[Rwanda]

As I sit and watch the sun rise, I am confident that God is with me. I see the hues of the sky melt together in yellows, reds, and oranges. I look out and see planes, but past the planes, is the land that I love. When I look past the large metal birds, I see the plains filled with Acacia trees and giraffes. I am home, only leaving for a while. I am the only white person to the flight to Rwanda, but I am used to that by now. Colour does not matter anymore. I feel Kenyan. I am Kenyan.

I am ready for an adventure, to see the true heart of Afrika, to travel my beloved continent.
When you see Rwanda now, you re in shock of the peace and solitude of the land. Hills of neverending green overtake the horizon. Smiles, hellos, and the sun tell you that there is a peace no found anywhere else. You would have never guessed that a little over ten years ago that there were dead bodies of men, women, children, and babies all over the very roads I am walking upon. Boy soliders were holding machetes, finding people to kill. But now, solitude and peace. This country “of a thousand hills” still stands beautifully. They have not given up. They refuse to falter.
I am still astonished about the Rwandan people. Most of them were alive and survived the genocide themselves. They saw their homes burned, their entire family murdered in front of their eyes, their life-savings stolen…but yet, they are happy to be alive.

And why do I worry about things I cannot change? Is there a reason why I waste my time on: thinking about the future, where Ill find work, where Ill be? Why can’t I just be happy to be alive and live each day to its fullest? I worry about such petty things at times. It will stop today. I am learning this more and more as I live in Africa, but I am in desire to live it after seeing the hope and happiness in these people.

There comes a point in every one’s lives that you can choose to worry about anything and everything for the rest of your life, or just…give it all up. Forget about the small things, focus on what is important, and live every day as if it were your last. And well, this is my day.

I told myself I would stay in my hotel room for at least five hours once I settled into the guesthouse here in Kigali. I try my best one day out of the month, or more if I need it, to literally stay in a room to read my Bible, reflect, write, and pray about what God is leading me to do or showing me to do. In all honesty, it usually is not the greatest day in the world. It is hard to see your sins, your faults, and failures right in front of you. But after you know them, then you can change. I won’t write out all the items I need to work on personally for the world to see at this point, but at the end of this blog there will be a list of things you can do that will help you live a more happier and enjoyable life.

If you really want to change who you are to an even more amazing person, lock yourself in a room with your Bible, paper, your favourite pen, and a water bottle and youll see a change!

1. Read a chapter of the Bible every morning
2. Silence your phones on the Sabbath, things can wait.
3. Take a 20-30 minute nap. Yes, it is okay.
4. Pray in the shower.
5. Instead of driving, try to walk to your place of destination.
6. Tear our newspaper clippings or magazine articles that inspire you.
7. Post-Note your favourite quotes or Bible verses.
8. Read a book with someone else.
9. Start saving your change for a trip.
10. Buy some in-door plants, or start a garden of your own.


DAY 1: Afterthoughts of the Day

It does not matter where you go in this world, how much money you make, or how beautiful you are on the outside. If you are not happy with yourself, then you will not be happy with your life. You can be the author of a best selling book, owner of your own business, or be a prominent person in your community, but if you are not happy with your life, you will live a miserable life. So, are you happy with your life right now? Make a list of things you want to change, THEN CHANGE. Don’t sell yourself cheap, you deserve the BEST.