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.