Day 13 began with mixed feelings. We knew this was our last full day here in Rwanda, and our last day with our Rwandan co-workers on the work site. We miss our families and want to see them. Yet, Rwanda has penetrated our souls, our minds, our visions. We have seen first hand a truly devoted people, a friendly people, and a country which is stunningly beautiful. So much work remains, so many children are in need of homes, so many people need health care, so many children do not attend school, and too few people from around the world care about this “diamond” of Africa.
Our morning time with the kids was also tough because we knew we would be saying “goodbye” to one group this evening, and the other group on Friday morning. How does one say goodbye to all these kids who hug you as soon as they see you, who grab your hand and hold it until you leave, who sing loudly before every meal in honor of God, who have no father or mother because they were killed in the name of evil?
These gifts of God will never leave us. For it’s said—and so true—“those who love us never really leave us, as they remain in our hearts.” So it is after a long day of carrying “isaymha” (aka cement) into the boy’s home that we prepare to say our goodbyes. It is amazing, too, how much fun we had on our last day. There are no cement mixers on trucks for this project. No, the cement is mixed outside the building and carried into buckets by the workers until all the walls are spackled, then the floor is laid. Everything done manually, everything done with a good hearty work ethic. This last day we hugged our co-workers, finally learned the proper pronunciation of their names, and took pictures, too.
I have never met people more on fire for Christ, more willing to share His love, a work site which can break into a worship service, and a group of folks so willing to open their lives to Americans. For all the greatness that America is in the world, many Christians in America are too complacent, too complaining, too wrapped-up in themselves to see the real light of our Lord.
I cannot return to my pre-Rwanda life which included folks who too often see negative in the world, with folks who simply can’t raise a hand to wave “hello,” or “goodbye,” or who have a hard time caring about their fellow man or woman regardless of from where they come. This earthly life is not about a job, or the stuff of this world—these will all pass away. In the Great Commission, Jesus calls Christians to go and serve the nations in His name. After working and living with folks who have so little, who have experienced unimaginable horror caused by Belgium, France, and others—and yet are so happy and Faithful—life for this man will never be the same.
What God is doing with me, I don’t completely understand yet. What I know, is HE has moved my spirit, prepared me to give some part of my life to Rwanda, and given me the best-ever Mission team to have worked with these last two weeks. My life has changed, to be sure, yet the brothers and sisters God placed me among are the most incredible servants I’ve had the chance to know and love. I could not have done this without them. You’ve seen their pictures in this Blog. Please know that I have been humbled working with my American brothers and sisters, watching them serve our Lord, and sharing their excitement of sharing the Good News!
In addition to the team wrapping-up our work at the boy’s home, Nathan went to school today guided by Devine, the young girl from Urukundo Home who came to America in February of this year. Nathan and Devine “hit-it-off” right away and had a great time here in Rwanda. Nate is feeling a bit under the weather this day and will write more extensively about his school visit in the future, as well as talking to his classes about his time in Rwanda. A few things of note which Nate shared with the team include, (1) when he arrived the “whole” school began yelling “Mzunga!” which means, “White person” in Kinyarwandan. As you can see in the pictures, Nathan was treated like—from his description—a rock star! (2) He was so warmly received and welcomed in the school. You must keep in mind that even though our government failed the people of Rwanda in the 1990’s, Rwandan’s love Americans! It was so evident everywhere we went! After the “star” had his reception, the teachers (also in one of the pictures), welcomed him with hugs, too. (3) One teacher spoke English well and spent time explaining the school to Nathan. After things settled down, Nathan went to class with Devine. There were about 50 children per classroom, and the teacher taught all the lessons in French. (4) In Rwanda, children are taught Kinyarwandan (the language of Rwanda), French (leftover from when the Belgians were here), and English. After lessons in social studies, mathematics, and science, there was a break for lunch. (5) After lunch, the class was to begin studying French vocabulary. While education in Rwanda is free, students must pay a $15 fee for uniforms and books in the elementary levels and $350 for the same in the secondary levels. Additionally, school begins at 7AM, students go home for lunch (there is no school food service program), and then students return by 1:30PM and school ends by 4:30PM.
All-in-all Nate had a great experience and looks forward to sharing more personal experiences in a later Blog. The young girl sitting next to Nate in the classroom is Devine!
Now we must begin the packing. Fortunately, we are coming back to America with many empty bags because most of our bags were filled with items for the Home. We depart Kigali at 5:30PM on Friday and fly to Addis Ababa. At 8:45PM from Addis we fly to Rome, and then arrive in Washington-Dulles at 8:30AM Saturday morning. We then fly from Dulles to Philadelphia arriving at 1:00PM and hope to be back in Bloomsburg by 4:00PM!
Please pray for our safe travels and for all the people of the Urukundo family, and Rwanda. Till tomorrow!!
Ed
