I believe...

Another one of those needs... Those where my thoughts after my Rwandan friend asked me to help a single woman about to give birth.

I prayed and asked God if I were to take any responsability for this need. Before I knew it I went through the boxes with baby cloths, diapers and receiving blankets. I looked in my closet to see if I had any cloths I did not favor and knew to be better used by a woman in need. On top of that the Lord impressed on me to add nailpolish and lipgloss. I searched my kitchen and ended up with a nice amount of food.

Honestly I was suprised at my response for I had not heard God say a yes or no about this particular need but yet an urge to go visit this woman and help with what I had.

I walk through some back ally's into an area that smells horrendous, open sewage, garbage, half dressed children. Yet this place is only a 5 minute drive from my home. ( see photo below)I enter a little corridor and stand face to face with a beautiful young woman. Obviously pregnant she comes and greets me. We enter her home; a small room with a bed and some chairs. I notice an old radio in a corner and a Kinyarwandan bible next to it. The walls are cracked and the only tiny window in the room barely gives enough light to see anything. (the very back area of this house is where Tatiana lives)

Tatiana slowely opens up and tells me her story.

She lived a life of plenty. She had her own clothing store, was preparing to marry a nice man and was loved by many people. She attended church and thanked God for the blessing life.

A little over six months ago she found out she was expecting. Her husband to be seemed to withdraw himself from her, eventhough this was his baby. Within a week he had taken all her money, her clothing, her juwelery and left her, to go to another woman. Tatiana was left with no choice but to ask for help. Her friends turned her down, as she had become a single mother to be... a disgraceful position to be in. Her inlaws who used to love her refused to speak to her. She had no-where to go and no-one willing to help her. She could no longer afford her previous lifestyle. In one day she turned from a middle class citizen to the poorest of the poor.

Robbed, completely robbed from opportunity, dignity and choice.

My heart was in turmoil listening to her story.

She continued to tell me that she is blessed to be alive and have shelter. But many days she stays in her room and just sleeps the day away, no food, no friends.

Tatiana proudly tells me the baby will be a boy, she'll name him KWISERA (trust). But her countenance changes as she shares that she even considers to give her baby away after she delivers, as she does not know how to provide for him. I fell tears welling up in my eyes and with a deep sadness I watch her as she keeps grabbing her bible expressing how God has been the only thing that has kept her going. How she keeps holding on to him, knowing that He knows of her and her situation. How this very moment is and expression of God to her. This women expresses such a faith and security in God. He was all she had left! I know that if I would not know God as my Lord and Saviour her testimony and her solid faith would make me cry out; "Yes Lord, I believe!"

Everything within me wants to grab her and tell her everything will be just fine... but will it? Could I make such a promise? Instead I grab the bag with items I brought for her and as I give her the items she just looses it and grabs me, she cries and cries uncontrollably, thanking God for listening to her cries for help. As I hold her I cry with her. And I come to the humble realization that my only reason to be with Tatiana is because God desired to express His love for her, and I just happened to be the tool he used. This was a Tatiana-God moment and I better not get in the way of it.

Tatiana is precious to me, very precious, because I know God wanted her to know that He hears her and cares for her. A friend recently sent me newborn baby boy cloths, just to give away. Christine, thank you, know that God used you to provide for Tatiana's baby boy!

Please pray for Tatiana, her due date is April 25th.

Be encouraged! Just as God listens to the prayers of this young mom-to-be, and expresses His love for her, He does the same for you! He listens and knows of your every need.
Today the Lord did a miracle for Tatiana. He can do a miracle for you!

Heaven Touching Earth to be...

Bossi, Bossi, amakuru? (boss, boss, how are you?) We're out in Kibuye on some hidden mountains by our property. The view is breath taking as always. The desire of living on our property with 256 orphans and at least 32 widows gets stronger as I notice this young boy and his friend. Their cloths were ripped, the zipper of the boy's pants did not even close. I wonder what kind of life they live and if they even have parents or hopefully at least a mom.

Bossi... bossi... he yells. What will he say two years from now when he will see us there 24/7?

He makes me smile and the excitement of Gods purposes for this place bubbles inside of me.

We took a boat and went to see our land from the water. As you can see it is huge! All the land you see is for HTE (Heaven Touching Earth!) I remember when we had the dream, visions and the scriptures all referring to this place at the water with orphans and widows living on it. A place where heaven touched earth. Where the presence of the Lord would be so strong. Where people all ages would be on their faces before the Lord, where he would restore them and make them whole...

And now here we are... communicating with architects, writing the plan for this place, meeting with ministers and leaders of big organizations to learn from their experiences. In the mean time I feel so humbled by the greatness of this project. The logistics scare me, the funding needed makes me want to run from it all... I fee like king Salomon when he took his father, David's, place. He cried out to God and said; Oh Lord I don't know how to be a good king help me. Give me a heart of wisdom.

...yet the Lord keeps opening the doors before us. Showing us we are to keep going, step by step obeying him as He leads. It sounds so easy...

We were welcomed to our property by these kids and the cows!

Beautiful wild flowers on our land.

Land Identification in Kibuye

Today was a big day! So we dressed all nice as we would be meeting several government officials. I came with high heels and all! In my excitement I focused on the "looking good" for the occasion to much. We drove with some of the officials in the direction of Lake Kivu. We turned from the mainroad unto a rocky road. After about 10 minutes the road came to an end with the announcement that we had to continue by foot....

What was I thinking... So there I went for another 20 minutes on my heels, sliding over the rocks due to a lack of grip... Feeling like an old woman when Travis grabbed my arm preventing me from falling I wondered why I wanted to look so nice. Wasn't the special occasion Identifying land? DUH....

When we arrived at the suggested land I was ready to set up camp and stay forever. The beauty of this place... The lake, the mountains, pretty birds and butterflies, gorgeous flowers. I was humbled at the sight of such beauty!

The land the government wants to give to SoZo Ministries Africa for the development of an orphan childrens village goes from the boats in the water following the treeline up. The whole area in the photo including the scrubs in the fore ground are part of the land.

The trees in the very back are that same tree line again, all land seen is part of it.

The photo's above were looking southwest. This photo is looking north. The second point from the left, the ending of an island would also be partof SoZo Ministries land....

The land is not ours yet, paperwork and other logistics are still part of the process. Pray fot Gods will to be done and for us to find an architect who can draw plans for rough terrain! God has been amazing us. Today was one of those days where I feel so tiny in comparison to His Masterplan. God is good!

Till Death Do Us Part.

Brutus and Darlene Simpson. Brother and sister of the groom. Dressed to go the wedding of our beloved brother Stanley and his not so loved wife to be Becky, we received our instructions. Brutus was not fond of Becky as she controlled Stanley and wanted to take over the travel agency that Brutus and Stanley had set up together. I, Darlene could not stand Becky as she interfered with the close relationship I had with both my brothers.
Becky came from a wealthy family yet we had to work hard for our money. She was favored by her dad, a maffia boss and her mom over her little sister Gina. Gina could not stand Becky. Becky had dumped Ken over my brother Stanley, poor Ken was heart broken yet attended the wedding, hoping to move on and love again after the wedding was over. I really liked Ken and made sure he had all the support he needed during the wedding. My dad though, he had just sold a serious life insurance policy to Becky, She was worth at least one million dollars. Though I tried to warn my brothers Stanley (groom), Brutus and my parents that this wedding should not be happening, They did not listen well to me.
To top it off I found out that Becky had been unfaithful to my brother and her lover was at the wedding also with his new girl friend. I could not resist telling her the news, and oh was she furious!
Yes many people, many motives to kill, but really who did it. While listening to a speech from one of my brother's friends the lights turned of... the sound of a shotgun went off and... the bride was dead on the floor. Panic, accusations and criesof shock went through the room, who did such a brutal thing! Before I knew it people surrounded me with accusations. No I did not like Becky and I did not want to see this marriage happen but still... to go to this extreme?
My brother Brutus was very concerned for our brother Stanley. Poor Stanley was heart broken. While people were trying to figure out who killed the bride, they even bribed each other. People were yelling at each other calling eachother names. it was quite the scene.
To my shock my brother Stanley "fell" of the balcony... dead. My world collapsed, I lost all self controll, oh my dear brother, was this suicide, an accident, murder?
The police officer came to release all evidences and inform us who had murdered the bride. I could not believe it when I heard what happened. Because of the threat to my brothers business, Brutus had killed Becky. Thinking this would save the business and save our brother from a broken heart later in life. Stanley really had to much to drink as he was heart broken over the loss of his wife and got to close to the end of the balcony...
And no, I really did not have anything to do with either death...

We had so much fun last night as we dressed to match up for the role we played. There must have been at least 50 people all playing a part in this mystery murder game. Some people I will only know by the name of the role they had as I have no clue what their real name is!
Not much happens in Kigali, and there are no theatres or movie places, so this was definately a wonderful event for us!

Our last GFR village day

A day of mixed emotion would best discibe today. It was our last day with GFR in the village. A wonderful day with a touch of sadness.

The YWAM team from Hawaii joined us again. The minibus they were in broke down nearby the meeting place in Mutete. Jumping on top of the landcruiser was not a problem at all making it quick and easy to get them all to the location.
Our Muzee Vianney had been released from prison and was officially re-instated into his former position as field director. The families welcomed him with open arms. We all know it was an act of God to have him back with us so speedily! Thank You Lord!
As I mentioned, today was our last GFR village day. Febr 8th will be our last official day with GFR. Allowing us to focus 100% on our own ministry SoZo Ministries Africa. I started our meeting with the Rwandese proverb; Imihini Mishya Itera Amabavu. Meaning; A new hoe handle causes blisters (or translated; change isn't easy). As I explained our departure I noticed many sad faces and I couldn't help but to feel a lump in my throat and I wondered who the change would not be easy for, me or them. After all I have spent at least 40 hours per week doing research, learning Rwandese culture, listen to government oficials brainstorm with my staff all with these precious people and their journey out of poverty in mind. I looked and remembered how we found some of them in small bush homes. Rags on their bodies and now, they look healthy and have a smile on their face. Some of them will never leave my heart, their faces will forever be in my memory.
I officially introduced them to their new GFR Country Director; Cyprien. We prayed for him as a GFR team, it was a powerful moment. The families welcomed him warmely. I felt a relief coming knowing that Cyprien loves his people and knows them well! After all he has been my main teacher!
The YWAM team did some drama's for the families all focusing on the power of the cross and Jesus! The people loved it, laughing loudly where they recognized things from their own life yet having a silent respect where Jesus was displayed.
The drama's were a great opening to Travis his teaching on wholeness in Christ. "Everything is possible with God" he said. "Freedom from trauma, healing of your body, salvation of your soul, persue God and he can do it!" Travis mentioned several scriptures about people persuing God out of desperation and God bringing wholeness.

Our last GFR village day continued 1.

Travis asked the people to place their hands on the area of their body where they were hurting. If they have nighmares and or trauma to place their hands on their heart and head, but if it was all hurting just to raise your hands to God! Looking at the photo you might get an idea of the heavy load these people carry daily.Today was another gift giving day, where the sponsors had sent money for their families to receive animals. We had another 18 cows, 31 pigs and mattresses to distribute. The cow is like a crown on the kings head, needless to say people were excited about their gifts!

Our last GFR village day Continued 2.

The old directors and the new.

Some of my village friends that I will never forget.

The Ywam team and all GFR staff.

It was another wonderful day, with great friends in a precious nation with beautiful people.

Yaida One Year Old Today

The first photo we have of Yaida, when she was 3 weeks old.
Today this little angel turned one year old! If it weren't for God opening our heart to her, would she have ever had a first birthday? Loving the attention and having to sing "Happy Birthday" to her all day, she clapped and danced a lot today.

May I blow out the candle yet?

Really? It is ok to dump my face in the cake?Hi Hi, Alright here I go!

Happy Birthday Princess! You are loved.

"My Space"

How many children fit in one bath tub?
I am always amazed at the level of tolerance Nani and Zoey have concerning space. True that in Rwanda people like to be squezed. This is after all the most densely populated nation of Africa. Taking public transport you are squezed into a minivan with at least 4 adults in a row. I call it "hiphugging". When in church the sport seems to be to get as many people to squeze together on one little wooden bench. Even in the gorcery store I feel as if everybody has to stare at the same item I stare at just so they can squeze me... Claustrofobic?
Sometimes I want to wear a hula hoop around my hips, just to mark "my space".
Yet I look at my daughters; in the back seat of our car we have 2 child seats for the babies. The left over space barely fits a teenager. Yet both Nani and Zoey are used to the discomfort of hiphugging and just squeeze in...
They share a double bed, works great for the two of them. When they have a friend spent the night she too hiphugs right in... They than throw in the cat at least one big stuffed animal for each of them, some books and other random items...
Interestingly enough coming from a lifestyle of needing "my space" I find myself able to give up this "right" of space. Almost to the point where I expect to be hiphugging with someone at some point of my day. I actually find it kind of cozy, especially in the village it gives me a feeling of participation and unity.
When the body becomes what it is; a shell for the true part of a person; his spirit man, or soul instead of this "item" of glorification of special rights and needs, a person can enjoy the warmth and closeness of another shell. Let me explain what I mean; My body, my space, my physical needs... this was part of my morals my values to respect that in myself and others. This has changed over the time living in Rwanda. Observing my Rwandan village friends and particular bible verses have humbled me to get a grip of the purpose of a body. My village friends toil and sweat all day. Walking for hours and hours doing hard, very hard physical work. They produce offspring and eat away their hunger.
"Therefore, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice..." "The flesh is at war with the spirit(man)" "Without faith it is impossible to please God" All these verses from the bible show me life is not about the body at all. I know you know this. The question remaining is; why do we try to solve inner wounds; disapointments, abandonment issues, depression, trauma's with physical salutions...
Why do I feel I need my space... what in me causes me to get claustrophobic hips...
I know the Lord has done a work in me of restoration and perspective, He has opened my eyes to the value of the body and the great tool it is to express love, friendship, unity and acceptance. For so long I believed the body to be this elevated private element of a being, in need of space and respect. I have lacked expressing love, giving comfort and physical acts of frienship as a result. Rwanda's beautiful people opened my eyes, God changed my perspective as he healed my wounds "in need of space". Now I can hip hug without claustrofobic hips...

So how many children fit in one bath tub? You do the math!

Jasmin 1 Year Old

Jasmin, shortly after her birth exactly one year ago.
And here she is today, one year old, walking and talking. She loves to chase the kitty and goes crazy over the dog. Precious beautiful girl. Happy Birthday Jas! I love you!

This is for me?

Attack!

Jasmin 1 Year Old continued

Happy Birthday to me....

Jasmin was very serious about opening and testing her present. She absolutely loved it.

YWAM in Kavumu 1

Upon arrival in this little village in the Kavumu sector, I noticed a stable looking contruction. While some man were vigurously cutting branches and place it as a roof on this construction, I asked in my best Kinyarwandan if this was a houe for a cow. As you see in the photo's, my thoughts were wrong. But it was wonderful for the patients and doctors to have some privacy and to be protected from the hot burning sun while in their make shift clinic.

The doctors, Dan and Rosanne with their patients and translators. (By the way, Cyprien could be a village doctor by now with all his medical knowledge and skill!)

Others helped the families with the start of the seed bed. The land worked on will be used for a seedbed and pig farm, all to the benefit of the GFR families and the community. Big branches had to be cut and land leveled. Many of the villagers looked with approval on those hacking the trees with machette's. A tough job!

This beautiful toothless 11 month old baby stole my heart. She had the best smiles (believe me she did!) and her mom was just as beautiful and sweet.

YWAM in Kavumu 2

The team spent much time ministering to people, leading some to salvation and being an encouragement to others.

PLEASE HELP!

This young woman came with her 3 year old daughter and one year old son to the clinic she is on the list to get sponsored. As you can see, the baby on her lap is very mal nourished. The poor boy cried and cried without stopping. If you want to do something effective,, please consider sponsoring this woman and her family through GFR. All she eats is sweet potatoes. Her baby is sick and mal nourished. The 3 year old child looks much younger than she is. These people are in great need! Please help them.
I looked at this baby and remembered when we first picked up our daughter Yaida at the orphanage. It was a hard call for me to sit with this woman while her baby is crying and remember my own baby...

Want to change a life? This is your opportunity!

We prayed for the woman and the baby. Believing God for a miracle! Are you the next miracle?