I am currently sitting in Starbucks. I slept in a bed for the first time in three months (and not just a skinny mattress on the floor). I have a cafe misto, which I never knew about before. I'm using just an ordinary Internet connection that's faster than anything Rwanda has. I just got a foot-long from Subway and a double chocolate chip cookie. This morning, I took a leisurely hot shower for the first time since forever.
Other teams keep getting back. It's so good to see them. One guy said I look like I just got out of Auschwitz. Another said you could play music on my ribs. I'm pretty skinny.
There's a few classmates that were overweight before the outreach. Javier lost 45 pounds on outreach. Maggie lost 30. I haven't seen her yet, but when I saw Javier, I didn't recognize him. Good for them.
I haven't posted in a while. My writing skills are nowhere near the level they'd have to be at for me to write about this last week and this coming week. I couldn't do it justice, and I probably won't try. I'm tired of blogging anyway.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
A Week in the Life
I haven't done anything super noteworthy this week, but I still want to write something worth reading, so I figured I'd make a post about one of my teammates. I've been pretty impressed with all he's gotten to do this week. So here's a day-by-day of the various ministry things he's done this week, as best as I could witness.
On Monday he was at an Internet cafe. He was looking at Google maps, and one of the guys that worked there asked if he knew how to embed a Google map into a website. He did, and so he put the map of the Internet cafe into the Internet cafe's website, and he labeled the building in Google maps so that it would show up when somebody did a Google search for an Internet cafe, and he showed the guy how to do this. The Internet cafe guy also works for a church and did the same for his church and his church's website.
On Tuesday, he had this really awesome good-deed opportunity. Our Rwandan teammate Elijah was applying for a job as a driver for the American embassy, and so he helped Elijah develop a pretty snazzy resume. He even wrote out a cover letter for him. He even put himself down as a reference on Elijah's resume so that he could say nice things about Elijah if a potential employer calls. Elijah really needs a job, and so I was really happy when I heard about all this.
On Wednesday, he helped out at Vida, the English-teaching ministry. Wednesday's topic include cuss words, because the students had all seen a movie in class and the cuss words were throwing them off. It's necessary to learn cuss words to increase listening comprehension and to learn that these particular words should not actually be said. I learned cuss words in Spanish and French but never got to that level in Chinese. Anyways, he even started the lesson by saying that the Bible says to have a clean mouths and we should all be better than to actually use these words, so he also taught replacement words, like “darn” and “screw.” It was a good class.
On Thursday I was around when he had a one-on-one with another teammate. I thought it was neat when he led the conversation into being a day-dream about future plans. I think that's a really healthy thing to do, to develop a positive outlook of one's future. She pretty much just wants to travel and says she dislikes all school. But he talked about degrees she might actually like, related to international studies and missionary work and then listed benefits of even just having a degree. At the end of it, she even said he affected her thinking and will keep all that in mind for her future. Cool.
Paul wrote his epistles in this order: Galatians, 1Thessalonians, 2Thessalonians, 1Corinthians, 2Corinthians, Romans, Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, Philippians, 1Timothy, Titus and 2Timothy.
On Thursday evening, this guy read the first six. On Friday morning, he then finished reading through every Pauline epistle in the order they were written in. Also, this particular reading was all in King James Version. Wow. So on Friday morning while we were making lunch, he told a few of us about what he learned and said it was really cool to get to see Paul's emotional journeys on the mission field. Apparently, the Galatian Christians gave him a hard time, and he was disappointed in them. Then Thessalonians were a huge encouragement to Paul and they really hit it off. Then the Corinthians were another low point because of their immorality, but the Philippians brought Paul overwhelming joy. Or something like that.
On Friday afternoon, his one-on-one was with the Canadian patient. He taught her to play chess. I thought that was brilliant. She's so ditzy, and so as a solution he teaches her a mental sport. I think that's really good and empowering for her. I wish I had thought of that. Most of my one-on-ones have been kind of shallow. On Friday though Sunday, she has played and won three games against the computer (on the lowest level of difficulty, which was still a bit challenging). He helped her a lot the first game, but has been helping her progressively less each game.
On Saturday, we split into two groups. Most of us ran a church service at a youth group, but he and Michelle went with Elijah and helped Elijah's brother move. They loaded up a big moving truck, rode to the new house, and unloaded it all.
On Sunday, we did the “You're Everything” skit again. Then he preached a sermon with the theme, “God did not call me to be successful; He called me to be faithful.” He used what he had learned from reading Paul's letters chronologically. And as always, he opened with a few jokes in Kinyarwanda before continuing in English. It was a short sermon that was to the point, which all of us in the audience really appreciated.
My teammates are awesome people. It's going to be very emotional to leave all these people that I've been attached at the hip with for the last three months.
On Monday he was at an Internet cafe. He was looking at Google maps, and one of the guys that worked there asked if he knew how to embed a Google map into a website. He did, and so he put the map of the Internet cafe into the Internet cafe's website, and he labeled the building in Google maps so that it would show up when somebody did a Google search for an Internet cafe, and he showed the guy how to do this. The Internet cafe guy also works for a church and did the same for his church and his church's website.
On Tuesday, he had this really awesome good-deed opportunity. Our Rwandan teammate Elijah was applying for a job as a driver for the American embassy, and so he helped Elijah develop a pretty snazzy resume. He even wrote out a cover letter for him. He even put himself down as a reference on Elijah's resume so that he could say nice things about Elijah if a potential employer calls. Elijah really needs a job, and so I was really happy when I heard about all this.
On Wednesday, he helped out at Vida, the English-teaching ministry. Wednesday's topic include cuss words, because the students had all seen a movie in class and the cuss words were throwing them off. It's necessary to learn cuss words to increase listening comprehension and to learn that these particular words should not actually be said. I learned cuss words in Spanish and French but never got to that level in Chinese. Anyways, he even started the lesson by saying that the Bible says to have a clean mouths and we should all be better than to actually use these words, so he also taught replacement words, like “darn” and “screw.” It was a good class.
On Thursday I was around when he had a one-on-one with another teammate. I thought it was neat when he led the conversation into being a day-dream about future plans. I think that's a really healthy thing to do, to develop a positive outlook of one's future. She pretty much just wants to travel and says she dislikes all school. But he talked about degrees she might actually like, related to international studies and missionary work and then listed benefits of even just having a degree. At the end of it, she even said he affected her thinking and will keep all that in mind for her future. Cool.
Paul wrote his epistles in this order: Galatians, 1Thessalonians, 2Thessalonians, 1Corinthians, 2Corinthians, Romans, Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, Philippians, 1Timothy, Titus and 2Timothy.
On Thursday evening, this guy read the first six. On Friday morning, he then finished reading through every Pauline epistle in the order they were written in. Also, this particular reading was all in King James Version. Wow. So on Friday morning while we were making lunch, he told a few of us about what he learned and said it was really cool to get to see Paul's emotional journeys on the mission field. Apparently, the Galatian Christians gave him a hard time, and he was disappointed in them. Then Thessalonians were a huge encouragement to Paul and they really hit it off. Then the Corinthians were another low point because of their immorality, but the Philippians brought Paul overwhelming joy. Or something like that.
On Friday afternoon, his one-on-one was with the Canadian patient. He taught her to play chess. I thought that was brilliant. She's so ditzy, and so as a solution he teaches her a mental sport. I think that's really good and empowering for her. I wish I had thought of that. Most of my one-on-ones have been kind of shallow. On Friday though Sunday, she has played and won three games against the computer (on the lowest level of difficulty, which was still a bit challenging). He helped her a lot the first game, but has been helping her progressively less each game.
On Saturday, we split into two groups. Most of us ran a church service at a youth group, but he and Michelle went with Elijah and helped Elijah's brother move. They loaded up a big moving truck, rode to the new house, and unloaded it all.
On Sunday, we did the “You're Everything” skit again. Then he preached a sermon with the theme, “God did not call me to be successful; He called me to be faithful.” He used what he had learned from reading Paul's letters chronologically. And as always, he opened with a few jokes in Kinyarwanda before continuing in English. It was a short sermon that was to the point, which all of us in the audience really appreciated.
My teammates are awesome people. It's going to be very emotional to leave all these people that I've been attached at the hip with for the last three months.
Ministries Overview
We were supposed to go to Uganda, and then we didn't. We had wrapped up our music ministry. The Rwandan pastor (Sylvan) of our newly planted told Luke that he (Sylvan) would take over the preaching, so we wouldn't be needed anymore. So our ministries were finished, except for the twice-weekly English class. So we had an opportunity to start new ministries. We didn't know exactly what yet, but that was just exciting. At the same time, we also felt kind of finished and ready to go home.
So as we're praying about our next steps, our leader gets really excited to share a new idea she had, after “receiving some intense revelation” the night before. The idea turned out to be that we would spend our afternoons doing one-on-one sessions with each other. She figured this was fitting since so much of our ministry is about ministering to each other. She said she's done everything that she feels God called her to do in Rwanda. So we'd give everyone a dollar or two to split up into pairs and go somewhere like a cafe and hang out with each other, so that a mix of fun things and deep conversations could take place.
Everyone was pretty tired from all the work we had been doing and were generally happy about the idea. However, at least some of us got the feeling that it's kind of silly that we came to Rwanda and are doing something we could be doing anywhere. I didn't raise much of a fuss cause I'm still teaching English.
The one-on-ones turned out to be awesome because they're making us all really close to each other, and they are bringing about a lot of edification.
We're still doing a few other things. We went to an orphanage and taught English last Saturday. This Saturday we split up to either help Elijah's brother move or run a program at a youth group. And on Fridays, we play soccer with a team on a dirt court on the other end of town.
We're also doing a Bible study of Hebrews. We have a lot of time for prayer and Bible reading. I feel like I ought to try to learn more about everything going on with friends back home so I can have more informed prayers.
Also, I have 20 gigs of music from Sam. I'm very happy about that.
So as we're praying about our next steps, our leader gets really excited to share a new idea she had, after “receiving some intense revelation” the night before. The idea turned out to be that we would spend our afternoons doing one-on-one sessions with each other. She figured this was fitting since so much of our ministry is about ministering to each other. She said she's done everything that she feels God called her to do in Rwanda. So we'd give everyone a dollar or two to split up into pairs and go somewhere like a cafe and hang out with each other, so that a mix of fun things and deep conversations could take place.
Everyone was pretty tired from all the work we had been doing and were generally happy about the idea. However, at least some of us got the feeling that it's kind of silly that we came to Rwanda and are doing something we could be doing anywhere. I didn't raise much of a fuss cause I'm still teaching English.
The one-on-ones turned out to be awesome because they're making us all really close to each other, and they are bringing about a lot of edification.
We're still doing a few other things. We went to an orphanage and taught English last Saturday. This Saturday we split up to either help Elijah's brother move or run a program at a youth group. And on Fridays, we play soccer with a team on a dirt court on the other end of town.
We're also doing a Bible study of Hebrews. We have a lot of time for prayer and Bible reading. I feel like I ought to try to learn more about everything going on with friends back home so I can have more informed prayers.
Also, I have 20 gigs of music from Sam. I'm very happy about that.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Care Package That Saved My Life
A couple weeks ago, Elijah checked his PO Box and there was one item for me- one glorious item that would impact my morale for the next couple weeks and beyond- a care package put together by mom and Tara. It had beef jerky, Reece's Nutrageous bars, fruit leather strips, three boxes of Macaroni and Cheese, gourmet hot chocolate packets, and various hygiene products.
The Nutrageous bars saved me because we have such salty meals. After a meal, it seems like the most delicious thing I've ever put into my mouth, every time.
The hot chocolate is awesome because I put it into coffee and have an awesome mocha. The team buys hot chocolate, but it's plain compared to the flavored Land-O-Lakes packets, and plus our team runs out sometimes. I feel spoiled even talking about good hot chocolate in Africa.
One week ago was the middle of my illness. I had a fever, headache, and stomach problems. Last Monday, the headache and fever finally disappeared after a couple difficult days. The next day they came back a bit, but then they were gone the following day. The stomach problems lingered for a few more days. I haven't weighed this little since high school.
While I was sick, the team went out to do ministry and I stayed at the house. There wasn't any food in our house, and I was hungry. So I made macaroni and cheese, and it was perfect. Most of how the care package saved my life came from that day.
We also seem to go a very long time in between meals, and the jerky and fruit strips are absolutely delicious snacks. This probably helps me out every day.
Also, the beef jerky is meat! Glorious meat! My protein intake isn't near my American diet, but this was still a huge step up.
This was too funny to pass up. The toilet paper I received was also worth a good laugh, because Africa does have toilet paper. Except our team ran out one night, and I had diarrhea, so having that toilet paper there actually did really save my ass. Ha! I love puns.
The whole team has gotten a tiny bit of this enjoyment. It's like I've been tithing it and giving a tiny bit each time I dip into it.
The Nutrageous bars saved me because we have such salty meals. After a meal, it seems like the most delicious thing I've ever put into my mouth, every time.
The hot chocolate is awesome because I put it into coffee and have an awesome mocha. The team buys hot chocolate, but it's plain compared to the flavored Land-O-Lakes packets, and plus our team runs out sometimes. I feel spoiled even talking about good hot chocolate in Africa.
One week ago was the middle of my illness. I had a fever, headache, and stomach problems. Last Monday, the headache and fever finally disappeared after a couple difficult days. The next day they came back a bit, but then they were gone the following day. The stomach problems lingered for a few more days. I haven't weighed this little since high school.
While I was sick, the team went out to do ministry and I stayed at the house. There wasn't any food in our house, and I was hungry. So I made macaroni and cheese, and it was perfect. Most of how the care package saved my life came from that day.
We also seem to go a very long time in between meals, and the jerky and fruit strips are absolutely delicious snacks. This probably helps me out every day.
Also, the beef jerky is meat! Glorious meat! My protein intake isn't near my American diet, but this was still a huge step up.
This was too funny to pass up. The toilet paper I received was also worth a good laugh, because Africa does have toilet paper. Except our team ran out one night, and I had diarrhea, so having that toilet paper there actually did really save my ass. Ha! I love puns.
The whole team has gotten a tiny bit of this enjoyment. It's like I've been tithing it and giving a tiny bit each time I dip into it.
I am extremely disappointed in Rwandan food.
Mexico has taco stands. Taiwan has teriyaki stands. I thought that every culture had street food. But in Rwanda, it's not culturally acceptable to walk and eat. No one eats in public. There's nothing quick and tasty that they make. There's nothing quick that they make at all. The closest thing there is to street food is the Rwandan foods that every minimart has. They are...
Sambusa – Plain ground beef stuffed into a slightly crispy deep-fried triangle-shaped breading.
Ndazi – Fried bread. Like a bread roll that tastes like a plain donut.
Capati – Fried bread in the shape of a tortilla.
Those are the main items that are indigenous Rwandan foods. We make pretty good meals sometimes, but sometimes we're just too busy so we make these foods. At this point, we've had these foods so much that our tolerance for these foods is extremely small, and we mostly just choose to not eat or to eat very little on those meals. I dip into my beef jerky.
I think it might be hard for everyone back home to identify with what a strong emotional reaction everyone here experiences anytime someone starts reminiscing about a bacon cheese burger...
Sambusa – Plain ground beef stuffed into a slightly crispy deep-fried triangle-shaped breading.
Ndazi – Fried bread. Like a bread roll that tastes like a plain donut.
Capati – Fried bread in the shape of a tortilla.
Those are the main items that are indigenous Rwandan foods. We make pretty good meals sometimes, but sometimes we're just too busy so we make these foods. At this point, we've had these foods so much that our tolerance for these foods is extremely small, and we mostly just choose to not eat or to eat very little on those meals. I dip into my beef jerky.
I think it might be hard for everyone back home to identify with what a strong emotional reaction everyone here experiences anytime someone starts reminiscing about a bacon cheese burger...
Friday, February 4, 2011
An Overhaul of Updating
I've been kind of bad lately about keeping this blog up to date. That's because a whole lot has happened, and we've been really busy. I haven't even written a newsletter to my house church for the last couple weeks. That's a mistake on my part. I'm working on it now.
So I just put up five major posts (six including this one).
The first one is about the Uganda decision (we're not going to Uganda anymore.).
The second is about Dawn and Pieter's visit.
The third is a hilarious story. White people are very desirable here...
The fourth is about how some of us have grown, including myself.
The fifth gives a sneak-peak into some of the fruit of our ministry.
In other news, our team has been really sick of the feelings of division on the team. And we've decided to start over fresh and try to connect with each other more. So over the last two days, we've watched all three Lord of the Rings movies. Our music classes have ended to we might (hopefully) start a new ministry or two.
Also, I have a lot of videos to upload. They'll get up eventually.
So I just put up five major posts (six including this one).
The first one is about the Uganda decision (we're not going to Uganda anymore.).
The second is about Dawn and Pieter's visit.
The third is a hilarious story. White people are very desirable here...
The fourth is about how some of us have grown, including myself.
The fifth gives a sneak-peak into some of the fruit of our ministry.
In other news, our team has been really sick of the feelings of division on the team. And we've decided to start over fresh and try to connect with each other more. So over the last two days, we've watched all three Lord of the Rings movies. Our music classes have ended to we might (hopefully) start a new ministry or two.
Also, I have a lot of videos to upload. They'll get up eventually.
"I feel beautiful for the first time in my life" (aka, God's Work in Busanza)
Luke has been co-pastoring with Pastor Sylvan the church we started in Busanza. One day, he devotes the service to letting them come up and share what God's been doing in their lives. Here's a sampling of the things they said.
“I used to beat my kids. But then I accepted Christ in my life. I don't beat my kids anymore, and now I have peace.”
“I used to smoke, drink, and sleep around. And I've always felt sick. But I accepted Christ, and I stopped living badly. I got baptized last week, and when I got baptized, I stopped feeling sick.”
“There was a man that used to come over to sleep with me, but he had other women too. I accepted Christ, and last time when he came over, I said I won't sleep with him anymore.”
“I used to be a Catholic priest. And then I walked away from God and did my own thing. And then I heard there was a church meeting in the area, and I decided to check it out. I'm walking with Jesus now.”
“I have never felt beautiful in my life. But when you showed all those pictures of the stars and the beautiful things in outer space, and then you said God still calls us His main work of art, I felt beautiful for the first time in my life.”
“At first, I put you on a higher level because you were a muzungu (white person), but now I realize my value and we're all on the same level. And even the people that sit on the street begging are loved by God.”
Luke also told us more about that day...
“We had bought them Bibles. And so they were clutching their Bibles when they walked into church. There were three adults when we started. There were 45 this last Sunday.
When we got there, even the adults just looked so ratty. But it seems like they're putting more effort into the way they look.”
“I used to beat my kids. But then I accepted Christ in my life. I don't beat my kids anymore, and now I have peace.”
“I used to smoke, drink, and sleep around. And I've always felt sick. But I accepted Christ, and I stopped living badly. I got baptized last week, and when I got baptized, I stopped feeling sick.”
“There was a man that used to come over to sleep with me, but he had other women too. I accepted Christ, and last time when he came over, I said I won't sleep with him anymore.”
“I used to be a Catholic priest. And then I walked away from God and did my own thing. And then I heard there was a church meeting in the area, and I decided to check it out. I'm walking with Jesus now.”
“I have never felt beautiful in my life. But when you showed all those pictures of the stars and the beautiful things in outer space, and then you said God still calls us His main work of art, I felt beautiful for the first time in my life.”
“At first, I put you on a higher level because you were a muzungu (white person), but now I realize my value and we're all on the same level. And even the people that sit on the street begging are loved by God.”
Luke also told us more about that day...
“We had bought them Bibles. And so they were clutching their Bibles when they walked into church. There were three adults when we started. There were 45 this last Sunday.
When we got there, even the adults just looked so ratty. But it seems like they're putting more effort into the way they look.”
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