As I sit here on the comfy Brussels airline that should boast about their sizeable leg-space, I have just burned through all my plane letters (although being very disciplined and reading 5 of them on my ride to Brussels and the other 5 on my ride to Kigali). I am so very touched and on the verge of tears, laughter, hesitancy, hugs, doubt and even fear just from the whole experience of the idea itself. I am unsure of the time especially after so many flight changes and although I love flying, airplane food makes for gassy moments. There is approximately 4:06 hours left before I plant my two runners onto Rwandan soil, so I believe we are flying right over Egypt or the Mediterranean Sea right now; Southeast. It is bright and sunny outside now but I believe that Toronto had just awoken and I believe that my parents are safely home after their long flight. I can barely imagine what to anticipate and how I will react within the next months because all I know for sure is that we (six girls and our mentor) will be sleeping at a hostel in Kigali (the capital of Rwanda) tonight. Though there is uncertainty and inevitably apprehension of my need for control, I am oddly at peace with not knowing and would rather not know because I already know God is looking out for me and there will be prayers even when I have no words as I try to see the world with His heart and His love. Sure, there is fear mixed in somewhere there, knowing that I will have to let go of all the privileges afforded in Toronto (smartphones, ipads, fast wifi and a dense social cushion provided by this “hyperconnectedness” through technology, you get the gist). It will be a moment by moment thing, so sometimes you may find my thoughts unfinished, still processing or simply stating what happened. Though, if you are reading this right now, friends, I hope that you can take something away from my stories and be inspired in what you read. So take a gander with me this summer and walk with me, pray with me and try to challenge yourself to step deeper into a moment and to love wider and deeper than you have ever done before, and that includes yourself!
Some prayer requests I have for these three months:
· A willing, obedient and trusting heart to see the world different than I ever have
· To ask questions as best as I could
· Strength and courage to step outside of my comfort zone
· To be gentle, kind and open to everyone I will encounter, even if it is myself for the first time
· To be unafraid to live all out for God
· That I will be safe and learn lots
· To grow deeper in my faith and walk with God as He is always with me
· To allow myself to feel every moment and emotion deeply and with mercy and grace
· For a heart constantly burdened with love
· To be honest to myself and to others
· To have fears and hopes but within that, courage
· Please pray for my place here in Rwanda, the reason that God has put me here at this time, whether for something to learn for myself or someone to know or meet or to do or even beyond our scope, pray that I seek god first and never seize to have faith in His constant faithfulness in the plans He has for us all
I will try to visit the internet cafe at least once every two weeks to update all my saved blog posts! I also have a cell phone now and can receive and call people in Canada! If you have a chance, I would love to hear from you through text, call or e-mail! My number is 0789651701 (I am not sure what the prefix to text to Rwanda is...you will need to google it and let me know please!). Remember that Rwanda is 6 hours ahead of Toronto. Also, I would also love if you would comment here or in a message (FB, e-mail or SMS) any questions you may have as you read my blog, even questions for me to probe here; I would love to hear what you think as you read this as I may miss something or see differently from experiencing it than in hearing or reading about it. Also for our curiosity’s sake! (I will find out whatever questions you may have, trying to bridge my assumptions with yours about life here)
I thank you to all of my friends who wrote me such beautiful plane letters as well! I have read them over for encouragement and it really helped me in some moments at the beginning. They are a constant reminder of your love and beautiful hearts; of which I am truly thankful for! You are an inspiration and I pray that God’s joy will shine in your life as you have shown me!
For all my donors, you are not forgotten as you are with me on this journey, for that there is no price for this opportunity to experience life here. I am forever grateful and hope to share with each and every single one of you when I am back. Without your generosity and belief in me or in God’s plan for me, I would not be here to blindly see God’s work daily and stumble both literally and figuratively. Thank you so much for your willingness and faith; it will never be forgotten!
Some prayer requests I have for these three months:
· A willing, obedient and trusting heart to see the world different than I ever have
· To ask questions as best as I could
· Strength and courage to step outside of my comfort zone
· To be gentle, kind and open to everyone I will encounter, even if it is myself for the first time
· To be unafraid to live all out for God
· That I will be safe and learn lots
· To grow deeper in my faith and walk with God as He is always with me
· To allow myself to feel every moment and emotion deeply and with mercy and grace
· For a heart constantly burdened with love
· To be honest to myself and to others
· To have fears and hopes but within that, courage
· Please pray for my place here in Rwanda, the reason that God has put me here at this time, whether for something to learn for myself or someone to know or meet or to do or even beyond our scope, pray that I seek god first and never seize to have faith in His constant faithfulness in the plans He has for us all
I will try to visit the internet cafe at least once every two weeks to update all my saved blog posts! I also have a cell phone now and can receive and call people in Canada! If you have a chance, I would love to hear from you through text, call or e-mail! My number is 0789651701 (I am not sure what the prefix to text to Rwanda is...you will need to google it and let me know please!). Remember that Rwanda is 6 hours ahead of Toronto. Also, I would also love if you would comment here or in a message (FB, e-mail or SMS) any questions you may have as you read my blog, even questions for me to probe here; I would love to hear what you think as you read this as I may miss something or see differently from experiencing it than in hearing or reading about it. Also for our curiosity’s sake! (I will find out whatever questions you may have, trying to bridge my assumptions with yours about life here)
I thank you to all of my friends who wrote me such beautiful plane letters as well! I have read them over for encouragement and it really helped me in some moments at the beginning. They are a constant reminder of your love and beautiful hearts; of which I am truly thankful for! You are an inspiration and I pray that God’s joy will shine in your life as you have shown me!
For all my donors, you are not forgotten as you are with me on this journey, for that there is no price for this opportunity to experience life here. I am forever grateful and hope to share with each and every single one of you when I am back. Without your generosity and belief in me or in God’s plan for me, I would not be here to blindly see God’s work daily and stumble both literally and figuratively. Thank you so much for your willingness and faith; it will never be forgotten!