What Would Jesus Do?

The other night, I was on a run, and this girl stopped me to ask if she could talk to me. She proceeded to ask me for a glass of water. I looked her over and quickly assessed that she had a healthy glow to her skin, was a healthy weight, and had clean clothes on. Determining that she didn't actually need the water, I told her that I was sorry, but I didn't have any money on me to buy water. She said, "Oh, then can I get water from your house?" Once again, I told her that I was sorry but that we had no filtered water in our house (which was true... minus a couple sips used for brushing my teeth... probably not what she would want.) I then ran off but instantly started thinking about that verse about entertaining angels and the passage in Matthew that talks about "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me." Feeling like I really messed up, I told the Lord that I would invite her in and get some money to buy her water if I saw her again.

Sure enough, I saw her again, so I went up to her and told her that I was sorry. I told her I was a Christian and that I know Jesus would give her water and wanted me to do the same. So I invited her into our house and gave her a banana and some chips. When I gave her the banana, she looked at me and asked, "Only one? And nothing to drink?" I apologized and told her once more we had nothing to drink in the house but that I would take her to the store and buy her some water. At the store, I brought enough money to buy a liter of water for her. Once again, she looked at me and asked, "That's all you brought?" At this point, I just wanted to be like, "Seriously?! Just take it and be grateful!!" (Clearly, the Lord is still at work within me!) It makes me wonder if I treat God that way sometimes... if I don't see all the blessings He's so clearly laid out in front of me, and I demand my "rights" instead of realizing the gifts He's given me. All I can say is, thank the Lord for His patience!

Anyway, this is only one example of this inner struggle I've had of how to really love like Christ here. Whenever I go to the market, there are these crippled men... some with no legs, sitting on the ground, moving around with their hands, begging. And then, there are the street children. The first thing they say to you is: "Give me money." I know that if I give them money, it really debilitates them from going to school, and probably does more harm then good. Yet my heart breaks for them, and I am constantly pressed with the question, "What would Jesus do?" I know He wouldn't just pass by them. So I've taken to the habit of buying them some water, something to eat, and praying over them. It never really feels like enough, but it's what I feel called to do for now. I want to embrace a Samaritan-like attitude where I am constantly choosing to bless the people God puts in my path, even if what I'm doing seems small and insignificant. And I want to do this wherever I am... whether in Africa, America, or elsewhere.


reading a Bible story to the kids at the orphanage

bought a soccer ball for the kids at the orphanage... best money I've spent yet!

after scoring a goal

playing on a slope... not the easiest thing, but these kids took it like champs!

Ran into these street boys as I was waiting for a ride. Always handy to have markers and paper on hand for moments like these!

The Rwandan teachers I have been teaching English to once a week. Such a privilege to work with these  sweet people!

Bahati telling us about himself

with some of the teachers I've been working with.

 

Some exciting news: Next week at this time, I'll be in South Africa!!! So so excited for this. I will be in Johannesburg for a few days for an educator's conference and in Cape Town a few days fulfilling some dreams :) More updates and pictures to come...