What a day yesterday! Sally and I were at Love with Actions for a grand celebration of the women finishing their training for sewing and basketweaving.  These are the women of children with disabilities. This was a graduation for these women who had never received a diploma or been recognized in a group! The women felt incredible dignity as their names were called publicly and people clapped.  This reminds me of Americans being the first in their families to receive a University diploma.  Some of the women have never been recognized for their work or even stood up in a group. They were so proud and it was evident that many husbands understood this accomplishment as they were so proud of their wives, walking up with them to receive their diploma too.  Some held on to the diploma and others grasped their wives upper arms. This was the first time in their lives they are able to hold something that is tangible for their hard work.  The local newspapers and TV stations were there for the grand event! That evening they did a piece on TV which lasted for about 5 minutes.  All of the wives and husbands were dressed in beautiful rented or purchased dresses and husbands in their finest clothes. Many of the children were there as well and watched as their parents received their diplomas.  I was able to observe some of the children's movements while I was at the ceremony and was able to hold Queenie one of the many children who I will be seeing Monday.  Sally fell in love with a little three year old, Rachel, who she did not want to put down. Jean Paul who is the director of Shalom, a reconciliation ministry in Rubavu where we are heading next week, also made the 3 1/2 hour journey to support Gilbert's work in Kigali.  There were representatives from the local churches, government and Salvation Army.  The celebration finished by sharing an ear of roasted corn together and a Fanta.

First full day in Rwanda

   

                                             Friday evening, Sept. 28

   Our day began at Rilima Pediatric Orthopedic Hospital which is a two hour drive south of Kigali. This hospital has treated 5 Love With Actions children so far. The highlight of the day was spending time with 4 year old Iradukunda – her name means I love you. She is being treated now for webbing of the skin behind her knees, resulting in a duck-like walk. Every two weeks they recast her little legs, gradually stretching them out. We learned that it is a common choice in Rwanda to select treatments like serial casting that are less invasive, less expensive, but take a much longer time. 

   We presented her with a Build-a-Bear built by Kath Stone and her grandson Kaiden. It was a BIG hit, and the glasses that came with the bear have found a new home on Iradukunda’s nose. We showed her a picture of Kaiden and Kath as well. This is a very bright and resilient little girl who will thrive once she is able to return to school, walking upright and become all she was meant to be. Thanks to all of you who have donated to the hospitalization costs for the children who have been treated so far You are changing the trajectory of their lives.

     Bonnie had conversations with the hospital director Dr. Albert, and the chief physical therapist, Seth. They have a good variety of PT

   

equipment, but most of it is from a pre-1970 era. After visiting two more LWA children being treated there, both 8-9 years old with CP, we left with some answers, and many questions as we try to assimilate new knowledge about the            Rwandan way of thinking regarding medical

treatment. I am so grateful Bonnie is here! She is pictured here with PT Seth. Notice the painting on the wall behind them.

   Our second stop for the day was at the home of Jean deDieu and Francine. I come to Rwanda to meet people like them who live out the Gospel every day. This couple had just married days before the genocide of 1994 broke out. Francine was just 21. They fled the killing by running in different directions, and returned to find each other months later, however, from both of their entire extended families there was only one survivor, Francine’s little sister. They went on to begin rebuilding their shattered lives and became leaders in preaching reconciliation to the people around them. Amazing. They now have 8 beautiful children from age 7-24, as well as 4 orphans they are raising as their own. We came to know them because one of the orphans they took in is Habimana, the now 23 year old nursing student who is sponsored by a number of dear friends in New Hampshire and Colorado. The love and mentoring of Jean de Dieu and Francine have given Habimana a second chance at life and fulfilling his dream of becoming a nurse - a dream born after caring for his dying mother when he was 12. He is a top student and will graduate next December. Jean de Dieu says it has been a privilege to have him in their family, and that he has become a role model for their younger boys.

   We were able to leave this couple, who serve God faithfully in their church, with a study Bible in their own language. This is a new and rare tool in Rwanda, and their excitement upon looking through it was such fun to see. Think of all the Biblical teaching they will be able to provide to others. I am so privileged to know people like this who actually DO what Jesus says; they live out the call for each of us to have a “ministry of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:19-20) and to “care for orphans in their distress” (James 1:27). They challenge all of us to do the same.

   Thanks for sharing in our journey. (Bonnie's delayed bags arrived at the airport tonight, so I am waiting up for Gilbert to deliver them.)

Our God of Miracles is already showing up

When I arrived in Brussels I was disappointed to hear from Bonnie that she had been stuck on the tarmac for 2 hours in NYC due to a storm and so she would surely miss the flight to Brussels. I was so sad I didn't even stop for my usual Starbucks as I went to the gate. But I did read a note sent along for that day from friend Lory Q. It was a short note about our God being a God of miracles. I tucked it back in my bag.

Bonnie's flight arrived in Brussels 15 minutes before we were to take off, and there was a long walk, a shuttle bus that only runs every 10 minutes and then another long walk to even get to the gate. I sat down in my seat and prepared for take off. As usual for these very large, full flights, we got off about 15 minutes late, and after the doors had closed, just as we were starting to taxi someone in a bright pink shirt plopped into the empty seat ncxt to be, exhausted from running, and said "I'm here!"

Miracles have already started. Bonnie's bags did not run as fast as she did, so those hopefully will arrive tonight.

We were met at the airport by Gilbert, Pastor Samuel and two of the mothers from Love With Actions armed with big smiles and beautiful bouquets of flowers for our room. After a night with some sleep we are off to Rilima Hospital today to visit several of the LWA kids who are being treated there for orthopedic issues.

Keep up those prayers for miracles...

Sally & Bonnie

  Today I am trying to attach an itinerary for my trip to the blog so you can print it if you are interested. It has been a learning experience....hopefully you will be able to click on the link below to see it. If not, then back to the drawing board.

  This picture was taken one year ago today, when Sister Emerite at the Gahanga Orphanage for Handicapped Children received approval to begin construction of the covered laundry funded by many friends here in the US. Until then laundry would be washed and hung outdoors to dry - in the rainy seasons this could take many days. Next week I will be sharing in their joy as we visit that laundry and hear how it has made life easier for the staff and better for the children.

 God has been at work in the past year in amazing ways. There will be much to celebrate everywhere I go, and new visions to be born for what is yet to come.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vCmvVrLb5GX378W01UGjHljAIypV06AspoHNgphd74w/edit?usp=sharing

   I'm headed to Rwanda once again. Wednesday morning, Sept. 26,  I will be off on my 12th trip to Rwanda. I am excited that I will be joined by my good friend Bonnie Eckerman, a talented pediatric physical therapist from New Hampshire who was also on our team in 2010. She will have so much to offer to the children with disabilities in both of the communities where we will spend our time. 

    We will be spending one week in Kigalinwith Love With Actions, my friend Gilbert Kubwimana's new ministry to very poor families with disabled children. God has done phenomenal things for these families in just one year: Children and families are receiving medical care, including life-changing reconstructive surgeries; mothers have been brought together to learn how to better care for their children; they have been trained in basket weaving and sewing so that they can begin to support their families; a physical therapist is providing care for the children 3 times a week; families who were homeless now have a roof over their heads and goats and kitchen gardens have resulted in greatly improved nutrition for everyone. Most of all the women have found love and acceptance and have built a strong, supportive bond with one another. Praise God! 

   Here is Gilbert with 12 year old Aime and 16 year old Ildephonse. Both boys are walking for the first time in their lives thanks to Love With Actions. I can't wait to meet each of these families who I have fallen in love with through their pictures and stories. Talk about courage - these boys have it.

The second week we will be working with Shalom Community Organization in Rubavu, an area in the NW corner of the country. It will be a time of strategizing and encouraging the staff and continuing to build relationships with many groups of women, students and newly formed peacemaker groups. One project I will follow up on is the hundreds of kitchen gardens women have built thanks to the VBS offering from St. James Presbyterian here in Littleton, CO. Pictured below is one of their trainings. This is a follow up to hygiene & nutrition training that we shared with Shalom in 2013 and 2015. True change and community acceptance takes time, but it is so good to see the change in their understanding of nutrition and a chance to grow better food for their families.

   

Bonnie and I will try to update the blog most days, internet permitting. Thanks for sharing in the journey with us.