Rwanda, Rwanda

Ever time I get into a city bus or more accurately, into Toyota van, I am overly impressed at how many people can fit. The first day there where 18 people, and I thought that was the max. But yesterday I was amazed again when 22 people fit into a mini bus that in Canada would only hold 7 to 8 people if you squished. So the  stories you hear from people who have traveled south of the equator into developing nations are true. The food is great, the people are friendly, there is so much joy and such a sense of contentment. I’ve heard all of this before but you cannot really grasp what they mean until you yourself are here.

These Little Geckos are all over our Bathroom

The last few days have been busy and full of new things, On Saturday we took a trip to the Genocide Memorial. In 1994 Rwanda went though a dark time with almost 1 million people being killed in under 100 days. The Memorial was dedicated to all those who lost there lives and people that lost loved ones in the Genocide. Overwhelming is the word I would use to describe this place, they don’t beat around the bush and give very cold hard facts. They where not afraid to name names and tell it how it happened. This  thorough way they presented the truth is part of how education is the best prevention of future genocides.

My first time to a Rwandan church was just as overwhelming but only in the best sense of the word. Although is was 3 hours long and in another language it was so plain to see how much the people loved and served God. The service was lead by the youth group that just returned from a missions trip to Uganda. Seeing young people like myself with so little  going to their neighbouring countries to help was a huge inspiration to show how little you need to help someone else.

So far this week we have done some ministries through APRECOM, an organization that works with HIV+ widows and their families. We where able to visit two ladies that both had lost they husbands and where very sick. Hearing their stories and sharing a little about ourselves made such a deep impact on me. We where able to buy both families food and some meat for the Christmas holidays. If you click on the photo below and follow the link I you can see more about his lady and her family.

Myself, Ishmael & Agnes Munangwije  and Svenja Burst

Lastly we have become involved in the street community in Kigal and are planning a Christmas event for the children and another for the youth closer to New Years.  Since we are going to be here for a couple of months we want to really get involved in the  peoples lives and encourage them as much as possible. It may not have the instant rewards of feeding programs but to mentor and teach  Rwandans to help each other will be the most effective way to bring about positive change long term.

Thank you for reading and have a very Merry Christmas!