Greetings to all our families and friends from beautiful Rwanda.
We traveled to Kigali with 1,100 pounds of luggage - 700 pounds designated to our mission programs with the New Life Academy School and the Esther Home. A few bags short but we have faith that within the next few days we’ll have them in our possession.
We had the most amazing reception upon our arrival. We were greeted by 14 beautiful Esther girls, all dressed in their traditional gowns. Their excitement was contagious – hugs hugs and more hugs. Of course Ron had his customary display of emotion which touched the girls. It was their first meeting with Cathy Hackett. They greeted her with such tenderness and appreciation – it was truly a warm heartfelt moment. As we stood by and watched we were all moved and our emotions stirred.
Charles, Florence and Emma and our favorite driver Steven also joined in the welcome.
It was a warm humid evening and as we approached the hotel we experienced torrential rain. Us Portlanders felt right at home.
Our long 20 plus hours of flight time left us exhausted and yearning for at least 4 or 5 hours of sleep before our next day was to begin.
Our intimate team of 10 started the day by visiting the Esther Home and sorting out the bags. After counting the jump ropes we found ourselves a few short and decided to wait until our luggage arrived before we handed them out; our goal is to give each and every child (720 total) a jump rope. We didn’t want to chance not having enough so we moved forward to another scheduled activity. We traveled to the New Life Academy in two team vans. Of course, the life on the road side was new to some and they thoroughly enjoyed watching the children carry babies on their backs, jerry cans filled with water on their heads and prisoners working in the fields. We did recognize that the prisoners are no longer clothed in the customary hot pink prison uniforms but now wore a brightly colored orange one.
We arrived at the academy without incident and were warmly greeted by groups of students. Each of the team members were surrounded by their own group of children - wide eyed and curious. Taylor, who is graduating at the end of May, found herself most popular among the girls students. They were in admiration of her and there were several students who recognized her from Esther’s photo album. She was already a star before she made her way to Rwanda. At one point there were several little hands reaching up and stroking Taylor’s beautiful blonde ponytail.
Most of the students were having their lunch in the new dining hall. They now have tables and chairs and eating utensils. It was fascinating to watch them maneuver their forks around their plates – something so foreign to them.
After lunch all the students from the school around 700 of them, and another team (Ten Talents Vancouver Washington) that was visiting the academy too and our team, gathered in the dining hall. We introduced ourselves to a sea of uniformed students, all with big eyes and bright smiles.
We then proceeded to share with them the You-Are-Beautiful program; where we extended to them the simple but powerful message “You Are Beautiful” – giving each of them a moment of self awareness that they are beautiful within their hearts, their minds and their spirits. Then one by one both of the teams gathered together and pinned a button on each and every child whispering in sweet voices that they were beautiful – the smiles, the warmth and their energy was just over the top.
After all the children were back in their seats a selected group of students performed the traditional dance for us. They were dressed in their traditional garb and their movements were flowing and beautifully orchestrated. The You-Are-Beautiful banner hung behind them and it seemed so appropriate. A small group of drummers and singers accompanied their performance. Without losing a step the young girls made their way through the crowd and gathered up some of the team members and started dancing with them. A few hesitated. but eventually they made their way up to the stage and moved and grooved. Ron hid behind his camera and Bunny escaped to outside to get a little air.
The next performance was by a group of young boys and they too performed a traditional dance. Their movements were rigid and pronounced, bells were strapped to their ankles and the drums took on an even louder beat. The whole performance was fantastic and left all of us feeling invigorated.
Before making our visits to the families in the village we toured the orphanages and we were so impressed by their feeling of a “home” versus the dorm type orphanages.
We stopped at the market to buy food supplies for our visits. Dan, Ron Archer and Fran started handing out candy – the kids came out of nowhere, first a few and then more and more and more. Nicole blew up some balloons and before we knew it a couple of dozen little hands were reaching for them. As we drove off we notice the colorful balloons enhancing the landscape and the kids were running besides the vans waving and laughing.
Bunny and Ron, our resident photographers, kept busy behind the cameras. Fran, Ron Archer and Dan threw out Frisbees, paper airplanes, candy and were blowing up balloons. They were literally mobbed. The children squealed with excitement and their laughter and enthusiasm was exhilarating. Those of us who didn’t want to experience the mob scene stood by and watched in awe.
Even after driving away we couldn’t help ourselves and passed out balloons along the way through the van windows.
It was a great first day in Rwanda. The country remains as beautiful as ever, the people have welcomed us with open arms and we all were immersed in the surreal emotions of the day.
To our families and friends we thank you once again for your support and for sharing this journey with us.
In Peace We Trust!
We traveled to Kigali with 1,100 pounds of luggage - 700 pounds designated to our mission programs with the New Life Academy School and the Esther Home. A few bags short but we have faith that within the next few days we’ll have them in our possession.
We had the most amazing reception upon our arrival. We were greeted by 14 beautiful Esther girls, all dressed in their traditional gowns. Their excitement was contagious – hugs hugs and more hugs. Of course Ron had his customary display of emotion which touched the girls. It was their first meeting with Cathy Hackett. They greeted her with such tenderness and appreciation – it was truly a warm heartfelt moment. As we stood by and watched we were all moved and our emotions stirred.
Charles, Florence and Emma and our favorite driver Steven also joined in the welcome.
It was a warm humid evening and as we approached the hotel we experienced torrential rain. Us Portlanders felt right at home.
Our long 20 plus hours of flight time left us exhausted and yearning for at least 4 or 5 hours of sleep before our next day was to begin.
Our intimate team of 10 started the day by visiting the Esther Home and sorting out the bags. After counting the jump ropes we found ourselves a few short and decided to wait until our luggage arrived before we handed them out; our goal is to give each and every child (720 total) a jump rope. We didn’t want to chance not having enough so we moved forward to another scheduled activity. We traveled to the New Life Academy in two team vans. Of course, the life on the road side was new to some and they thoroughly enjoyed watching the children carry babies on their backs, jerry cans filled with water on their heads and prisoners working in the fields. We did recognize that the prisoners are no longer clothed in the customary hot pink prison uniforms but now wore a brightly colored orange one.
We arrived at the academy without incident and were warmly greeted by groups of students. Each of the team members were surrounded by their own group of children - wide eyed and curious. Taylor, who is graduating at the end of May, found herself most popular among the girls students. They were in admiration of her and there were several students who recognized her from Esther’s photo album. She was already a star before she made her way to Rwanda. At one point there were several little hands reaching up and stroking Taylor’s beautiful blonde ponytail.
Most of the students were having their lunch in the new dining hall. They now have tables and chairs and eating utensils. It was fascinating to watch them maneuver their forks around their plates – something so foreign to them.
After lunch all the students from the school around 700 of them, and another team (Ten Talents Vancouver Washington) that was visiting the academy too and our team, gathered in the dining hall. We introduced ourselves to a sea of uniformed students, all with big eyes and bright smiles.
We then proceeded to share with them the You-Are-Beautiful program; where we extended to them the simple but powerful message “You Are Beautiful” – giving each of them a moment of self awareness that they are beautiful within their hearts, their minds and their spirits. Then one by one both of the teams gathered together and pinned a button on each and every child whispering in sweet voices that they were beautiful – the smiles, the warmth and their energy was just over the top.
After all the children were back in their seats a selected group of students performed the traditional dance for us. They were dressed in their traditional garb and their movements were flowing and beautifully orchestrated. The You-Are-Beautiful banner hung behind them and it seemed so appropriate. A small group of drummers and singers accompanied their performance. Without losing a step the young girls made their way through the crowd and gathered up some of the team members and started dancing with them. A few hesitated. but eventually they made their way up to the stage and moved and grooved. Ron hid behind his camera and Bunny escaped to outside to get a little air.
The next performance was by a group of young boys and they too performed a traditional dance. Their movements were rigid and pronounced, bells were strapped to their ankles and the drums took on an even louder beat. The whole performance was fantastic and left all of us feeling invigorated.
Before making our visits to the families in the village we toured the orphanages and we were so impressed by their feeling of a “home” versus the dorm type orphanages.
We stopped at the market to buy food supplies for our visits. Dan, Ron Archer and Fran started handing out candy – the kids came out of nowhere, first a few and then more and more and more. Nicole blew up some balloons and before we knew it a couple of dozen little hands were reaching for them. As we drove off we notice the colorful balloons enhancing the landscape and the kids were running besides the vans waving and laughing.
Bunny and Ron, our resident photographers, kept busy behind the cameras. Fran, Ron Archer and Dan threw out Frisbees, paper airplanes, candy and were blowing up balloons. They were literally mobbed. The children squealed with excitement and their laughter and enthusiasm was exhilarating. Those of us who didn’t want to experience the mob scene stood by and watched in awe.
Even after driving away we couldn’t help ourselves and passed out balloons along the way through the van windows.
It was a great first day in Rwanda. The country remains as beautiful as ever, the people have welcomed us with open arms and we all were immersed in the surreal emotions of the day.
To our families and friends we thank you once again for your support and for sharing this journey with us.
In Peace We Trust!
1 comment:
Joyce,thank you for your beautiful writing and for keeping us apprised of your daily work. Thank you to you and everyone for taking such great care of Taylor. I know she is in loving hands and is having the time of her life helping others, alongside her cherished family. My heart is full. Love, Tracy
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