Called Out to the Wilderness

I wrote this on my first day of camping....

What am I doing here at this camp?  What made me or anyone else think that camping out in Africa for 9 days was a good way to relax?  These are the types of questions going through my mind as I unroll my borrowed sleeping bag inside a borrowed tent.  

I am out in the beautiful Rwandan wilderness.  Rwandan wilderness is different from other African wilderness.  This wilderness is green and wild instead of desolate and dry.  There are curious monkeys to keep out of the food and unpredictable bats that peer at us through the night.  There is a lake filled with volcanic gases where children boldly laugh and play.  

There is a cool brick meeting hall with exposed wooden beams that still resemble the trees that they once were.  There are glass-less and screen-less windows all around the building to let the cool breeze pass through.  At first glance, it seems like an historic building where Quakers once met.  There should be bronze placards at the front describing how John and Abigail Adams met inside at a community dance.  It is rustic except the florescent lights rigged to the beams and the tall metal water filter and tank that supplies clean drinking water.  

At little ways down a path is a community of tents where some of us westerns are “roughing it”.   Top of the line tents from Bass Pro Shop and R.E.I. filled with the latest camping gear to make this week of camping more comfortable.  Even in our camping - we have more than those who live in the surrounding villages.  Yet, I complain about the dirt and the bugs.   

The Lord called me out here to this Rwandan wilderness for a reason.  It seems the Lord tends to call people out to the wilderness as a way of preparation for a future work.  I think of David camping out as a young shepherd tending his sheep.  I think of the Israelites being called out of Egypt.  I think of Jesus being tempted in the desert. 

I don’t know why God wants to call me out to a place so incredibly outside my comfort zone - but maybe this wilderness is in the center of His comfort zone.  And I must be willing to meet Him anyplace that he calls me to.

Psalms 23:1-3 (The Message)

"God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. 

True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction."

Psalm 55:6-7 (NLT)

"Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!
⁷ I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness."

My view while I am sitting by the lake.

Rwandan Wilderness

The rustic meeting hall.

The building had a room on the left where we worshipped, this room where we ate meals and played games, as well as a large kitchen in the back.

With the tents so close to each other, we could really hear everything.   It was an interesting insight into family dynamics.  I've never been more thankful to be single with no kids!   Young boy named Cannon:"Dad, I dropped my toothbrush in the dirt!"  Dad:"Cannon! (sigh) Honey, Cannon dropped his toothbrush."  Mom:"Well, wash it off with some clean water. Look, it's not that bad. Cannon, you gotta be more careful.  Who left this wet towel on my bed?"  

This was designed to be a four person tent, but I am so glad there were only two of us sharing the space.  It was a bonding experience!

Phillip and Amiee Woodard, our tent neighbors, were part of the visiting team from The Hills Church of Christ and were there with their three kids.

The Reeves, a family of 6, shared one tent.  And, they were still speaking to each other by the end of week!

Lake Kivu borders Rwanda on the west and the D.R. Congo on the east.  Some of the kids line up to jump off a make-shift diving board.

The lake was very clean!  No leaches or snakes!  And, only a really slim chance of catching that weird snail bacteria thing.