Lesson 8 -It's Not About Us

This post is the toughest to write. I have been wrestling with this since my return. I thought I was crazy and my concerns misplaced, but as I was catching up with Pastor John about my trip, I shared these thoughts and he told me I wasn’t alone. In fact the Outreach and Missions leadership at Christ Fellowship was reevaluating our approach to missions based on some of these same concerns.

This is tough to write because it sheds light on opportunities on my trip as well as on past trips I have gone on. It is my personal challenge to all who have and will go on mission trips to think differently. The Bishop of Rwanda said it best when he spoke about Rwanda’s approach to the judicial system as it related to trying those who killed during the genocide “we hold ourselves to western standards but western standards aren’t always needed.”

Most Americans including myself possess an arrogance when going on mission trips that although we are going to serve, we are “one hit wonders” going to save and make the lives better of all those we come in contact. They are “blessed to have us” and all the treasures we bring. When traveling you can usually spot Americans because we are loud, obnoxious and demanding. We don’t take the approach of observing the locals and do what they do. We don’t settle into the landscape of the country we are in.

During the trip and post trip I continued to be disturbed at some of our actions as it related to giving out gifts to the children. In America we wouldn’t go out on a street and start handing out candy and gifts without some type of announcement or partnership with a group. For goodness sakes, on Halloween we won’t even let our kids eat candy until an adult has scanned it all and thrown away anything questionable. Interesting that we think it is okay to go into another country, unable to speak their language and directly start handing gifts to children without partnering with parents/adults to get permission or introduce ourselves first.

We all love to treat kids to candy as it is a delight for them, but again at home we limit the sugar intake of our kids as we want their teeth to remain healthy, yet here we are in a 3rd world country where dentists are few, and we are lavishing the candy. Wondering wouldn’t it be a better option to buy healthy snacks bought in their country that would provide nutrition while stimulating their economy through increasing sales at local stores.

Empowering Locals
Why wouldn’t we want to meet with the leader of the town, church or the mission we are working with and tell them what we have brought and ask them if they would like any of the items and if so how they would want to manage them? Why wouldn’t we let them in their time, in their way distribute the items. Let them be in charge – it is their country, their culture. We are there to cheer them on, not to be the center stage. Better yet, why wouldn’t we bring money and buy the things locally the leaders are asking for to again stimulate the economy and support local merchants vs. haul things from the US.

If we really want to be planful, we would ask the group we are partnering with what the greatest need is and raise money so we could provide and meet the need locally. Pastor John and I were talking about the shoe drive we did for Haiti, I remember the women who had gone on the first trip said “get flip flops not shoes as all the girls want flip flops.” While that made sense, most of us still bought shoes, as we wanted them to have something nice. Well a year later, Pastor John has confirmed most of the shoes are still in storage at the orphanage as the kids want flip flop as they are practical and are easier to clean the mud off.

For those planning future trips, fast forward this concept - raise money for shoes if that is a need, take it to the group you are working with and go to the local store and buy locally what the children need. What a win for the local merchants and the ministry gets what they need. That is truly helping. Now in some cases they don’t have the items needed but we should first ask what the need is and can it be purchased locally. That is demonstrating the love of Christ in action.

Reflecting on candy wrappers, bloody noses, crying children because someone bigger took their stuff and broken crayons littered, I wonder did we leave the place better than we found it? I say this not just for this trip but for the many I have been on. We need to do a check of our motives to ensure that our actions are supporting the local leadership. We must decrease and they must increase.

Leaving Things Better than We Found Them
This past Sunday Pastor Tom had a great message on the right priorities for 2012. Encourage you to take a moment and watch. The concepts aren’t new but they are powerful reminders of how we are to live. www.gochristfellowship.com Click on latest message "Living a Life that Excels" on the right hand side of the home page.

This message is a call to action for all those who are preparing to go on mission trips. This is not meant to be a downer about this past trip but it is an opportunity for all who have been on trips to reflect on these thoughts. I believe this is one of the lessons God wanted me to learn and to share. We must shift our focus on why we go on mission trips. We need to ask ourselves – why are we going, what are we able to do to support the locals that the locals could not do without us. We need to ensure our actions support the local economy and we are enhancing their lives. It is a tough pill to swallow but maybe us raising money and sending it versus going on the trip is really what they need. I know I want to go back to Rwanda but I must balance the desire to go with what will my trip do to benefit the local population, what skill can I bring to teach or learn to take back to the US to make things better. If I am going just to go, my money would be better spent sending it to the mission organization.


Challenge
for those going on future trips - take time to learn about the local culture, learn key words and take the time to reflect and discuss how the mission team will show up differently in the country. When you leave, not only are you forever changed but the locals are forever changed. We have a choice to be a “one hit wonder” or “leave it better than we found it.”

Lesson 7 - True Giving Is When You Give a Piece of Your Heart

One of my love languages is gifts. I love to give people things that they will see as special and meaningful as a way to show my love and appreciation. The value of the gift is meaningless; it is the thought behind it and in my mind the joy and/happiness it will bring.

While we were gathering to leave the Kigali Genocide Memorial, one of the women was showing Alfrancine (our guide/interpreter) and I a collection of stackable baskets she had purchased. Alfrancine’s eyes lit up. I asked if that was something she would like. She smiled and said “yes”.

Saturday, while we were at a market, I found the baskets. I found Alfrancine and asked her if she had a color preference and she asked for the colors of Rwanda (blue and green). I presented her with the baskets and she gave me a big hug and smile.

Later that morning, Alfrancine found me and gave me a bag. Inside was a carved gorilla. She shared since we had not seen the gorillas that Rwanda is known for that she wanted me to have one.

I was speechless and started to cry. Inside I was thinking, this woman is not one of means and for her to buy me a gift was a true sacrifice. As I was relating this to Cyrus and how I felt so bad that she got me a gift in response to my gift, he shared that in Africa, when you give a gift, you give not only the gift, but you give a piece of your heart. He shared that she wanted to demonstrate that she was giving me a piece of her heart in return.

Speechless. I began to reflect on how many times do we in America give a gift without thinking about it, without really caring about what we give. Giving not from our heart but out of obligation.

For those who have been to my home, gorillas don’t fit into my décor but you can bet the gorilla is displayed and will continued to be displayed with prominence. It is a constant reminder to me that it is not the gift that counts but condition of the heart when the gift is given.

Giving gifts is something we should do with joy. It may mean we have to shift our paradigm on gift giving. What if we were intentional about what we gave? Regardless of its monetary value, seeing each gift not just something physical but in giving it we gave a piece of ourselves.

Mission Possible: Handbags for Scholarships

Praising God at current moment over $2200 is set to go to the Blessed Mango Tree “Vocational School Scholarship Fund”. Thrilled that the demand for the bags leaves many now on a waiting list until I get my next order. Yes, I did just say my next order. Trusting God to work out the details and logistics to get another shipment. My mother lost out on her bag when I let someone else purchase it (does that make me a bad daughter that I sold the bag to someone else?). Thankful she has already forgiven me and is fine to wait and have first pick of the next order.

God’s economy and his ways and paths are infinite. We cannot even begin to understand or operate even close to his level! Thankful for the unexpected opportunity I had to tell my story with a display at church. Donations for over half the bags came from that day or follow up from seeing or hearing about the bags that Sunday. Thankful for a Pastor whose heart breaks for the things that break Jesus’ heart and desires to teach us how to respond. Thankful for his teaching in the moment how we can make a difference through our giving.

Cyrus is letting Pastor Nathan know that $2200 is coming his way in a newly formed scholarship account to use to help the women of his church. I look forward to sharing the stories and pictures of the women who are able to attend the school. I know we will be inspired by their lives and in turn we will be inspired to do things that challenge us. My hope is we will continue to encourage them through prayer and contribute to sewing machines for them when they graduate next year.

This is just a small portion of the story and there is more to come including how you can contribute ongoing to the fund (thank you Cyrus for working to set up a fund through WorldHelp). Praising God that through many acts of kindness and obedience at least 3 women will be able to enroll in school the beginning of the year. Just 35 days after I returned from Rwanda with 100 handbags, we have begun to make a difference by “doing what we can do”.

Pictures of the hangtag on the bags are attached. If anyone would like to formally design a hangtag to be used on all future bags – please let me know.

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Lesson 6 – A Bike isn’t Just for Riding

I love to ride my bike around West Palm Beach and it is a great way to run errands and just enjoy the surroundings and offerings of South Florida. My favorite things about my bike – it's purple and has a basket in the front. It is a great bike for just getting around town and riding the bike trail.

I was struck time and time again in Rwanda as I saw people with bikes. Often times those with a bike were using it to haul things or people. They rarely used their bike for a short jaunt around town. They even have bike taxis and most bikes have a second seat that serves many purposes.

Most people in Rwanda walk as it doesn’t cost money to walk. The reason people are carrying things on their heads, babies on their backs is so they have their hands free to carry more things. Usually where they are going is not a short walk.

Owning a bike is a luxury. Many families will save 4-5 years to get a bike that would cost $150. That time line is modest as if something happens in their family, there goes the money saved. Speaking with the owner of the transportation company we were with, he shared a bike transforms an entire family. He stated men gain confidence when they get a bike as they now have a means to be more productive and earn more for their family.

A bike will be what the family and potentially their neighbors use to get someone medical care; get to school, work, etc. Just imagine if you had to walk to your current job from where you live, would you be able to hold that job? Now vision riding a bike to that job, it seems much more doable.

I love to ride outside and I also love to cycle (aka spin) at Velocity. In one of my pre-trip posts, I shared I was going to look for someone to give my velocity shirt to that would be encouraged that we were riding with him/her.

Martin is a survivor of the genocide and was 5 years old at the time. His sister also survived so he is not alone like so many of the orphans. He is 22 years old and is blessed to be in school because someone has chosen to support him from the US. When I met Martin at Hope Village (community for genocide orphans who are over 18) he helped translate for me as the woman I was with did not speak English or French. He shared that when he graduates from University he wants to help other orphans.

Martin exuded a commitment to love and care for those that like he is fatherless from an earthly perspective. Martin has big dreams, is bright and I know will do many great things for his country and for those who are broken in spirit and feel hopeless.When I left, I gave Martin the velocity t-shirt as well as a promise that he would receive a bike to allow him to be more productive as he goes through school allowing him to potentially earn money as well to ensure his schooling continues. I was delighted to present someone that gift already that in their honor Martin a man who will do great things for God will have a bike because of them.

I am not a number person so when a number comes into my head, it is usually from God. My goal is to rally support for a minimum of 10 bikes to be given to various orphans at the Hope Village allowing Pastor Maurice who oversees to determine who would benefit most. I have shared with Cyrus if Pastor Maurice sees a greater need for a bike elsewhere in his parish then we of course trust his wisdom.

Would you join me in changing a life and ultimately a family? Cyrus Mad-Bondo is the Director of Africa for WorldHelp (www.worldhelp.net) accompanied us on the trip. He is committed to getting pictures of of those students and bikes as accountability as well as be able to share the story about how the bike is making a difference in their life. I will blog all updates. I can’t wait to share the stories!

A great family gift for Christmas or for any occasion is to give a bike in someone’s honor letting them know that they have not only changed a life, they have changed the economic outlook of a family for generations to come. The bikes purchased will look like the ones in the pictures above but will be top of the line ensuring they will last long and survive the punishing roads of Rwanda.

If you would like to donate a bike in someone’s honor please do the following:
• Write a check for $150
• Make the check out to World Help
• In the memo line write Bike for Rwanda.
• Send to: World Help attn. Cyrus Mad-Bondo, PO Box 501, Forest, VA 24551

God continues to teach me about sacrifice. It is easy to give out of abundance, but what am I willing to give up? When I think about the precious lives that could be transformed if I packed lunch every day or didn't get my Panera iced tea every day and put that money in a bike fund, how many bikes could I buy this year? Packing a lunch isn’t even that big of a sacrifice (the iced tea is though) so there will be more digging in to come but I hope you will join me in reflecting and asking what is it you can do. It goes back to the Bishop of Rwanda’s advice – “do what you can do”.

If I came back from Rwanda no different than before I left, and if my actions were no different than before, what was the value of the trip? Continuing to ask God to challenge me, stretch me and force me to see things in a new way. As I finish this, I am already sensing God say “what will you specifically sacrifice Janelle in 2012 that will allow you personally to raise money for 10 bikes.” Ouch…stay tuned; I write this so I remain accountable to share what that sacrifice is and the journey to raising money for those 10 bikes out of sacrifice.

Lesson 5 – Life is to Be Celebrated

What a blessing it was to worship with Pastor Nathan and his congregation at Church of the Blessed Mango Tree. Baby dedications occurred that Sunday and we were blessed to watch three babies be dedicated. Similar to the US, the baby is dedicated with a prayer and the congregation agrees to support and model the love of Christ.

The dedication was over and then all of the sudden one of the women said something in Kinyarwandan and the next thing you know the dance team is up and dancing and singing and the whole congregation is standing praising the Lord. Our interpreter shared that the congregation wanted to thank God for providing the church with not one but with three healthy babies. The mortality rate is high. One baby would have been a blessing but three was like a miracle.


Humbled. I have seen ten or more babies dedicated in a given church service. We laugh and coo at the babies, we promise to support the baby and the parents as they raise the child and that’s where it ends. We need to take a page out of the Church of the Blessed Mango tree and give the Lord a hand for what He has done. Acknowledging He is Elohim, creator - the giver of life! We have become so numb in the U.S. that unless the mother had a difficult pregnancy or the child experienced challenges at birth we don't even acknowledge God and His provision.

Offering of Thanksgiving
As the celebration went on two gifts were presented to Pastor Nathan and his assistant. The church took an offering of praise to celebrate the Lord’s goodness of three babies. The gifts were for the pastors – tableclothes for the table in the sanctuary an''d a thermos to keep the coffee or tea warm. As you can see by the picture, the assistant pastor was very happy with the gift!



In addition to praising the Lord with all of their being, they gave an offering of thanksgiving to the Lord. When was the last time we took up a praise offering after baby dedication to thank the Lord for his goodness in providing the parents and our church with those precious babies? When was the last time we worshipped the Lord with true joy for the gift of life?

Lesson 4 – Running Water is a Blessing

Living Water International is an organization I whole heartedly support since we entered the story with Advent Conspiracy as a Church. I have loved giving water in honor of others and believe in the mission. My team at work has enjoyed knowing water was given in their name and have valued it as a gift.

My head knows that clean, running water is not a commodity the world over but it wasn’t until I saw the plastic yellow jugs in Rwanda that it broke my heart. As in most cultures, children get the grunt work; hauling water is one of the chores children are given. Bikes are a luxury so walking is how you get water. Now that might not seem to us in America a big deal until we realize that depending on where the nearest well is they are walking miles. Children spend four or five hours a day hauling water based on the location and how many are in their family. Now that is not every family and every area, but it is a fact of life for many. A well in ones community is a BLESSING!

Stones serve as markers on the road in the Eastern Province noting the kilometers to the water well. Visualize it is your second, third or fourth trip with your arms tired and aching from lugging two jugs of water miles each way; stopping to find some shade from the hot sun and rest your feet. Feet screaming from the heat and aching from being so tired carrying the weight of the water because you don’t have sneakers that have high support and cushioning;if you have sandals it is a bonus.

Blessed are those who have a well in their community and have short distances to walk. Thrilled are those who have a bike loading it up with water jugs to make fewer trips and increase efficiency.

Americans – we drink bottled water and many times we don’t finish the bottle and dump it down the drain. We see water as a given that is a normal part of our every day life. We don’t ration it, we don’t think about the fact that if we want to take a shower we are going to have to haul the water. We may in fact take 2 or more showers a day based on if we have worked out and/or are going out and want to look fresh. If we had to spend a few hours a day lugging our water (that would not be to the perfect temperature because they don’t have a water heater) would we shower as often as we do?

Awareness as it relates to finishing my water, eliminating water bottles and using the tap water has been a simple step I am taking to remind me every time I turn on the faucet I am blessed; I am accountable to drink all that I pour into my glass.

I am more energized about Living Water and helping others connect to such a ministry in the market place around the word assessing the needs and providing the deep water wells. As we think about what Jesus would want for His birthday, I am confident clean water would be high on his list. Franklin Graham shared what was behind his forming of Samaritan’s Purse, “you must meet physical needs before people can hear about the one who can meet their spiritual needs.”

Join me this Christmas in honoring those you love and work with by giving them clean water. Living Water now has gift cards that allow the gift recipient to choose the project the money that was given in their name goes to. This year in addition to the projects you can also give to a specific country like Rwanda. What a great way to get kids involved in the mission, helping them learn about the need for clean water and how they can help others around the world.

Check out the link below to join the conspiracy and provide clean water that will not only sustain life it will open many to hear about the one who gives true life as that is the reason Jesus came.

http://www.water.cc/store/christmas-gift-cards?q=store/christmas-gift-cards

Lesson 3 – Count Your Blessings

Continuing where I left off…the handbags. I realized I didn’t share one of the really awesome stories about getting the bags back into the states. Knowing the limit to avoid tax is $800 I knew it was going to be a miracle if I was able to enter back into the US and not have paid duty on the handbags. Avoiding being detained with the belief that the bags were samples/resale would be an even bigger miracle.

My passport is well used specifically with Canada and every one of those entries is for work related to Gap Transportation. So when one declares close to $800 in handbags it would be easy to see why I might get flagged for further discussion.

I was praying and asked those around me to pray that the customs officer would be understanding and that I would have no issue clearing customs. I had primed my camera to have the pictures of the women sewing in case I needed to share the full story.

The customs officer spent time talking about my being on a farm (most of the area outside Kigali qualifies with crops and cattle, goats etc all in one spot) and being in the National Park. He never asked about my bags. He looked at the detail, saw my total was over $800 looked at me and stamped my form and said “Welcome Home.” Knowing I was still on camera I kept it together but had all I could do not to cry. I was praising God inside trying to remain very calm and cool.

That was indeed a blessing and one I do not take for granted.

My second blessing regarding the bags is today Pastor John saw me showing some of the women the bags at church and told me they would fit in perfectly with his Advent Conspiracy Part 2 Message next week. That means any bags I have not received donations by next Sunday will be offered to those at CF City Place in the lobby so they can be part of the story too. I love that the story will be told even more broadly. God is just choosing to delight me in this endeavor.

Getting excited thinking about the women who will now have an opportunity to provide for their family. Women gaining confidence in their abilities; raising their children telling them how God provided the opportunity for school. God’s economy is far greater than our economy!

Constantly reminded God’s blessings are abundant if we take a moment to be still and reflect. I love the Hymn "Count Your Blessings". The chorus says it all: "count your blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.".

Handbags Providing Skills and Confidence

Picking up where I left off during my last post, it is now time to fill you in on the handbags. God continues to amaze me how He puts his handprint on things that He has ordained and the handbags were no different.

On the final leg of my trip home, I had a layover in Charlotte. Realizing I was in need of a very strong lip balm I stopped in the Body Shop. I had my handbag and one of the women asked me about it. She new it was an African print and shared her family was from the Congo and she so wanted to buy some bags. I shared the history behind the bags and that I would be exchanging bags for donations to a scholarship fund for the school. She took down my email and she has been patiently waiting for me to get this post up so she can place an order.

Shipping the bags wasn’t in my initial plan but I LOVE the thought of the story being told in locations outside of Florida. The encounter was truly of God and I took it as a sign that God was in this project.

About the Bags
Women at the Anglican Vocational School sewed the bags. The women in the class for the most part are widows and have to support a family. The goal of the school is to help the women learn a skill that will allow them to provide for their family.

Ensuring women are trained in a skill and able to provide for their family is a key defense against human trafficking. When a family is able to meet their own needs, they are not at risk to fall prey to someone who offers to “help”.

For a minimum of $20 you will receive a bag of your choice. For each donation, $10 will go into the Vocational School Scholarship Fund to be established at the Church of the Blessed Mango Tree.

The bags have a zipper closure and there are two pockets sewn inside (big enough to hold cell phones).

Bags will have a hangtag sharing the history of the bag to create more awareness.

How to Order
If you are in West Palm Beach, you can come on by and shop directly or I am willing to complete the exchange at CF City Place after the 9 am service and before the 10:30 am service.

For those out of town, I am willing to ship for an additional fee of $6 for orders of 3 or more handbags.

There are 10 designs and each one has a number. Please send your order to jmlangwpb@gmail.com. If you want to drop by this weekend I will be home for those local.








Isaiah 61
Isaiah 61 is the name I am putting on the hangtag. That passage of Scripture went through my head while I was in Rwanda and believe it is a story of hope amidst trials and hardship.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a] 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins 
and restore the places long devastated; 
they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. 
You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. 7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, 
and instead of disgrace 
you will rejoice in your inheritance. 
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. 8 “For I, the LORD, love justice; 
I hate robbery and wrongdoing. 
In my faithfulness I will reward my people 
and make an everlasting covenant with them. 
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations 
and their offspring among the peoples. 
All who see them will acknowledge 
that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” 10 I delight greatly in the LORD; 
my soul rejoices in my God. 
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation 
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, 
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up 
and a garden causes seeds to grow, 
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness 
and praise spring up before all nations.

Lesson 2 – See Where God is At Work and Join Him

Over dinner Tuesday night, I was speaking with Cyrus who was our host for the trip (he is director of Africa for World Help). He was sharing prior to our arrival he had met with the Anglican Church and toured the vocational school that was training women on skills to support their families. I asked if we were visiting the school as I thought that would be an awesome way to encourage women. My radar went up as he started to show me pictures and I saw women sewing handbags.

For better or worse, American women are consumers and most of us like to shop. The results of our Not For Sale “freedom sale” at City Place campus a few years ago validated women are motivated to shop when it directly benefits the lives of other women. Seeing those handbags I knew there was an opportunity to do something with them. I was excited to be able to learn the story behind them.

Cyrus was gracious to get a tour set up and to work with the director of the school as it related to purchasing bags. Due to the fact they are in start up mode, they have not been able to get ahead on inventory so if we wanted bags we needed to order them.

Dinner Wednesday night I felt God say – order 100 and take them back and share the story and give others the opportunity to support these women through a scholarship fund. Cyrus shared some of the women in school, attended Church of the Blessed Mango Tree where we worshipped on Sunday. Pastor Nathan had shared there were many who wanted to go school but needed financial support as most of the women were widows.

We decided to take an order from our team and we ended up with an order of 190 bags! What a great encouragement to these women learning a new skill. They were currently working on a big order and now would have another one right behind it.

I digress for a moment, as this idea to order the bags would not have happened if my debit card had not been restored. When I called my bank the day before we left to flag my credit and debit card with an “out of country” note to ensure they would go through and not get shut down the representative ended up canceling my debit card; my card was wiped out of the system. I was told there was no way to reverse it and I would have to wait until my return back to the states to get a new card. The manager promised to work hard to see if there was a way to reverse it but she wasn’t confident and kept apologizing. As we were leaving for the airport Friday she called to say she thought my card would work so try it when I got to the airport. I tried it and it worked! Since credit card was not a currency taken at the vocational school cash was needed. Thankful that the manager was so diligent. I share this with you as God got the victory this day in the fact I had ability to withdraw enough currency to pay for the 100 bags.

So back to lesson 1 – do what you can do. I love to invite people to join me in helping others. Sharing the handbags and their story is something I can do and do it naturally. Lesson 2 – seeing that God was already at work at the church and the vocational school made it easy for me to join in to support the effort – no need to reinvent the wheel.

You want to know how you can support the women and be a part of sharing their story and I promise you will get that opportunity…. tomorrow! (I also promise if you are reading this and not in WPB I you too can take part in the opportunity.)

In the meantime if you aren’t familiar with Advent Conspiracy click on the link below. http://vimeo.com/30556886. Throughout my posts this week I will be providing in addition to the handbags ways you can support Advent Conspiracy in Rwanda directly touching the lives of those the team and I were blessed to meet.

Lesson 1 - Do What You Can Do

We were blessed to meet with the Bishop of Rwanda. Humbled to be in his presence and to learn from him. Although it was a tough read, his book is necessary for all of us to be reminded that evil is present and we must be on guard. We must speak up even when it is not popular, before it is too late. I told him it was the hardest book I have ever had to read and he replied, “it was the hardest book to write”. Thankful for his courage to tell the story filled with so much pain knowing it is the only way beauty can come from the ashes. Truth must be exposed.

Overwhelmed by all the pain, suffering and senselessness of the genocide one wonders “what can I do?”. Bishop John’s responded “do what you can do”. He said “start with something you can do and then trust God will show you what else he wants you to do to help.”

I thought that was great advice and looked forward to figuring out what it was I was meant to do; I was confidant God would make it clear. Interesting enough, by that evening, I knew what I was to do.