Muraho (Hello),
May 27th
I am finally settled in a house. I am going to be living with Jean McAlister who is from First Pres. Bellevue. She has a large house that she rents and so I am rent a room for her. I am very excited about it. So I will be living in Kigali and commuting to the Center for Champions via taxi. It is a beautiful drive out to Rwamagana which is where the CFC is. I am also going to use that commute time to pray and debrief my days. The students at the Center are great they have been very welcoming to me. It is been a long 5 or 6 days here. I feel like I have been here for months. I have spent more time crying than I have laughing.
One day I saw a girl who looked liked she had been very badly burned on her face and people just tried to steer clear of her. She came up to our window and my driver rolled the window up. I wanted to get out of the car and give her a hug because I am sure she has no one. I just sat in the car with my sunglasses on and looked at her looking back at me. I felt awful for not doing anything. Why didn’t I get out of the car? I was scared and moving or not moving in fear. I have been living in fear for the last five days. God did not create fear so it is me not trusting God. God is teaching me how to trust. I have been missing home a lot but am praying that that will pass. I haven’t been sleeping a lot but last night was able to because I play basketball for a couple of hours yesterday and was super tired last night.
I have been spending a lot of time in prayer and think that that is one of the reasons I am here is to be praying for Rwanda. The moon was out at 5pm yesterday and it was dark by 6:30pm, that too is also messing with my sleep schedule because it is so bright out so early. What else….? I have been eating lots of rice it’s a good thing I enjoy white rice.
Every day I ask God why I am here because I really don’t know why I am, but I am hopeful and know that God is good and that he has the best in store for all of us. I am on my way to Bible study with people who are from other countries so I need to go. Hope you’re all well.
In Him,
Mark Grayson
Im loving the t-shirt!!
ReplyDeleteLove that Kat commented on the shirt... Saw it and instantly thought... "Kat will love that!"
ReplyDeleteLoving hearing the update. Praying for you to fight the fear and let God move in and through you. Home misses you too but it will be here and for now your time and call is to be there... To love those boys in the picture with you among many others.
Thank you Mark for reminding me to be asking God, "What am I doing here"! I think a common question, no matter where we are living and who we come in contact with. Hopefully you are able to have that question on your mind alot more than the rest of us....who should be asking that question alot more daily! How Blessed you are to be there....as we all are Blessed to be wherever God has placed us. We all miss you and are praying for you to Hear Gods Voice, loudly or in the faintest whisper....be ready. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThe Dugans! This is written by Karen...not Jeff...I had to use his account! hahaha
Mark, didn't know you were leaving so soon. Sam, Emma and I will be praying for you. Great questions you are asking and gives me goose bumps knowing God will give you his answer. How exciting! Praying for peace, strength and blessed assurance that you are right where God wants you. Isaiah 43: 1 -4
ReplyDeleteHey man, both Betsey and I are praying for you, that you hear God's voice leading you to his purpose. Mike Baker
ReplyDeleteThe Christians are praying for you as well Mark, praying that each day you will see a bit more clearly why God has placed you there for this exact time. Thanks for the update and for the photo of those 3 smiling faces!
ReplyDeleteWow that was a pretty powerful update. I almost cried for you. It is all little overwhelming at times to be in a constant state of "out of the box". I know the few times I have caught myself in the state, I asked a professor what do you do when it is ALL way to much or you really cannot stop it all. He said, "sometimes you just have to breath and be a witness to someone else pain. That may be all that you can do.. but all that they need to keep going". So like you said, just keep praying and even more so ... keep listening.
ReplyDeleteLove you buddy!