Shortly afterwards we made our way deep into the village in the Ghoro district to visit Esther’s family. White westerners never visit this area. Upon our arrival we were greeted by a 100 plus villagers. We had brought maize, soap, candles and bed mattresses for Esther’s father. The appreciation and love we received was over the top. They live in a small 10 x 15 mud hut with two small rooms; one where Esther’s sister, father, step mother and new baby sleep on the dirt floor and the other room is used for cooking and storing their 20 rabbits. Outside they were drying sorghum and plant roots. A group of neighbors had gathered to greet us; they had recently formed a co-op to help one another produce food so that no one would go without. After serving thirteen years in prison Esther’s father seems to be adjusting well to his new freedom; they all recognized him as being a respected man of the community. He seemed to have no bitterness for being in prison for 13 years and then found to be innocent of the crime. He has a deep faith in God.
This area encompasses the poorest of the poorest. After we left we felt such a deep sense of sadness and a profound desire to do more.
We gathered for dinner and encountered a four hour wait after we had ordered; I just knew that they went out to butcher the chicken that Robert had ordered. Everyone laughed at that statement and soon afterwards here comes a worker with two live chickens in hand. Only in Rwanda.
No comments:
Post a Comment