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.)