Friday we left, and after a forty six hour venture home, I am filled with tears, love and hope for this beautiful country filled with amazing people. There are no perfect words to describe the experience or the depth to which my heart was touched. I know my pictures barely touched what went on or the emotions that were involved, but they will forever be in my heart and I cannot wait to return.

Wednesday was a National Holiday, so we were supposed to stay in, however, Megan and I ventured to the market and braved our way through negotiations in the limited Kinyarwandan we spoke, but we left with goods and feeling quite proud of ourselves.

The afternoon was choice time and we went to the Women’s Center to spend time with them. That evening we had all the staff over for dinner and Hindurwa came and joined us as well, with a fun farewell mini concert.

Thursday…

Final Street Kids Day…Manuel was waiting by the gate and we played Frisbee, drew in the clay, and then went to chapel. Chapel was hopping as ever. It is so amazing to see these kids who live on the streets and have nothing be so joyous. One of the older boys took a picture of the cross off the wall and all the kids starting clapping and singing and praising…it made its way through the room(about 200 kids) and then back on the wall. Some of the team did a hilarious skit. Roger, the program coordinator, announced that we were leaving. Manuel, who was holding my hand, had two big tears in his eye, and of course, I lost it and began to cry…the boys behind me were wiping my face. They are all so precious and breaks my heart to see them, not just without food, but without someone to hold them when they are scared or lonely and to tell them they love them. You can only just pray that by coming to the program that they will find that comfort in Jesus and  give them the strength and desire to come off the street if given the opportunity and to see a ray of light, and hope and love.

Tuesday…

Tuesday was our break day. We had a choice of things to do and I with  a few others went to Akegera Game Park. We were told that we may see animals and we may not, but we chanced it and lucked out. We saw everything but elephants and lions(the guide said he had worked there for five years and still had not seen either of them). It was a fun day. We had a great driver, guide, and our dear friend, Brian, from Rwanda, was our interpreter. After the game park, we went into town and went to a large Artisans Market.

Sunday…

Church at New Life Bible…another great Sunday full of fun music and great teaching, hugs from kids and I was able to see Olivier’s mother, who shared with me his cast was off, but had a disability. Africa New life staff was able to contact her before I left and discovered that he needed physical therapy, that they could not afford. $2000 Rwandan francs a day($3.50 us), so we were able to provide this, so he can get back out onto that soccer field. 

Youth conference until 5:00 and then a fun concert with traditional African music and dance!!!

Monday…

Street Kids Day. My friend, Manuel, was waiting by the fence, smiling, and ran and jumped into my arms. We played games , chapel, and all the good stuff from the previous time.

In the afternoon, we traveled to two Women’s coop’s. This is a government sponsored home where the women come to work: weave baskets and make jewelry. They receive the proceeds from what they sell and may also bring their children with them. The baskets take two to four days to make and are very beautiful.

Saturday morning was Umanganda, A quarterly tradition in Rwanda that is dedicated to cleaning and improving the country. Stores are closed and driving is not allowed except for working vehicles. We walked up the street to a childrens Aids clinic, where Africa New Life, along with other churches, were providing food and clothing to the families of the children. The clinic provides treatment for the children, and those who were well, were out in a tent with the families outside. We served them Fanta(soda) while different pastors and the Vice Mayor addressed the need for change, love, and reconciliation.  Bags of food were delivered: beans; flour; sugar; corn meal; and fruit. Along with others, we scooped the items into bags, sorted through clothes and then delivered them to the waiting families.

It was so sad to see these innocent children effected with such a horrible disease. Yet in true Rwandan style, their faces did not reflect the sadness: just the excitement to have the fanta and receive food for their family.

Late afternoon, we went to New Life Bible where we held the Kigali sponsored kids party and those who had families to meet when and did home visits. The party was great. The theme was “you are god’s treasure.” We read a story surrounding the theme, put together and decorated treasure boxes, played games, took photos, and served a treasure cake.

Friday…

Kayonza and sponsored kids and orphanage parties.

Today was the day for home visits for those who had sponsored kids living in Kayonza and a party at the school for the sponsored kids and the kids in the orphanages.

This is day I was blessed to meet our beautiful sponsored girl, Valentine Umulisa. Valentine and her sister were waiting when we arrived at the school. Her smile is bigger than the sun and her personality is like fireworks on the fourth of July. We immediately hugged and her sister did not let go for a few moments. Valentine’s parents died. Her father in the genocide, and shortly after her mother became ill and died. Vestine, her sister, since she was 15 years old, has been caring for Valentine and her other sister, Karen. It is hard to find work when you are having to care for two girls at such a young age. Despite her smiles, I could see the worry and stress on her face and how she carried herself. We went to their home. It was a very tiny square box in a village in Kayonza, however very immaculate. The room we sat in was very small and consisted of a mat, 4 ft. bench and a small table w/ a cloth and flower draped across it (later Valentine shared that her sister borrowed these things from neighbors for our visit).  They have a goat and a small area where they were growing crops. Food is difficult to come by. We brought food and soap to them.  They were sleeping on a mat on a rough dirt floor. After the visit, we set off into the van for the party.

Valentine loves the things Kira does: soccer; singing; dancing..she just joined the church choir. She does not speak English, and I am hoping for an opening in the Kayonza school so she can attend there. We arrived at the school and left Valentine and Vestine there where I snuck off to quickly get them mattresses.  The party was great…games, art projects, piñatas, etc. We were able to serve them a very nice lunch…even with meat…a rarity in Rwanda. Plates were piled high and I had a stomach ache looking at them….pork; sweet potatoes; rice; beans; fries(yep, they have a high carb stick to your ribs diet); fruit; and fanta. The portions were huge, but they finished their plates and came back for seconds. The kids in the homes get three meals a day, but the rest struggle for food. Valentine and I had a great time. There was traditional dance and other music. Each time a performance began, she was the first, and sometimes the only one, standing and dancing and clapping. At the end, kids were dancing on the stage, so we went up to join them. After the first song, I asked if she wanted to get her sister to join us. Valentine smiled, but shrugged as if to say she probably would not come. I grabbed an interpreter and asked Vestine if she wanted to dance…her face lit up and she grabbed my hand and we all had a great time. I think it was the first moment that I saw a little weight lifted off of her. After the party, I gave them the mattresses. They were so excited: giggling and wanting their pictures taken. On one hand, it would be so easy to feel bad for what they don’t have, but they are happy with what they do, and mostly that they have each other. There is nothing more precious than this.

The next two days we traveled to Kayonza. This is about an hour’s drive from where we were staying in Kigali. Africa New Life has a school there as well as six orphanage homes. The school is rated as one of the top in Rwanda. The orphanage homes have 16 children in each home. Once inside, the kids do not consider themselves orphans any longer as they have a home to call their own and each home has it’s own “auntie,” who loves and cares for them and gives them parental and spiritual guidance.

Our plans for the school each day were to spend time in the classrooms with the kids: a small lesson, puppet show, and question and answer time. In the afternoon we did a sports camp both days and then spent time with the kids.  Classroom time was great. The classes are full…over 5o kids in a class, but the teacher’s have them attentive. On the chalk boards in class, it said ,”always speak and write in English.” The older kids spoke English very well. Each day ended with an energetic  song from the class.

The sports camp was a bit crazy. We had a balloon stomp planned. Little did we know balloons were a highly prized item and we were nearly mobbed to get at the balloons. After a while we gave up on that game and played volleyball(net ball) with the balloons. Outside was tug of war, soccer(football) and some relay races. Pastor Fred joined in the soccer game. In Rwanda, parents do not play with their kids, so  they got a big kick out of “Uncle Fred” participating in the game. I know it not only warmed their hearts, but his, as well.

The best part of the day was hanging out with kids afterwards. I received a tour of the school by my new friend, Annette and we played Volleyball in the gym. I also met many other girls, but spent much time with Mutone, Jackie, and Elizabeth, each of them brought me a photo of them and their families to remember them by. Mutone’s mother is very sick and dying. She shared with me how scared she is to be left alone as she does not have a father. Her mom reads her the 23^rd Psalm whenever she sees her or talks to her, as well as a beautiful song that she sang for me while tears rolled down her face. Mutone wishes she had a phone so she could find her dad(I found out later she has never known him, but she is certain a phone could find him).  My heart was broken for her. Jackie is praying for a sponsor. In Rwanda, school is not free, so her parents are probably sacrificing the little food they have to give her an education. The $35.oo sponsorship would pay for her school, supplies, medical care, and food for her family. It would relieve much stress from their life.

Needs for the school are more classrooms and books for the library.The playground is old…rusty meager swing set and slide. Basketball is growing in popularity and the court is old and the backboard have huge holes in them and the rims are severely bent. A few of our team members who were basketball guru’s were able to organize a clinic and game. At the end of the trip, we were able to put together money to replace the basketball hoops. The Potty project is needing more funding. This will provide flushing toilets and clean water in the sinks. Currently, they squat in holes in the ground.

Each day we showed up, the van was surrounded by smiling kids waiting to hug you and tell you good morning. It was a beautiful experience not to be forgotten.

Today we went to Kajeyo. This is a refugee camp on the border of Rwanda and Tanzania. They had fled to a refugee camp in Tanzania after the Genocide and later were asked to leave by the Tanzanian government. They were given a spot in Kajeyo. Many were not allowed to bring possessions. Kajeyo is far from any major source of food. Water is scarce. The only source is a small lake(more like a swamp) that is polluted. Hippos live in the water and poop in it. It is very insanitary, but all they have. It is about one and half miles from the camp down a rocky dirt road. They have to carry huge cans of water on their head back and forth. This is mostly done by women and the children.  Because of the lack of water, it is difficult to grow crops, let alone keep livestock. They are no longer receiving aid. When asking our translator how often groups come in and help, he said only a couple times a year. The trip there was miles down a bumpy dirt road. A few people were feeling sick when we arrived.  We passed through villages and one of the beautiful things about Rwanda is that people do not stay in their homes, they are out front with one another; not behind a closed door.  Most everyone would smile and wave as our vans drove by and kids would shout, Muzunga, and chase the vans down the road. Their humble little spaces were well kept with a flower or two out front. You were doing well if you had a kitchen hut outside or a goat. Cows are scarce. Milk and meat are expensive.

We brought in a truck load of food. 100 lb. bags of corn flour to distribute. The village was divided up into four groups and so were we. Each group had a team leader with each families name. They were allowed four cups per person, and we were told this would last them a little over a month. We were in the heat of the sun, scooping food into their buckets and bags.  You could see the hunger and desperation on many of them. Some were wanting to get their food and go quickly, others were hugging us and praising God for the relief. It was really heartbreaking to think of how much we have here, how much gets wasted, and how little people realize how truly blessed they are. You have not seen poor and starving until you’ve seen this.

Before the food arrived, we brought jump ropes and balls to play games with the kids. They were most fun and so loving. I was playing ball with a group of boys and the ball bounced into the brush, when I went to go get it, one of the boys yelled as I went to go get it, and nearly tackled me to grab it up from the ground. I could not figure out what he was doing and then he bent down and picked up a stick and began to rake it across the ball. It was covered with stickers and he was making sure I would not get them on my hands.  The kids were fun and despite starving and thirsty, were full of life and taking advantage of the fun.

After all the food was handed out, some people stayed. We passed out stickers and candy to the kids. Moms were coming up for the stickers and sticking them on themselves. They wanted pictures with their kids and then to be able to see them. They don’t have photos and they would smile and laugh when they saw themselves.  There were two women on the trip who were in late 60’s and mid 70’s, and the older women were loving being with them. Most people do not live long in Rwanda and the elderly are left alone.  Judy and Cheryl were able to pour some love into them and make them smile. 

Words cannot begin to describe the isolation and desperateness of these people, but behind all this, were beautiful smiles.