What a joy to serve with Bethany and Gabby this summer. These nursing students from Cedarville University literally jumped into a medical clinic minutes after they arrived on campus! Through the fog of jet lag, they began their internship by providing practical help and spiritual encouragement to hundreds of patients without a complaint. When they left weeks later, they were like rock stars on campus, with entourages of students following them everywhere they went.
It is clear that not everyone has the opportunity to travel to Africa to complete an internship in a vulnerable community like the one we serve. Our team, and our family, do not take these opportunities lightly. We know it is an honor to serve in Rwanda and we thank God every day we are there, learning alongside our Rwandan sisters and brothers.
At Hope Haven Rwanda, we emphasize volunteer service trips that focus on learning from—and with—Rwandans. Each trip intentionally includes three components: service at the school, outreach in our community and experiencing cultural immersion.
The first two components of this strategy are about demonstrating the love of Christ to people in crisis. Our goal is to apply the principles found in Matthew 25. In this account, Jesus, as Eternal King, is evaluating the “good works” of humans. He notes that as we serve others (with the right motives) we are also serving God. I encourage you to take a minute to read this text and to meditate on how you are investing your life each day in service to others. There is no better way to live!
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:35-40).
How can you be more aware of needs you encounter this week? Will you remember this truth: “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me?”