Polaroids

“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both” (Proverbs 20:12). 

Gigi is one of the coolest members of our Hope Haven Rwanda family! She has served in Rwanda four times, and our family has had the privilege of serving alongside her at least two of those times. 

What we really appreciate about Gigi is her ability to “see” everyone. She genuinely cares for others and blesses them by her interest in them.

When I was younger, I heard someone talking about their church. They said what they really appreciated about their church was the ability to “know and to be known” there. I wasn’t sure what to make of that at first, but the older I get, the more wisdom I see in their sentiment. 

We were created for connection! In our family, we often talk about recognizing every single person we encounter as an “image bearer” of God. This means that we all have intrinsic value, no matter what restrictions or stratification our culture tries to impose.

Gigi found an especially creative way to live out this reality in Rwanda. She is well known in our community. She often carries a Polaroid camera with her. Gigi can usually be found surrounded by hordes of children (and more than the occasional adult) who want her to take their picture. They feel “seen” by Gigi, and the simple gift of a polaroid photo lets them know that she recognizes them as a child of God! It is so beautiful to watch this simple, but sacred, interaction. 

Two people, created by God, celebrating the gift of each other’s personhood.

Let’s make sure to “see” each other this week—wherever we go, whoever we encounter. 

Who will you “see?”