DAY TEN
Monday began with our final powerhouse prayer meeting after which we had breakfast and us Rwanda first-timers travelled to a genocide memorial. It won't come as a surprise to anyone to hear that this morning was the most confronting experience I have had in Rwanda. It'd be up there if I talked about life experiences in general. The memorial was separated into four sections, three of which were inside. We were first ushered towards a section which was full of information about various genocides that had happened around the world. The section was reminiscent of a museum, full of fascinating information about some of the most sinister aspects of human history. I was immediately drawn in, but soon found the severity of the atrocity beginning to affect me. For me, the most upsetting part was learning how many countries refused to recognise these genocides had taken place, for fear of jeopardising international interests. The second section of the memorial that I wandered through was quite different. This was the section which stood in memory of the children who had been murdered in the Rwandan genocide. On the walls of the corridor would be a blown up photo of a victim, underneath which a placard indicated the child's name and other details such as favourite food, best friend, dreams, character, and finishing with the way they died. After reading that a child named David who dreamt of becoming a doctor and enjoyed making people laugh (a pretty accurate description of myself) was tortured to death at the age of 5, I needed to sit down. Walking through these corridors, I learnt some terrible things that I am glad I learnt, but that I so wish were not true. Needless to say I was not the only one who emerged with a tissue in hand, hiding tears behind my sunglasses.
The third part of the memorial I went to was outside, where there was a mass grave containing thousands of bodies. After spending some reflective time overlooking the grave, and having a quick word to God along the lines of “God, what the...?” I went back inside to the fourth section which detailed the history of the 1994 genocide itself, starting with a picture of Rwanda prior to Belgian colonisation. Again, this section was fascinating and every member of the team who was there learnt a great deal. I found myself going constantly back and forth between pieces of information to try and understand the thought processes that had taken place and came to the conclusion that human beings are simply capable of more insanity than we dare to admit. On a positive note however, developing a greater understanding of the madness of this country's past, really opened my eyes to the magnitude of what God has done since. I thought that I had been touched by the spirit of love, forgiveness and strength amongst these people before I visited the memorial, but I have been truly blown away now. It is undeniable that God is well and truly here, and slowly but surely bringing the shattered fragments of Rwanda back together.
Humbled and a little shell-shocked, we found each other and met up with the rest of our group. After eating some lunch and watching in anticipation and fear as Sam ordered a triple shot of coffee, we hopped onto the bus and began our 3.5 hour journey to Gisenyi. That's gotta be close to how you spell it. The bus trip was more or less uneventful as many of the group used this time to sleep. Or try to sleep. It was a bumpy journey and if the bus lurched the wrong way you'd be thrown onto the floor. But that's only because I can't sleep in a sitting position so the only way I was going to sleep was by curling up across my seat and the one next to me. Plus the vibrations from the seats made my nose itchy so my head was off the chair. And I only fell off twice. Everyone made it such a big deal...
Arriving at our next hotel in Gisenyi, we once again marvelled at the generosity AEE was showing us. We finished the day by having dinner together once again, learning about Chiz's imaginary friends and telling John to stop working and get some sleep. It was a quiet day which sent everyone on their own personal emotional journey and gave us all a great deal to process. Thank you God for opening our eyes. Thank you for what you are doing in this place. Thank you for allowing us to be part of it. And thank you for this amazing team without whom this trip would be impossible.
Dave
Sunday, July 12, 2009
DAY NINE
Our busy day began with the team dividing into groups (led by Pastor Chiz, Barbara and Bryce), where we would spend the morning ministering at three different churches within the Rwamagana district. I was part of Bryce's group, which included Bridget, Elizabeth, Kate, Annette and Ryan. We had the privilege of visiting a pentecostal church under the pastoral leadership of our AEE family member, Ezekiel. Approaching the church, we could hear the joyous sounds of the African choir in full force, emanating from inside.
The church was a modest establishment made of simple mud brick with dirt floors - the main decoration in the room was the 250 colourfully dressed adults and children in passionate praise and worship. Indeed, throughout our trip we have been blessed to experience the power, depth and emotion conveyed through song and dance of African people.
Our busy day began with the team dividing into groups (led by Pastor Chiz, Barbara and Bryce), where we would spend the morning ministering at three different churches within the Rwamagana district. I was part of Bryce's group, which included Bridget, Elizabeth, Kate, Annette and Ryan. We had the privilege of visiting a pentecostal church under the pastoral leadership of our AEE family member, Ezekiel. Approaching the church, we could hear the joyous sounds of the African choir in full force, emanating from inside.
The church was a modest establishment made of simple mud brick with dirt floors - the main decoration in the room was the 250 colourfully dressed adults and children in passionate praise and worship. Indeed, throughout our trip we have been blessed to experience the power, depth and emotion conveyed through song and dance of African people.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
DAY EIGHT
Today was another amazing and very busy day.
First of all the ladies who had African dresses made walked up to town after breakfast to pick them up from our lovely dress maker. Although we did spend a lot of time with her talking about different styles and the looks of our dresses I think we were all very surprised with the patterns that we ended up with. Mine was very different than what I thought I asked for but hey, you couldn’t doubt the quality and finish of the dresses. The finish products were really very beautiful and we all looked truly striking with wonderful block colour and mad patterns. There is something about African dresses that makes you stand out from the crowd, oh and boy did we stand out!!!!!
For the rest of the morning we were at the Centre for Champions. We got the boys and girls to show us how to do some of their traditional African Dances. Although there were some good efforts by all there are two notable mentions. Chiz for his “right up the front” fancy foot-work and Kate’s really good try, in getting one of the girls to stand in front of her and copying everything she did.
After the Dancing it came time to give all the children a pencil cases that had been donated by the many people at Riverview. These pencil cases were very special. They had been personalised for all the children, with their names on the front as well as on 8 pens and one ruler. There was also a bunch more stuff in there including a photo of them which was had taken and printed in the past couple of days (This was more than a mission but I am happy to say that there was only one boy who had to wait for me to print him out a photo - only one!!!).
The giving of the pencil cases was truly amazing and humbling experience.
The giving of the pencil cases was truly amazing and humbling experience.
Chiz has been talking about, in the previous days at the centre, that God knows them. That He knows every hair on their head and that He knows them by name. And we were able, thanks to the generosity of Riverview to prove him right. God knows them all by name and so do we. The faces of the kids as they saw their names on their own pens is something that will stay with me forever. It was beautiful, even the biggest boys were running about showing off their new stuff and pictures of themselves.
After the centre it was a quick lunch and off to a wedding??? It was one of the AEE staff member’s wedding days and we were honoured to be invited. So off we went to Kigali all dressed up in our best clothes, which now included 10 women in traditional African Dresses. We were a sight I tell you! No lies. The colours were almost blinding but we all pulled it off amazingly.
A wedding in Rwanda is very different from one in Australia. First of all the ceremony can go for 7 hours and the reception doesn’t involve food and mingling, but one soda and sitting and listening to speeches and watching dances. We missed the ceremony as it had been going since 11am but we made it for the reception, which we were sitting right down the front for. It was in a room set up for school plays and the bride and groom and their family were all on the stage. It was so different to a wedding in Australia but so incredible be involved in. We left the wedding early, after only 4 hours at the reception and went for dinner. And then we crashed.......ahhh sleep.
A long, lovely, amazing day here in Rwanda. Thank the Lord for giving it to us.
Sophie
Friday, July 10, 2009
DAY SEVEN
Hi everyone, Andrew here.
It's Saturday morning & like sardines being packed for the cannery, we squeezed another person in the van and bumped our way along the dirt track. We were on our way to assist in building a mud brick house for one of many thousands of child headed households here in Rwanda. The Hiace rolled about like a boat in a storm creaking & moaning as the 15 “Muzungus” (Kinyarwandan for “foreigners”) sat ready with bags, cameras, old clothes, gloves & another stash of balloons to share with the swarm of beautiful wide-eyed children about to descend on them. As I stepped out of the van I was immediately drawn to the mud bricks that were being laid, the first rows showing that this was to be a simple house, by our standards. I'm not sure if the surprised look on the 15 or so Rwandan men’s faces was due to me laying my first block or the 15 or so Muzungu ladies offering to help. The ladies were all kitted out with gloves, some eagerly jumping into the mud pit to stomp the mortar up & down while others went to fetch heavy cans of water from down the hill, and return like ants from a nest.
I'm sure I felt as nervous as them as I started laying the blocks to the familiar sound of men’s chatter on a building site & although we could not understand each other, I could tell the way they used the word “Muzungu” we would need to prove our worth. By the time we had laid the second course of bricks, the joy I was already feeling turned to delight as the man at the other end of my string line was smiling with a thumbs-up saying “good work”. Cameras clicked to the sound of excited chatter as everyone busied themselves in whatever way possible.
Once again a crowd gathered to watch the funny Muzungus, children from everywhere parading their new balloons & gifts, and as we came to leave, we prayed a blessing over the child headed family, hoping that our love helps them to carry their burden a little easier. Waving goodbye a piece of our hearts is left behind, our emotions again in turmoil. Good work team!!! What a privilege to serve these beautiful people together as a team and do something practical together..
- Andrew
Hi everyone, Andrew here.
It's Saturday morning & like sardines being packed for the cannery, we squeezed another person in the van and bumped our way along the dirt track. We were on our way to assist in building a mud brick house for one of many thousands of child headed households here in Rwanda. The Hiace rolled about like a boat in a storm creaking & moaning as the 15 “Muzungus” (Kinyarwandan for “foreigners”) sat ready with bags, cameras, old clothes, gloves & another stash of balloons to share with the swarm of beautiful wide-eyed children about to descend on them. As I stepped out of the van I was immediately drawn to the mud bricks that were being laid, the first rows showing that this was to be a simple house, by our standards. I'm not sure if the surprised look on the 15 or so Rwandan men’s faces was due to me laying my first block or the 15 or so Muzungu ladies offering to help. The ladies were all kitted out with gloves, some eagerly jumping into the mud pit to stomp the mortar up & down while others went to fetch heavy cans of water from down the hill, and return like ants from a nest.
I'm sure I felt as nervous as them as I started laying the blocks to the familiar sound of men’s chatter on a building site & although we could not understand each other, I could tell the way they used the word “Muzungu” we would need to prove our worth. By the time we had laid the second course of bricks, the joy I was already feeling turned to delight as the man at the other end of my string line was smiling with a thumbs-up saying “good work”. Cameras clicked to the sound of excited chatter as everyone busied themselves in whatever way possible.
Once again a crowd gathered to watch the funny Muzungus, children from everywhere parading their new balloons & gifts, and as we came to leave, we prayed a blessing over the child headed family, hoping that our love helps them to carry their burden a little easier. Waving goodbye a piece of our hearts is left behind, our emotions again in turmoil. Good work team!!! What a privilege to serve these beautiful people together as a team and do something practical together..
- Andrew
Thursday, July 9, 2009
DAY SIX
This morning we visited the catch-up centre that Riverview supports in conjunction with AEE. This is a school program for street children to allow them to obtain enough education to re-enter the school system and take examinations. I felt quite humbled by this experience. Not only because of the vision of the gentleman who started this program on his own to help these children, but by the kids themselves. Being a person who never really enjoyed school and used to make up any excuse not to go, I am totally in awe of the young men and women who may have no where to sleep, may not have any food in their bellies and yet make the effort everyday to attend school and to study hard.
One of the excellent teachers named Stephen provided us with an overview of how the school operated and what they were studying said that the main reason why the children would not attend school on a particular day is because they had to go looking for food!
Also the decision has been recently been made here to change the second language from French to English so not only must they learn their usual lessons but they must learn them in a new language that many of them have only recently been exposed to.
The young people were amazing to spend time with, happily showing us the lesson books that they had. 217 students attend the school which has only 3 classrooms. Approximately 35 students passed their entrance examinations and will be able to attend a public school program now.
The centre also provides the children with knowledge of social interactions which will further assist them to integrate into society successfully.
This is such a worthwhile enterprise and has left a huge impression on all of us who visited.
Karen.
This morning we visited the catch-up centre that Riverview supports in conjunction with AEE. This is a school program for street children to allow them to obtain enough education to re-enter the school system and take examinations. I felt quite humbled by this experience. Not only because of the vision of the gentleman who started this program on his own to help these children, but by the kids themselves. Being a person who never really enjoyed school and used to make up any excuse not to go, I am totally in awe of the young men and women who may have no where to sleep, may not have any food in their bellies and yet make the effort everyday to attend school and to study hard.
One of the excellent teachers named Stephen provided us with an overview of how the school operated and what they were studying said that the main reason why the children would not attend school on a particular day is because they had to go looking for food!
Also the decision has been recently been made here to change the second language from French to English so not only must they learn their usual lessons but they must learn them in a new language that many of them have only recently been exposed to.
The young people were amazing to spend time with, happily showing us the lesson books that they had. 217 students attend the school which has only 3 classrooms. Approximately 35 students passed their entrance examinations and will be able to attend a public school program now.
The centre also provides the children with knowledge of social interactions which will further assist them to integrate into society successfully.
This is such a worthwhile enterprise and has left a huge impression on all of us who visited.
Karen.
Monday, July 6, 2009
DAY TWO
Wow!!! What a wonderful day it has truly been. After a well-needed rest the day before we were ready to head to the Centre for Champions and meet the children and staff, for some of us it was the first time. We were welcomed to the centre with singing and dancing. The morning comprised of games and activities with the children, which saw us running with balloons between our legs, being miserably thrashed at a game of soccer, having our faces covered with stickers, and enjoying a game of basketball, volleyball or frisby with the children.
It was a wonderful beginning to the friendships forming between the people at the centre and the Riverview impact team, despite sometimes struggling through the language barrier.
Back at the guest house and we received some great news; all but one of the missing pieces of luggage had been found! Yay! This meant clean clothes, pyjamas and a toothbrush! After a brief rest we headed back for a meeting at the Centre for Champions.
And what can I say... we were certainly in the presence of the Lord. It was a great privileged to see the choirs at the Centre sing with such passion and dance so beautifully to songs that praised and worshiped the Lord. The Riverview team sang in return, with Sheryn and Annette playing the guitar, Pastor Chiz on the trumpet and Ian on the violin. Before we knew it everyone was on their feet, dancing like crazy and singing at the top of our lungs in unity, worshiping God unrestrained. Bryce, Sam, David and Pastor Chiz courageously gave their testimonies which spoke of the love of God and His ability to make the impossible turn into the possible despite the circumstances. We finished tonight at the Centre by praying for all the children, providing hope for their futures and encouragement in their spiritual journey.
Rwanda is a beautiful country and the people I have met in the 2 days of being here are kind, generous and full of grace. The Centre for Champions are offering those who are in seemingly hopeless situations a chance for something better, and are doing it while instilling the love of God.
Imana ni nziza (God is good)! I'm eager to see what else is in store for us in the coming weeks!
Thank you to all of those offering their support and prayers throughout the trip,
Rach
Wow!!! What a wonderful day it has truly been. After a well-needed rest the day before we were ready to head to the Centre for Champions and meet the children and staff, for some of us it was the first time. We were welcomed to the centre with singing and dancing. The morning comprised of games and activities with the children, which saw us running with balloons between our legs, being miserably thrashed at a game of soccer, having our faces covered with stickers, and enjoying a game of basketball, volleyball or frisby with the children.
It was a wonderful beginning to the friendships forming between the people at the centre and the Riverview impact team, despite sometimes struggling through the language barrier.
Back at the guest house and we received some great news; all but one of the missing pieces of luggage had been found! Yay! This meant clean clothes, pyjamas and a toothbrush! After a brief rest we headed back for a meeting at the Centre for Champions.
And what can I say... we were certainly in the presence of the Lord. It was a great privileged to see the choirs at the Centre sing with such passion and dance so beautifully to songs that praised and worshiped the Lord. The Riverview team sang in return, with Sheryn and Annette playing the guitar, Pastor Chiz on the trumpet and Ian on the violin. Before we knew it everyone was on their feet, dancing like crazy and singing at the top of our lungs in unity, worshiping God unrestrained. Bryce, Sam, David and Pastor Chiz courageously gave their testimonies which spoke of the love of God and His ability to make the impossible turn into the possible despite the circumstances. We finished tonight at the Centre by praying for all the children, providing hope for their futures and encouragement in their spiritual journey.
Rwanda is a beautiful country and the people I have met in the 2 days of being here are kind, generous and full of grace. The Centre for Champions are offering those who are in seemingly hopeless situations a chance for something better, and are doing it while instilling the love of God.
Imana ni nziza (God is good)! I'm eager to see what else is in store for us in the coming weeks!
Thank you to all of those offering their support and prayers throughout the trip,
Rach
P.S. Click on the photo's to see them larger
Sunday, July 5, 2009
DAY ONE (Continued…)
Day one continues the story of Rwanda and Riverview. The association and love of the Riverview people and the Rwandans is reflected in the number of people that have returned or come for the first time. Those few of us that were here before the main part of the team arrived were waiting in excited expectation of their arrival. The only unfortunate incident was the lost baggage of some of the travellers. Ingeberg, Ian and Sam and Rachael are without luggage... Many people offered their underarm deodorant to them. There is an expectant faith that their luggage will arrive tomorrow.
The team consists of 23 people with Chiz, Bridget, Marion, Bryce, Ingeburg, Kate, Sophie, and Sheryn all returning for another time. Chiz, Marion, Bridget and Bryce were involved in the first trip to Rwanda. Yeah! Happy return. They were fortunate enough to see the laying of the foundation stone at the Centre of Champions. There is a close relationship developing between the Centre for Champions and Riverview. The Centre for Champions houses around 180 children and young people who have been rescued from various unsafe situations.
Those who arrived in Rwanda today were very tired after a 27 hour long journey over three plane flights and lots of dinners and breakfasts, but excited to meet with the kids from the Centre having heard stories from those who had been there before. There was plenty of time to rest before we all met in the meeting room to establish our agenda for the next. There was unity in thought and feelings about how God will work through each one of us and that we were not here by chance, but by the express will of God.
We can’t wait to see what will happen!
We are the only ones left awake, hence we are the ones writing this blog!
Love to all at home.
Linda and Kate
Day one continues the story of Rwanda and Riverview. The association and love of the Riverview people and the Rwandans is reflected in the number of people that have returned or come for the first time. Those few of us that were here before the main part of the team arrived were waiting in excited expectation of their arrival. The only unfortunate incident was the lost baggage of some of the travellers. Ingeberg, Ian and Sam and Rachael are without luggage... Many people offered their underarm deodorant to them. There is an expectant faith that their luggage will arrive tomorrow.
The team consists of 23 people with Chiz, Bridget, Marion, Bryce, Ingeburg, Kate, Sophie, and Sheryn all returning for another time. Chiz, Marion, Bridget and Bryce were involved in the first trip to Rwanda. Yeah! Happy return. They were fortunate enough to see the laying of the foundation stone at the Centre of Champions. There is a close relationship developing between the Centre for Champions and Riverview. The Centre for Champions houses around 180 children and young people who have been rescued from various unsafe situations.
Those who arrived in Rwanda today were very tired after a 27 hour long journey over three plane flights and lots of dinners and breakfasts, but excited to meet with the kids from the Centre having heard stories from those who had been there before. There was plenty of time to rest before we all met in the meeting room to establish our agenda for the next. There was unity in thought and feelings about how God will work through each one of us and that we were not here by chance, but by the express will of God.
We can’t wait to see what will happen!
We are the only ones left awake, hence we are the ones writing this blog!
Love to all at home.
Linda and Kate
DAY ONE (The Journey Begins…)
Muraho! Greetings to Rwanda Down Under (aka Oz) from the '09 Rwanda Team. This year, the Impact Trip is blessed to have on board 22 “muzungus”, the largest Rwanda Team we’ve had to date.
Introducing:
Pastor Neil Chisholm (Chiz)
Bridget Hadfield
Marion Bradshaw
Bryce Green
Andrew Bagust
Barbara Ridyard
Linda De Haan
Ryan Joyce
Ingeburg Dell'Antonio
Natasha Adams
Rachel Adams
Elizabeth Black
Kate Black
Sophie Black
Ian Egginton
Samantha Egginton
Jay Chou
Karen Gilbee
David Scaife
Sheryn Binks
Annette Binks
Mel Binks
Our journey began with thirty long hours of travelling from Perth to Johannesburg to Nairobi and finally to Kigali, Rwanda. The journey went pretty smooth in general – everyone stayed together, our slightly overweight baggage was settled by smiling at accommodating airport staff and we made the most of transit time by catching some shut eye whenever we could...on airport benches, at cafes...and for some, even the floor. Upon arriving at Kigali airport, we did encounter one blunder as the baggage of some team mates didn't arrive (refer to following posts for further details on this).
Amidst being very sleep deprived, we were warmly welcomed by team mates who arrived in Rwanda before the main group (Kate and Sophie Black, Sheryn, Annette and Mel Binks and Linda and Ryan), as well as members from African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE), that is, the main partnering organisation of the Children’s Foundation in Rwanda. Then we were all off in a minibus to make the trek to our guesthouse in Rwamagana (a small district about an hour east of Kigali). It was hugs and handshakes all round as we met more staff from AEE and the Dereva guesthouse before the team kicked back for a well deserved rest.
For those in Rwanda for the first time and those on a return visit, it was truly wonderful to be introduced or reunited with AEE staff who have become part of our extended family in Africa over the years.
Well that about sums it up for our first blog entry…stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
Apologies for the delay in communication, reliable internet access in Rwamagana is a challenge and we’re fast learning the virtue of patience and how to live by Rwanda time!
God bless & Peace out.
Sam & Jay
Muraho! Greetings to Rwanda Down Under (aka Oz) from the '09 Rwanda Team. This year, the Impact Trip is blessed to have on board 22 “muzungus”, the largest Rwanda Team we’ve had to date.
Introducing:
Pastor Neil Chisholm (Chiz)
Bridget Hadfield
Marion Bradshaw
Bryce Green
Andrew Bagust
Barbara Ridyard
Linda De Haan
Ryan Joyce
Ingeburg Dell'Antonio
Natasha Adams
Rachel Adams
Elizabeth Black
Kate Black
Sophie Black
Ian Egginton
Samantha Egginton
Jay Chou
Karen Gilbee
David Scaife
Sheryn Binks
Annette Binks
Mel Binks
Our journey began with thirty long hours of travelling from Perth to Johannesburg to Nairobi and finally to Kigali, Rwanda. The journey went pretty smooth in general – everyone stayed together, our slightly overweight baggage was settled by smiling at accommodating airport staff and we made the most of transit time by catching some shut eye whenever we could...on airport benches, at cafes...and for some, even the floor. Upon arriving at Kigali airport, we did encounter one blunder as the baggage of some team mates didn't arrive (refer to following posts for further details on this).
Amidst being very sleep deprived, we were warmly welcomed by team mates who arrived in Rwanda before the main group (Kate and Sophie Black, Sheryn, Annette and Mel Binks and Linda and Ryan), as well as members from African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE), that is, the main partnering organisation of the Children’s Foundation in Rwanda. Then we were all off in a minibus to make the trek to our guesthouse in Rwamagana (a small district about an hour east of Kigali). It was hugs and handshakes all round as we met more staff from AEE and the Dereva guesthouse before the team kicked back for a well deserved rest.
For those in Rwanda for the first time and those on a return visit, it was truly wonderful to be introduced or reunited with AEE staff who have become part of our extended family in Africa over the years.
Well that about sums it up for our first blog entry…stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
Apologies for the delay in communication, reliable internet access in Rwamagana is a challenge and we’re fast learning the virtue of patience and how to live by Rwanda time!
God bless & Peace out.
Sam & Jay
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
.jpg)