Add to the Beauty

I love this photograph because of the message in the face of this woman. I took this photo while visiting the village of one of our Co-Teachers, David, in Kenya. David's home sits in the midst of hills and tea fields. On this particular day David took us on a long hike through the region. We stopped to watch tea pickers and learn a bit about the process of growing tea.

As I shot photo after photo of the people working, this woman intrigued me. For her 12 hour day she was paid $3. The weight of the basket on her back and the weathered clothes indicate that her job is not a breeze. Despite an extremely low salary, little food and a strict quota she is smiling. Not just smiling...glowing. When I look at this photograph I am reminded of the first chapter in James. "Consider it pure Joy...when you face trials of many kinds." What a lesson to be learned!

Often people refer to the Continent of Africa as being the Dark Continent. While war, AIDS, poverty and sickness are very prevalent, I believe I have experienced more light than darkness. The words found in Sara Groves song "Add to the Beauty" inspire my approach towards my upcoming move.

"We come with purposes written on our hearts, written on our souls. We come to every new morning. With possibilities only we can hold. Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces. Calling out the best of who we are. I want to add to the beauty. To tell a better story. I want to shine with the light. That's burning up inside."

I am not planning on taking God to Rwanda. Nor am I planning on bringing Jesus to Kigali. They are already there. I believe they are alive and well within that place. I believe there are beautiful things happening in Rwanda and I simply long to join God in His work. I want to join God as he works in the lives of my students and my future Rwandan friends. Looking at the face of the lady picking tea reminds me that Africa is full of beauty and the Fruits of the Spirit. My desire is to simply go to Rwanda and learn and add to the beauty.

Please pray that my eyes, ears and heart will be open to what God is already doing in Rwanda. May I allow the Counselor to guide me to places where God's dream is in motion.

You have probably seen the movie Hotel Rwanda. If you would like to watch another movie about the 1994 Genocide I recommend Sometimes in April. The HBO film touches on a variety of stories during the 100 days of Genocide. I would also recommend a few good reads. We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families, stories from Rwanda written by journalist Philip Gourevitch. Left To Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, written by Ilibagiza a Rwandan lady who lost most of her family. More recommendations to come!