Homeward Bound

As I reflected on my trip during the long journey home, I knew there would be one memory that would be on my heart more than any other. I loved meeting my sponsored kids, working with the teachers, and seeing the hope and compassion of the Rwandan people, but it was the street kids in Kigali who broke my heart. They have been with me since I first met them and I know they will continue to be on heart and in my prayers as I return home.

These children wanted so desperately to be hugged, loved, and to just feel human touch. They were wearing tattered clothes and shoes and covered in dirt, but all of that faded away as they smiled and melted into a hug. It was so clear to see that they were just kids and so loved by God. I could see their love of God in their worship, hear it in their laughter, and feel it as they clung to my hands or put my arm around them while sitting on the ground.

I know I won't forget them, my heart won't let me. I am so thankful that Africa New Life will continue to love on them and show them how special they are in God's eyes. I pray that someday I will be back to sit in the dirt with them piled all around me, just sharing the love of God. Even more than that, I hope that they find their way off of the streets and are able to make a life for themselves and get the education they deserve.

Now that I am home, I am excited to see how God will use all that I have learned to bring me closer to the woman he has called me to be. My time in Rwanda is over for now, but the adventure is just beginning.

Kajayo Refugee Camp

Yesterday we loaded up the vans and headed out to the Kajayo Refugee Camp located in the Acagara Game Park. It was a long, dusty drive out to the camp. It is full of about 550 families who had fled to Tanzania, but now are being forced to leave and return to Rwanda. The government has given them some land in Acagara Game Park and is helping them to build houses. Unfortunately, the greater need of food is not being met. They are trying to grow some of their own food, but it gets eaten by animals in the park.

There are about 550 families in the camp, some living in houses, others living in huts or tents. Because of an annonomous donation, we were able to deliver a truck with 7 tons of maize flour which is a staple of their diet. That is enough to feed the camp for about a week. All of us were down in the dust scooping flour into whatever container they had. Everyone was so grateful for the food and we heard a lot of praising God from the people. Even those who don't know the Lord were definitely able to see His love through us.

Once again, the children stole my heart. I just wanted to hug and love on them all day long. They are so full of joy and life and willing to share themselves with us. I took a bunch of photos of the beautiful people we were able to serve. It did hit me at the end of the day as I was hugging some of the kids that this is their life. This dry, dusty corner of Rwanda is their world. The food we brought will feed them for a week, but after that there is no telling where the next food will come from. They are nearly straving to death and just barely scraping by. I almost cried as I thought that I'll be going back to the guest house for a hot meal and a shower while these people will be fending for their lives.

I can't begin to understand the reasons why things are the way they are, but I do know that I am glad my eyes were opened. It truly was a life changing experience, one that really can't be described, only experienced.

Riding the wave of Africa

It's been a couple of days since I've had a chance to update. A day without electricity, a day without internet and a couple a day with no water. We're definitely in Africa now. It's been a challenge at times but I just keep asking for more patience and it just keeps coming. I'm able to smile and just "ride the wave of Africa" as Jake says. Everything gets done in the end, even if it takes longer than planned.

Yesterday we had our second day of art camp. It was less chaotic than the day before, we definitely streamlined our setting up and rotation of stations. The kids loved the playdough again and I'm quite certain we had several kids in art camp again, even though it was supposed to be a different group.

After art camp we had our sponsored kids party. There was a huge amount of food for them, as well as Fanta's and cake. The kids had a great time. I was amazed at the amount of food those kids can put away. They had huge plates and even the little ones ate a lot. I'm sure for some of them it is their only meal for the day so they wanted to get in what they could. They were so sweet and at the end there were lots of hugs to go around for everyone. I had to give Edna her final big hug and remind her how special she is to me. Some of the kids followed the van out along the road wavin and yelling for us. They are such sweet kids, I definitely won't forget them.

Today we did home visits of our Kigali kids. I got to spend the day with Ntwari Claude. I went to his house and was able to meet his mom and his little brother. They have a very small house and I know they have a lot of needs. I had the chance to tell them how special they were and how I am always praying for them. Claude said the wants to be a teacher, which of course warmed my heart. We all went to a restaurant called Karibu for lunch. For most of the sponsored kids it was their first restaurant experience. They ate a lot of good food and drank some Fanta. After lunch it was off to the party for more huge plates of food, Fanta, drumming, dancing, and more cake. I'm sure there will be some upset tummies tonight, but the kids had a great day! I think it is so wonderful that we get to meet our kids and really know them instead of just sending money to a kid in a picture. I hope that someday we will be able to meet again.

It's Friday night and I'm exhausted. We leave early tomorrow morning for a refugee camp out near Tanzania. It will be a long day. We are able to take a truckload of food to them, which will really help them out. I have heard that many of them are near death from starvation. Any prayers you can send their way will be appreciated. I know it will be a long, hard day. It's hard to see so much need and feel like there is so little I can do. I am thankful just for the opportunity to have my eyes opened and have the chance to love these people and share that God loves them too.

Teachers, students, markets, enchiladas, and drums

Today was a busy day! We drove out to Kayonza for day 2 of teacher training. Pam, Mary, and I each got the chance to teach a lesson to small group of students. I had Primary 1, which is mostly first grade age, but can be any age up to 10 or 11. I read the book "You are Special" by Max Lucado. I had to have a translator, but the kids got the idea of the story and were so cute sharing their ideas. It made me excited to go back to school and start the new year.

After the training, I was able to go to my sponsored child Muteteri Edna's house. I met her whole family and took her to the market to buy a few things. With the help of a translator, we got some new shoes, a dress, a sweatshirt and pants, and a pair of flip flops. She was so excited to be trying on clothes and shoes. Tomorrow I'll be able to go to her house again and bring them food and spend more time with the family. I love meeting the kids and their families and getting more of a chance to see the good that is being done.

Today was Sam's 16th birthday. His mom set up Emma and Robert to go out and get him a Rwandan drum. We had an impromptu drum and dance party after dinner. Our group, a group from the UK, the house staff, and assorted other people were able to bust a move to some Rwandan grooves. The muzungus tried to keep up with the dancing, but we definitely lacked the moves. What a great time to just hang out and get to experience a little bit of another culture.

It's late and I'm tired. Time for my bucket shower and off to bed.

Kayonza

Today was our first day out in Kayonza, the village where the school and orphanage is. Pam, Mary, and I did some teacher training. It was great to work with the teachers and hear how excited they are about teaching and making a difference in the lives of the students. It makes me excited to get back to school and start teaching again.

Tomorrow we will finish up the training and head out for some village visits of sponsored kids. I will have the chance to go to Muteteri's house and meet her and her family. I hope that I can bring them some food and whatever else they need. I love meeting the kids and seeing again how much their lives are changed through being sponsored. I'm seeing more and more everyday the good things that are being done here in Rwanda.

Sponsored Kid Day!!

Today I had the amazing opportunity to meet my sponsored child in Kigali, Ntwari Claude. When we came into worship, I saw him immediately and was sure it was him. It must be something like a mom just knowing her child. I watched him worshipping and then had the chance to sit down by him. We were able to hang out for a while, he never let go of my hand. If I had to do something, as soon as I was done, he'd hold my hand again. Through a translator, I was able to tell him I loved him and how excited I was to meet him.

I loved seeing how much the money I send each month is really making a difference in his life. Next week I'll be able to meet the rest of his family and go to his house. I can't wait for that, I want to soak up every minute I can with him.

It's Friday, it's Friday.....

Today we had a quiet morning at the guest house. A great chance to debrief a lot of the things we have seen in the past couple of days, especially the street kids and the genocide sites. It was a time to just talk about what we had seen and have some time to pray about it.

In the afternoon, the ladies went to a women's conference at the Dream Center. It is only the second week in the new church so it was an exciting time. We found out that the Rwandans have the lock down on energetic worship! To see hundreds of women dancing, singing, praying, and just praising God was beautiful. Suzy shared her testimony with the group, she did an amazing job and had the ladies saying "Amen!" and "Halleiluah!" It was amazing to just stand in the midst of it all and experience the sounds and sights of the women worshipping God.

Tomorrow we get to spend the morning with the sponsored kids from Kigali. After lunch, we'll head back to the Dream Center for Day 2 of the women's conference. Pam and Karen will be sharing their stories and there will be much more singing and dancing to be done.

Street Kids

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to meet some of the most wonderful, sweetest kids I've ever seen. They are children, mostly between the ages of 5 and 18 who live on the streets of Kigali. Some were orphaned in the genocide, orphaned because of HIV/AIDS or other ways, or abandoned because their families couldn't take care of them. I was worried that I would be focused on that and unable to really engage, thinking about how their lives must be. 

But, from the moment I walked on the property and was besieged by kids hugging me and jumping up and shouting "Muzungu photo!" I just wanted to love them. I spent the next several hours loving them, dancing, playing hand games, and just cuddling with them. It was obvious how they just wanted to be loved and touched. We also had worship time and to see all of them singing, dancing, and jumping just loving God touched my heart. I almost cried just looking at their happy faces and seeing how they truly have joy in the Lord. 

It did hit me last night back here at the house that I get to sleep in a bed and they are curling up in the gutters. I know that I'll never be able to understand why it has to be that way, but I know that they are loved by many people and more importantly God. I saw it in their faces and felt it in their hugs and cuddles. I can't wait to go back and see them again. 

Days in Africa

It is day three in Africa, and I have already seen and experienced so much. I feel like I am adjusted to the time change and definitely "in" Africa. Yesterday was the first day that we were able to get out and really do some work with people and it was amazing. On Wednesday, we toured Kigali, ate lunch at a yummy restaurant called Karibu, and went to the genocide memorial. 

The memorial was very interesting and well done. I had read a lot of books about it, but it was amazing to actually get to hear real stories and see actual pictures and things that had been gathered in the clean up process. It is definitely a country that is healing. We also went to a church called Nyamate where thousands were killed during the genocide. Our guide was able to survive by hiding under bodies for several days. Imagine that experience as a 9 year old. He had an amazing story and it definitely made things seem real, to see clothes, bones, and weapons laying before us. It is amazing how the country has continued to recover and looks toward the future with hope. 

We're Here!!

We arrived this morning. It was fairly uneventful as far as travel goes. Lot's of plane time, lots of airport time, and a little walking around London. Good times! We're tired but making it through. You can check out some video on the group blog. (Link in the post below). We only lost 5 out of 19 bags, about average from what I hear. I'll try to update again soon. Love to all!

Finalizing

I am hoping to be able to add little tidbits while I am in Rwanda. We will have internet access at the guest house, but I don't know how much time we will have and I am not bringing my own computer. But, never fear you can check our group blog here. It will be updated with group stories, events, etc.

Thank you so much for your interest and prayers for my trip. Please continue to pray for the safety, health, spiritual and emotional well being, and whatever else God puts on your heart. If you aren't a pray-er, good thoughts are always welcome too. 

Love to you all! 

Quiet

Today, I decided to go hiking in the Gorge. It was a little rainy, but I felt like I needed to get away for the day and have some quiet time with God. I know that many people have their times when they feel close to God, or some sort of higher power and mine is definitely when I am in nature. The trees, the smells, the quiet, all just remind me of how big God is and that He created this world for me to enjoy. Today was a perfect day for hiking; because of the rain there weren't many people out, everything smelled fresh and mossy, and the colors seemed to be even more vibrant. 

As I was walking, I was thinking about my trip and talking to God about what I was going to be experiencing. A friend asked me at church if I had experienced any "spiritual warfare" about this trip. I guess I was thinking of it more in a more dramatic way and didn't really think I had. But, as I was walking, I thought about different times that I had doubts about this trip, whether is was how it would come together financially, the things we would be doing, if I was personally ready for it. I do tend to believe that my spiritual life isn't what it should be; I'm not reading my Bible, praying, journaling, having enough quiet time, etc. As if my faith comes down to what I do, rather than just a gift of grace.  I realized that was my spiritual warfare, the little doubts that creep into my head about this trip. 
For the past year, I have been really working on trusting God. To know and be content that He has a plan for me, regardless of how I think things should look. I have been guilty of claiming with my words to trust God, but to be busily arranging things to turn out my way. Since that usually doesn't work anyway, I have been learning to trust with everything. Today, I was thinking about what I learned and I realized that it's not just lip service anymore. I really do trust God with everything. I am confident in His plan, and know beyond doubt that it is better than anything I could come up with myself. That realization helped me to see that, besides being packed and funded for my trip, I am spiritually ready as well.
I know that the next few weeks will bring challenges and hard times unlike any I have ever experienced before. I will be challenged and attacked in many ways and my trust in the Lord will be tested. I am confident that I will be able to stand up in these challenges with the help of God and will come away with an even stronger sense of who he is and how I can rely on him. I can't wait to share with you when I return.