God of This City

It’s the third week into the trip and our last full week at the hospital. After two weeks of working in the heat, running on little sleep (usually our fault for staying up talking), and the huge language and cultural barrier between our team and the local doctors and nurses, we’re slowly wearing out. Some days we feel defeated and hopeless, but for the most part our days are good and a lot is accomplished. Most of our blogs have been telling you about the poor health conditions and even a few deaths. It is heart breaking to see so much pain in this community and there is a time for mourning the deaths of patients, but we must not lose sight of our purpose here. We came to glorify God and make His name know by serving the people of Kibogora. We will not change the hospital in three weeks. We will not cure every patient we encounter. I do not doubt God’s ability to do this, but I don't want to be so focused on changing these conditions that we forget about the souls of these people. They need Christ in their lives just as we do. Cultures are different, names are different, but every person was created in the image of God. Everyone wants to feel loved and have significance and dignity. With Christ we can experience these things for eternity and that is why we came- to share the gospel. 

Saturday night a small group of our team stayed up and sang worship songs. One of the songs we sang was “God of This City” by Chris Tomlin. As I sang the song I really began to think about the lyrics, “ You’re the God of this City. You’re the King of these people. You’re the Lord of this nation…. For greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.” Greater things are still to be done in Kibogora. Greater things are still to be done in the kingdom of God. God is present in Africa and He has a sovereign plan for every life. Some will live to be ninety years old and some will live to be nine hours old. It doesn't seem fair for babies to die. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned death has been apart of our physical life. Our spiritual life, on the other hand, that is eternal. Whether someone is a believer or nonbeliever his spiritual life is forever. Yes, I would love to see every patient be healed by the time we leave; however, I am more concerned with the transformation of their hearts and the renewal of their minds. In the end, that is what truly matters. This mindset is difficult to grasp when all we are seeing is the physical suffering. We need Christ daily. We will never be completely satisfied until he consumes our entire being. He is the God of the broken hearted, the weary, the poor, the hopeless, and the restless. And He is a redemptive God who heals our hearts, gives us strength and eternal life.  These things are still being done in Africa and God has hand picked this team to be His hands and His feet in this community. 

In the midst of all this suffering I am comforted that this life is only a vapor. 2 Corinthians 4:16 states, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” Thank the Lord this life is nothing in comparison to the eternal life we can enjoy in Heaven. I am so thankful that even though I might not have perfect health that does not hinder me from growing in my faith. My health doesn't keep me from having a relationship with the Lord. And at the end of the day it doesn't matter if our earthly bodies are intact.  It matters if our faith is.

As Christians we have a hope that others cannot rest in.  We know this life isn’t all there is to experience. He has so much more in store for us. We know the promises and covenants He has made. We know on That Day He will return and take us home. Knowing these things allows us to endure the sufferings of this life for the sake of the elect (2 Timothy 210) and have peace with His perfect wisdom for our lives.  

As we finish this last full week in Kibogora, please pray for strength for our team to finish strong. Pray we will be bold in leading people to Christ. Pray that we will be salt and light to this community. Pray for lives to be changed by God’s unfailing love. And please pray that the people of Rwanda will rest in the truth that He is the Lord of this nation.  

-Caroline