This day was one in which the team was in various locations. Andy, Annitta, Jen, Betty, Fred, Mikela, Oliviere', and Etienne departed at 4AM for the Akegara Wildlife Preserve in eastern Rwanda, on the boarder with Tanzania. There are pictures attached from Annitta's camera which will give you a window into their super-duper experience. The team that traveled to the park saw giraffes, baboons, hippos, gazelle, water buffalo, Guinea foul, and various other flora and fawna. The team found and oasis on the edge of Lake Ihema. While having lunch at this oasis, the could see across to Tanzania! The team returned by 7PM and reported having a wonderful day, yet they were physically tired from rising at such an early hour and the 12 hours in the Land Rover. Jen and Annitta are still attempting to adjust their tailbones!
The remainder of the team rose early for breakfast with the kids. At the boys home Paul was given a 50 pound dumbell (made with rebar) by the security guard. The kids huddled around Paul and asked him to lift the weight! Then the boys checked his biceps/triceps! After Paul, I received the dumbell and the same process occurred. We then played soccer before breakfast with Paul "heading" the ball in spectacular fashion, WOWing the boys! For breakfast we had a corn meal cake made with flour and baking powder. Of course, Paul and I began eating it with a fork and knife.....Mama Arlene advised us that in Rwanda it is eaten using hands....now I know why the boys were smiling at us!
After breakfast a Pastor came by to teach the kids a Bible lesson in Kinyarwandan. Every Saturday morning there is Bible Study at 9AM. After Bible Study, Paul, John, and I had the opportunity to teach English to two local Pastors and a teacher from the local public school. What a fun time! The class was held in a small room with no lights and only a chalk board. No matter, because the light of Jesus Christ made the board easy to see! For over an hour we taught these servants of God how to "greet" in English and what responses are appropriate in basic introductory conversation. As we were concluding, I wrote on the board, "Penn State Nittany Lions." In the process of teaching them to say those magical four words, we taught them to say # 1 in American football! When we concluded, Pastor Leonard gave us a Scripture verse, 2 Chronicles 15:7. Look this one up.....Pastor Leonard is a young, wise, servant of Jesus Christ working in a country which has so much pain......and needs the love of our Lord.
The rest of the day was spent playing with the kids (soccer and catch), and assisting Mama Arlene with "public relations," as three groups came to the Home today and expressed interest in helping the Home in some way. We pray that will manifest itself in a positive way.
After dinner with the kids, we returned to our house for devotions. Andy led devotions and we all contributed positive comments about each other and the day which just ended.
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Here are some observations from Sister Leslie:
Hi everyone, another wonderful day here in Rwanda. God continues to work in everything that we touch here. Ben came to visit. Many of you know who Ben is because you have sponsored his first year of university where he is studying to be a nurse. Arlene asked Ben to tell the nurses on the team about himself.
In 1997, when Ben was ten years old, his mother died as a result of genocide. When his father remarried, his step-mother abused the three children. They were sent to live with an aunt in Kigali who was unable to care for them. Ben’s brother Kevin went to live on the streets, his sister went away and Ben eventually came to the children’s home.
When he went to secondary school he followed the nursing program and he was taught to be a pharmacist and phlebotomist. After working for five months as a pharmacist, he was given the opportunity to become a nurse.
Despite the fact that a “Physician Desk Reference” (a book listing almost all known medications) weighs five pounds, we had brought it along. We got permission from Arlene to give it to Ben. When I handed it to Ben, he got tears in his eyes. He was so grateful for this old medication reference book. Sandy explained how to use it and we showed him all the chemical compounds that were shown with each medication. The children, we have met, work very hard in school to receive the best possible education.
Ben studies very hard and has done quite well so far. His education will last at least two more years and possibly four years, if he chooses to become a doctor. Ben will be the medical provider for Arlene’s dream clinic. He is such a terrific young man and very thankful for what people of Wesley have done for him.
A special thank you from Ben,
Leslie
*****************In 1997, when Ben was ten years old, his mother died as a result of genocide. When his father remarried, his step-mother abused the three children. They were sent to live with an aunt in Kigali who was unable to care for them. Ben’s brother Kevin went to live on the streets, his sister went away and Ben eventually came to the children’s home.
When he went to secondary school he followed the nursing program and he was taught to be a pharmacist and phlebotomist. After working for five months as a pharmacist, he was given the opportunity to become a nurse.
Despite the fact that a “Physician Desk Reference” (a book listing almost all known medications) weighs five pounds, we had brought it along. We got permission from Arlene to give it to Ben. When I handed it to Ben, he got tears in his eyes. He was so grateful for this old medication reference book. Sandy explained how to use it and we showed him all the chemical compounds that were shown with each medication. The children, we have met, work very hard in school to receive the best possible education.
Ben studies very hard and has done quite well so far. His education will last at least two more years and possibly four years, if he chooses to become a doctor. Ben will be the medical provider for Arlene’s dream clinic. He is such a terrific young man and very thankful for what people of Wesley have done for him.
A special thank you from Ben,
Leslie
Again, the pictures are better than words! You'll find Paul prepping for his lesson, the soccer game before lunch, lunch at the girl's home, our work shoes drying, the process for drying towels (There are no electric or other type of dryers here. Laundry is done by hand and hung to dry), John playing catch with some of the girls, Paul giving Pastor Leonard a Proclaimer, the boys preparing for our Karate lesson, Chantel and I before Karate class (Chantel is the daytime house manager), and pictures of our team's trip to the Park.
God is GREAT all the time.....ALL the time God is GREAT!
Ed
