Impactful Trip to Rwanda Changes Team’s Worldview and Provides Hope For Two Villages
Written by: Sue Kelso
Sue, seen here with Pastor Nicodem, wife, Therese and their twin boys. Sue and her husband are sponsoring the boys at the new Child Hope Center in Batima.
The experience of going on this mission trip has shifted my worldview.
It allowed me to begin to understand how vast and diverse the world is. We gain so much knowledge about the impact and influence we can have, for good or bad. And hopefully, we choose to live into the good, showing God’s love to others in big, bold, world-changing ways.
The truth is we are all the same in God’s eyes. But in a world filled with news headlines and stories about “others” around the world, taking time to build relationships with those who might seem different than us, unlocks understanding and compassion, not just with those we encountered on our trip, but for people in all walks of life.
Taking the time to listen to those who have experienced difficult circumstances in their lives—whether it’s loss of community or family, generational poverty, racism and injustice, or simply being ignored and cast off in their struggles—we learn what it means to depend on God in all seasons of life. Choosing to sit in the struggle with those we seek to serve is a humbling and hopefully inspiring approach to loving and serving like Jesus.
What a special opportunity to see and experience God working as our group came together, possibly a rare glimpse into what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. Hopefully, it inspires us to continue to foster a strong, loving community in all aspects of our lives. Having taken this time to live intentionally, to love our neighbors, and see everyone the way that God sees them, you walk away changed. May we apply that change to every area of our lives.
Sue, along with the other members of the September mission team, officially opened Mission Life’s first Child Hope Center in a rural village. The children and families here really need our help. Learn more about Batima and meet the children who would love to find their sponsor.
Also through donations, the team was able to leave behind funds to help the village of Nyamata. This community now has a place where they can gather and the children can learn! In just four weeks, the building was painted and cleaned and the children are in school with new desks! With additional growth, Mission Life may be able to develop a sponsorship program here as well!
The children of Nyamata at their new community center thanks to donations for our September mission trip team!