"Powerless but
empowered"
I had this as my
Facebook status today – admittedly not intending to be deep and meaningful it was simply because
the electricity was off and I had to cook somehow…but the more I thought about
it, the more I realised that there was much truth behind it - this is how I have been living and viewing the
lives of those here in Rwanda.
Before coming here, I
remember wondering how on earth I would cope with not having electricity or
running water – simple luxuries often taken for granted back home. Yet today, it is something that is pretty
normal for me. Right now, as I
type this blogpost, I (and the rest of the village) have no electricity. It’s ok because it’s still relatively
light despite the pelting rain and the dark skies and it’s not yet time for me
to cook my dinner. I do not own a
gas oven/stove but I do have an electric-hob – now rendered useless in such
conditions. I pray that the rain
will cease soon so that I can at least go out and light a charcoal-fire,
something that I’ve become quite an expert at doing since living here.
The rain is literally
cascading off my roof, creating a ‘Niagra falls’ type scene outside my window. It’s also leaking into
my bedroom – but that’s another issue in itself. Windows and doors do not seem to fully fit frames here
– there are always huge gaps at the bottom for some reason – and yet even with
such a gap, my front door does not fully open because the floor is uneven and
at some point, the door is stopped by the floor…
These are minor quirks
that I’ve learnt to live with and manage (rice-sacks wedged in the gaps to
prevent those pesky flying maggots, frogs, rats/mice and the rain from coming into
the house…)
But returning to my
opening statement, ‘powerless but empowered’ – this is what life is like
here. People here are constantly
complaining about lack of something or other be it food, love or money (funny –
people all around the world seem to be chasing the same thing…) In truth, these people mostly have the
right to complain, I complain about leaking doors and windows – these guys may
not even have that in their homes…or even a roof over their heads. Yet behind this sadness, and despite
their seemingly ‘helpless’ conditions, there lies a will and a faith that
empowers them to keep going. Many homes have small
‘kitchen gardens’ – plots of land where maize, sorghum, beans are grown…not for selling but personal consumption - a means to survive. There is a community that I have
written about before, of sharing what you have – ALL that you have even if that
means your needs/hunger are not fully satisfied yourself. (Although not always evident amongst TTC staff members who during 'self-service' meals make Kilimanjaro-style food mountains on their plates, leaving little for others who follow them.) And then there are those who walk for miles and hours on end to visit a friend
or family member to check their wellbeing – whilst most people own mobile
phones here, it is often the case that (a) they don’t have credit on their
phone or (b) they’re not charged because of power cuts. A moto-taxi may be pocket-change to you
and I, but for most here, it is the equivalent to a day, week or even a month’s
salary. Not many own bicycles –
and in fairness, you wouldn’t want to cycle around here – these hills would
kill you! And with rain like today’s
– I’m not sure a bicycle or moto would help you!
A friend on Facebook
asked me what I meant by my status…and whilst I was writing my response in jest, a big part of me believes what I wrote:
“When we lack
so-called necessities in life, we are given the opportunity to seek and
discover alternatives – sometimes better ways…but we wouldn’t know it if
‘power/s’ weren’t removed – we discover the value of what was lost but also our
own strength in coping. “
I wrote this because I
was being a wimp that I didn’t have electricity. Yet people here cope with much worse on a daily basis. But it’s not just here…I read an
article in the Guardian today on ‘Kids Company’, a charity in London who help
not only to feed ‘hungry children’ but to provide a platform for them to
flourish and know and understand what family love means.
There is need all
around, be it in a developing country or on our doorstep within our developed
worlds. Being rendered powerless
can empower us to make a difference and change our/others’ situation/s. We are forced to seek alternative methods to overcome the challenges that block us.
I am currently
(loosely) job-seeking and many jobs I have found require either more education
or experience than I have. I feel
‘powerless’ because these are things that will take time (and a lot of money
and sacrifices) to gain but I am empowered by the knowledge that God has paved
my path before me and that throughout my life, He has supported and guided me –
despite MY deviations. Though a
huge fog lies before my path right now and an apparent rocky climb, I need to
trust in His will for me that He will (continue to) provide and equip me – even if on paper I
do not have the necessary credentials…I must remember, He is the God of the impossible and if it be His will, then I have nothing to fear – I WILL be still, listen and trust. I may be powerless but that's when God is most powerful.
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