Another super day in Rwanda! The day began with half of our group having breakfast with the girls and half the group having breakfast with the boys. You will see pictures included here which show our group with the boys. You will be AMAZED!
Hope and Priscilla prepare meals in the room in the picture and the meals are wonderful. There's no debate over what kind of range (flat top, gas, or electric) these ladies work miracles over charcoal! We were treated to chicken broth soup, eggs (from the Home's own chickens!), bread, and hot sweet tea. A breakfast which was satisfying and filling. It's important to note that there simply isn't a lot of food available for the kids. Unlike in America where we can wander back for refills, that just does not happen here. The kids are fed very well, there just aren't--and they don't ask for--additional helpings.
After breakfast, Marcia led us in our devotions. Then we loaded-up the taxi-van and went to the jobsite. Today we were to dig the foundation footers for the new boy's house. The girl's house is picture above with the roof almost complete. Tomorrow, the team will begin plastering and prepping the floor for concrete in the girl's home. Anyhow, when we arrived a large number of folks had gathered hoping to land a job helping us. These folks earn $1.40 per day and are extremely grateful as jobs are so scarce in Rwanda. As you will see in a large number of the photos, we had a lot of help and it made the day fun and the work go faster. We may not speak Kinyarwanda, but we all communicated well and had fun together. I'm sure the local workers thought we were a bit odd when we broke into songs like, "Meet the Jetsons, The Brady Bunch, Spiderman, and Leslie Hafner's song-of-the-day, Swing Low Sweet Chariot!" A chorus like Wesley's we were not, but we did have fun digging. And, did we dig, and clear the trenches, and dig, and dig....
Lunch brought the usual great time fellowshiping with our team and leader Arlene. Today's menu included, pasta and onions, casaba, fried banana, fish, goat, french fries, and for dessert, papaya and sweet bananas! During lunch Paul and John (Arlene's deputy form the Home) arrived back from Kigali where they went to get us more tools. During the trip, Paul was stopped for speeding! He was released from the police officer.....BECAUSE Rwandan's like Americans and Paul had only been in the country for a few days! The irony of the situation was that our dear heavy-footed brother was stopped in front of the Presidential Palace....the place at which he was speeding! Lunch was a true feast! But, off to the footers!
After lunch, we got back to digging, and hauling dirt. Arlene asked Nathan to play with some of the local children who come to the worksite each day, as they have nothing to do. Their families cannot afford to send them to school, so they are basically, left on the streets during the day. As you can see in the pictures, Nate and the boys had fun. Later in the day, Andy, Jen, and Paul attached new basketball nets to the hoops for the kids. Where you see the basketball court...it's just across the road where Arlene wants to build a soccer field for the school. Her dreams WILL come true..I JUST KNOW IT!
As we completed the day, beginning with breakfast with the kids at 6:15AM and ending our worksite day at 5:00PM, we felt the day on our bodies. After showers--many cold and invigorating--we all visited, reflected on the day and prepared to head to the kids' home for dinner. What a wonderful treat to have dinner with the kids each night. We were back to our home by 8:00PM as it's LIGHTS OUT for the kids at 8:00PM each night. And by the way, the kids NEVER complain when they are told lights out!
Marcia led devotions this evening and we all reflecting on the greatness and blessings of the day. We've made new friends, we plan to return to this place very soon, and tomorrow the work will resume!
GOD IS GREAT ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*******************************
This evening our dear Brother Fred is offering his reflections on the day, the Blog, and our misson!
Greetings from beautiful Rwanda, land of 10,000 mountains! This was our first “full” day of work: some working longer than others, as is normal; some more sensibly as others; but all joyfully (honost) participating and ALL in such great awe of the real workers. Each morning I pray that our Lord will take each of us (but especially me),melt us, mold us, fill us and use us to his glory.
These people, the ones with whom we have been in contact, are so precious! Even though I cannot communicate with them in their language, if I make eye contact, smile and perhaps wave, they are so receptive, friendly and give me a big smile. It’s not that way in many countries, include the good ole U S A. It’s very obvious who the foreigner and the minority are. Makes me feel conspicuous and appreciate more how back home, these folks feel.
“Shut Up and Dig” was heard among the team and memories of Hondorous and Nicaragua were often in my thoughts.
“Shut Up and Dig” was heard among the team and memories of Hondorous and Nicaragua were often in my thoughts.
Miss you Joanna and all my friends at Wesley. I sure feel like an extension of you and appreciate being here.
P S: Thank you Bill Wise for your thoughtfulness.
*******************************
Regarding some of the pictures....you will see us working the boy's home site, the basketball court, one of the breakfast tables at the boys home with Annita at the head of the table, a picture with three adorable boys (Bosco, Jerome, and Abias), the absolutely beautiful land of Rwanda, the street behind the homes, and our temporary residence (the dog is the boy's dog...he's animated in the street shot, A young man outside of the boy's home who carries massive weight on his head, a picture with three persons (Jen, Arlene, and Etienne (Steven)), the tiki-huts where we take our lunch every day, Fred "shoeing" Sandy and Leslie (the mud and clay were so thick that Fred offered to help the ladies with their shoe challenges, a picture of the restaurant where we get our drinks and lunch is made, and a picture with Emannuael, the architect standing on the job site (he is a wonderful man!)
Till tomorrow....THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!! We feel them so strongly as we feel the Holy Spirit working within us! Some of us may be staying at Urukundo!
God bless you!
Ed
