Lion King in the flesh

About a year or so ago, I remember talking to someone about how I would love to go on a safari someday, but had no idea how that would ever happen in my life.  First of all… coming to Africa always seemed a bit far fetched.  But, I’m here.  And going on a safari seemed like something I’d only be able to do if I made big money… which I don’t.  But, I went!  A dad of a few students from the school I work at offered to take a bunch of us teachers to a safari this last Saturday in eastern Rwanda.  We went to the Akagera National Park and it was so unbelievable.  I was so amazed at what I was seeing… zebras, baboons, impalas, water bucks. giraffes, huge birds, cape buffalo.  I saw them all.  We were in a jeep filled with 12 people and drove right up to the animals; close enough to get a good picture of them!  After a while, a few of us hopped on top of the jeep to ride and take pictures.  It brightened up the scenery as we entered a huge vast field filled with different types of mammals.  Amazing.  God is so creative.  We got super close to some zebras and a few giraffes.  They are so beautiful!  We had a picnic right in the midst of all God’s creation and enjoyed every minute.  Up until now, I believe the Lion King is about as much knowledge as I had of this extreme wildlife.  

Sometimes I can’t believe how BIG God proves to be.  I live my life in a hurry to get to the “good” parts but I forget to stop and see how God has created and formed everything that is good around me.  There is a whole other world over here in Rwanda!  One so different from what I’m used to, but look at the artistry only 3 hours away from where I live!  How could I be so naive to say, “Today is just another day”?  Today is not just another day… it’s a day filled with possibilities because it was created by the same God who crafted the giraffe, the zebra, and me.  It’s a day to rejoice over a relationship with the same God who formed the earth with His fingertips!  It’s a day to be humbled by the ultimate holiness demonstrated by our God who humbled himself to become a slave and die for our sins!  It’s not just another day.  It’s a blessed day in which I am grateful to have.  

While walking through a field covered with exotic wildlife, I realized just how small and insignificant I am.  So often I think this life I live is about me.  Life keeps going on all around me, and yet I can only think about myself and my needs.   I am so wrong to think I was created to serve myself!  Even more, although I am small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things… I am still loved by my God.  He finds pleasure in me because he created me.  I can’t believe it!  I’m just this little girl in a big huge world, but I have a Heavenly Father who is crazy about me :) 

Things operate a little differently on this continent

Today was a great day :)  We had a half day because teachers had an accredication meeting after school.  To make matters even more exciting, we found out halfway through the day that Monday is being declared a holiday since its the inauguration in Rwanda.... therefore we won't have school!  So today, I found out that I have a long weekend just like everyone back home!  Not for Labor Day, but all the more, a day off.  There are also rumors that Tuesday and Wednesday of next week could potentially be declared a holiday as well because of a Muslim celebration... something to do with the moon.  Things operate a little differently here in Rwanda. 

Tonight a couple other girls and I went into town for the first time without any veteran teachers with us.  We had to negotiate prices with the moto taxi drivers and navigate our way around downtown without anyone leading us.  Baby steps.  We met up with a bunch of people downtown to go out to eat with... where we ended up in a restaurant that was having a magazine opening event, in which we felt very awkward talking during a power point slide show this woman was giving.  However, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was coffeehouse-esque.  On the way back home, we packed 12 people into a 5 seater SUV... with 5 of us in the trunk.  I'm telling you, things just operate differently here :)  It was either that, or each of us get a moto at night, which I think is even scarier.  We made it home safely and all is well. 

One of the places that has become a comfort atmosphere for me and the other teachers is a restaurant called Bourbon Coffee.  It is a place where buzungu (white people) hang out and has awesome coffee drinks, ice cream, good food, and comfy chairs.  Here is a picture of the view from this restaurant:

Rwanda is so beautiful.  My photos really don't do it justice.  Although things operate differently here, I am learning to really appreciate these things and to trust God even when I may not trust the situations I'm in.  It's easy to trust God when everything around me is familiar and comfortable.  But, let me tell you, there is a lot of uncomfortable around me, and I love it.  I'm excited that God has put me in a position where I don't know a whole lot, but I know one thing:  That God is faithful and loves me and cares for me even when I'm in a storm of uncertainty. 

Training vs. Doing

I've experienced going through training for several things in my life.  I've trained to be a cheerleader through 10+ years of gymnastics classes.  I've trained to drive a vehicle through those awkward driver's training classes back in the day.  I've trained to survive in college through 12 years of schooling.  I've trained to be a YoungLife leader through a semester long course called New Leader Training.  I've trained to be an art teacher through 4 years of classes that tested me, challenged me, and built me up. 

In all of these things, I can't say I've ever truly felt prepared to jump into the real deal after the training was complete.  However, diving in head first into each new chapter of life is when the real adventure began.  I'm more of a "put the tip of my toe in the water to feel it out" kind of person... but I realize there are times when I will have to get in the water, so why not trust in the God who made the water and jump!?  It's better than the alternative... wondering and anxiously awaiting the opportunity to prove my abilities (gained from my training) to myself and to others.  Which is what I've been doing the past year! 

I have spent this last year wondering if I was even cut out to be a teacher.  I love kids so much and know that teaching is a great way to be present in their lives as a vessel for Christ.  A lot of the time, I just want to have fun with them and be their friend... rather than being the one to discipline them; although I am seeing this in quite a different light now that I am entering into the teacher world.  I realize that these kids need more than a friend.  They need adults who care enough to encourage them toward a life free from the burdens so many teenagers have from the sin they fall into because of their misunderstanding of what they are worth in God's eyes. 

I had some humongous doubts about teaching K-12 when I first signed up for this mission.  One, I couldn't get a job in Indiana because of my lack of experience (and the economy, of course), so I inadvertantly got the impression that I have too little experience to be trusted as a teacher!  Two, I have only had legit teaching experience at the high school level.  Elementary is still foreign to me, although I do enjoy it more than I thought I would!  Outside of my doubts, I am sure that beyond my abilities, God is using me and will use me to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to these kids.  At some point, I will stop operating out of fear of the "what ifs" in the classroom and will rely on God to give me the strength and wisdom to conduct each class.  I've already seen God move in the craziest class I have... it's still not perfect, but the kids are learning!  At some point I will upload photos of student work so you can see the amazing artists I am dealing with :)