve better.
People may disagree with me that we dont' have poverty here, but hear me. There is a HUGE difference between poor (which we do have relative to the wealth in the US) and poverty. Poverty is 95% of kids dying before the age of 5. Poor is food stamps and foreclosure. Poverty is having your mud hut swept away because of rain storm. Poor is asking for money and food on the street corner. Maybe I'm playing symantics here, but I don't think so. America is a wealthy nation. There are poor middle class families with a negative net worth, but they certainly aren't in poverty.
I hope that I never forget these people and these words. I hope that this experience can somehow spur other people to change and action. My dad once told me that decisions without actions are pointless and actions without decisions are reckless. I agree. To go there and not act would be a waste of time. With God's permission and planning, we will adopt from this country. We will continue to raise awareness and tell the stories of the orphans and people of Rwanda. We will raise money for River's Promise. I am praying to see 30 more kids sponsored at $35/month because of my relationships. I believe God is much bigger than that, but that's my target. I hope that people begin to pray and dream big with me.
"You can't tell me poverty is bigger than soveriegnty" - Propoganda
I will be telling people very soon how they can help to sponsor a child or just give to the general work of River's Promise. God has done a lot with very little already and I believe he is doing a mighty work there.
Murkoze,
Adam
PS. This site takes forever to load pictures and videos, so I will post them to some online photo gallery and post a link. Sound fair?
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