Another beautiful and heartfelt day for this team of four. Dan, Bunny, Ron and I made our way back to Kayonza today – again our sweet Bunny was focused on the magical roadside life of Rwanda. This is the planting season and the fields were crowed with workers side by side hoeing the soil plots under the blazing sun.
We arrived at the New Life Academy – it continues to change each time we come back here – more buildings and the grounds are beautiful. This time we witnessed all the children using the new beautiful dining hall. We were warmly greeted by the staff and headmaster. We toured each of the orphanages and then our sweet Esther joined us. My heart was beating as she rushed in and hugged Ron and then made her way to me. She hasn’t changed much, she is as beautiful as ever and her English was so good – her lessons for the past seven months has truly enhanced her English speaking skills. Of course her first English words - when was Rich and Nicole going to come and get here. I felt a little panic in my stomach knowing that I had to explain to her that her father, after 13 years, was released from prison and that we needed to get additional paperwork for the adoption process to be completed. She seemed disappointed and a bit curious about her father and why we needed to do more. We went on to explain more and she finally understood. She opened the gifts that was brought for her – she especially liked the photo album and kept turning back to her and Glacier’s bedroom. She cuddled close to me and told us that she was praying for us and praying that it would be soon for her to come to America. My heart was so tender and there were a few tears, we all felt deep emotion. Esther changed out of her school uniform into her new clothes and off we went on our village visits.
Prior to the visits we had lunch – needless to say the four of us basically stayed with the rice and fries while the others devoured the fish and chicken. The chicken lacked any meat what so ever and the fish laid on the platter looking at you. We all had a good laugh about it.
We loaded the van with sacks of rice, cases of soap, bags of sugar, oil and skin Vaseline and made our way to three sponsor families. Each visit was so heart felt – Dan became the “Candy Man” – children were running along with the van and when we stopped they seem to come out of everywhere. There was Dan – pockets full of candy – children gathered around him – big eyes and wide smiles were everywhere. They loved him and he them. Then there was Bunny right in the mix of everyone – children were attached to her the minute she stepped out of the van. Mothers starred at her in awe and little ones wanted to sit by her and touch her. She became grandmother to all. Our Esther now has a new grandma in Bunny – she helped carry the food bags that Bunny had prepared for each family, trail mix, beef jerky and dried fruit – it became there little routine at each stop.
As always, each family was so appreciative of their supplies, gifts and most of all - our visit. Of course, Ron with camera in hand, engaged everyone in a photo and then showed them the digital images – their laughter was contagious and they encourage Ron to take more.
As we visited one of the Raymond sponsor families we noticed that their tin roof had scores of holes in it – with the rainy season to begin in the next few weeks – it was apparent that their mud hut would not withstand the rain. Dan and Bunny, with their big hearts and loving ways, decided to supply this family with a new roof for their home. There are no words to describe the immense power of their gesture.
Ron and I enjoyed seeing each of the families once again – it was incredible how each of them felt like they were a part of our family – the comfort that everyone felt – the love they poured out to us. Once again a Peace Basket was gifted to us – this time for the Raymond family. The family explained that they had not much to give in appreciation but this was made especially for them from their hearts. Each visit was as powerful and the impact was felt by all.
Our day in the village left us all emotional drained and our hearts full! Each day brings us a new sense of these beautiful people and the wonderful work that is being done by Africa New Life.
Rwanda Rwanda – beautiful Rwanda – the heart of Africa. Our hearts are full!
We arrived at the New Life Academy – it continues to change each time we come back here – more buildings and the grounds are beautiful. This time we witnessed all the children using the new beautiful dining hall. We were warmly greeted by the staff and headmaster. We toured each of the orphanages and then our sweet Esther joined us. My heart was beating as she rushed in and hugged Ron and then made her way to me. She hasn’t changed much, she is as beautiful as ever and her English was so good – her lessons for the past seven months has truly enhanced her English speaking skills. Of course her first English words - when was Rich and Nicole going to come and get here. I felt a little panic in my stomach knowing that I had to explain to her that her father, after 13 years, was released from prison and that we needed to get additional paperwork for the adoption process to be completed. She seemed disappointed and a bit curious about her father and why we needed to do more. We went on to explain more and she finally understood. She opened the gifts that was brought for her – she especially liked the photo album and kept turning back to her and Glacier’s bedroom. She cuddled close to me and told us that she was praying for us and praying that it would be soon for her to come to America. My heart was so tender and there were a few tears, we all felt deep emotion. Esther changed out of her school uniform into her new clothes and off we went on our village visits.
Prior to the visits we had lunch – needless to say the four of us basically stayed with the rice and fries while the others devoured the fish and chicken. The chicken lacked any meat what so ever and the fish laid on the platter looking at you. We all had a good laugh about it.
We loaded the van with sacks of rice, cases of soap, bags of sugar, oil and skin Vaseline and made our way to three sponsor families. Each visit was so heart felt – Dan became the “Candy Man” – children were running along with the van and when we stopped they seem to come out of everywhere. There was Dan – pockets full of candy – children gathered around him – big eyes and wide smiles were everywhere. They loved him and he them. Then there was Bunny right in the mix of everyone – children were attached to her the minute she stepped out of the van. Mothers starred at her in awe and little ones wanted to sit by her and touch her. She became grandmother to all. Our Esther now has a new grandma in Bunny – she helped carry the food bags that Bunny had prepared for each family, trail mix, beef jerky and dried fruit – it became there little routine at each stop.
As always, each family was so appreciative of their supplies, gifts and most of all - our visit. Of course, Ron with camera in hand, engaged everyone in a photo and then showed them the digital images – their laughter was contagious and they encourage Ron to take more.
As we visited one of the Raymond sponsor families we noticed that their tin roof had scores of holes in it – with the rainy season to begin in the next few weeks – it was apparent that their mud hut would not withstand the rain. Dan and Bunny, with their big hearts and loving ways, decided to supply this family with a new roof for their home. There are no words to describe the immense power of their gesture.
Ron and I enjoyed seeing each of the families once again – it was incredible how each of them felt like they were a part of our family – the comfort that everyone felt – the love they poured out to us. Once again a Peace Basket was gifted to us – this time for the Raymond family. The family explained that they had not much to give in appreciation but this was made especially for them from their hearts. Each visit was as powerful and the impact was felt by all.
Our day in the village left us all emotional drained and our hearts full! Each day brings us a new sense of these beautiful people and the wonderful work that is being done by Africa New Life.
Rwanda Rwanda – beautiful Rwanda – the heart of Africa. Our hearts are full!
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