I need to backtrack to Wednesday. On Wednesday morning our village (Musanze) had "court day." This is when the perpetrators and victims of the genocide get their "day in court." Interesting. When your name appears on the court docket that's your chance to make sure that justice is served. If the person accused of murdering/harming your family sincerely apologizes to you and is repentant, then the person will be forgiven. If the person accused of murdering/harming your family refuses to apologizes and is unrepentant, then the person will go to prison. WOW! Talk about a great metaphor for the kind of forgiveness Christ offers and those who choose to accept it or reject it. We weren't allowed to be in the village until 2pm. In fact, no one is really allowed to be out and about until court is over. So for this morning we were assigned to go to another Mission Point whose village wasn't having "court day." Then in the afternoon we returned to Musanze.
We were with Ana and her team in a village that seemed to be about 30 min. away from our village in the exact opposite direction. The new church site was actually right off of a paved road. There seemed to be a lot more "city" influence in this area. Lots of bicycles, motorcycles, even a couple of cars occasionally. And in my opinion, the spiritual climate was totally different from our village. Jane and I went out with two nationals from the village. Both women were very sweet but extremely shy. One woman had a 3 week old baby strapped to her back. We stopped at a couple of homes and were able to disciple and pray with some women who had prayed to receive Christ earlier in the week. Then we ventured further into the banana plantation and shared with a married couple who were squeezing banana juice into a giant wooden trough. Probably making banana beer. They both prayed to receive Christ. Let me tell you - flies love bananas and banana juice - I struggled with all the flies just a little bit. Then we shared with a woman who prayed to receive Christ earlier in the week yet refused to tell them her name. She also refused to tell me her name. Then we shared with a devout Catholic who I believe knew Christ as her Savior. She had a very sweet, peaceful assurance. Then we reached a huge dry river bed. Went down a steep, sandy embankment, slipping and sliding all the way. Then crossed a bridge made of straw, twigs, and rotting plywood - I almost sat down and refused to go across. Then up the embankment on the other side. We were in yet another part of the banana grove. Came to an old woman sitting on a little grassy knoll outside her house. Shared the gospel with her. She prayed to receive Christ. While I was sharing with her, a young man, maybe in his early 20s came up and listened intently. He also prayed to receive Christ. I went through the last part of the cube with both of them - this is a simple discipleship lesson. I was struck by the thought that I was in the middle of the jungle in a village no one has ever heard of and most people will never see and I will never see these people again. Maybe in heaven we will recognize each other. As we were leaving, the young man started talking to me in limited English. He said he wanted to move to America someday because he had heard life was easy there. Whoa! Back up the bus - time for a little more conversation. I told him that life in America isn't easy. Not by any means. It's a lot more comfortable, but we pay a high price for that comfort. And then we moved on but I kept thinking about life in America and how easy it isn't. Our lives are so complicated. Relationships are mixed up and messed up. We have so many choices. And so many "needs." Life in any village or city is not easy. God promised us that it wouldn't be. Even life with Christ is not easy. But His grace is sufficient for us. He is our Sustainer. He is our Comforter. His mercies are new every morning. Think about the significance of that. He is our Provider. He is our Shelter. We are His children. We can come to Him any time. He offers to carry our burdens for us. We can rest in the shadow of His wings. He lifts us up on wings like eagles. He is listening, watching, waiting, willing, and able. He is everything we need to live this life we've been called to live. We are more than conquerors through Him. Hallelujah! Amen!
