Well, after a short flight followed by two much longer flights we made it to Kigali Airport yesterday evening at about 8:00 pm. Upon coming into the Kigali Airport and having our passports checked the reality began to sink in that we actually made it to Rwanda and that we would soon be meeting Tina and her family. Upon having our passports checked we all cleared, however the airport staff advised Pastor Wade that he could not come through due to him having a Canadian passport and that he would have to go sit to the side. At this point it looked dismal as we did not know if they would let him through, especially after they advised that he needed to apply for a Visa three days in advance. What to do? Well, we went to the Sovereign Lord who sent us and has protected us. After about 30-45 minutes, after we had left Pastor Wade behind, we got news that they let him through! Miracle #1 of our Rwanda Trip. To God be the Praise!
Following a much needed night's sleep in Kigali at a beautiful Hotel we woke early for a breakfast made by the Hotel staff. The breakfast was diffierent but good, it included crape like items along with Passion Fruit, African Tea and many other items. After breakfast we met for group devotions where Pastor Wade challenged us to have an attitude of gratitude and to, as a group, spend time in prayer simply thanking God for what he had done thusfar. We were then challenged to live out Romans 12:1-2 and to present our bodies even though it might not be comfortable. We were challenged to be "All In." Please let that be your prayer as we go through these next two weeks. We will need your prayers and we are thankful that you will be faithful in praying for us. This world is totally different from what we have ever seen.
Following devotions we headed to the National Genocide Memorial to learn more about Rwandan history and the slaying of nearly 1 million Rwandans in 1994. This was an eye opening experience for all of us in that we knew about the Genocide, however the memorial brought it to real life with stories of history, pictures of mass death, along with photographs of children and the brutal methods in which each was killed. The Rwandans are still dealing with the effects of the Genocide as it occurred just a short time ago and there are many orphans as a result who still suffer from it. Also, those who were the aggressors and those who were the victim's and family members of the victims must cohabitate in Rwanda today. We have heard stories of forgiveness and the incredible forgiveness that has been shown. This is very integral piece of Rwandan culture and it was sad, but nice to get a deeper look into it.
Following the Genocide memorial we had lunch at the hotel in which Hotel Rwanda was filmed at. The hotel was resort like (with nice palm trees etc), lunch was great, and our time spent together was great as well. After lunch we went to the store (Kigal, the capital is civilized with stores, shops, gas stations etc). We bought four boxes of bottled water and exchanged our money into Franks. One dollar is 661 Franks, incase anyone was wondering. After leaving Kiglali, we headed out with four of us in a large van (with all of our luggage) and four of us in a small car. We headed on a three to four hour journey to Nyundo which is where Tina lives. I cannot describe in words what we saw along the way. We went into the uncivilized of uncivilized, yet saw the most beautiful hilly area we have ever seen with many pictures of hard work and smiles along the way.
We drove through the most beautifully hilly (mountainous) area we have ever seen. What amazed all of us was that from the bottom of the hills/mountains to the top ever stitch of land was worked. Whether it be where a hut was built, vegetation was growing, or where paths were dug this entire area was worked. It was simply amazing! I wish I could post a picture to show you what I mean. We saw many people working the fields/hills and it seemed like everyone was doing their own thing. The road we traveled was lined with people walking, biking, and on motos (kind of like dirt bikes that act as taxi's and give people rides). I would love to expand on everything we saw but I will try to make it short. Miracle #2 of the trip was Heather asking our driver if we would see any monkeys. He told us that we were not going in the right direction to see monkeys, however a little while into the trip we were about 20 feet away from 4 monkeys hanging out on the side of the road. It was great! We then saw goats and llamas on the side of the road as we traveled as well. Not only did we see these animals but in the fields (when I say fields I mean lucious green areas at the bottom of the hills) the animals and the people were like working together. Not really, but they were together in the same area. No fences, just kind of hanging out with humans. Different, but neat! As people walked the streets, we saw them carrying a multitude of things on their heads, from crops to pales of water, to vases, to stalks, wood, a door, a bed, etc. I don't know how these people have such great balance. Some of the items were 5 feet high or so. Simply amazing. I should mention that we saw people walking the roadway the entire journey to Nyundo. It is where they walk and hang out. The driver simply depressses the horn slightly to let them know we are coming and the walkers move out of the roadway and the bicyclists fall in line toward the side of the road. A neat cultural custom. We saw many people, inlcuding children walking with water jugs which all were yellow, interesting. We saw numerous kids appearing to be 4-9 years old walking alone along the the sides of the roads in their dirty clothes. It was commonplace. In fact, we stopped at one point and a bunch of little kids came up to us. Heather gave them some sour patch kids and Dr. VanGorder gave them some cookies. They were so happy. In fact, one of them knew a little English and stated, "Sweet!" We soon left these cutes ones and continued on our journey. We saw many military men walking the street with rifles along the way and at one point, when we were in front of a Refugee camp, we were stopped by the unarmed Rwandan police who simply wanted driver license and vehicle information from our driver. While he was doing this all of the kids from the Refugee camp soon swarmed and nearly surrounded our car. Smiling at the fact that white people were in the area. They stated, Muzungu, Muzungu! This means white people and following one of the kids saying this we were surrounded! It was really neat to see their smiles. On our departure one of the kids offered Heather a freshly picked carrot.
Such a different world, yet the same planet. Such different customs, yet same intrinsic feelings as you and I. We will be headed off to the orphanage tomorrow after hopefully getting through this night (as we are sitting here in the dark as the power shut off an hour or two ago). I am sure we will get through the night, it will just be a dark one. I hope this gives you all a little insight as to our beginning of our trip.
Please continue to pray for strength, God's will to be done for all of us, and please pray that this power goes back on!! We are grateful for all he has done and grateful for all of you.
Following a much needed night's sleep in Kigali at a beautiful Hotel we woke early for a breakfast made by the Hotel staff. The breakfast was diffierent but good, it included crape like items along with Passion Fruit, African Tea and many other items. After breakfast we met for group devotions where Pastor Wade challenged us to have an attitude of gratitude and to, as a group, spend time in prayer simply thanking God for what he had done thusfar. We were then challenged to live out Romans 12:1-2 and to present our bodies even though it might not be comfortable. We were challenged to be "All In." Please let that be your prayer as we go through these next two weeks. We will need your prayers and we are thankful that you will be faithful in praying for us. This world is totally different from what we have ever seen.
Following devotions we headed to the National Genocide Memorial to learn more about Rwandan history and the slaying of nearly 1 million Rwandans in 1994. This was an eye opening experience for all of us in that we knew about the Genocide, however the memorial brought it to real life with stories of history, pictures of mass death, along with photographs of children and the brutal methods in which each was killed. The Rwandans are still dealing with the effects of the Genocide as it occurred just a short time ago and there are many orphans as a result who still suffer from it. Also, those who were the aggressors and those who were the victim's and family members of the victims must cohabitate in Rwanda today. We have heard stories of forgiveness and the incredible forgiveness that has been shown. This is very integral piece of Rwandan culture and it was sad, but nice to get a deeper look into it.
Following the Genocide memorial we had lunch at the hotel in which Hotel Rwanda was filmed at. The hotel was resort like (with nice palm trees etc), lunch was great, and our time spent together was great as well. After lunch we went to the store (Kigal, the capital is civilized with stores, shops, gas stations etc). We bought four boxes of bottled water and exchanged our money into Franks. One dollar is 661 Franks, incase anyone was wondering. After leaving Kiglali, we headed out with four of us in a large van (with all of our luggage) and four of us in a small car. We headed on a three to four hour journey to Nyundo which is where Tina lives. I cannot describe in words what we saw along the way. We went into the uncivilized of uncivilized, yet saw the most beautiful hilly area we have ever seen with many pictures of hard work and smiles along the way.
We drove through the most beautifully hilly (mountainous) area we have ever seen. What amazed all of us was that from the bottom of the hills/mountains to the top ever stitch of land was worked. Whether it be where a hut was built, vegetation was growing, or where paths were dug this entire area was worked. It was simply amazing! I wish I could post a picture to show you what I mean. We saw many people working the fields/hills and it seemed like everyone was doing their own thing. The road we traveled was lined with people walking, biking, and on motos (kind of like dirt bikes that act as taxi's and give people rides). I would love to expand on everything we saw but I will try to make it short. Miracle #2 of the trip was Heather asking our driver if we would see any monkeys. He told us that we were not going in the right direction to see monkeys, however a little while into the trip we were about 20 feet away from 4 monkeys hanging out on the side of the road. It was great! We then saw goats and llamas on the side of the road as we traveled as well. Not only did we see these animals but in the fields (when I say fields I mean lucious green areas at the bottom of the hills) the animals and the people were like working together. Not really, but they were together in the same area. No fences, just kind of hanging out with humans. Different, but neat! As people walked the streets, we saw them carrying a multitude of things on their heads, from crops to pales of water, to vases, to stalks, wood, a door, a bed, etc. I don't know how these people have such great balance. Some of the items were 5 feet high or so. Simply amazing. I should mention that we saw people walking the roadway the entire journey to Nyundo. It is where they walk and hang out. The driver simply depressses the horn slightly to let them know we are coming and the walkers move out of the roadway and the bicyclists fall in line toward the side of the road. A neat cultural custom. We saw many people, inlcuding children walking with water jugs which all were yellow, interesting. We saw numerous kids appearing to be 4-9 years old walking alone along the the sides of the roads in their dirty clothes. It was commonplace. In fact, we stopped at one point and a bunch of little kids came up to us. Heather gave them some sour patch kids and Dr. VanGorder gave them some cookies. They were so happy. In fact, one of them knew a little English and stated, "Sweet!" We soon left these cutes ones and continued on our journey. We saw many military men walking the street with rifles along the way and at one point, when we were in front of a Refugee camp, we were stopped by the unarmed Rwandan police who simply wanted driver license and vehicle information from our driver. While he was doing this all of the kids from the Refugee camp soon swarmed and nearly surrounded our car. Smiling at the fact that white people were in the area. They stated, Muzungu, Muzungu! This means white people and following one of the kids saying this we were surrounded! It was really neat to see their smiles. On our departure one of the kids offered Heather a freshly picked carrot.
Such a different world, yet the same planet. Such different customs, yet same intrinsic feelings as you and I. We will be headed off to the orphanage tomorrow after hopefully getting through this night (as we are sitting here in the dark as the power shut off an hour or two ago). I am sure we will get through the night, it will just be a dark one. I hope this gives you all a little insight as to our beginning of our trip.
Please continue to pray for strength, God's will to be done for all of us, and please pray that this power goes back on!! We are grateful for all he has done and grateful for all of you.
Wow, what a report! Thank you for the verbal tour and beautiful description of Rwawandian paradise. Praising God for the first many miracles and revelations. Lifting you all up in prayer daily.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who wrote this....I guess Cali maybe? :o)
Love the update. This is just the beginning of an incredible week which will change you life!! Praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteChris
Forest and Shannon say "Dear Papa (Fred), we wish we could be on that long airplane trip with you!" Mom (Erika) says no way! Praying for your team to give it all, to be ALL THERE each day! Love, Jeremiah & Erika
ReplyDeleteTraveling outside our culture is always amazing, but the culture you all are immersed in is so radically different. I will continue to ask God to protect you physically as well as emotionally. I would suggest that you all soak up the culture as much as you can for two reasons. 1) you may never go back there, and 2) you may go back there and stay a long time!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all for serving him!
Pete Viscome