We started off on our 3 hour scenic bus ride to Imbabazi this morning. It was a wonderful time of reflection and time to allow God's redemptive powers to prepare us for our next stop. We marveled at the methods and modes of transportation here... walking! Men, Women, and Children carrying items on their heads and waving and smiling at us as we passed. We don't know what our elevation was, but we seemed to be on top of the world. With every winding pass, our eyes gazed out to the villages, farms, & towns far below. Our beautiful guide, Jane, pointed out several fruit and vegetable plants/trees on the country side to us. She gave us information on the people, culture, etc. Heavenly father, we stand in awe of who YOU are.
It rained again today, but it doesn't stop the locals from their day to day journey to find water or go to market to buy or sell their goods. Kids are on holiday so watching them work without complaint allowed me to give the boys "the look". The luxuries we have so abundantly... running water, cars, electricity, etc. James pointed out the number of children playing on the road. He said we used to be told, "go play on the highway" and these kids live it out. Not the safest. Our driver drove in the middle of the two-lane highway because people walk on the roads. They get too close. The driver would tap his horn just before impact so the person can move over. I couldn't watch, so I kept my eyes fixed on the scenery. James narrated for me. Geesh, I'd be a basket case walking there.
Such beautiful country! As we turned to ascend the 45 min. off road experience to the orphanage, village children began running after our bus. Smiling, waving, and yelling in Kinyarwanda, "Aquchupa" (spelled wrong I'm sure). Jane told us that the kids were asking for empty water bottles. We'd been told that by giving out stuff to the kids would cause mass chaos, so we didn't give them any. But seriously? That's what they wanted? What? They weren't asking for anything but an empty plastic water bottle that we throw away a dime a dozen without second thought. Why? Jane informed us that the kids take them to school and MIGHT be able to fill it there and have at least one day's worth of fresh water to drink. She said their parents might give them a little treat if they can bring one home so their mom has something to carry oil in from the market. Empty... plastic...water bottles. One man's trash is another man's treasure. James said he will never look at a water bottle the same again. Wow God! perspective.
Imbabazi:
In the aftermath of the Genocide, 95,000 children were lost or orphaned. One woman gave 400 of these children a home, love, and most importantly, HOPE! Rosamond Carr, an American woman who had lived in Rwanda since 1949, converted her farm into a shelter for lost and orphaned children. It is called Imbabazi, which in Kinyarwanda means “a place where you will receive all the love and care a mother would give. Since it opened its doors in December 1994, Roz and her staff have cared for more than 400 children. Many have been reunited with family members located by relief agencies still working throughout Rwanda. Others have grown up and moved on to lead successful and meaningful lives. Imbabazi is currently home to 110 children (www.imbabazi.org) and today is still a working flower plantation. The land is serene here. The children are so proud of their home, but still long for a mother and father's touch.
Imbabazi is home to mostly teenagers. I don't remember seeing any younger children. Hanging out with the teenagers was a hoot. They are similar to our teenagers. I said similar, not the same.... The similarities: They love music, dancing, Justin Beiber, and even had a few pictures of "cute" boys on their walls. Our day was filled with soccer, crafts, singing... UM... and some dancing (some not so pretty or fresh smelling, but SO much fun), and worship. During our tour of the grounds, my sweet girl, Betty, took me to an area behind the director's house and there was a crowd of people watching a Swahili choir. Dressed in their best clothes, praising the Lord. They were being videotaped and I was getting a lot of stares, so I quickly rounded the corner to find the rest of the group. Just then the director came up and asked me if our group could join them in their video. Our brave leader, Frank Pass agreed and soon we were welcomed by the choir, many gave up their seats. There we were, 30 "whites" sitting with a Swahili choir in Rwanda, on the same spot where they filmed "Gorilla's in the Mist". Lord God, YOUR people are beautiful! I swear I was singing right along! lol. James said it was right up my alley so he knows I was going with it. bahahaha. I looked around a few times... Cameron was rocking it in the back row. I saw his arm doing the Jesus Pump, fist swinging, and hands raised toward Heaven. AND James and Chris sure had big smiles too. Not many people can say that they've done what we did, it was fun, it was authentic, and it was all God! Surely someone taped it.
Can you tell my heart is in Rwanda? (yes, I've repeated myself... but it is!)
After making our tie necklaces, I swapped mine with Betty. James and the boys played soccer and Frisbee with the boys. Because the kids today are teenagers, they took a little longer to really warm up to us. Many girls kept scanning our group and asking for Daria, another team member whose been here before. I watched them reunite and as they held each tightly... God quickly showed my heart, they were the same as any other child... They just wanted to be loved, accepted, and to know that they have value. I had been given a new set of eyes today.
There is a lot of hidden talent here! Amazing voices, artists, dancers...
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