Farewell To Rwanda

Thank you to everyone who has made this journey with us. We realize that before you get started, you own the journey but after you begin, the journey owns you.

Once again, our time here with everyone, especially Robert, Esther, Emma, Carol, Steven, Violate, Rebecca and the beautiful daughters of the Esther Home, has been profound. Our hearts are a bit tender today as we say our goodbyes.

Love Is In The Air

Valentine Gifts From Glacier to the Esther Home Girls.

Happy Valentine's Day From Rwanda!

Love through their eyes!

Mentoring Hearts

Pictured above are the mentoring partners of the Esther Home Girls. The girls selected mentors to help them reach their fullest potential. It was a wonderful afternoon and a great start for this new Esther Home Mentorship Program.

We Shall Be Free

When the last child cries for a crust of bread…
When there is shelter over the poorest of heads…
We shall be free.

When the last thing we notice is the color of skin.
When the first thing we look for is the beauty within.
We shall be free.

Maria Muldaur

Believing in the Power of "One"

“one “ can make a difference and she truly did...

Our dear friend Bunny, who could not join us this trip, sent funds and requested us to do something that would lessen the burdens of everyday life for someone. As we made our way to Kayonza we asked Rebecca, who is responsible for 1,000 students at the New Life Academy, if she would assist us with this mission. Without much thought she directed us to this loving and needy family.

Vestine, a child sponsored through ANLM, took us to her family’s home. She was excited to have us visit with her family. Vestine is a good student and is the only one in her family that has ever had the opportunity to have a sponsored education.

Vestine’s mother, Damarce, was waiting outside for us. Her slight figure was dressed to greet visitors. Her eyes were bright with excitement and she warmly welcomed us inside her home. Her older son brought in a bench for us to sit on and then our conversation started. Damarce wanted to share her story with us, thinking that we were Vestine’s sponsors. She informed us that she was HIV positive but with the government allocation of drugs she is able to maintain her health. Her big challenge was finding enough food to feed her family and herself; the drugs require her to eat regulary, which is not always possible. Her husband died of aides and left her with five children, three boys and two girls. Unfortunate circumstances left her 15 year old daughter with a young baby; who she now is carrying for too. One could look around and see the home was in great need of a roof. A tarp covered most of the roof and other large holes were covered with bricks, banana leaves and wood.

We then shared with her our intent for the visit and that our dear friend Bunny wanted to gift her a new roof to lessen her burden. She held herself very still, hardly daring to breathe; her eyes were wide and brimming with tears and so was ours. She embraced us with great affection and asked us to give her love and prayers to our dearest friend. So thank you our dear friend Bunny; you have made a difference once again.

It was an end to a beautiful day – the day was crisp and sunny; the sky was a soft cerulean blue, intersected with puffy clusters of white clouds – once again, our hearts were swelled with overwhelming love.

God is Great!

Our morning started at 5:30 am; it was a sleepless night as we knew that the morning woud take us to the hospital to get Doreen’s biopsy results. We reached the hospital at 7:30 where we waited for an hour and a half. We sat in silence watching the corridors being filled with people seeking medical care. As we sat across from Dr Joseph Vyankandondera’s desk one could feel the heaviness in the air. As he pulled up the lab results on the computer he turned to us with a soft look on his face and a hint of a smile on his face and informed us that all was well. The smile on Doreen’s face was as wide as I have ever seen. Ron and I, choked up, let out a sigh of relief. I looked upward and thanked God for his blessing! God is truly great!

Moving to Kayonza

With joy in our hearts we then moved to the village in Kayonza. 45 minutes later, we arrived at the school to pick up our sponsor children and to see our sweet Esther. The children came out from nowhere; some remembering us from our previous visits and were so excited to see us once again.

Dan Andrews, our youngest sponsor child, greeted us with his big smile. His mother, a cook at the school, was surprised and pleased at our visit. Little hands were reaching up touching my hair and stroking my white skin. The crowd of children just kept on growing and growing.

Goodbyes to our beautiful Esther

Out of nowhere appeared our sweet Esther; once again flying into our arms. We were so happy to be with her again but there was a knot in my stomach knowing that this too was time for our goodbyes with her. The photo tells the story.

Village Visit - Norah

Norah is sponsored by the fourth grade class of St Agatha. Glacier and her classmates raise monies each year to sponsor Norah's education. Norah's father is pictured here taking a bath and cleaning shoes. They are so grateful for this sponsorship. They had the class photo in a suitcase being protected from any damages. Norah was so happy and sends her love and thankfulness to the class. It is so very inspiring that this group of students provide sponsorship for this child; giving her this important opportunity in life.

Village Visit - Ismail

Back in the van moving out into the village to see the four sponsor familes. Before our first stop we made our way to the town’s little store to pick up food and staples for each of the families. Our first stop was Ismail’s home. The little family was waiting to see us once again. We were saddened by the news of the loss of their baby. The neighboring children gathered around; candy was passed out and big smiles spread across their small faces. One just cannot get enough of the joyfulness from these village families

Village Visit - Ruth

Ruth, who travels by foot several miles to school each day, shyly sat in the Van next to the other sponsor children. When we were reaching her home you could see a small smile spread across her face. We were a bit confused because we weren’t traveling on the same road. When we finally arrived we noticed a small banana leaf roofed igloo-type hut. We were stunned and worried that this family that was progressing out of poverty had returned to their past condition. A half built mud hut stood right next to it and a small garden was growing was planted on the property. We followed Ruth to the hut and her parents and siblings appeared and so excited to see us. They are sponsored by Nicole and family; for three years they have been given extra monies besides the school sponsorship.

The father began to tell us that with the monies he bought this small piece of land and has been building his own hut for his family. We were overjoyed and proud of his ability to use his monies to take his family out of staggering poverty. When we met this family three years ago on our first mission to Rwanda we were overwhelmed by their poverty. To realize what a little money can do to change lives is so powerful!

Village Visit - Hubba

Unfortunately Hubba (my special name for him) was at school and we were not able to visit with him but his mother was home. She didn’t expect us and when she saw us she rushed into my arms and kept repeating “we are friends forever!” I love this lady; my first trip to Rwanda she sat at the school house all day waiting for me and gifted me a hand-made basket full of her week’s ration of beans. We truly do share a special friendship.

Village Visit - Isa & Abubakar

Visiting Isa’s home was especially meaningful this particular time. In this past year I have made a new friend, Mary from Washington State - who sponsors Isa’s brother. She is a women with a great love for this family and sponsors more than just the schooling. Abubakar, Mary’s sponsor child, was at school so Steven and Isa went for him. He was surprised at our visit and very touched by the beautiful words that Mary had sent with me for him. He is a bit shy but so very sweet. We had a long conversation with Salama, their mother, and she was so very appreciative for the support from Mary and us. She is raising five children on her own. Abubakar’s father is awaiting his trail in the Gacaca; Isa’s father disappeared after his birth; the father of the twins, 5 years of age and the baby, age 3, abandoned them and moved to Uganda. But with the continued support and love from Mary she feels very blessed. They live in great poverty.

Our sweet sponsor child, Isa, is doing well in school and progressed in the last few years. We are proud of him!

Esther Home Family Visit - Patience

Feeling much better today we were off to two more Esther Home visits. We arrived in Gasabo district before noon to visit with Patience’s family. Patience’s father was a solider who was lost serving his country. Patience’s stepfather and young brother greeted us. Her youngest brother was just released from the hospital after seven days battling malaria and a disgestive bacteria. He is doing better now and we are so thankful. Patience’s mother made her way from work to visit us shortly after we arrived; along with her sister and another younger brother. A family affair it was. We visited for a long time and enjoyed getting to know about their lives and the difference that they are making in their small community. They do not have much but manage to find enough to share. Patience’s mother makes pooridge and serves the poorest of the poor in her community so they do not go without food. They also collected and saved enough funds to sponsor six families with health care coverage. This is a family with a big heart of giving and taking care of their own. They truly were inspirational and very grateful for the opportunities provided for their daughter.

Paying It Forward

Our lovely Patience and her sponsor child are pictured above. Patience receives a small monthly allowance through the Esther Home Program, where she manages to sponsor this child to go to school and provides for her uniform and other scholastic materials needed. Patience has a big heart and with her mother encouragement and support she now is making a difference in the life of this young child who is 10 years old. We are so very very proud of her and her commitment to changing lives. Yes, “one” can make a difference in this world!

Esther Home Family Visit - Doreen K.

We then move onto to our newest Esther Home daughter, Doreen K. Doreen joined the Esther Home this year and is in first year of University. Doreen came to this program with high scholastic marks and is in the process of transitioning out of her home where she is the eldest and has the responsibility of taking care of her large family. Doreen’s father is not present in the home.

We arrived at Doreen’s to find her mother suffering from Typhoid. She was very ill but she managed a smile on her face now and then and in her small, quiet voice she extended to us a warm greeting and appreciation for Doreen’s opportunity.

We were very taken back by the condition and suffering of her mother. The gentle way that Doreen cared for her was with such tenderness and love. We understand the challenges for Doreen to maintain focus on her education and yet carry the heavy burden of this family.

Our stay was limited but very profound. We pray that God protects and heals her soon.

Back to the hotel to prepare for our big day tomorrow. First we will move to the hospital to acquire the results of Doreen I’s biopsy . Then we will travel to Kayonza to the villages where our sponsor families live. This is always a highlight of our trip. Seeing the big smiles of the face of our sponsor children and the loving hugs from their parents. Friday will be an off day preparing for the Mentorship Luncheon for 28 women; Sunday we will celebrate Valentines Day and party on at the Esther Home with Pizza and Fantas. On Tuesday we will conclude our journey and travel back to the states. It has been quite the journey and we fill very full in our hearts. Once again thank you for journeying with us and for your prayers and good wishes.

Our Traveling Team

Steven and Robert; moving us in the van place to place. Carol, the Esther Home Facilitator, manages the home and these beautiful girls. We are thankful for this team and their guidance, they have made this journey a memorable one.

To Grandma's House We Go

Not only has the stormy weather and the power outages been affecting our blogging time, but the whole of the weekend was spent in bed recovering from the traveler’s bug. Feeling much better now, minus a few pounds - no complaints there. With a bounce back in my step we have continued on our journey.

Our visit to “Grandmas” was so heartfelt. Grandma is the mother of Violate and Devota, two sisters that are responsible for taking Esther off the streets of Butare. Grandma has housed Esther during school breaks and holidays since she was first brought to the orphanage. She is a woman of great substance and has cared for not only her children and her grandchildren that have been left orphaned, but she has reached her hands out to many others during her lifetime. An amazing woman! She is with her grandson, Wilbur, in this photo.

We shared great laughter together and love. Her home was adorned with photos we have brought to her of our family and hers. She proudly wore an Esther Home Tee Shirt and her smile was infectious.

It put the sunshine back into this very cloudy gray day.

Esther Home Family Visit - Yvonne

We did not need to travel far to visit with Yvonne’s family. Yvonne’s father, Robert, met us and graciously welcomed us to their home. Yvonne is one of five girls and has one brother; which they call “boy” - he was the only of her siblings that was at home. He is currently waiting for his national exam results and is confident that his exams scores will be high enough for him to be sponsored by the government to go to the University. Yvonne’s mother, who was in the Women For Women Program, is now employed and working with children; she arrived shortly after we came and was eager to see us once again.

Yvonne’s grandmother had recently passed on. They shared with us that she was 116 years old at the time of her death. She lived in a small village in Uganda and was cattle raiser. Her oldest son, who is 80 plus years old, was living and caring for her in this small village until her passing. They shared with us that in her lifetime she only drank cow’s milk and ate cassava root.

The cow’s milk lasts only two days and then it turns into a mixture similar to yogurt. Cattle raisers never eat the meat of the cows they raise and they keep their cattle for about five years; selling them only for economic reasons. On holidays they may purchase and eat meat then, but again never from their own stock.

Cassava is a topical root vegetable cultivated in Africa - similar to a potato. Despite the fact that it often plays an important role in people's diets, cassava root is actually not that nutritious. The leaves of the plant have far more protein and nutritional value than cassava root does, in fact. Cassava root can actually be highly toxic, since it contains cyanide and it needs to be carefully handled and treated before it can be consumed. It does have the advantage of growing well in poor soil, and being filling when little else is available.

The root must be grated and soaked or left out in the sun to allow the cyanide to disperse before it can be eaten. Once treated, the cassava root can be ground into flour, kept whole in flakes for various dishes, or processed to extract tapioca. “Sweet” cassava has lower levels of cyanide, and it can be peeled and used like a conventional root vegetable.

Not only did we have a wonderful visit with Yvonne and her family but we left with a great appreciation of the cultural ways of these beautiful people of Africa

Esther Home Family Visit - Esther

Our day ended with our last visit to Esther’s home. We were warmly greeted by her large family. Today we shared our visit with her mother, three of her sisters and two of her brothers. Her eldest brother, who is 27, is graduating from the University this March with a major in Food Science. We had a wonderful visit with him about the limited opportunities for higher education in Rwanda. He had a great appreciation for the Esther Home program and its focus on providing these young adults this opportunity without the burden of home life demands and financial restrictions. It was a remarkable conversation. Ron did his magic with the camera and the young children enjoyed seeing the images instantly. This is our second visit to Esther’s home additional information about Esther and her beautiful family can be found on the blog archive 2007.

Another day ended with our hearts full and no power outages.

Esther Home Family Visit - Doreen

We had another early morning - traveling 190 miles to the Bwera area to visit Doreen’s family. The first photo is of Claire and Doreen riding in the Van, it was a chilly morning.

This area is in the game park and where most of the cattle are being raised. The landscape is similar to the bush in South Africa. Once we arrived at Doreen’s we walked for a mile up the foot path to her home; where we greeted warmly by her mother, Grace, sisters Juliette, Gloria, Monique and her 10 year old brother Enock. The children were home from school today to greet us and see their sister. They walk each day to school over five miles one way.

Doreen’s family returned to Rwanda from Uganda after the genocide in 1995 and settled in this region. Because of this being such a remote area the community was very small. Doreen’s family has a small banana plantation and grow maize for their own consumption. On the property were three huts; cooking facility, sleeping hut and their main hut with two rooms. They had freshly been chalked (or painted). Doreen’s mother had weaved the roof on the huts which took about 2 to 3 months to do. Just amazing. It was a wonderful visit

Esther Home Family Visit - Justin

The next visit was Justin’s home. Again, we were welcomed with great enthusiasm. Justin’s mother, Joyce was just recently widowed. She has a contagious personality; always a smile on her face and great sense of humor. Neighbor children gathered around; peeking through open windows and doors. Before long relatives from nearby joined us in this small hut; squeezing together to receive us. Shortly after we arrived lunch was served; cooked bananas with a thick peanut sauce and African tea. Ron and I graciously passed on lunch.

Time was pressing us to move on; we took some family photos and say our goodbyes and once again we made our way to the main road to our next home visit.

Esther Home Family Visit - Claire

Claire, the oldest of five girls and sister to two brothers, welcomed us to her home. We were anxious to meet her father. Last time we had visited Claire’s home he was hospitalized with complications with diabetes. He is now doing better and is back teaching secondary class. Claire’s father spoke excellent English. They too came to Rwanda from Uganda in 1994 after the genocide. We enjoyed our visit with Claire’s parents and sister Gloria and shared photos of the refugee feeding last May. After a few photos we again were on the road traveling back to Kigali.

Once again we feel so very blessed to be here and to receive such warmth and love from these beautiful families. No rain today but the country is still experiencing several power outages; we are thankful for the hotel’s generator but that doesn’t keep us connected to the internet; for that we are not so thankful.