And others made it beautful and unpredictable. Last week I had a chance meeting in town with one of the most interesting guys I've ever met. But I don't think anything happens by chance. Tristan Miller, from way across the water in Melbourne, Australia, was in town to run in the International Peace Marathon. (By the way, no, I sadly did not run in it as I had previously planned, due to many circumstances. But I have no regrets! There's always next year!) But Tristan was here and there and everywhere this year, attempting to accomplish an amazing feat (or amazingly crazy feat) of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks! It was such a fun time hearing stories from this guy who had just run a race on top of the Great Wall of China two days earlier, and was getting ready to fly to Hungary via Dubai and London to run his next race. He began his first race on January 1 in Zurich, Switzerland, and he ends this adventure on December 31, in his hometown of Melbourne. And why is he doing this? Because he got tired of being in the rat race with his cushy job at Google, and he wanted to do something BIG, something bigger than he had ever done before. So he sold everything, and is using his life savings this year to fund this mission. He's also raising money for Unicef through his website, http://www.runlikecrazy.com/. Tristan was able to come talk to my kids and give them an talk about being a part of something bigger than yourself, and stretching and pushing yourself to acheive goals. My kids loved him. Here he is signing autographs! :-)
But the neatest thing about this whole Spirit-filled encounter was the time we spent sharing stories, and hearing how he has experienced and seen the face of God during his journeys thus far. He opened up that he thought he was an atheist, but he's been doing so much seeking and searching lately, and he's been surprised at what he's found! He thought he was doing this pretty cool thing, but he never imagined how big it really was, and the effects it would have on him. We talked about the human spirit, and the Holy Spirit, and what it was like to experience both all over the world. We talked about the body God gave him to run, and how God is using him and his body this year to do something even bigger than he imagines! It was so exciting for me to see God opening the eyes of one of his children right there in front of me. And we met in Rwanda, and shared some Chinese food and lots of goat, and many, many stories. And God's hand is in it all. I believe we are all a part of something much greater than even we realize now! Just like my new Aussie friend, our stories are not complete! I find it hard to believe I'm merely here in Rwanda to teach some subjects in 4th grade. Just like I find it hard to believe Tristan is running all over the world to raise some money for Unicef, or to have the adventure of a lifetime. Whats so neat is that through listening to him, I can see God revealing Himself! I can see the light coming on, as this young man continues to put one foot in front of the next and continue his journey. I know God has Tristan on a greater journey! I always feel like God is far more interested in working in us, than working through us. And I know he's working in this great runner even as we speak! Pray for him , as he continues to attempt this marvelous feat, and as he continues to explore and experience God along the way. Pray that he will meet more individuals who are lovers of Jesus and lovers of sinners too. Father, bless Tristan, Run this race with him. I know you are already one step ahead of him even now, going before him.
Meeting and talking to him and others this week have made me realize again that God is always present. We are the ones who show up. The whole earth is filled with the wonder and significance of God. He is everywhere and in all things as we speak. Our mighty God is in control of ALL things, and He's doing things that we don't even understand right now! But they are wonderful, beautiful things. Jesus, you are worthy! I love the Jesus that I see in so many people; the Jesus that I've experienced this year in real ways, in real faces. These encounters have made me test and ask questions though....like is it possible to see Jesus in people who don't know Jesus personally, who haven't been enlightened like I have? Is it possible to see the Holy Spirit in those people? Is the human spirit the same as the Holy Spirit working inside humans? Is every experience of love an experience of God? Is every experience of God an experience of love? I think so. I think God is everywhere, so vast, even bigger than the Christian faith. He is the truth. He is true, beautiful, honorable and right. And so I am free to claim the truth whereever and whenever I find it.....even if it shows up in strange places, I reckon.
Sorry...I got off on a tangent there! :-) I get excited! Another wonderful, yet emotional occurence this week happened on Wednesday. One of my moms, Kristen, came to school and told me that she just saw one of my sweet little girls from the orphanage at Bourbon cafe with her newly adopted family! It was the first ever time precious 3 year old Nozieta had ever been outside the walls of the orphanage! I've been visiting the Sisters of Charity orphanage here twice a week since September and this special little girl quickly became my friend. She taught me how to sing "God is so Good" in Kinyarwanda, and I taught her how to sing it in English. I wish I had a picture to show all of you just how precious she is, but they don't allow any photos to be taken there. She has gorgeous light-brown skin, and puffy red lips, with a twinkle in her eye. She is fiercely independent and stubborn, and funny as all! I love her so much! When I heard she was being adopted, immediately I felt a twinge of sadness that I wouldn't experience her joy anymore, but then I stopped being selfish and praised God for this! Nozieta's life is about to change completely! She is one of the lucky ones that will grow up in a loving, home with so many luxuries. Her adoptive parents are from the States! I'm going to visit her tomorrow at the orphanage one last time. She flies to America next week! Oh! How I wish I could accompany her, and watch her big brown eyes take everything in at once. And continue to sing with her and love her. But I praise Him that she has a family! Please continue to pray for this sweet little girl, as she's about to experience something so wonderful, yet scary too! Pray that her transition is smooth, and she bonds quickly and continues to be filled with so much light and joy in her new home!
Thanks for letting me pour some of my heart out tonight. It feels really full.
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