Last year at this time I was in Rwanda. I've been thinking a LOT about my semester in Uganda lately, and remembering things I haven't thought about since they happened a year ago. After spending three months in Uganda, I was amazed by the modern American-like city in Rwanda. The change was immediate after crossing the border. Suddenly the sickness in my stomach disappeared because we were no longer traveling on bumpy, dusty, dirt roads that seemed nearly impassable, but we were on a freshly paved smooth road. We were surrounded by scenery that was even more beautiful than Uganda. I remember questioning how one simple border could result in such a drastic change, and I remember the answer to the question suddenly hitting me: This country, Rwanda, is brand new, for only 14 years earlier it was completely destroyed by a massive genocide. Every person we saw who was over the age of 14 was a survivor and had lived through the unimaginable horror. The paved roads, the large brand new buildings, the trees and flowers, and even the stoplights (yes, there were stop lights!) only existed because they were first destroyed. And I never saw it before, because I only chose to look at the negative side, but what a parallel to our lives in Christ! Because of the destruction and horrible death Christ suffered, our lives can be reconstructed and created to be beautiful. How amazing is that?
Ok, maybe that's a big stretch. Maybe it's not really a correct parallel at all. But it seems to make sense to me. Rwanda was a fine country before the genocide occurred. But then tragedy struck--unimaginable, horrifying, heartbreaking tragedy--and it seemed all hope was lost for the country as many wondered how they could ever face the world again after such loss and torture. But look at them now! Not only was the physical side of the country breathtakingly beautiful, but so were the survivors, and the stories of forgiveness and hope. What a testimony to hear 20 year old students explain that they watched their entire families get beaten to death, and yet they have managed to completely forgive the murderers. No, I'm not saying that Rwanda should have had to face a genocide in order to become a beautiful country full of forgiveness and love, and I'm not saying that it requires a tragedy to make something beautiful out of life. What I am saying is that I suddenly see the demonstration that God is able to turn the worst horrors imaginable into something beautiful, and He does the same with our lives, as a result of His own death.
It's been a tough year, for a number of reasons, in many people's lives around us, including my own. But maybe this realization, even if it is completely off-base, is God's way of reminding me that no matter what we're facing, He will make it beautiful. Whatever is challenging us now, He's got something better for us ahead. As I look back on the past several years of life, I think about the many new situations I spent so much time worrying about....starting college, going to Uganda, living with new roommates, and student teaching...all things I feared/dreaded to begin with, but in the end, were WONDERFUL experiences!
I don't know....just thinking...and this is what came out. Who knows. I'm not even sure why I wrote this on here...I'm pretty sure no one reads it anymore anyway! Oh well. I love writing :) And I love Uganda, and miss it, and want to go back. . . even if they pour water all over you on your birthday!
Ok, that's all. Enough thinking for today!
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