I unzipped my suitcase and out spilled Africa. I reclined basking in the faint charcoal and thickly organic aroma that had found it's way into my clothing and come across the miles by jet to be released here in my bedroom. It brought with it memories of the thousand hills of Rwanda. In an instant I saw the images of flocks of children running alongside our hired car yelling, "Mzungu Komera," (white man be strong.) I realized I had left a piece of my heart there. I'd like to think I can go back next year to retrieve it but I already know that this would be futile. Each time I set foot in that land of redemption I leave another part of me rather than getting back what I've left.
I spoke in the Cathedral of St. Paul the morning of our departure. I couldn't fathom what I might say to a people who have suffered unthinkable hardship. I'm a white man who lives in the most prosperous land in the world. What could I say to a people who have suffered genocide and come out the other side in spiritual revival?
I told them, "Today I will be leaving this beautiful land. In a few hours we will be back in Kigali at the airport and I will come to speak with a customs agent who will ask me what I am bringing out of Rwanda. The true answer is that I have packed my bags full of hope and I will be bringing it with me back to my people so that they too can experience what God is doing in this beautiful land."
Rwanda is a place of spiritual revival. It's one of the few places on Earth today where a person can experience face to face what evil looks like and then see that our sovereign God redeems everything He touches. No matter how far we've fallen, no matter what atrocities we've committed nothing is beyond His power to redeem it. In the coming months we'll be planning an opportunity for anyone who wants to experience this for themselves to come along in 2012.
This note launches my blog site. I look forward to having this place to share what's been on my mind. Accompanying this launch is the above video so that you can see for yourself and feel the heart of Rwanda as well as the audio blog version of the latest Daily Audio Bible trip to Africa.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO BLOG OF THE TRIP TO AFRICA HERE
The Missional Life : An African Tale