I will never forget my experience in Rwanda with AMA this summer!  After being emerged in a completely new setting on the other side of the globe, I have been changed forever.  My eyes and my heart have been opened to see and to feel things that I have never before been capable of sensing.  Every minute of every day, God showed me something new and helped me grow in so many ways.  It was nothing but God’s divine providence that brought me there and placed me with a team of complete strangers.  It was incredible being able to bond with my new brothers and sisters in Christ and become a single unit that could go out and be the fingers of God’s hand at work.  However, we weren’t always the ones doing the serving.  In many cases we were on the receiving end, realizing that it’s okay to be the Mary and not always the Martha.  

Some of the most rewarding moments came from simply sitting with a family in their small home in fellowship.  Nonetheless, I’d have to say that I was most affected by the Asante Choir kids.  Having never heard of ACC, I was completely blown away when I saw them.  I was blessed with the opportunity to meet these children, to pray and fellowship with them, and even see them perform.  To hear them all praying with everything that they have to the God that we love was something that just goes beyond words. 

I’ve been sifting through all the memories from the trip and even with all the poverty and the hardships I witnessed in a country that has a devastating past, what stands out the most in those memories is the joy that I saw in all the kid’s faces, the love that I felt in every home, and the zeal that I sensed in every church!  I may have left Rwanda and returned home, but a huge chunk of my heart remains there, reminding me each day of the hope that Africa Mission Alliance is bringing to so many people that need it most.

It’s been more than three weeks since I came home from Africa and I’m still processing the whole experience. I have been very blessed in my life with prosperity and have traveled to many places, but nothing compares to what God showed me and what I experienced on my mission trip to Africa. First, the African people showed me what it truly is to be a servant of our Lord in more ways than one. The way they worship, from the children to the adults, is amazing. I will never worship the same. Then, the love I felt from everyone from the AMA staff to my teammates was so amazing. I made incredible friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Our Pastor, Mel, was such an amazing leader; just when the emotions were too much for me to handle he lifted us up with praise and worship. His light shined bright during the whole trip. Finally, Danielle kept us all on track with the schedule, which sometimes wasn’t an easy task. I commend her for that.

I have five sponsored children that I got to visit in their homes. It was quite an amazing and heart wrenching time. I can’t wait to get back and see them again! They may not have much but they do have God. It is powerful to see and I am thankful I got to witness it. But even more powerful than that was when we went to Burundi. While there, we were invited to visit the president’s mother and sister. Incredibly, the first family served us drinks, meat and cheese and delicious pineapple. After we were finished there we visited the new children’s choir for the first time and I met Ninatte, one of the choir members. She just got into my heart and I knew I had to sponsor her. I can’t wait to see her again! I pray that all my children are kept safe and healthy and are awaiting my next visit like I am.

The children and the people of Africa have gotten into my heart and I know I have been called to go back. Who knows what will happen after that, only God. Thank you AMA for the opportunity to serve in Africa. I will never be the same.

Kathy Bush