Ministering in a Congolese Refugee Camp 2

Receiving our gift. Pastor Ombe was very excited to have us.

Excited faces as Travis shows off Jasmin.

Trap houses.

What will the future hold for these little ones? Will they be able to return and live in safety in the Congo after the upcoming elections?

Ministering in a Congolese Refugee Camp 1

All we knew is that we would speak and minister in pastor Ombe’s church. We knew the town it was in and that three churches would be represented today. Excited that Ben and Melody would join us we drove to the location where we would pick up pastor Ombe. He directed us from the main road unto a dirt road that went straight up the hill. We knew the stories of this hill… A Congolese refugee camp. As a result of genocide in 1997 in the Congo and the continuous danger, the people in this camp have been stuck in Rwanda, stuck on this hill.

It was a definite surprise to us to go to such a place. We entered the camp, little mud homes with tarp and UNCR signs on almost everything mark the view of this place. Even the roof of the church was tarp. People in rags, dirty children and garbage everywhere. Though I am in the village so often I felt taken back by the living conditions of the people in this camp. I was overwhelmed.

The church had just started when we entered. People started whispering as they saw Trav carry Yaida, wondering who this little one was. When he introduced her as our daughter a cheer of surprise arose. The church was packed, kids hang in the windowsills. On the stage were some more comfortable chairs for today’s special guests. The church has 12 choirs, and though I don’t mind the cheerful African worship, I was glad only 6 of them would perform for us today.

Melody had an absolute encouraging word for the church. “God has not left you behind as if you were an orphan… Though you are not in your home land, don’t worry, our real home is with the Father in heaven!”
Travis spoke on building the house of God. And that the fruit in our lives shows the kind of stones that have been used to build that very house. He tied it in with SoZo. And encouraged the people to cry out to God like the blind Bartimeus expressing their need of wholeness to God.

We heard a few testimonies. A lady had pain leave her body as we ministered, a young man gave his life to Christ and yet another experienced an open heaven. A young man received the gift of faith and believes to find his mute daughter to be well.
The pastors were so encouraged, they prepared a huge delicious African meal for us and brought gifts. As much as they felt blessed, so did we as we saw God touch the lives of precious people. People without anything, but Him!

Ene, Mine, Mene, Mo...

Ene, mine, mene, mo… with which language should I go…?

Just a few days ago I downloaded “teach yourself French” unto my computer. As I went through it I was surprised at the ease of it and felt excited that the four years French in high school were not a complete waste.

Mid August I will be blessed with Isabelle. She will help me in my house and with the children both at home and on location. I am so excited about her joining our family! Isabelle is fluent in English, Kinyarwandan and French. She is willing to help us learn French or Kinyarwandan, so here my debate starts.

When I think about the villages and the great amount of time we spend there I want to master Kinyarwandan. I want to be able to sit down with the other women and have a real conversation something beyond the “how are you”, and “how many children do you have”, conversation. Only the educated of Rwanda speak French. Though I’m seldom around the educated, I do have a great foundation in French which would make it so easy to master this language.

Then I think of Nani and Zoey and the future of Jasmin and Yaida. What would benefit them most? Should we go for the odd, but currently practical Kinyarwandan or should I think more general. What if they would want to go to college in France what if the Lord calls us to The Congo or other parts of Africa where French is so common? But what about tomorrow when we are in the village and they try to make themselves understood by the village children?

Ene, mine, mene, mo…. With which one would you go?

Josepha; Dignity Restored

She’s a year younger than me. Josepha. Her eyes seem to smile continuously. Her teeth are straight and clean. Yet her body is that of a five year old child. Her legs bend double as if she is squatting. She spends her days begging the streets of Kigali. Today I go to visit her at her home just outside of the city.

I squeeze myself between tightly parked mini-busses through what appears a junk yard. I wonder how someone could possibly live in an area like this. To my surprise a small row of homes/rooms appear in front of me. As I enter Josepha’s room I realize that her entire living space is the size of my kitchen. In the sitting area is a special seat, everybody knows who’s it is. The legs of the chair are cut off and strengthened by pieces of wood. It is Josepha’s chair. She scoots back and sits in it. Her body position does not seem to change whether standing or sitting.

Ben met Josepha about 6 weeks ago, while she was begging, yet having a beautiful smile on her face. The Lord told Ben to get out of his comfortable car and sit on the street with her. Ben found out that she loves Jesus, He is the reason she has joy. A friendship was made. (read Ben’s amazing story of meeting Josepha at www.globalfamilyrescue.blogspot.com and click Ben’s new Blog.) Someone reading Ben’s blog donated money to get Josepha off the streets of Kigali.

So here I am today with Ben and Melody bringing her good news. Ben tells her that someone donated money for her to buy a sewing machine, a small generator to run it and to get her set up for a sewing business. The photo on the left was her expression upon hearing this great news. An overwhelming joy filled the hearts of everyone present. It gave me chills. Restoration of Dignity.
I had brought some cloths along for the children and for her husband. Such small things, such great joy.

It humbles me to my knees to befriend women such as Josepha and Julienne (see my blog on Julienne; before and after). I find myself having an overwhelming compassion and love for these ladies. The joy they find in Christ is so evident in their lives. It reminds me of the verses in the bible; “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 4:5) Wow

In the village with our friends 2

Walking from one family to the next

Struck by the effectiveness of GFR and SoZo, Cindy and Gary deside to sponsor this lady and her family.

We took them to their new family's house. To see for themself what her living condition was like. Below is her house, with tiny rooms. Four people live in the house. Now with the sponsorship they will receive from Gary and Cindy, this family will come out of poverty and have a chance to a life of prosperity in both practical and spiritual aspects of life.

Gary and Cindy prayed for her in her house.

You too can change a families life. Visit www.GlobalFamilyRescue.org and learn more about what you can do to get someone out of survival mode into a life of hope!

 

In the village with our friends 1

Ben, Melody, Amber, Nate, Mike, Hope, Travis, Astrid, Nani, Zoey, Jasmin and Yaida
GFR and SoZo; The best of the practical and the best of the spiritual !

Transporting bricks for one of the sponsored families. Today our Canadian friends Gary and Cindy Bruton with their children Kerri, Megan and Thomas tagged along.

The babies never lack any love while in the village.
Jasmin is being held by one of our newest sponsored widows.

 

Getting Even!

Hey Ben
I had mine, but what about yours?

Julienne; Before and After

Julienne,
This woman makes my heart leap for joy. Her husband kicked her out of her home. She walked a long way and found a plot of land and made a little bush hut. (see first photo) She had to prostitute herself just to get some money to buy food. Out of prostittion she conceived 5 children. One died and number 5 is to be born in a few months.
During rainy season her and the children would get very sick as the hut was leaking everywhere.
In December last year we came to know her and made sure we could find a sponsor for her. And yes, she is sponsored now. In the second photo you see her new home, that is still under construction. She lives in it as the roof is already on. In the past few months she received Christ as her Lord and Saviour.
The first photo is when we first met her. The second and third were just a few weeks ago as we visited her again... WOW !!
I just have the greatest respect for Julienne, she makes my heart leap with joy. Isn't this what it is all about
"Whatever you do to the least of these... You do unto me" . Jesus.

Cards From Africa

It is amazing to see how God moves people to help orphans.

Chris Page, a young, single man started an amazing business in Kigali called Card from Africa.
He has trained orphans from villages around Kigali to design and make cards, calendars, journals lampshades, bookmarks and other items.
All items are made from natural resources. The orphans make their own paper, use dried flowers and other natural items to make their product. The results are just amazing!

When I went to visit them there was music playing in the background, concentration on faces as they cut detailed pieces of paper. Young people outside carefully making paper and laying it in the bright sun to dry. A place of hope. A place of harmony.

Many of these young people slept on dirt floors, now they have a mattress. They barely had any food, now they eat good meals. Medical help was a dream, now they can afford to get health insurance, as they receive fair pay for their hard work.
The workday starts with 30 minute devotionals. A time God uses to restore these young people in spirit, soul and body.

Why don’t you visit the Cards from Africa website and order some cards or other great items. It is just another way to help the “least of these”. www.CardsFromAfrica.com

Thank you Chris for your obedience to God and the Kingdom perspective He has given you.

Travis Ministering SoZo

People laying their hands on the parts of their body that hurt. placing thier hands on their hearts, as they want broken hearts to be made whole. Placing hands on their head as they desire freedom from nightmares and trauma.
Can't wait to share the praise reports with you when we get them.

The Hassle

Every time we go to the village I wonder if it will be worth the hassle of packing small lunches, drive for (sometimes) hours, walk and wait in the burning hot sun while holding babies and trying to keep up with my bigger girls. “Amafaranga” the poor yell, meaning “money, give me money”. Others want “akachupa” (water bottles), and some want jobs. Realizing we represent Christ we hug them, shake hands and do the cultural 3 minute back and forth greeting ceremony. We always set a target time to return to Kigali, yet we never make it… The constant question if we can help… Will it be worth the hassle?

As we walked to the car today a young girl walked up to me; “Do you have cloths for my baby?” she asked. The baby was no more then a week old, wearing a filthy toddler size shirt, wrapped in an even filthier sheet… Many times the answer is; I would love to help, but I am so sorry, no. Looking at this tiny baby I had no choice but to walk to our car, open the diaper bag and get the extra cloths I had in there for Jasmin and Yaida and to give them to the young girl with her baby.

Will it be worth the hassle, really has nothing to do with the practical aspect of our village visits. The ”hassle” seems to me is the pain in my heart. Seeing an old man with sores on his feet, no shoes, a walking stick, makes me want to be able to give him shoes, but I can’t… Beautiful young women wearing dirty, ripped shirts, their heads shaved, oh how I wished I could throw them an all girls party with nice dresses, nail polish and make up. Children with big bellies as a result of malnourishment, I want to feed them at least 2 meals a day, but I can’t. All I can do is hug them, love them and deal with the “hassle” of it all.
So here we spent 6 hours in the burning sun, shaking hands, hugging people, praying with them and encouraging them. Many shoe-less people, dirty, mall nourished children, and old toothless grandma’s and grandpa’s. My heart was aching.
But was it worth it today? You bet it was.

Modeling Work

When Nani and Zoey came giggling into the living room I knew something was up. Besides their cute dress up cloths I noticed something on Zoey’s back. She turned around and I could see her black baby doll attached to her back with a scarf (see picture).
We all had a good laugh and thought it worth a photo.

It made me think about modeling work, no don’t worry not the fashion modeling stuff, but parental modeling. It is obvious that the girls tied the baby on Zo’s back as a result of what they see around them 24/7.

What else do they see that they find worth modeling? Will I find out soon or do I have to wait until they are in their twenties before I will know? How much should I protect them from bad influences and examples to ensure they will not have bad modeling examples in their lives?

In the Rwandese culture it is perfectly normal to pick your nose, itch your crotch and have boobs hanging out in public…. The nose picking Zoey mastered perfectly. I hope she won’t live out the others.
Culturally, when the man of the household is not present, the oldest male on the compound is in charge. Just recently Nani and Zoey spend the night at a friend’s house. The dad was gone to work, and the oldest worker on the compound took charge. While my girls and their friend were having breakfast with the nanny, the male worker came in and beat the nanny in front of the 3 girls… modeling…

We all know the song; “Oh be careful little eyes what you see…” Is that true or should it be: “Oh be careful big people what you show…?”
I pray the Lord will help me to be a great modeler of righteousness and that He would instill great conviction through the Holy Spirit into my girls, so that they will know beyond a shadow of a doubt what is right, what is wrong.
In the mean time I look forward to many more moments of laughter as my little ones mimic the adult life.

Astrid
P.S. the worker was fired after he apologized to the kids and the nanny.

Flat and Disfunctional

Rushing to get our family ready for our appointment we walked to the car only to find it leaning oddly to the right. Sure enough the right rear tire was flat. Thank God it didn't get flat while hours away from home...
Being frustrated, knowing we would definately be late now, I watched Trav start the process to get the tire changed and saw the irony of a flat tire representing our lifes, my life.

God had given me a calling for Africa (the appointment) when I was still a little girl. I desired to respond to it and make my way over there, but found myself greatly incapable of doing so. The Lord started this process of changing me, healing me, cleaning me out. A time consuming process, sometimes one where rusted nobs had to be tugged on and undone before placed back.
Then, just when I thought I was ready for it all and started to go (drive) I found out that my tire didn't have much air in it. Driving was possible but would hurt the tire in the long run. The process wasn't finished. It sound like my time in Kenya Africa. A time the Lord used to show me I was going on a new tire, but with too little air.
The years in the States I see as a time where the air came in my tire. Then I was good to go. I will need to be maintenanced by the Lord regularly, but I am here, at my appointment, living the calling the Lord gave me. Going steady and straight, with balanced filled tires. God being my steering wheel.

The irony of resemblance between a flat tire and my life...

Shoes and Smiles

Many of the villagers don't even have money to get a pair of shoes, or even flip-flops. The cloths they wear have to last many years.
Yesterday we went to help build a house for 6 orphans. In the photo you see two of the six. We brought a suitcase full of cloths and shoes. They were so shy and grateful. I had to help the girl get flipflops on, or she would have put them away without even trying. And look at their faces...
Is this equivalent to winning Power Ball in the States or the Lotto in europe?
It is so amazing to be part of something so small yet so enormous!

Happy Fourth of July!

Fireworks, Bbq’s and friends getting together… Red white and blue, the band plays and the parade comes by. A day of celebration, liberation. Happy Fourth!

Rwanda too celebrates their day of liberation on July 4^th. Liberation from mass murders, rape, running and terror; genocide.

Today, July 3^rd we visited one of the genocide memorials. Seeing the video footage, the pictures and reading the testimonies made me disgusted. Satan must have had a great time, it is just evil.

Thinking of liberation day for Rwanda made me wonder if we can’t come up with a different name for such a day. Though there was liberation of the direct physical enemy, liberation day was just the start. Liberation day is the closing of the physical horror and the start of the emotional one. Disassociation stopped at liberation day, the reality started. What a bitter-sweet day this must be. Maybe as time goes by it will be a true day of celebration just like in the States. But for Rwanda… maybe 50 or 60 years from now the colors of the flag, yellow, blue and green, will be displayed throughout the nation, fireworks will go up and people have a cheerful attitude.

SoZo @ Work

It has been very difficult the last few months in Rwanda. During the week of mourning in April the whole nation just stopped living. Everything was crazy… I was sitting in the office with all our staff, just listening to their stories and all of us crying our eyes out. During these past months we have spent a great deal of time praying and ministering to people. Praying to see the Spirit of SoZo poured out.

But, how does one believe in something they can not see?
Spiritual, and emotional healing, freedom from trauma. It is wanted it is needed.
But how does one mark the progress? Can a photo show the difference?

When closing your eyes experiencing flashbacks of Hell and chaos. Binding, controlling, paralyzing you, keeping you from ever wanting to lay your head down again. A life lived in fear and distrust. If this would be your life, would you know how to turn the channel?
Smiling on the outside, suppressing horror on the inside, pushing it down deeper and deeper just to be able to cope with yet another day.
You survived… But what for… Where is the hope for living? Will the pain ever end? Each day the dying inside gets stronger, eating away at you.

How can one support that which can not be seen or touched??
Spiritual and emotional healing, freedom from trauma. What do you say to the widow that closes her eyes each night only to revisit the memories of watching her husband and children beat and hacked to pieces then she her self being gang raped and left alone to live life. What Life???? Is I’m sorry enough!!

What is easy to support? A Church, a school, perhaps an orphanage.
These are things that are easy to be part of, for we can see them. We can mark their progress, and how exciting for us to see God in these aspects.

Yet I want to tell you about an aspect of missions that is not easy to be part of. It is the spiritual application of the experiential knowledge of God. In (James 1:27) it says that the religion that the Lord considers pure and faultless is that of taking care of the widows and orphans. Now, what makes the widow and orphan stand out from the rest of us? It is the excruciating pain they have been through in their life. Is building a house, providing an education and putting food in their stomach going to heal their pain? It will make their life easier for sure but at the end of the day people are left in the same state as before. Spiritually empty, emotionally wounded and still facing the trauma they have yet to see an end to. When we embrace the wounded and pray for them in Jesus’ name and watching God heal them, deliver them, then we know this is what it is about… The experiential knowledge of Christ.

God has been so awesome!!! We have really seen his faithfulness as he has been healing and setting people free…. See for yourself, although I tell you, the photo’s might not tell you the stories of brokenness and deliverance… Yet to me they are screaming…..

SoZo; Salvation, Healing & Deliverance

Being touched by God... A life impacted

SoZo At Work