Guest Blog Post by Dr. Jason Peters, CEO of Hope Haven Rwanda
Mzungu!
I couldn’t help but notice the variety of faces as we
bounced along the dirt road to Hope Haven Rwanda in our dusty Toyota Hilux.
Shouts of “Mzungu! Mzungu!” flooded through our open windows as children
grinned and reached out their hands excitedly. In the midst of the chaos, there
was a special connection between us as we exchanged glances, waves and smiles.
The word
“Mzungu” has its historical roots in Niger-Congo languages and is thought to
have initially referred to people of European descent who “wandered” or
“explored.” The interesting thing about “Mzungu”
is that it can be used in an affectionate or insulting way. Like some English
words, the meaning of the word is often dependent on the nature of the
relationship and the context in which it is used.
The variety of
humanity is both stunning and beautiful! Do we see every person we encounter as
created in God’s image, what the Church Fathers referred to in Latin as the
“Imago Dei?” When we view people as intrinsically valuable, as image-bearers of
God, we are able to develop healthy reflections of the intimacy shared by our
Triune God.
When Jesus
washed the feet of His disciples on the night He was betrayed, He challenged
them to reflect God’s love in the way they loved each other: “By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Jesus calls us to treat
everyone we meet with deep respect, to treat them as we wish to be treated, and
to convey His love to them as fellow image-bearers of God.
At Hope Haven Rwanda, we want to promote a culture of love and respect within our staff,
faculty, students and the families that we serve. My prayer is that every time
we hear a child cry out “Mzungu!” it is a term of affection because they sense
that our team loves them, that we want to listen to them and to honor them with
the dignity that they deserve as image-bearers of God. This is a critical part
of our mission to transform Rwandan families through a holistic approach to education and
discipleship, actively demonstrating the love, hope and truth of Jesus Christ.
No matter who we
are, or where we live, we are deeply loved by God and we are called to love
others deeply. In the fast-paced bustle of daily life, how can you be used by
God this week to hear the heart of someone in need? May God help us all to be
willing to listen to His promptings and to love and serve whomever He places on
our path.
Dr. Jason Peters is a follower of Jesus, husband, father of five,
speaker, author, and CEO of Hope Haven Rwanda (drjasonpeters.com). Jason has
traveled to 48 countries around the globe to meet with Christians and to help
share their stories. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Dallas
Theological Seminary, is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and was host and
producer of the national award-winning I Am N video curriculum.
Please check out Hope Haven Rwanda HERE!
