Alex and I finally arrived in Africa last night! Sighted a few things on our way here. When you fly international on the airplane, they always feed you. Not just a little bit, but they will wake you up and make you eat a meal every couple hours. So this was our second flight, and they brought out some meat and veggies with rice. It was good but I was so full and tired. The man across the isle literally licked his bowl and plate... needless to say I also finished all of my food. No matter how full I was. I realized often we take for granted the simplest things in life, even if its free food.
When Alex and I got to Brussels, our last flight, we found out the flight was delayed. We were so tired and now had a 7 hour layover instead of only a couple. So we walked around. After trying to go on a walk outside the airport that failed, spending $18 on a small coffee and a yogurt with granola, we decided to go lay down. So yes we ended up sleeping on the airport floor. When waking up this African man asked how my sleep was and chuckled. We started talking and he told me about the Gorillas in Rwanda, and how amazing the city is here. Relationships is what this country has to offer, and its truly what I love.
Saw our sponsored children today. My little 6 year old girl had just gotten over malaria. When I started walking up to her house she rand to me with arms in the air and giggling. Its those giggles I missed. That joy on her face that a million dollars couldn't ever replace. Crazy how such a small country could have your heart. Ill never forget the wisdom a man Doug spoke into my life my first mission trip. He said, " Ashley be careful. The time you serve in Rwanda can capture your stronger than any drug out there." I'm starting to think he was correct...
On the flight here I was reading a book my older sister had got me. It talked about how it isn't logic but an experience that lets us know who Christ is. Unless a man has been born over again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Its one of the peculiarities of Christianity that you can not come to it through intellect. You have to be willing to experience it first, to do something you don't understand. Then oddly enough, understand often follows. It then talks about how people often have pride when it comes to coming to God. You want to come to God in your way. When you will. As you will. Strong and Healthy, Maybe God wants you now, without a shred to recommend you. Often with Christians there is a time of believing then a dry dullness. Was this the way it was meant to be? Were believers supposed to live on memory? Where are the changed lives? Where are the healing's? Where is the belief men will die for?
1 John 3:2 " Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."