I am out for my morning jog and often times people will run with me. The first person ran up the long hill with me while wearing big rubber boots! On the way back I heard someone else coming up from behind. As we neared our gate he said, "I have a thought for you". I didn't know exactly what he meant but I played along. He told me that he had written a letter. He revealed a large brown envelop and handed it to me. I opened the sealed container and began to read. His name is Cyprien. In four pages of beautiful penmanship Cyprien wrote about his life. He explained how he had to drop out of school because of money. He talked about how the neighborhood now had hope and had changed drastically since our arrival.
Then he spelled out a business plan for four enterprises: bicycle taxi, phone charging station, movie & music entertainment, tea & coffee house. I was very impressed with this young man. God has given him a clear vision of a future that betters not only his own life but the lives of others. Cyprien is looking for a loan to start these businesses. I have heard that some people are doing micro-loans and will research to see if we can connect him with a loan. I pray that Cyprien will continue to dream and hope as he loves Jesus!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Umuganda
Yesterday (Wednesday) was Umuganda for our Cell. Umuganda is a 1/2 day set aside for community projects. EVERYONE is required to participate. The national umuganda is the last Saturday of each month from 8am-11am. Our Cell has a umuganda each Wednesday morning. I found this out as we drove to meet the Cell Leader, She was in the middle of organizing the villages (smaller groups of families) into this weeks project. As we rounded the corner of a "cow path" in our Land Cruiser, I saw about 300 people cultivating and planting. It was amazing display of community action! Apparently the field was chosen to be a "shared" field and everyone will benefit from the cassava that they planted. Cassava is a white root that Rwandans use for all kinds of food. I can't stand the taste! Apparently their is little or no nutritional value in cassava and yet it is so easy to grow that everyone uses it.
As we walked around through the muddy fields I waved and greeted everyone. I even held a baby for a brief moment. It almost feels like we are politicians shaking hands and kissing babies. Part of what we are doing is building trust with our neighbors and it is important for them to see us as their neighbors.
We waited until the project was over and were hoping to meet with the 20 women that would start sewing on Monday. What I realized was that there was a lot more happening in the official business than I knew. Speaker after speaker stood in the middle of the crowd and shared information. This was their "news" time. One primary school teacher talked about the upcoming election, the other three speakers also spent time addressing the crowds.
Finally we met with our 20 women....well that was suppose to be the group. But apparently some of the men were also interested in some help. The men would like carpentry training and work. So after an hour of talking we told everyone that sewing would start on Monday and carpentry would be something that we would look at to offer the men.
We hopped in our Land Cruiser and I looked into the back and 12 people had also climbed in with us. We stuck it into four wheel drive and made our way back up the muddy path to the gravel road. It took 3 hours but it was a good meeting and a good community building event.
As we walked around through the muddy fields I waved and greeted everyone. I even held a baby for a brief moment. It almost feels like we are politicians shaking hands and kissing babies. Part of what we are doing is building trust with our neighbors and it is important for them to see us as their neighbors.
We waited until the project was over and were hoping to meet with the 20 women that would start sewing on Monday. What I realized was that there was a lot more happening in the official business than I knew. Speaker after speaker stood in the middle of the crowd and shared information. This was their "news" time. One primary school teacher talked about the upcoming election, the other three speakers also spent time addressing the crowds.
Finally we met with our 20 women....well that was suppose to be the group. But apparently some of the men were also interested in some help. The men would like carpentry training and work. So after an hour of talking we told everyone that sewing would start on Monday and carpentry would be something that we would look at to offer the men.
We hopped in our Land Cruiser and I looked into the back and 12 people had also climbed in with us. We stuck it into four wheel drive and made our way back up the muddy path to the gravel road. It took 3 hours but it was a good meeting and a good community building event.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Christmas in Rwanda
We had our first Christmas in Rwanda. I wasn't sure what to expect but I knew it would be different than Christmas in America....and it was. It has been such a blessing to have found Christ Church of Rwanda (CCR). CCR is located in Kigali so we drive into the big city to attend the weekend service. Pastor Dave Jenkins and everyone have done a good job of welcoming us into our new church.
So Santa looked a little different but hey, we are in Africa! I think the biggest difference (and remember this is from a very limited perspective) is that the commercialism of Christmas isn't near the level of America. Some department stores had Christmas tress and lights as well as even Santa..but nowhere near the hype of America. I was also surprised with the lack of church attendance on Christmas Eve. Pastor Dave said a lot of families are at their families "Catholic" churches. Attendance was lower on Christmas Eve than it is on a typical Sunday.
But apart from the attendance and "hype" stuff it just felt very different. Being our first Christmas I am sure that it will evolve as we go. It actually was quite refreshing to be able to relax and enjoy and focus on the real "reason for the season".
CCR had worship services on Friday night (Christmas Eve), Saturday morning (Christmas day) and on Sunday for a regular worship service. After worship on Sunday we were all treated to a delicious catered lunch which was a mix of traditional Rwanda type food and also typical American cuisine. So Andria and I spent time celebrating Jesus' birth by worshipping at CCR.
Santa even showed up after worship and before the lunch.
So Santa looked a little different but hey, we are in Africa! I think the biggest difference (and remember this is from a very limited perspective) is that the commercialism of Christmas isn't near the level of America. Some department stores had Christmas tress and lights as well as even Santa..but nowhere near the hype of America. I was also surprised with the lack of church attendance on Christmas Eve. Pastor Dave said a lot of families are at their families "Catholic" churches. Attendance was lower on Christmas Eve than it is on a typical Sunday.
But apart from the attendance and "hype" stuff it just felt very different. Being our first Christmas I am sure that it will evolve as we go. It actually was quite refreshing to be able to relax and enjoy and focus on the real "reason for the season".
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