Muraho! This is Laurie sharing about our first day in Rwanda. Today was a day I have been looking forward to for a long time. 3 years ago I came to Rwanda on my first mission trip with Compassion Christian Church, it was also the first time I met these wonderful ladies pictured above. Little did I know how spending one hour with them would change my life forever. These ladies are special, they are survivors of the Genocide that happened here in Rwanda in 1994. They have experienced more trauma and loss in their life than anyone I have ever met. When we sat down with them three years ago they expressed how they continue to deal with lots of grief and have taken in many orphans who needed a home after the genocide. What struck me in that moment was how willing they were to welcome children into their home all the while dealing with intense grief/pain.
Little did they know that my husband and I had been praying about fostering children. I was dragging my feet on the decision, and honestly did not really want to because of the inconvenience it would be to my life. In that moment I knew that God was calling me to say yes to fostering. Today I was able to share with them how their love for God and love for people inspired me to say yes to what God was asking of me. I was able to thank them for sharing their pain with me, because I was a stranger when we first met and they did not have to share their deepest pain with me…but they did. I wanted them to KNOW that God has been and is using their stories in ways they probably don’t realize. I wanted to look them in the eye and say thank you. Because of their willingness to share their lives and be vulnerable with a complete stranger, God was working in my life. I was able to share with them that 17 months ago my husband and I welcomed 2 orphans into our home. What a sweet day it was to give them big hugs and to be able to say, “Murakoze (Thank you)”.
THE WIDOWS LOVE BEING TOGETHER AND NOW HAVE A CHICKEN COOP AND A BANANA FARM THAT THEY WORK AT TOGETHER AND ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
WHAT A JOY TO SEE THESE PROJECTS COME TO FRUITION ON THIS TRIP. 3 YEARS AGO THIS WAS JUST A DREAM OF THEIRS AND WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING THAT GOD WOULD PROVIDE FOR THEM. GOD GIVES GOOD GIFTS!
Laurie
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