By Natalie Burns

As I’m sure you already know, our team had the unique experience of being paired with a Rwandan World Relief staff member. The purpose of this was to learn, share and grow with one another.
Mostly because I am such a ‘people person’ I was THRILLED at the idea of spending some one on one time with my ‘buddy’. I was paired with a woman named Marceline. Marceline has worn many different hats within World Relief but currently is the Human Resources Coordinator.

The Lord has blessed Marceline and her husband with two children- a daughter who is eight years old and son who is six months. One of my most memorable moments while I was in Rwanda was working in the garden with Marceline after church. As we sat together picking out weeds Marceline began to open up about the struggle she personally has faced in light of the genocide. As I sat with Marceline my heart broke. It is one thing to have read about the ways in which the Great Lakes region of Africa has experienced genocide, ethnic clashes and civil wars but quite different to sit face to face with my dear new friend who has suffered through it.

Many of my fellow peers/co-workers have struggled upon returning from Rwanda with discovering what their specific role is in terms of our partnership with World Relief. I am no different and have really prayed through my specific responsibility to the partnership. Apart from consistent prayer for World Relief and informing others of the fabulous work World Relief is doing by empowering the local church — I have come to the realization that during this season of my life my specific role is praying for my buddy Marceline.