In our years in Africa, I learned firsthand what being present for others is. When we first moved to Uganda it was the height of the Aids epidemic. In some places, as much as one in every three adults were HIV positive. This was before many retroviral drugs were around so there were many deaths. The coffin building business was booming. They would stack their coffins up on the side of the road. It was the small coffins that would really tug at my heart. When someone would pass, their family, friends, and their entire community would gather and sit with those who were morning for days before and after burial. And many would gather a year later to sit and remember.
When someone was sick, people would come and sit with you. I think even in my Grandmother’s time it was a part of the culture to sit with those who were sick. People also gathered for celebrations, from weddings to graduations, friends and family were present.
Even in the mundane rhythms of life others were present with you, as squeezed into public transport, or when one went to collect your water or do your laundry, and what I loved the most was visitors that would just pop over to your home. I loved all the porch visits. Even among the ex-pats and other missionaries, there was more sitting with others. You go through intense adjustments and you have left your home, family, and familiarity with this new place. So you recreate a new family, new friends, and a new community. Fun parties to sharing deep conversations over coffee are had.
 | | Missionary friends Laura Sager and Barb Bennett from Rwanda who was visiting me in Chicagoland and we were recreating our porch time! |
We have been in North Dakota now about 4 months. One of the main things that we are doing with EADC ( East African Diaspora Community) is building new relationships and a big part of that is sitting with people and being present. Our western culture is very rushed, where busy is worshipped. Many times the people around us are hungry for someone to just sit with them. Hear their stories, see them.
I remember a new Rwandan friend of ours when we had just moved to Rwanda who had also just come back from living in Europe share how he had felt like a ghost there. He said no one saw him. I think what he meant was no one was present with him-- everyone was rushing around.
These last few months we have attended many East African events and sat with others and heard their stories. We have been invited into their homes, both in times of celebrations but also in hard times. We have listened, sat in silence, prayed together and have shared with each other God’s love. |
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 | | A few of us taking a picture by the Christmas tree after attending Adonai Church, a pan African church with Rwandan leaders. |
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| In this season where we are all focused on love, may we show God’s love to others. To the single mom who is struggling to make ends meet, to the international student far from home, to the new immigrant family in our community, to the older widow in our neighborhood. Let’s be present in their lives today! |
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 | | P.S. God has even shown this principle to me as our son has been recovering from foot surgery our Goldendoodle, Bailey has laid with him and been present with him during these difficult times. |
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Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We could not do this ministry without you. If you would like to give online, you can give at GIVE TODAY
Or mail a check to
East Africa Diaspora Community
P.O. BOX 480
Wheaton, IL 60187 |
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