What happens when you are asked to leave friends and family and move to the other side of the world? I am excited to share a guest post from my dear friend Jamie Boiles who left a comfortable life and successful career to follow the call to Africa. I have been blessed to visit her in Kigali, Rwanda twice, and witness her blossoming programs as she infuses entrepreneurship with faith. To look into the eyes of the women who have been changed forever by God, and the business opportunities Jamie offers through Belay Global—PRICELESS. Belayglobal.org
*************************************************
A nomad is “a person who does not stay long in the same place; a wanderer.”
Over the last few years, I haven’t stayed long in one place. I see other nomads walking through airports and we catch up while waiting to board. I have figured out where the comfiest sleeping places are in certain airports, the best restaurants, and where NOT to get coffee. Ugh!
I walked into an airport yesterday and my phone automatically connected to their wifi. Uber has become a verb (I ubered to the airport today). I learned that people rent out their homes and cars to people like me, and I’ve rented both.
I’ve figured out how to accrue travel points by spending money! And I’ve cashed them in for use of a car, along with train or airplane tickets. All because I need to share a story about what God is doing half way across the world and invite people into our mission.
I run an organization called Belay Global which has two branches of biblically infused opportunities. In DuHu we teach young educated women how to change their community by starting their own businesses. And in DuHope we give vulnerable women with little schooling a chance to leave the prostitution that sustains them and their families, by giving them alternative ways to earn a living.
Jesus sent out his 72 in Luke 10:2-7 and gave some funny instructions that I want to give a modern twist for the contemporary nomad.
“Pray to the Lord and ask Him where you are supposed to go and stay. Don’t be a diva and over-pack, because you never know how much space people will have who host you. And most people have washer and dryers and can help you by throwing a load in. If you have special allergies, bring your own soap. Which brings me to another point, don’t expect people to accommodate your crazy skin allergies, gluten this or that; it’s okay to bring those things and not annoy your hosts.”
So here’s what I do:
1. Whenever I go into someone’s home, I wipe my feet at the door and walk slowly looking to see if there are shoes near the door. If there are, it is probably a house rule to take your shoes off before you enter.
2. I Get to know the family I’m staying with, I play games with them, see how their family spends their time, and I will learn of their love and value of God.
3. If they offer to help take care of my basic needs, I accept their hospitality; I don’t want to take this blessing from them.
Six years ago, I left my comfortable home culture of America and became a nomad. I have a home in Rwanda, but because of the never-ending need to fundraise, I annually travel coast to coast to share the message of our work and raise support for these essential programs.
I became a wanderer,
Dependent on people’s hospitality.
I don’t generally stay very long, but I’ve stopped saying goodbye and adapted that to, “See you next trip.” My mind often sings as I’m leaving, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.”
Being a nomad has opened my eyes to people’s hospitality across the US and desire to be in community.
Open doors and open hearts have blessed me at every bend in the road.
I no longer say I’m “homeless”, but that I’m “home-full.
***************************************************************
To purchase jewelry made by the DuHope women, go to Belayglobal.org and click on Duhope. You will find a link to The Duhope Shop
