dear william

Dear William, 

Six months ago I was sitting in a Jeep alongside Joy and Tony, riding to church, singing God is so good in Kinyarwanda with Vanessa and chatting with Bob about whether or not adopting you was really possible. I knew deep in my heart that Rwanda was your home, but saying goodbye to you at the end of camp on Friday afternoon had been one of the heaviest moments I had known, and actually leaving your country that coming Tuesday felt nearly impossible. Bob confirmed the truth I had already suspected - Rwanda is where you belong and where you need to grow up - but I could always come visit. I didn’t know then, that only hours later I would feel your hair brush up against my chin once more…that I would have the joy of wrapping you tightly in my arms. I didn’t know you would wipe my tears, and I would get to pray over you and look into your eyes to tell you so many of the words my heart longed to say even though I know you couldn’t understand any of them. Those moments we spent together following church Sunday morning were a sacred gift from our Father who delights in seeing His children overwhelmed by His love. That was more than I could have ever asked for - it was a prayer I would have never dreamed to pray.

In six months I will be returning to Rwanda and I’ve already started to pray for the 100 campers I will meet and undoubtedly fall in love with while I’m there. I have no doubt that God has amazing things planned and purposed for this trip. Even still, there is one name that manages to make it into absolutely every prayer I pray. I don’t know that I’ll get to see you when I’m back in the land of a thousand hills; but I have no doubt that I will carry you with me. That first night when the eruption of African singing and dancing begins, memories of you will flood and I’m sure tears will fill my eyes. William there is no Rwanda without you. I hope I will see you on Sunday morning at Pastor Joseph’s church - I am praying with eager expectation, knowing the God who is ABLE has already provided abundantly more than I could have hoped in you. Our time together gave me hope. You taught me to love with abandon and opened my heart to a type of love I truly wasn’t sure was possible…a type I still can’t totally find words for…it happened quickly and without the exchange of many words - but it was deep and profound and it has changed me forever. It was a gift of endless worth written in my story by our Father and intended for SO MUCH GOOD. You will never know how God used you or how you will forever hold a piece of my heart. 

I love you William…and oh how I hope to see you soon.