Friends

I woke up Monday morning incredibly stiff and sore from that intense football match. And it was our earliest morning yet, as we left in time to be at Urwego Bank for their twice weekly devotions. We were able to attempt to sing along in worship, to hear them sing, and to share a song with them as well. We sang ‘Be Thou my Vision,’ and it was all right. We had to try intentionally to not outdo our hosts. Just kidding - we definitely needed way more work, and the Urwego choir was amazing. But it was all enjoyable. One woman shared about unity within any organisation, and I thought this was remarkably applicable to what we are doing right now, even just being a team. She did not put things gently, which I very much appreciate. She meant what she said and it was great. Don’t talk about people, don’t fight for your own way, etc. No division! That was a great message.


After UOB, we drove out to Les Enfants de Dieu, an orphanage of sorts…but not exactly. Rafiki, the man who runs it, helps boys who used to live on the street. The program helps the boys rehabilitate so they can re-enter the community, prepared and effective. The home is completely voluntary because too many rules and keeping kids there makes it seem like a prison, like they’re stuck. Instead, they are taught responsibility and discipline in a really neat way. Everything that happens at Enfants de Dieu is run by the kids who live there. There are different ministries for each boy to participate in. Four boys head each ministry, such as Home Affairs, Administration, Health, etc. So they have ownership in their own community, and that authority is real. The adults rarely ever override a decision made by the boys. What empowerment!

Rafiki had so many good things to say about life in general. One thing he said is that “giving is not having, but giving is filling.’ If you can give nothing else, give a smile. He said that he wants to change himself so that he can help others. He survived the genocide, after being left for dead in a hole. It is amazing that he has come out of that experience to say that revenge does not work. He is investing in these boys so that they will change Rwanda.

Then we watched some incredible drumming and dancing by several of the boys, after which one of them, the Minister of Administration, welcomed us. Here are some things he said: “We have nothing to offer you…only God can reward you for what you have done.” “We didn’t used to have people coming to see us and smile at us.” “We can just pray for you.” “Thank you for the love you have shown us.”

The boys all have great vision for their futures; some want to be doctors, teachers, government officials. Football players, pastors, and beyond. One wants to become rich so he can help street kids. We spent time talking and playing with them. One named Damond told me his sadness of not knowing his parents. I asked him if he knew that God loves him, and he said, “I used to think God hated me, but now I think He loves me.” I wonder what brought about that change; I love seeing the Lord work transformation in people’s hearts. One boy named Rukundo wrote down many Kinyarwanda words for me to learn. I also collected several email addresses. Some of the questions I heard were the same from each boy: Do you have a brother? Do you have a husband? Do you have parents? What are their names? And it broke my heart when some would talk about how they don’t know their family, or their mother is too tired for them, or something like that. It almost made me embarrassed for what I do have, but I’m learning to turn that into gratitude. These boys were so easy to love, and they also easily love.

After that we went back to Amani Ya Juu to hear Grace’s testimony and to see the women dance. They started out dancing and singing, but then pulled us in to join them. It was so fun and relaxing. Grace talked about how she lost her husband in the genocide and found Amani Ya Juu when she was lonely – and now she’s been comforted.

Things of note:
• The only way to force you to smile at me is for me to smile at you.
• The way to get someone’s attention here is to make a sharp ‘sssss’ noise.
• You can feed fish with the help of rabbits.
• Sometimes, letting go of things can give you a better grasp on them.
• Think about what love can do.