This is the most bizarre experience most of us have ever lived through! As a US Air Force Chaplain assigned to the Pentagon on 9/11, I assumed that dark day would remain the most intense crisis our nation would face during my lifetime.
Indeed, the crisis we face now is much broader than a national crisis. Our entire globe has been shaken. We spend our days wondering what the next few months will look like.
In the midst of uncertainty and anxiety because of what we do not know, I want to focus on what we do know. I trust in the firm foundation of my personal faith, and the faith of so many I serve alongside, here in the US, and in Rwanda.
This I know: God is pleased when we serve others.
The author of Hebrews 13:16 encourages readers: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
How are we being called to serve? Only you can answer that in your story. I am confident that God has called our team to serve our community in Murindi, Rwanda. In one of the poorest sectors, we have the honor of standing with our sisters and brothers, providing practical help and encouragement.
Here are some touching reports from Liz Ingabire, our Managing Director on the field:
• “We have given the second round of food to six cells. To avoid congestion, the cell leaders, village leaders and their assistants came to our campus to pick food for their villages. They came with bags, measured everything for each family and packed it for transportation to their villages. It’s a lot of work. It took two days. Let’s keep praying for the end of the pandemic. I don’t think we will be able to support everyone if the lockdown goes beyond 30th April.”
• “Thank you for everything you are doing to support Rwandan families, especially the Murindi community. Almost the entire community is talking and praying for Hope Haven. They are asking God to keep blessing Hope Haven’s work for the support given to the poor. People are asking themselves what would have happened without Hope Haven’s food support.”
• “On Thursday this week I gave out food to 38 families who were almost dying of starvation in their homes…You can’t believe the expression on their faces when receiving food, they all kept on saying “May God bless you.” Helping the poor is a direct blessing and you feel it!”
• “Dear All, I don’t have words to describe how you touched my heart and made my eyes wet during the video presentation. I got emotional and thankful to God who has picked each of you to make such a strong team and amazing leaders. Jason, the verses you continued quoting in your presentation hit me badly. I went on my knees glorifying God for his unconditional love. When you said that Hope Haven is like a shining star on the hill, it is true. I pictured that when we were giving out food, the joy and expression on their faces tells it all. I couldn’t go to bed without thanking all of you for the love and hard work. I am grateful to be part of the Hope Haven team and it has brought so much joy to me as I serve with you in the direction of my passion.”
In the midst of this global crisis, we are maintaining operations as much as possible. We are working with local officials to feed as many families as possible. We have completed emergency distributions providing two weeks of food and soap for more than 800 families so far!
The important work we do in Rwanda every day continues, by God’s grace and for His glory. I am so pleased to know that our work is “pleasing” God. Only eternity will tell how each one of us sacrificially serves where we have been called. Let’s ask God for the wisdom and strength to do it well!