Still here and chugging along! We will try to give a brief recap of the past two days in tonight's post. A busy past two days, but we will try to give you a general idea of what we have been doing.
Yesterday morning we spent the morning at Noel Orphanage. The kids were extremely exited to see us once again and for a large portion of the morning we painted many fingers and toes. Gender aside, all of the kids loved to get their fingers and toes painted. Cali, Heather, Chance, and Pastor Wade painted many dirty toes along with fingers. They were either painted with Pastor Wade's patented Canadian Tip or the Rwandan dot I developed as kids who already had their toes painted one color would quickly come to me while their toes were still wet to get a second color. I simply took a bright color such as yellow and dotted each toe which was already painted with a base color. They loved it and kept coming back for more. While we were painting fingers and toes, Elaine and Cindy helped out the "mamas" in the courtyard by peeling potatoes with a machette and the dullest knife going. Fred continued his usage of sidewalk chalk, this time he wasn't in the prone position, rather he drew out a hopscotch court, with the help of Pastor Wade, and showed the kids how to play. Dr. VanGorder had the opportunity to fill in for the infirmiry and see some kids as the infirmiry was closed yesterday.
Following lunch we went to the market. The major concern for the market was both staying together and not getting pick pocketed. Tina expressed that it was very likely to happen therefore backpacks were stored on our fronts rather than backs and money was secreted in many places including both shoes and underwear pockets. We will, for your sake, keep the names and associated places undisclosed. There were many fish roasting in the sun in the market that produced a strong odor throughout. There were many different patterns of fabric for sale and we decided we would buy some as we wished to make some clothing. As whites, the prices are increased from the typical 12,000 or so Franks to 20,000 simply because we are white. As Tina, Jeanette, Deyonee, Doreen, and Alice (Praise the Lord we had those who could speak KinyaRwandan) bartered we were at awe and very confused. At one point, after a failed barter with a merchant, Fred raised the question, "Did we buy that?" Confusing to say the least. Following the market we went to the "doll house" to buy some locally stiched items and to be measured for clothing which will be made out of our aggressively bartered fabric.
Following the doll house the Oswego Alliance Moto Gang (also referred to as the O.A.M.G) went on Moto rides to The Palm (a resort restaurant) on beautiful lake Kibu. With the restaurant being right on the water with hills upon hills in the background, along with African Fishing boats floating buy...it was likely the most beautiful piece of creation we have ever seen. Picturesque. We had a wonderful dinner where we all attempted to order a rolled meat pie item that we had days previous, called Samosa. When the waiter brought out our appetizer we learned what what we ordered was actually Samboza, which we actually were familiar with as well. What landed on our table was the same whole fish that were lying out in the hot sun at the market. Except this time they had a little breading and seasoning on them....We made the corporate decision to try them anyways. They were actually tasty and we enjoyed them. At the close of the evening we participated, often without option as the Traditional Dancers would come to the table and pull people up, in Traditional Rwandan Dancing. There will be photos for a high price, and luckily Dr. VanGorder was saved by a group of whites (that being us) who attempted to spear him with the provided spears. The photo is priceless.
What a day yesterday was, but today was not as light. We woke up early to take our first public bus ride to Sonrise. We ate some scrambled eggs and fried potatores before we caught the bus a little after 8 am to head toward Musanze which is where Sonrise is. While on the way we were stopped at a police roadblock where police with rifles strapped around their neck stopped the bus. There were spike strips in road and we all had to exit the bus. They searched the bus and we had to walk up the road a short ways. Shortly thereafter the bus pulled up to us, we regained entry, and off we went. What we learned was this is a normal practice in the Rwandan culture. After an hour ride or so we made it to Sonrise. We were met with many smiles and hugs from both the Noel Orphans at the school along with the kids who attend the boarding school who have parents. All together there are 300 kids at the boarding school with 100 being from the orphanage. These kids are all sponsored (at least for now) to attend this boarding school. This is only a recent opportunity for the orphans. It really is essentially their only way out of the orphanage. Education is the gateway to getting a job in Rwanda greatly more so than in our culture. There are very few jobs as the majority of the area is self sufficient agriculture and there are very few "jobs." The only "jobs" are in the cities and most are in Hotel Management which is what most kids go to University for. Without education the opportunity for a job is unlikely. Sonrise, is hope for these kids in the orphanage. It is hope for their exit from the orphanage and entrance into society. We saw a marked difference in the Noel kids at the boarding school than at the orphange. They were healthier, with less disease, the place was much cleaner than the orphanage, it didn't smell so like Noel does, the food is better, and it provides a sense of stability for the children. However, we quickly learned that their parentless circumstances still place them in desperate need of both emotional and physical love.
Following the morning we went to lunch in town and following lunch we returned to Sonrise. We returned to a warm welcome. The kids were clinlging to the gate, loudly chanting and cheering for us upon our return. Played soccer with them, walked, talked, sang, and enjoyed our time with them while taking lot of photo. Dr. VanGorder had a full list of patients today as he saw probably over 50 patients. Some of which simply saw an American doctor and faked an illness, but others who had some legitimate issues that he could help out with (we bought same basic medications at the pharmacy for the children while on lunch).
After a bumpy ride back to the house in a small bus taxi, as there were no more public buses running, we ate an excellent dinner made by the girls and then went to Angel's house. Angel is a part of "41," a local ministry run by Tara Clapper. Angel has been sponsored to go to University. Her family's house floods seasonally so we went to see if we could provide any input to her and her family. We went this evening (it gets dark around 7 pm) so we will be going back tomorrow to do the same. We did, on the way home from Angel's, saw our first of two active volcanoes that glowed in the night. It was really cool.
Today was a great day in terms of seeing "hope." The boarding school truly does open doors, essential doors, which previously were not an option for the orphans. It provides these kids with hope, just as we have hope in Christ, school provides an earthly hope, a possible escape for these children. It was difficult for us leaving the boarding school today as when we said our goodbye's many of the kids asked us if we were coming back tomorrow. We had to tell them no, and it was hard to leave them knowing we are not going back especially as they ran to our taxi bus as we were leaving to get their last hugs and hand touches in. Please pray for these children.
And Cali says, "Joy unspeakable flowing through her vains." And once again she says it is the best day of her life!
Yesterday morning we spent the morning at Noel Orphanage. The kids were extremely exited to see us once again and for a large portion of the morning we painted many fingers and toes. Gender aside, all of the kids loved to get their fingers and toes painted. Cali, Heather, Chance, and Pastor Wade painted many dirty toes along with fingers. They were either painted with Pastor Wade's patented Canadian Tip or the Rwandan dot I developed as kids who already had their toes painted one color would quickly come to me while their toes were still wet to get a second color. I simply took a bright color such as yellow and dotted each toe which was already painted with a base color. They loved it and kept coming back for more. While we were painting fingers and toes, Elaine and Cindy helped out the "mamas" in the courtyard by peeling potatoes with a machette and the dullest knife going. Fred continued his usage of sidewalk chalk, this time he wasn't in the prone position, rather he drew out a hopscotch court, with the help of Pastor Wade, and showed the kids how to play. Dr. VanGorder had the opportunity to fill in for the infirmiry and see some kids as the infirmiry was closed yesterday.
Following lunch we went to the market. The major concern for the market was both staying together and not getting pick pocketed. Tina expressed that it was very likely to happen therefore backpacks were stored on our fronts rather than backs and money was secreted in many places including both shoes and underwear pockets. We will, for your sake, keep the names and associated places undisclosed. There were many fish roasting in the sun in the market that produced a strong odor throughout. There were many different patterns of fabric for sale and we decided we would buy some as we wished to make some clothing. As whites, the prices are increased from the typical 12,000 or so Franks to 20,000 simply because we are white. As Tina, Jeanette, Deyonee, Doreen, and Alice (Praise the Lord we had those who could speak KinyaRwandan) bartered we were at awe and very confused. At one point, after a failed barter with a merchant, Fred raised the question, "Did we buy that?" Confusing to say the least. Following the market we went to the "doll house" to buy some locally stiched items and to be measured for clothing which will be made out of our aggressively bartered fabric.
Following the doll house the Oswego Alliance Moto Gang (also referred to as the O.A.M.G) went on Moto rides to The Palm (a resort restaurant) on beautiful lake Kibu. With the restaurant being right on the water with hills upon hills in the background, along with African Fishing boats floating buy...it was likely the most beautiful piece of creation we have ever seen. Picturesque. We had a wonderful dinner where we all attempted to order a rolled meat pie item that we had days previous, called Samosa. When the waiter brought out our appetizer we learned what what we ordered was actually Samboza, which we actually were familiar with as well. What landed on our table was the same whole fish that were lying out in the hot sun at the market. Except this time they had a little breading and seasoning on them....We made the corporate decision to try them anyways. They were actually tasty and we enjoyed them. At the close of the evening we participated, often without option as the Traditional Dancers would come to the table and pull people up, in Traditional Rwandan Dancing. There will be photos for a high price, and luckily Dr. VanGorder was saved by a group of whites (that being us) who attempted to spear him with the provided spears. The photo is priceless.
What a day yesterday was, but today was not as light. We woke up early to take our first public bus ride to Sonrise. We ate some scrambled eggs and fried potatores before we caught the bus a little after 8 am to head toward Musanze which is where Sonrise is. While on the way we were stopped at a police roadblock where police with rifles strapped around their neck stopped the bus. There were spike strips in road and we all had to exit the bus. They searched the bus and we had to walk up the road a short ways. Shortly thereafter the bus pulled up to us, we regained entry, and off we went. What we learned was this is a normal practice in the Rwandan culture. After an hour ride or so we made it to Sonrise. We were met with many smiles and hugs from both the Noel Orphans at the school along with the kids who attend the boarding school who have parents. All together there are 300 kids at the boarding school with 100 being from the orphanage. These kids are all sponsored (at least for now) to attend this boarding school. This is only a recent opportunity for the orphans. It really is essentially their only way out of the orphanage. Education is the gateway to getting a job in Rwanda greatly more so than in our culture. There are very few jobs as the majority of the area is self sufficient agriculture and there are very few "jobs." The only "jobs" are in the cities and most are in Hotel Management which is what most kids go to University for. Without education the opportunity for a job is unlikely. Sonrise, is hope for these kids in the orphanage. It is hope for their exit from the orphanage and entrance into society. We saw a marked difference in the Noel kids at the boarding school than at the orphange. They were healthier, with less disease, the place was much cleaner than the orphanage, it didn't smell so like Noel does, the food is better, and it provides a sense of stability for the children. However, we quickly learned that their parentless circumstances still place them in desperate need of both emotional and physical love.
Following the morning we went to lunch in town and following lunch we returned to Sonrise. We returned to a warm welcome. The kids were clinlging to the gate, loudly chanting and cheering for us upon our return. Played soccer with them, walked, talked, sang, and enjoyed our time with them while taking lot of photo. Dr. VanGorder had a full list of patients today as he saw probably over 50 patients. Some of which simply saw an American doctor and faked an illness, but others who had some legitimate issues that he could help out with (we bought same basic medications at the pharmacy for the children while on lunch).
After a bumpy ride back to the house in a small bus taxi, as there were no more public buses running, we ate an excellent dinner made by the girls and then went to Angel's house. Angel is a part of "41," a local ministry run by Tara Clapper. Angel has been sponsored to go to University. Her family's house floods seasonally so we went to see if we could provide any input to her and her family. We went this evening (it gets dark around 7 pm) so we will be going back tomorrow to do the same. We did, on the way home from Angel's, saw our first of two active volcanoes that glowed in the night. It was really cool.
Today was a great day in terms of seeing "hope." The boarding school truly does open doors, essential doors, which previously were not an option for the orphans. It provides these kids with hope, just as we have hope in Christ, school provides an earthly hope, a possible escape for these children. It was difficult for us leaving the boarding school today as when we said our goodbye's many of the kids asked us if we were coming back tomorrow. We had to tell them no, and it was hard to leave them knowing we are not going back especially as they ran to our taxi bus as we were leaving to get their last hugs and hand touches in. Please pray for these children.
And Cali says, "Joy unspeakable flowing through her vains." And once again she says it is the best day of her life!
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