Note: This originally was a talk given by Ryan Spilhaus during the Friday Chapel at World Relief in Rwanda and was published on his blog, Trying to Give it Away.

To World Relief Rwanda,

Before I left America I was not sure what to expect. As some of you know, this was my first trip outside of America and I really didn’t know what would happen. To be honest, I thought I would come here, serve you for a bit, learn about Rwanda, go home, and keep living my life the same way as before.

What I was not expecting was to fall in love with a beautiful organization, a beautiful country and a beautiful people, and to have my world completely shaken.

It is easy for us in America to talk about our responsibility to the most vulnerable, but until we see it face to face we cannot fully comprehend what must be done, and we tend to take the commands of God lightly. We treat them as interesting lessons and go on about our lives, often unchanged. Visiting Rwanda has been a wake-up call for me, and I’m sure for some others on my team.

The first several days I felt overwhelmed. How could anyone hope to solve these problems? But then Tuesday I had the opportunity to visit Musanse and see the amazing work World Relief is doing. I realized that although the task is large, with the help of the Lord, we can help the most vulnerable and change lives with the gospel message.

I saw Christians living out the command to love your neighbor as yourself. I saw the body of Christ working together to heal the sick, clothe the orphan and protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Seeing this brought hope. Hope not only for Rwanda, but for America. My prayer is that the Church in America would learn from you as we have this week. That we would fight for God’s Kingdom as fervently as you. That we would love not only our brothers but our neighbors as you do.

What I know now is that everyone can do something. But more importantly, everyone must do something. In 1 John 3:17 it says “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” I am not sure what God would have me do yet, but I know I must do something.

Several verses from Colossians have been on my mind recently. Paul is writing to the church at Colosse and says in Colossians 1:3-4 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whenever we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints.” I realize now that if the letter had been written today he could have easily been writing to the Church in Rwanda, for I have seen your great faith and the love you have.

My promise to your now is what Paul says later in verse 9, “For this reason since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

World Relief, I thank you for everything you have done and are doing. I will be praying for you and for Rwanda. You are such an encouragement to me, and I thank you. Lord willing, I will return to your beautiful country again.

Murakoze
-Ryan