Lunch with Mama Chantal

One of the benefits of working for a christian organization is that we have time set aside in our work days for team, department and small group devotions and once a week we gather as a whole organization for chapel. Sometimes these chapel are long and boring, other times they are cheesy or make me cringe for some reason. Other times they are really really good. Yesterday's was one of these. I will probably talk more about it in a future post, but one thing that the speaker James Cantelon said was that the most generous people on the planet are those who make less than one dollar a day. This sparked a memory for me and I've been thinking about it since yesterday so it is time for another story from Rwanda.

I think it was a Thursday, but I am not certain. Maybe it was a Monday. I had gotten another of those sms' from my boss indicating that I was to work from home.Since I had no real work that I could do from home I tagged along with Pip. We went to visit one of the women from the HIV/AIDS support group that Pip worked with. I had met this woman's daughter Chantal, who helps at the friday street kids lunches and I had heard stories from Pip and our friend Enoch about the family. I was looking forward to spending more time with them. The three of us walked to a small house part way down a hill a little ways from the centre of the city. We went in through a small gated opening into a small, clean courtyard where clothes were hanging and there were pots over a fire. We were invited into the house where we sat on benches against the wall in the small entry way which served as dining room, homework room, and living room. With Pip, Enoch and I with Charles, the youngest boy, Chantal and her mother it was crowded but cozy. My knees almost touched Pip's knees as she sat across from me. We had come with some small gifts for Charles and Chantal, some food and to pray with them. I wasn't expecting anything from them at all but as we sat down Mama Chantal brought out huge plates of food that had been prepared especially for us. There was rice, fries, beans and so much good food. We each ate from shared plates and there weren't enough utensils for all of us, but we made do. There were avocados and when Mama Chantal found out how much I love avocados (mmmmm...)she offered to get me some from the market the next day. We sat around talking with Enoch translating, we laughed a lot and continued eating. When I thought we had finished, Mama Chantal brought out another plate full of food. Such a yummy feast! When we could eat no more we prayed together. I thought I understood faith; I thought I understood prayer. I learned again what it looks like to actually depend on God, and to expect that your prayers will be answered. This family had so little and had to struggle to make sure they had enough food and that school fees were paid. We came to bless and help them, and we did. The smiles from Charles over the hat and soccer ball we broght him were bright and watching him share with the other kids made me smile too. But their generousity and the way they welcomed us into their home and shared their lives with us - I will carry that day in my heart for a long time.