Making the most of every opportunity

As my time in Rwanda comes to close, I have been trying to take every opportunity I can to explore Rwanda and engage with the people here. I have been absolutely astounded by the beauty in this country. Here are some pictures of the last few weeks:  



in Rwesero (pronounced Gwesero)

 

with some people from my church in Rwesero

The other night, got to eat at this hotel. If you've seen Hotel Rwanda, this is the hotel that movie is based off of.

Thanksgiving Day, I taught the teachers. I shared with them what Thanksgiving was all about, and we all shared what we are thankful for.

 

 

 

Got stuck in a downpour on a moto (motorcycle) right before my 3 hour bus ride to Musanze. The joys of rainy season.

this was the coolest thing. It was like a sign from God that He is still faithful. We can cling to His promises.

the active volcanoes in Musanze

with my new friend Ali... so thankful for her!

ha, someone was excited to ride a donkey...

these precious kids followed us the whole way back from the volcanoes. 

beautiful Lake Kivu

Put my summer skills as a canoeing instructor to use!

the drive to Musanze was incredible. These greens have to compete with Ireland.

These pictures have captured the highlights of the last few weeks, but quite honestly, this has been the hardest month of my life. The doctors have not had good news about my dad (for more updates, here’s his caring bridge site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeffahlm). In a matter of weeks, our lives have changed. All of the future plans that we made crumbled with one prognosis. It reminds me of James 4:13-15: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’-yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” I think all of us feel like we have all the time in the world to make decisions about the Lord or choose to live our lives fully for Him. But the truth is, our time here is so short and we have no idea how our lives will change at any moment. The future isn’t guaranteed to any of us. We have to choose to live wholeheartedly for Christ each and every moment that God gives us. 

It’s been interesting going through grief here. One night, I was skyping with my mom at a restaurant, and I just lost it. I’m usually not a huge crier... especially not in front of people, but I was sobbing uncontrollably. In the past few months, I’ve become friends with the waiter (ok, yes, confession: I eat out a lot.) He came over and asked me what was wrong. I brokenly tried to explain, and he just did not seem to get it. To many of the Africans, I am beyond blessed. I have never seen one of my family members get killed before my eyes with a machete. I have grown up with two incredible and loving parents. I have received a wonderful education. I have a roof over my head, clothes in my closet, food in my refrigerator, and accessible clean water. I am blessed. Don’t get me wrong, many Africans are still extremely compassionate and kind, but their grief and pain has been far beyond what I could imagine. Their coping strategy is to forget. Yet, sometimes I just want it to be ok to hurt.

This week, I’ll be flying back home, and I’ll be staying home to be with my family. For everyone who has been alongside me in this journey… praying for me and encouraging me, thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.