Rwanda- The Day I'll Never Forget
It was a crazy once-in-a-lifetime, can't-believe-I'm-doing-this, pinch-me experience.
On January 23, 2013 I lead a communications training for 50 Rwandan lead pastors, including the Bishop and several Superintendants of the Free Methodist Conference for Rwanda. Many traveled up to 3 hours to attend the training. And it was awesome. Here are my highlights of how God moved:
1. My translator, Joseph, was God's gift to me. His English was great. He understood me clearly. He spoke with passion (demonstrated some of the very communication skills I was presenting to the group). Not only did we flow together well (if you've used a translator before, you know how valuable getting in 'sync' with each other is!), but he also took communication courses in Uganda for years during his masters education- including Public Speaking. He was very comfortable and competent in the very areas I was sharing with the pastors. What a gift. Not a coincidence! (And look at that smile!)
2. I felt immense peace the night before. I think it was due to your prayers, and prayers from my team- who were very supportive and excited for me. I had a lot of anxiety and concerns the month leading up to this event. Would I offend them? Would everything I teach be applicable to them in their culture in their settings? How will they respond to a woman teaching them? All these thoughts and concerns faded the night before as God reminded me these are my brothers in Christ and I had this opportunity for a purpose. I slept well. Lost all worry. And woke up excited. So much peace. What an answer to prayer.
3. The group's engagement: In the Rwandan culture, it's typical for people to accept knowledge from authority figures without much hesitation. They are eager to learn and are extremely respectful. But I was curious if they'd actually internalize the information and apply it to their actual communication experiences. To my surprise, they asked DOZENS of good questions. This meant they were thinking through the pieces and how to apply them. I was blown away by their engagement! Their questions were the EXACT same questions I get in my trainings here in the States. I was so pleasantly surprised! They were 'getting it'!
4. DiSC Behavioral Styles segment: Rwandans are very personable with one another. They'll share a meal, have tea, talk about family, before diving into business. I was afraid my segment on DiSC behavioral styles wouldn't resonate with them. Would they recognize 'driver' styles in their culture? So I gave them a watered down version only to quickly realize they were VERY VERY curious and wanted more information. So I shared with them how we all are wired different- some more direct and blunt, others more detail oriented, some more personable and some more quiet or discerning. THIS BLEW THEIR MINDS. To quote a pastor, "No one has ever suggested this concept to us. We were having problems working with one another but didn't really know why. Now we do and this will change so much for us. We have never been taught this." Wow.
God took the part of training I felt most unsure about and intended it to bless the pastors more than any other part.
During the break, pastors were laughing about what kind of personalities were in their churches etc. Internalizing once again. Applying it directly to their current experiences. VERY fruitful.
5. Finally, my heart. I finished the day with a 5 minute message from my heart. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to share something encouraging when I had 50 pastors in the room that I will never see again. So I shared with them this very simple message:
No matter what, don't give up.
I explained when and how people spoke those words to me in my life. And I turned it around and encouraged them, despite hard times, doubts, or troubles, not to give up. We are in this together. We are brothers and sisters in Christ- around the globe- with the same mission to love God and tell others. You are not alone. God is good. Don't give up when it gets hard. I can't explain the moment: but it was a moment. I was in tears. I called them my brothers. And every man in that room (most of them over the age of 40), received my message and in turn responded to me as their (younger white!) sister.
They finished by praying over me and singing. There I was, hand in hand with 50 of my African brothers, closing my eyes, listening to them sing in beautiful harmonies.. not understanding their words but understanding their worship.
I soaked it all in - to remember for a whole life time.
Here's the ultimate lesson: God is a global God.
A mighty big God.
Praised by all languages, in all nations.