I think it is true that most of the time we have very little idea of what is going on around us, but in some places it is easier to fool ourselves into thinking that we do. In Vancouver, it is much easier for me to think that I know what is going on - I understand most of the culture and language; I know my routines and how things work; I feel like I have a pretty good idea of the "big picture." But in reality, the big picture I see in Vancouver is a very limited one. It is just one culture and language in a world of many, and how I experience how things work and my routines is very different from most of the other people in my city, let alone the rest of the world. So it is really only a small piece of the picture. It is not the big picture at all, but it sometimes feels like it is.In Rwanda, it never feels like I see the big picture. In fact, it usually feels like I can't even make out the details in the small bit of the picture I do have! The unknown is part of the adventure and the truth is I spend most of every day feeling very aware that I don't really know what is going on around me.
First of all, I don't understand the language. Sometimes this is a good thing, (like when the construction workers heckle us on our walk to work) but mostly it is a little frustrating and I wish I knew when someone was asking me a question, or explaining something to me, or trying to tell me something important. And friendships and relationships are very different here in ways that I can't quite get my head around. And nothing seems to work like I think it should. And things that are easy for me at home, I can't seem to figure out here. And every day I see evidence of poverty and inequality and things that seem so completely unfair.
I don't know where any of these things fit in God's big picture, and that makes it all the more obvious that I need to focus on the few small bits of my little picture that I know to be true. Things like God is loving and just. He sees the real big picture and all He requires of me is to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with Him. What a wonderful reminder! And all of the uncomfortable feelings of having my false big picture swept away in a foreign culture will be worth it if I can learn to hold on just a little bit tighter to the few true bits of His big picture that I can see.
Check out the new photos of where I live and work in the photo link on the left!
Work, Work, Work
To be honest, the first while I was here, I was starting to wonder if I was going to have anything to do. The teachers were all busy getting ready for the start of school, and after school began they were trying to sort out the chaos that is inherent in the start of a new year. I did not want to add to their stress or interrupt their work, and I wasn't entirely sure how to go about getting them on board with trying a new way of teaching art - especially since I couldn't even figure out how to meet with any of them!
But, now that school is up and going (classes started on 2 February) my schedule has also kicked in. I have had multiple meetings with school administrators and Rwanda YFC staff to solidify my role; I've begun meeting with the teachers and am in 13 art classes a week; I've met with the student leaders to begin organizing after school clubs; and I am now working hard at trying to figure out how I will have time to work on my university paper while I'm here! All in all, I think I am going to have a fairly busy schedule and my initial fears of not having enough to do will probably prove quite unfounded!
Support
I have felt very encouraged in the preparation and first stages of my work here in Rwanda and I want to thank everyone who has supported me in various ways. My fundraising has gone very well so far, but I am still in need of a bit more funding to reach my budget goal. I am also much more aware now of the importance of prayer support for not only myself, but all of the staff and volunteers here in Rwanda. If you feel you can support me either prayerfully, financially, or both, please either fill out the enclosed response form, or contact the GVYFC office or myself directly. Thanks again for all you do to support my work!
CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE
Prayer Points
- That I would learn to hold tighter to the few true bits of God's big picture
- Increased enrolment for the secondary grades at KCS
- The teachers who are learning to speak and teach in English at the same time
- The art classes and after school clubs that I am helping with
- The remainder of my fundraising goal
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If you want to financially support my work in Rwanda,
PLEASE CLICK HERE.
