Enroute to God Knows What

In a matter of days I'll be leaving for Rwanda.  Hopefully, as my days increase there, I'll be able to finally answer all those pertinent questions (if you've had any conversation with me about what I'm doing, you understand).

Where will you live?

Who will you be working with?

How will you get around?

Will you have internet?

Is it safe?

What will you be doing?

Are you going to raise enough money?

Are you going to be eaten by a gorilla?
Why is the sky blue?

When can I come and visit you?

It's almost comical as I attempt to answer questions, often repeating the phrase, "I don't know."  Yet, as I have prepared for this journey, I've settled on the idea, rather fact, that I am on a need-to-know basis with God.  It is true that I do not know a lot of what is considered common knowledge before any trip.  However, here is what I do know:  I know where I am going,  I know Who is sending me, and I know I am not alone.


Do not let this create some kind of image of me that involves unshakeable faith and immovable courage. As my departure date draws close, I am growing more and more nervous.  However, it's not the unanswered questions that give root to my anxiety.  Rather, it is the answered ones.  I am going on a mission set out by a God I do not see, to a land I do not know, with money I do not have.


There is ample room for fear and doubt.  The temptation to fill the void with common reactions to the unknown is strong, and I do not think anyone would blink an eye if those temptations gave way to action, but that same amount of room is also available to faith and surrender.  There is opportunity before me to not only help bring justice to Rwanda, but also to allow God to strengthen my faith - faith that He will provide.  This is not an easy lesson learned, at least not by me, as God has been teaching me this lesson since I have been aware of His existence.  So here I am again: me, the worried student and Christ, the perfect teacher.

What is a Life Worth?

Imagine a 4-year old girl playing outside when a neighbor grabs her, kidnaps her, and rapes her.  Devastating.  Now imagine an arrest is made, but some of the rapist's allies threaten to kill the girl's father if the charges are not dropped.  They even pressure the police to release the rapist, resulting in freedom for a dangerous man who committed a heinous crime.  Imagine the despair - a despair that is paralyzing.

This is exactly what I'll be up against in Rwanda.  There's a need for someone to answer to the cries of help of countless little girls who are experiencing injustice, and I have the opportunity to meet it.  In fact, you have the opportunity to meet it.  IJM and I need your help, and we need your help in two critical ways:

Prayer - God hates injustice, and God's people is His plan to stop it.  Without Him, there is 

              no hope.

Donations - There are victims to rescue, I am willing to go and have the skill set to be 

                    successful, but I need the finances to get there.

What do you think she was crying out for when she was being raped?  Food?  Shelter?  What about when she later saw the rapist walking the streets as a free man while her father's life rests in the perp's hands?  Did she want clothes or clean water?  Not likely.  She wanted someone to rescue her, someone to stop the violence and pain, someone to bring justice and freedom.  If you're not safe, nothing else matters.

What is it worth to you save this girl's life?  What about any other girl, or what about the 4-year old that you know?  What is it worth to you to save THAT girl?

1 minute of prayer or 1 hour of prayer?

1 day of your life or 1 year of your life?

$100 donation or $1,000 donation?

This past week in DC for training has only increased my passion and excitement to help bring justice to the poor and oppressed in Rwanda.  There are a lot of fears and anxieties that come with this endeavor.  However, I know God is going with me, and you can be apart of it.  Please prayerfully consider your involvement.  Then act.  That's it.  Just do something.  That is all God wants from you.  There's no minimum limit of what you have to do.  Just doing something, one simple act against injustice, is an act that helps eliminate injustice.  Check out IJM's website or post to this blog to learn more.