I have personally experienced the significance of these words: “I will never leave a fallen comrade behind.” This creed is repeated often by US Army Rangers, and is an important part of their ethos. While serving in combat operations in 2006, I watched soldiers die and witnessed the implications of a soldier’s commitment to bringing a comrade home. (You can read this entire story in Miracles and Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories from Military Chaplains).
At Hope Haven Rwanda, our comrades are Christian brothers and sisters in Murindi. We will not leave them behind. We serve alongside them to proclaim the good news about Jesus. When Jesus stepped up to the stage at the Synagogue of Nazareth, He boldly stated that He was the fulfillment of the promise given to Isaiah. Jesus Himself was the realization of God’s promise to “proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18).
We join Jesus in this mission as we humbly serve alongside our Rwandan brothers and sisters. The Rwandan government is working hard to develop the country—and they are doing a great job! In the midst of all of the government success, one question that I have spent a lot of time discussing is, “What are we doing for those left behind?”
Joyeuse is an example of not leaving anyone behind. As a sixth grade student at Hope Haven Rwanda, she is flourishing academically. She told me recently that she especially loves learning English because “now I can speak with anyone.” She hopes to travel to Korea one day because she is fascinated by Korean culture. As Joyeuse pursues her goal of becoming a physician, I am confident that she will be a Christian world-changer!
What is remarkable about Joyeuse is that before she began school three years ago, she had never stepped inside a classroom.
Not one day of school.
Today, she thanks God for her parents and for Hope Haven Rwanda. Joyeuse truly believes the verse that she quoted to me: “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
I am excited to be part of a mission where eternal investors are ensuring that no one is left behind. We can do this together!