“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:18-20). In an agricultural context, people understand fruit. Some of the most delicious, succulent fruit in the world comes from Rwanda, “The Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Occasionally, by God’s grace, we get a glimpse into the future harvest. In the midst of the back-breaking toil of life, we experience a foretaste of the harvest to come. Like a tiny sprout of hope in the parched soil, we witness a preview of what only the future will fully reveal!
We are in a season of early harvest at Hope Haven Rwanda and it is such a joy to pause and reflect on God’s goodness to this community. We are confident that we are planting spiritual seeds every day, which will blossom into eternal fruit. And, as a bonus, we get to see some of the fruit on this side of eternity.
Earlier this year, we started our first level of Secondary School. Incredibly, every single one of our initial Primary School graduates tested in the Top 3% of the entire nation! Most of these students began studying at Hope Haven under a tree seven years ago. The recent national exam results were a clear validation that we are changing the trajectory for these students and their families. We offer each one a brighter tomorrow with the hope of Jesus Christ along with practical life skills.
As Bill Moeny says, “God chooses us to carry out some aspect of the work of the kingdom. That work will be beyond our ability to do on our own, but it will not be beyond Christ’s ability to do through us.” We bear fruit when we abide with Jesus—following His lead in everything we say and do. Jesus taught this to His disciples and it still applies to us today: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The initial harvest is happening right now in Rwanda and the results are amazing! As our Senior 1 choir sang recently, “Lord, we lift your name on high!” Our Father is validating the investments that have been made by so many over the years and we are beginning to see the early fruit. I am praying now that in spite of the toilsome work you face this week, God will offer you just a tiny glimpse into the harvest of your future!