In January the Holy Spirit penetrated my heart with Isaiah 1:17, to do good, seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. Thursday, 6/13, Patrick, Eric and I had an incredible opportunity to spend 3 hours with the beautiful children we sponsor through Compassion International. Three of the children were from the Shyogwe Compassion Project and two children from the Zion Comassion Project. Patrick's young man is John, 21. He has completed Driver's Vocation School and hopes to complete another year to be qualified for driving trucks. Goreta, 13, is Eric's young child and she came with her mother. Belise, 15, Solange, 8 and Alexia 10 are my precious young children.
Upon arrival, I was surprised to see Belise run out of the office to hug me as soon as I got out of the truck. She said, "I love you!" What an incredible gift Belise gave me at that moment. As I was greeting Belise's mother and sister, I saw a tiny little girl with another girl making their way through the group as they held hands. Instantly I knew it was Solange and Alexia. Their mothers were not able to come, but I don't know why. My heart was sad for the girls, however, that didn't seem to damper their sweet, lively spirits. It was amazing to hold each child in my arms, and say to each girl, "I love you and Yesu ishimwe! (Jesus be praised) At that moment, I was overwhelmed with gratitude to our Lord Jesus for the wonderful blessing of meeting the young girls Craig and I sponsor.
We went inside the Zion Compassion Project for introductions. John, Director of the Kigali Compassion Office, John Baptiste, Director of the Zion Project and Daniel, Director of the Shyogwe Project presented us with their Mission Statement and history of each project. There are 200 Compassion Projects in Rwanda.
Compassion has 4 areas in which the children are served; medical cognitive, spiritual and academics. The children attend Church at the Anglican Church in each Project. Also, some sing in the Church choir. Every Saturday the child comes to te Compassion Project Center to spend the day receiving the help they need and interacting with one another and the staff. Compassion provides each child with medical care, which costs $3000 Rwandan Francs and $200 Francs with each visit ($4.65 and $.31 respectively).
After all of the formalities, each child presented their Sponsors with a gift. One of mine was a basket with two birds sharing a red seed, which represented a heart. I was told by Belise that just as the birds were attached by sharing a seed (their hearts), she is attached to my heart as our sponsored child. I assured Belise that our hearts are attached to hers! Each gift was very special to me and each child was very proud of their gift! Craig and I gave the girls backpacks loaded with personal and school items. They immediately had to put the backpacks on.
As a last minute gift, I had purchased each girl hot pink finger nail polish. What a hit that was! We had so much as I painted my girls fingernails, Goreta and the mothers finger nails were painted, as well. After this we went outside to jump rope and play with John's soccer ball. John was such a kind, generous young man in sharing his new soccer ball and playing with the girls. We were amazed at their athletic skills. The jump rope skills each girl had were amazing! Jump ropes are also very popular!!
We couldn't believe our eyes when petite Solange took the soccer ball and began bouncing it between her legs. Watching the joy and smiles on their faces as they played and shared their gifts was incredible. These children really know how to have fun with such simple toys!! When I was asked to jump rope with them, I thought how am I going to keep my knees from showing and jump in this long skirt, but somehow I managed to jump a few times without missing a beat. I did show my knees and prayed the adults didn't see them! :) While Eric and Patrick went to the market to purchase food gifts for each family, the girls and I sang Jesus Loves Me. I sang in English and they sang in Kinyarwandan. I just know the Lord smiled down on us as He heard the different languages blending together singing of His love for us. They sang several songs for me and then taught me to dance! It was amazing! :) I also had the opportunity to speak with Belise's mother. She shared with me that her husband passed away 5 years ago. At that time, her husband's family ran her off their land and took her home in Buture. She brought Belise and her sister to Gitarama. Now they live in a home which someone allows them to share, however, she is not allowed to have any animals to farm because the house isn't hers. Belise's mother grows beans, cassava, peas and cabbage which she sells at the market when possible. Eric and Patrick returned with a 20 lb. bag of rice and a gal. of coconut oil for each family. Belise and her mother's eyes were filled with tears of gratitude.
We had a group picture taken then stood in a circle with the children and mothers in the circle and prayed. Patrick and Pastor Alfred prayed for each family. As were driving away and waving good-by, my heart was mixed with joy and deep sorrow for Belise, Solange, Alexia and their mother's due to their extreme, yet at the same time, my heart was overflowing with joy and gratitude at God's goodness and faithfulness. The Lord had answered my prayers and made the visit possible. He is also providing hope for each child through Compassion for an opportunity to achieve their God given potential and know how much they are loved. He also has blessed Craig and I with the sweet, rich privilege of sponsoring these precious girls. Belise, Solange and Alexia have a piece of my heart which will stay with them in Rwanda. I pray the Lord will provide another opportunity to visit with them next year as our relationships are growing deeper.
It has been amazing to me as I have watched how the Lord has placed Compassion International in my life on this journey. As we were waiting to board the plane in Ethiopia for Rwanda, I saw some men with Compassion golf shirts and asked if they were with Compassion. They were with Compassion in Kigali. John, the Director, knew my name when I introduced because he had planned our visit!! I couldn't believe it. They spent about 20 min. talking with our team. John had been with the Rwanda Dept. of Commerce and Trade as well as the CIO of an Industry Company, and he left these high paying positions to become Dir. of Compassion International and a Pastor. On our first day at Shyogwe our translator introduced himself as the Zion Compassion Director, then at lunch I was introduced to Daniel, the Shyogwe Compassion Director. It was such a blessing to spend our first day in Rwanda with these two new friends. We exchanged emails to continue our new relationship. I was rejoicing and praising the Lord all night for these wonderful Compassion contacts He had arranged for me to meet in less than 24 hrs.
Bishop Kalimba shared with us that 40 Parishes have Compassion Projects, approximately 15,000 children are educated. Many attend University and return to mentor children currently being sponsored.
I can't close this blog without telling you that the Lord Jesus blessed me with the opportunity to spend time with mt dear, dear friend, Clementine, her husband Pastor Joseph, as well as their new baby, Benaiah. We have had several opportunities to spend treasured time together, which is more answered prayer.
This journey has been full of great joy and deep sorrow as I witness the suffering of our friends, but also such hope, faith and trust in God's eternal Kingdom being spread here in the Land of 1000 Hills. The Lord is breaking my heart with what breaks His. I am deeply grateful and blessed to walk with my brothers and sisters in Christ of Rwanda. Imana ibane namwe! God be with you, my sweet friends and new family!
If you want to learn more about Compassion please visit www.compassion.com. Please pray about becoming a sponsor of a child in Rwanda.
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