Joshua's Blog

Okay, well here we go, had a bit more time to prepare something, so here’s how the past few days went…

We (Claude, Bryan and I) where picked up near our house by the World Vision staff at around 10:00 and then left directly for Gashora. Gashora is about 55 km away. Now in years past it was one of the worst roads I had experienced! (ask any of the people who have been with me! It was bad!) But in just one year they have paved the entire road leading to and past Gashora! Apparently the country has hired a German company to build into the county’s infrastructure.

World Vision focuses on four main areas of life… education, nutrition, reconciliation (in regards to the events of 1994), and HIV/Aids support. The first program we got to see was a support group for women living with Aids. There they taught them how to weave traditional baskets. They women shared just how much of a blessing the group has been and how they all group together to form a tight support community.

We also where taken to several crops and even a bee hive that World Vision has enabled the people to purchase and work. So often the people are very willing to work, but end up being stuck with start-up costs. So to be provided the tools, land and training is HUGE! Later on we were taken to a sewing project where the women gathered from many near-by communities and are trained and then after about a year of teaching they are given there own sewing machine.

Yet another project was taking the former military soldiers (a shameful past in the eyes of Rwandans, you are assumed that you are a spy) and giving them opportunities to serve and work within the community. Even start their own welding business!

We also got a chance to see how the fishermen fish in the area. Not very different! They use nets, the rods are basic at best, but they do the job! Apparently the lake there has both hippos and crocodiles! We were told of some stories of some of the fishermen who have been attacked… crazy! Glad we don’t have to worry about that when going to Regina Beach!

Spent the rest of the evening with the community… of course a few muzungues in the area is sure to draw a crowd… and draw a crowd we did! Haha!

The next day was all about Anne-Marie… Well… this is Anne-Marie, my sponsor child.

She is very dear to my heart and one part of God calling me to Rwanda that makes me very excited is being able to be very personably involved in her life! Spent the day giving gifts, sharing questions and answers… lots of hugs! She is doing really good… Rest of the day we were able to visit a few more communities and then just relax with the Gashora community.

The real cool thing about being with the World Vision staff was every morning, like clock-work, they have devotions and worship at 8:00 every morning. We of course where invited so got to experience the day to day faith walk of a World Vision staff.

The next day I thought was going to end with us saying good bye and traveling back to Kigali… we where very pleasantly surprised when we pulled up the Gashora Primary school to find near 1000 children waiting for us! After sitting down a group of kids (we found out later that they where apart of a student group formed to fight against and support people with Aids/HIV. Apart of the activities of the group are learning traditional dance. Every year they compete at a national competition. It was amazing to see the kids so passionate… SO talented! What’s even better is how proud they are of their country.

The dancing consisted of several presentations. There was a welcome and a farewell… the girls welcomed, the boys did the farewell dance. In between the boys came in and presented themselves much like a band of warriors who have come back from the forest from fighting or hunting (as the World Vision staff explained/translated). They where fighting against Aids and poverty. (The practical end of the group is they have many discussions as a group and then go out to the community to teach and raise awareness.)

The girls came back out and then invited Bryan and I to dance! Lol… I was going to find a less embracing picture (one of Bryan!) but I decided I would submit myself to the mercy of my critics!

They then asked me to speak, they explained a bit about what World Vision has done for the school specifically, some of their current needs, and thanks. After, Bryan and I spent 30 – 45 minutes with the Anti-Aids group hearing their stories and thoughts and then… we left for Kigali.

Last night was incredible (sorry, running out of time so I’m going to jump to yesterday!) The day started out rough with Gigi being terribly sick… I accompanied her to the hospital to find out that there were well over 150 people waiting for 3 doctors! We then went to a different hospital. But that night Patrick, Clarisse, Claude, Gigi, and I spent Good Friday worshiping and praising! We had communion and some awesome fellowship! I am now leaving in two minutes to visit my German friend Joe at Scripture Union to play with some street kids! (so awesome!) and then tonight Bryan and I are going to take Gigi out to a fancy dinner to thank her for being awesome! I believe there is going to be 5-6 other people coming as well. So I have to go now, but God Bless everyone, hopefully I didn’t make too many horrendous spelling and grammar mistakes on this!

Joshua