Doctor Zoey

Zoey found this enourmous grasshopper on our veranda. Sadly enough she noticed his one leg had fallen off. She found the leg and though of at least a dozen ways to fix the poor thing.
She ripped a piece of tape off a roll and stuck the grasshoppers leg to it.
"He's almost fixed mom", she said while attempting to give the grasshopper his ability to have all legs functioning back...
Crazy Zo...

 

Murder She Wrote

I turned on my tv only to hear and see the news reporter share about the horror that happened only a few hours ago. Police tape marks the crime area, white body bags in the front yard. Lots of reporters and camera's capturing the latest unbelievable crime that shook up this little town.
Video footage shows a woman with a blank look in her eyes being placed inside a police car. The police spokesman shares; After receiving phonecalls from neighbors claiming they heard screems coming form this house earlier this evening one of our officers came to the house to check on the situation only to find the dead bodies of three children in the house. The mother still holding the murder weapon was found in the livingroom sitting in her chair staring into space...

Living in the States, news like this came to me more often than I liked. I remember sitting in amazement listening to the unbelievable acts mothers and fathers were capable of doing. The weeks of news coverage following the initial report made me believe and know more than I needed to know or believe about the particular family.

Today, our compound manager came to me asking if I heard what happened in our street. As I had not he told me that a lady down the road had been married for many years and had 3 children. While her husband was gone she got involved with another man and got pregnant. She gave birth to a child and never told her husband it was not his. This was 2 years ago. Just a few weeks ago her husband found out this 2 year old child was not his. He commanded her to bring the child to the father as the husband was not willing to take care of the child. The woman went to the father of the child who didn't want the child either. In total dispear this woman went to the school across the street, she brought her 2 year old child with her. She grabbed a big stick and made the child go into the bathroom (latrine; which is a very very deep hole covered by cement with just a small opening people squad above). She than picked up the child and trew it in the latrine. The child got stuck in the opening and with the stick she was able to get the child to fall in completely.

As by a miracle the child was able to call for the mother, though the mother had disappeard someone found the child and saved it. Another person know who the mother was and she is now in jail.

No news report, no long investigation, nobody cares about the desperation of the woman, it is a done deal and she goes to prison.
Do you know why? Why there is no publicity on this issue?
The answer is heart breaking; It happens so often...

Just last week some friends shared how their friend had gone missing. They went looking for him but had a surpise visit from the police warning them to stop searching...

Just the other day Travis counseled a man who told that him that his ex wife poisoned two of their three children. Now he has their third child with him, out of fear of the womans capability.
People disappear and get poisoned and killed all the time. Even our househelp, her husband disappeared and was found killed. No I am not sharing stories from during the genocide. This is a year ago, two weeks ago, today...

Our closest Rwandese friends keep reminding us; be careful who you say what to, you might just disappear and be found dead...

Jessica Fletcher of "Murder she wrote", would not have to spend months and months writing a book, she could just come to Rwanda, live life and listen to the unheard stories.

High Way Angels

On our way back from the mountains in to Kigali we looked for special candidates; woman with a child between 6 months to 1 year old. It is difficult guessing the age of a child when it is strapped to the moms back, and it is deffinately impossible to tell the gender. But sure enough we found someone that met our qualifications.
We stopped the car on the side of the road and called "our" lady over. She was very surprised that I wanted to talk to her. After asking her a few questions I handed her some cloths for her baby girl. She was so pleasantly surpised, she had the biggest smile and wonder on her face.
After we drove off she ran over to her friend who had waited on the other side of the road for her, she seemed besides herself so happy!

This is soooo much fun to do! I love my work!
Thank you to the preganancy resource center in Susanville, CA for sending us so many kids cloths!

Counseling in the cold dirt.

It was a cold rainy day, even in Kigali it felt chilly, armed with sweaters and jackets we went up the mounains. When we arrived at the house where we needed to do some counseling we realized there we no chairs to sit on. So Trav and Bosco decided to stay outside and talk under a tree with the man while Cyprien and I sat on the cold, muddy dirt floor with the lady of the house. In the middle of listening to the lady I realized my toes were frozen!! I even saw my own breath! I just got excited. I had not felt or been this cold for a long time. It was just two days ago that I wished for the rainy season to start . Here it is... cold and wet... Secretly I missed the changes of the seasons. Most of you reading this blog are in my favorite season; the fall. The millions of shades of yellows and reds, the crispy air early in the morning and the sound of the fallen leafs under my feet when stepping on them... I do miss that. But I had just a glimpse and flashback of my favorite season while counseling, sitting on that cold dirt floor.

Many of the children had a few layers of rags on, but they were visibly shaking of cold.

At Julienne's house Nani and Zoey checked up on the baby goats. The village children had a blast watching Nani chasing and catching the goats. Needless to say the girls were not any cleaner than the kids around them after playing with the dirty wet goats.

When Negative is Positive.

Today we had our beautiful daughter Yaida tested for HIV/AIDS. She had never been tested before as she was to little while in the orphanage. If you haven't doen so, read the blog posting "The Transformation" or go to the following link: The Transformation
After reading the transformation story of Yaida, you know that we are 100% certain of her place in our hearts, in our family.
In the past months the possability of her being HIV positive has been on our minds a lot, yet we did not want her tested. We acted on obedience to God when adopting specifically her and we wanted to love her with all our hearts before testing her, to ensure that wether she would test positive or negative we would love and treat her the same as she was given into our care by God himself.
Needless to say that today was a big day. After the doctor withdrew some blood we had to wait for a good hour... what an hour. Though confident that no matter the outcome Yaida's life is in God's hands we were a bit anxious to find out.
When opening the envelope with the test results I felt somewhat the way people must feel in those odd talkshows on TV where the people are about to find out who fathers the child, or if they have a particular desease... So when we read NEGATIVE for HIV/AIDS we were sooooo relieved! Thank you Lord for keeping our baby protected!
The doctor we had seen earlier that morning for vaccinations approached us in the hallway with a "And.....?" look on his face. As we shared the results he too was excited.
Our staff was cheering when they heard the good news and Isabelle, who helps us with the kids and in the house, cried tears of happiness while giving us big hugs.
Seeing the response coming from people who have lost loved ones as a result of Aids makes me realize more and more the blessing of Yaida's health and God's protection over her. We are so blessed! Thank you God!

Visiting Nyabisiga

We left early this morning to Nyabisiga. After about 40 minutes on the main road we continued our journey for about another hour and half on a dirt road, trying to avoid pot holes and diches. Today we brought a diplomate couple, Frederique and Richard from the Dutch embassy, Maria, a volunteer for a large health project, Baptiste, our compound manager and Rich and Robin, fellow missionaries in Rwanda and their two sons Cory and John.
We visited some of our sponsored families that finished or are finalizing their recently build homes. It was great to also hear the impact sponsorship makes on people. Wow.

While visiting Thatien's house Nani and Zoey caught the little chicks by themselfs! They are becoming skilled animal catchers! Even Yaida was curious enough to pat the chicks.

This little boy followed us wherever we went. Through the wholes in his shirt we noticed badly burned skin. Poor guy. When we asked himwhat had happened he told us he got burned by boiling water. He was very shy and embarrassed about the burns, trying to cover his skin.

Frederique had some cloths with her to hand out. She called the boy and had him take off the rag shirt and put this nice shirt on him. He did not stop smiling... What a joy this boy had!

Visiting Nyabisiga 2

Rich had a great time showing the kids photo's he took of them.

Now, the purpose of our trip was to help with the building of a house... We were only 20 minutes from the house when the Landcruiser had a flat tire. Changing it was done quicly but unfortunately the spare tire didn't have enough air to continue our journey. We had to turn around and return to Kigali, praying we could make it with such little air...

Bosco, Cyp and Baptiste used the tire changing time to play soccer with Zoey.

So needless to say.. we never helped build the house. Everybody still had a great time though, and we all grew in our life lesson of flexability and patience on Rwandan soil.
This boy walked onthe road,I called him over and I asked him some questions only to find out he made the truck himself from sorogum plant stems and jerrycan tops for the tires. I asked him if he wanted to trade me the truck for 1000 francs. His eyes lit up and a big "yego" (yes) followed. We were both excited about the trade. Look at the detail he put into it! Just amazing!

It was a great day, especially for our guests. The village, one of my favorite places in Rwanda.

OH MY continued...

Completed in two weeks time.... Never again....

Laptop and all.

Living room and kitchen. Oh, oh, the dog stole a piece of pizza.

Do I deserve the title "super mom"?
From sewing curtains, bedspreads sheets and rugs, to painting and sawing. It was quite the undertaking, but seeing my girls play with it immediately made it all worth it. But man, do I miss Walmart for a quick birtday shopping. LOL.

OH MY.......

Happy Birthday Girl, Nani was soooo excited about her Barbie house!!
And I am so proud of the finished product...

She couldn't believe there are bedrooms for the whole Barbie family!

Even the kid-Barbies have an entire attick to play and sleep.

And the storm came...

Sharing with families. The white thing is to hold Jasmin on my back!

Recently we have had some problems with our GFR families. We found out that some had been lying about their family compositions in hopes to get more sponsorship or to get the pitty from their sponsor. Though it was only a few families, we gathered all of them around to expose this bad habit and put an end to it.
While praying how I could speak the peoples "language" in order for them to get the point the Lord reminded me of Jonah. He was on a mission, knew the right thing to do, but made the choice not to do it. He even ran from God and thought to be save as he journeyed to Tarsis on a big ship. The Lord allowed for a big storm to come so that the reason of Jonah's presence on the ship would be exposed. After being thrown of the ship and swallowed by a big fish Jonah decided to do as God had told him after all.

The families are like Jonah with a purpose, and choices and even after making a wrong choice God gives a second chance!
I spoke about the storm how it effected not only Jonah, but the people around him. God wanted the sin exposed and He wanted Jonah's attention. The families bad choices will be exposed also and God might just allow for storms to arise in their lives so they will make things right.
The people got the point and understood that lying might interfere with their sponsorship.

After we closed in prayers and talked with more families on a personal level a big wind came. Sand was coming under the covered area like arrows hitting our skin followed by thunder and rain like buckets poured out on us.

What does it say in the bible? Even nature speaks of the power of our Lord...!
Thank you God, I so much appreciate you adding great power to my words by sending this storm! It is so much fun to share Your word with others!

Super Mom

Building the Barbie house.
Finished product.

Only three more days and Nani will have her 7th birthday. I have been very bussy with thoughts about her birthday. Besides the thoughts of "Oh My, I am getting old!" (which would be a blog posting in itself) I have been wracking my brain what to do for a present. There is one toystore in Rwanda and when the quality of toys from the dollar store or Wibra is better than the ones from this store, now if it had the prices of the above mentioned store... But no, paying $12 dollars for a fake Barbie type doll that has her legs broken after the first time playing with it...
So here I am, wondering what to do.
A few weeks ago, I must admit this happened after I prayed, I had a great idea; building Nani a dolhouse for her Barbie's. I started designing and dreaming about it. This was the fun and easy part ofcourse. It took me a few days before I had the courage to start gathering wood and mark it for cutting. Within a week the house was build. 4 feet high (135 cm), and 3 feet wide (100cm).
The house is in my room as I try to keep the girls fromseeing it while I paint and decorate. Only 3 more days and the house must be finished. I can't wait to see Nani's face...
Only 3 more days and the photo's of the finished, decorarated Barbie house and my daughters expression as she'll receive her present will be posted... I can't wait...

All God...

Ruth, Praise, Nani and Zoey cleaning the bathrooms of their new school.

Last Sunday we spend the day preparing KICS, Kigali International Community School, for the very first students in it's history to attend this week. Many of the parents and new students arrived early for the time of worship, communion and sharing of the word. There was a common goal among us all: giving our children a place for God based education. Having this is common caused for immediate bonds between parents from different nations and backgrounds.
The one thing that was so encouraging to me was that when asked about the new teachers; their recruitment, support and commitment, the answer seemed the same in all cases... God! The house turned into the school, nothing but a miracle by... God! The school supplies... God! Favor with the government... God! Even in our case the money for the school tuition... God! (We only need $1000 out of the initial $3700 !!!)
To see God be so interested inmaking sure my children get good, christian education...wow, not only does that make my heart cheerful, but especially Nani and Zoey who have prayed and see God move on their behalf! Adn than for them to hear even their teachers and the directors of the school give all credit for the existance of the school to God.. What a start for the girls in this new school year.
Thank you to all of you who have been praying for the Lord's provision and thank you to you that gave so generous towards the girls's education! God bless you!

The Face of Missions

A bobline or long hair, long skirt, sandals, no earrings nor make-up and eyebrows that could use some maintenance. Let's be honest, wouldn't you somehow expect me to look at least somewhat like that?
You would be hesitant to spend time with me as we have nothing in common. I am so focused on God and are somewhat in my own world. I am very supportive of my husband's ministry while spending most my time in the kitchen and caring for my children and home schooling them. How could I possibly think that people could live in a wealthy first world country while in my surroundings people die daily due to hunger and sickness.
Really, isn't that the image we have of long term missionaries?

The skirts are a rarity to me, you will find me in linnen pants or jeans most the time. I use make-up as I do deodorant... all the time...
Even as missionaries we have pre conceived ideas about eachothers and our own looks. Causing me to get some interesting looks at times. Travis and I share our work, making me just as much director of operations as him. The care of our children we share also. Now our looks are not that of the "typical" missionary either. Travis has alternative facial hair and side burns, and oh goodness, he even has a tongue piercing! As for me; my hair is short in the back and long in the front. In my ears are four wholes instead of two. I even have a nose piercing with a tiny diamant in it. Now that is not such a typical missionary look, I know.
During our prep time to come to Rwanda I have been approached a number of times by people saying I should start stocking up on skirts. I should definately leave my make-up behind and that I better take some earrings and my nose studd out.

Here I am, living and working in Rwanda among the poorest of the poor. I visit members of parliament in their offices and hang out with the minister of defense of Rwanda. Some of my friends are diplomats, but my best buddies live in the orphanage.
Yet after living here for more than a year, no one has ever asked me why my hear is different or why I have a nose piercing. But you know, the are some questions I get asked very regular though; You kiss dirty baby heads and don't freak out when little ones wet you with their pie as you hold them, why is that, how can you love the Rwandese like that?
Let's be honest, if your child would break a bone and you rush to the ER, would you refuse the help of the doctor in charge because he looks different than what you expected? You just spend your last dime and don't know where your dinner will come from, would you say "no" to the stranger that offers you a seat at his table and buy you a meal?
Really does it matter?

The face of missions is changing. The cliche's are slowely fading away.Those that I am surrounded by recieve Christ's love as I wrap my arms around them. The children love my bright painted toe nails and care less that Travis has a tongue piercing, for all they know it is a piece of candy!
All they see is love, care and hope. They see Jesus!