Rwanda, Rwanda!

Greeting everyone!


We are both sorry that we have not been keeping up on the blog as much as we'd like to! Sometimes Internet is limited! However, we are learning so much and at the same time we are having the time of our lives. Therefore, in this blog we will briefly describe what we have been doing in Rwanda!!!

This last weekend we went into western Rwanda to celebrate Easter. We stayed in a hotel on the side of lake Kivu! It was a nice place to relax and reflect on what the true meaning of Easter is and in addition take time to reflect on the things we have learned about Rwanda and its past genocide. On Sunday we went to church and they asked the Go-Ed students to sing a song for the church. It was so much fun. Seeing how Rwandans celebrates Easter Sunday was very interesting. It was 100% focused on God. This was truly refreshing!

After the service we all went out on the lake. We took a boat to two different Islands. The first one was called Bat Island. On Bat island there are thousands and thousands of bats just flying around. IT WAS AWESOME. Then the second Island, 'Peace Island' there was a volleyball net, we went swimming and there was a monkey you could play with. Jordon loved the monkey so much! But the monkey got a hold of Jordon's shirt that he was not wearing and wanted to put it on. However, when the Jordon tried to get the shirt back from the monkey... the monkey made it very clear that he wanted the shirt! The monkey got mad when Jordon reached for the shirt and the monkey jumped at Jordon scaring him to death! Good thing it was on a leash tied to a tree...

*Yes these little black things are bats. This picture was taken at the highest point on Bat Island.

Last Monday, before leaving lake Kivu we went to a graduation of men and women that completed a reconciliation program while learning how to sew using a sewing machine! It was so encouraging to see an effort to rebuild Rwanda after the genocide.

**These are pictures of us at hotel Mel Collines. (which was the hotel in the the movie Hotel Rwanda) Becca, Jordon and I had a fun night out at the Hotel. We ate at the restaraunt on top which overlooked the entire city of Kigali (the capital of Rwanda) we ate soup and Ice cream, but it was kind of, okay...VERY, expensive! But worth it! Once we were finished we found this awesome place next door. Inside they has singing! We thought it was Karaoke so Jordon and Becca thought they would sing a song. It was so funny. Later we found out it was not Karaoke but it was an actual band performing and they just let Jordon and Becca sing for fun! Everyone thought they were famous and that they should get a record deal. We plan on going there again tonight to say good bye to our new friends! It is going to be sad leaving here.





The last three weeks in Rwanda has been difficult, emotionally challenging, but also so much fun. God has really open Jordon and my eyes and widening our horizon to see things differently. However, if I had to say only ONE thing that I have learned from Rwanda it is that there is HOPE. What Rwanda has been through the last decades is so terribly sad, but they are looking forward onto their future and it is really encouraging. It just blows my mind how wonderful the people are in Rwanda, they are full of love and forgiveness. God is continueing to transform our hearts. I am excited to see what God has in store for the future. Looking back and seeing how difficult it was coming here to Go-Ed I just Praise the Lord that Jordon and I are here. We are here for a purpose. I am so excited to see what the Lord will do with our lives through this experience. I can not say it enough...But thank you for all the prayers and support.

Intro to Our Rwandan Experience

A Glimpse of our Rwandan Experience...So far!

Alright, we are both in Rwanda. This place is amazing; there is a good climate, the land is green and people are very quiet and reserved. There is a place called Bourbon Coffee which is very nice, much like Starbucks, but it is very expensive! We enjoy going to Bourbon and just relaxing sometimes. It can be a good “get away” when we need a little western break from the Muzungu (white traveler) treatment. But to be honest, we could not have it any better here, we have made some friends and we have really enjoyed our class on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution. During our studies we have been able to visit many of the genocide memorials in which we were able to gain more knowledge and recognize the realization of this most tragic event. Here is an excerpt from my journal:
There were several things that left imprints on my heart as I ventured through this memorial museum. The first thing that struck me was the imagery of the machetes, guns and clubs used in the massacre; knowing that the tools that lay within reach of me were weapons that took the lives of men, women and most sadly children. The torture that was described in the journal entries, which expressed one of the most horrifying events in the history of the world, it was described that people were humiliated, tortured, beaten, mutilated, raped, then murdered. As I walked further into this diary of the genocide, I stood face to face with the clothes that were worn by victims at the time of their death, then photos of those who met their fate during this genocide. My stomach began to feel upset and I had to sit down in fear that I was going to vomit. The reality was beginning to hit the surface. These were real people, with real families, and real lives. They each had interests, fears, humor, and personalities each awaiting their future ambitions, goals, and dreams. The blanket of security that families found in each other, friends and their community was ripped away like that of a scab on a healing wound, by the same people which they found their security. I am disgusted and embarrassed by the sinful nature of mankind. I then stepped into a room filled cases that exposed the remains of the innocent. My mind has with drawn once more.

Although, studying the genocide can be extremely depressing it is best to focus on what is happening now in Rwanda. There are many NGO’s that are dealing with the reconciliation of Rwanda. There is one thing that I believe Leah and I have both have seen and that is how God is working through the people here to forgive one another. It is unbelievable the testimony that Rwandans have; here are a group of people that nearly wiped out half of there population due to genocide and the thing we noticed the most 14 years later is FORGIVENESS! It is incredible. Also, the people here are overwhelmingly accepting and nice to us. I have been greeted by children that run at me just to give me a hug, also men and women greet us in the most comforting ways. Today a young boy ran to me and in the little bit of English that he knew he said “May God be with you!” I think there is an ongoing trend here in Africa, and that is the value of people and hospitality that they have here. Leah and I are doing great and we miss everyone back home, but in all honesty we are having the time of our lives and feel that we are exactly where we should be. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Enjoy the photos and until next time Caio!

ETHIOPIA

Salam! That is Amharic for "hello"! For the past month I have had the most amazing opportunity to travel to Ethiopia, the second most impoverished country in Africa. In Ethiopia I taught 9th grade English in Tach Gayint - a small village in the middle of "no where" Ethiopia.
God really used this experience to teach me many different things. One of the the things that I learned was just how BIG our God is! I felt completely overwhelmed once I reached this village and had to figure out why in the world these students even have the desire to learn English. I felt like it was a pointless idea, but as I spoke to the students and the teachers I discovered that it was not only English that they wanted to learn, they wanted to develop their country. This seemed like an impossible thing for me to help with. As I stood on top of one of the mountains and looked down on Tach Gayint and realized how small it actually was and how little I was compared to that. This is when I realized that any change that I was going to bring to this place was going to have to come from God. I taught 2 classes and helped with starting up an English club for the students to develop their English better. Also, I taught computer skills to teacher. That was an experience, many of the teachers did not even know how to double click a mouse. But my friend Scott, another Go-Ed practicum student, helped and together we taught them to surf Encarta- b/c they had no internet! They really loved it once they got it figured out! Also, Scott and I helped with revising papers for some local Food for the Hungry projects. The picture to the top left is me with some of my students.

To the top right there is a picture of a beggar girl that lives on the streets of Addis Ababa- the capital city of Ethiopia. Many of the children are forced by their unemployed parents to beg for money. The children work all day asking anyone for change. I had a difficult time with this because I know that money will not solve there problem because they will just spend it and be righgt back to the same place. So, when I could I offered food to the families. Many times they were very grateful, but there were times when the children would just look at me and continue to beg for money. This was very disappointing. The children were only focused on money, they have been taught to accept only money. Please pray for the children in Ethiopia and all over the world that live difficult lives as these.

In this both of these photos above you can see just a little bit of the wild life in Ethiopia. There are wild camel that just travel in herds and then baboons. I also saw pelicans and hyenas. It was very cool. This was the Africa that everyone talk about when it comes to the scenery and animals. It is beautiful here, but it is very hot and dry. You can probably imagine just how excited I was when I saw all of these animals.

In these next photos, there is just a little bit of the scenery of in Ethiopia. At the left I am standing in the center of the two men, in the middle of a potato farm, directly in the middle of a beautiful valley. You can see the sun peircing through the mountains. On the right, I am standing in the middle in front of the Blue Nile Falls- just like what I imagine The Niagra Falls to look like. Here we saw some university students having a mud fight in the pools of the falls and decided to join them. They welcomed us in without question and we got as muddy as ever!!!

All in all I learned so much about my self and my relationship with God during this month long adventure. God is continually molding my heart and changing me for the better. I am so excited to now be back in Kampala, Uganda with Leah. We have been sharing all of our stories and we are excited to be with eachother again. Tomorrow we both leave for Rwanda, by bus, for 9 hours. It will be long and tiring I am sure, but praise God for this experience.
Continue to pray for both of us and we will try to stay in contact the best we can. Thanks and God Bless!!!

By the Power in Christ in Me!

Can you believe it...only nine more days until I have to leave Mbale! I am going to miss it here so much! The time flys when you are having fun! In the picture above is me and my good friend Livingston. Livingston left for Kampalla is might not be able to see me before i leave! Sadly to say this might be our good bye picture :( Livingston is a great man of God and ALWAYS has a smile on his face! Not to mention, he gave me motorcycle lessons!
Here are some pictures of my NEW Traditional African dress:

It is called a Gomez. You can where a gomez everywhere! Therefore i plan to where it all the time!

Besides a few pictures i also want to share something... while being here in Mbale I have been refreshed that the Lord dose not need me but, i am amazed to find that He wants me and is willing to use my for His purpose. Sometimes i get overwhelmed with how great poverty is in the world. Now Poverty is not just the person who is without food or a place to live but poverty lives in each one of us. How can I own or help something huge as poverty? But i was so relieved to know that God has it under control. With one breath God could heal the whole world, that is how much power He has....but how awesome it is that i can experience a glimpse of His glory but helping one person at a time. Therefore, I will stand on His Truth and I'll fight with His Strength until God will bring victory.

When i accepted Christ in my life i had no clue that so much power was living inside of me. If every Christan realized that they were walking around with amazing strength and power with world would be a different place. I will never get by on my own ability, how refreshing is that?

These Kids are some of my favorite kids in the world! there names are Peter and Faith. They are Moses Kids and they are a BLAST! Every chance I get i play with them! Peter is 3 and Faith is 7 (i think) they also have an older brother named Emma but he is not in the pictures...oops!






Pic #1 Kelly and I Holding Patrick's baby boy named Emma
Pic#2 Kelly, Me, Bruce, and his daughter Brooke they came to visit us in Mbale. Bruce works with Go-Ed
Pic#3 some cute kids from Makhai

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! It is hard to convey how much is going on here and how much God is moving here! Thank you again for all your prayers and support! I am having an experience of a life time for sure! I was really encouraged and happy to talk to my mom on the phone today! I miss everyone very much and you are in my thoughts daily! From today, i will see Jordon in 9days and i can not wait! but please keep on praying for him and pray for his travel back to Kampalla! below is a picture of Jordon and I before he left for Ethiopia! we went bowling in Africa! it was awesome. the first game i got 60 and the 2nd i got 27! but of course Jordon won by at least a hundred! lol God bless

Mbale Pictures and just a FEW stories

**This is a picture of a boy that fell in love with me at one of the home visits! before o picked him up his older brothers and sisters were betting up on him and no one was doing anything about it! Therefore, I picked him up and hold him in my arms until we left! I was very sad to leave this home because he was so cute!

Greetings to all! I love the weather here in Mbale! On the average it is about 90! Although it hot during the days it is cool in the mornings and evening since we are near the mountains! Some days I feel like i am getting more tan but, i think i have came to the conclusion that it is just dirt!

God has really be working in my life. Every morning the staff dose Bible devotions! It seems that every morning the staff and I hears from God in such a direct way. Yesterday, It was Moses turn to do devotions. The question that he ask: How can you know what do during difficult times in your life if you don't know the word of God?

Through out this whole trip I have found the major importance of the Bible and seeking God with your whole heart. It is really encouraging to see how much the African people depend on God as much as they do water; they can not live without Him.

*This picture is a poster hanging up in Makhai Village. It is showing the results of there school since FHI has been there. Since FHI has been there there school has improve 100%! Before the Child sponsorships and before FHI, they did not have a building for the classrooms, they taught school under the tree. In addition, this community has a health clinic (however, they don't have a nurse or a doctor), and the children has food to eat for lunch. Which no other school in the area has a meal plan for the children. Normally the children will go 6:00 am to 5:30 pm without eating anything. THere is about 90-120 kids in each classroom. The Makhai staff is praying for more teachers since there are so many children. It is so encouraging to see how much FHI is impacting the community. Here in a couple of years FHI will be pulling out of this community. FHI dose not want to create a welfare plan, but to help an community to there feet so that they may walk by themselves. I think that this community will be ready in a couple of years to do so but please be praying for them.

This is a picture of me and Paul in Makhai! He picked theses flowers for me! Paul works for FHI and he lives in Makhai! He is really good with the children and will be the first one out to play with them! His favorite thing is just to love on the children and smile all the time. I am pretty sure i have never seen him without a smile on his face. I think that it is Amazing to see how a huge NGO like Food for the Hungry hires amazing people. I am so proud of America and how we support an effort such as what Food for the Hungry does around the world. The staff here in Mbale has the FHI missions statement written in there hearts and minds and tries to live it out everyday!

"To walk with churches, leaders, and families in overcoming all forms of poverty by living in healthy relationship with God and His creation"

Here is a boy from Makhai- is makes me so happy! one day he pointed at my cross necklace and said... Jesus is living!

Thank you again for all the e-mails and facebook post they are truly encouraging! I hear That Jordon is having a good time and he will be back in to communication in about 11days! I am looking forward to see him!

Gretings from Mbale

Hello everyone! i am sorry that we have not updated the blog in A LONG TIME! Jordon is in Ethiopia and he really dose not have communication to the outside world. However, I hear he is doing great! He loves the food, the people and is teaching 9th grade English! Please keep him in your prayers!

But as for me! I am having the time of my life! Right now i am Mbale, Uganda which is about 12 miles from Kenya!During the week I work (more like play) at the the Child development program in two different village! The Child Development Program (CDP) works with children, teachers, and parents in the community to help raise a new generation. Therefore, during the week i make home visits to children's homes who are sponsored. When going on a home to visit, we make sure the child is going to school, ask them about the child's health and ask of we can pray for them. This experience has been amazing. Just to be able to see where theses children come from can be heart breaking. On the other hand, really rewarding because each family has a story on how God is working in their lives.

*These pictures of Home visits In the first pic the little boy gave us an egg for coming

In addition, I help children write letters to their sponsor, file paper work, play with them at break. go to meetings, and act like a goof ball by riding bikes and learning how to ride a motorcycle!

In Mbale I have met some amazing Godly people that has impacted my life as I know it! One man in particular is named Moses! Moses is the CDP coordinator for the Mbale district and he has the Food for the Hungry missions statement written all over his life. In short, he knows what it means to fully serve Christ and to everyday rely on God for his strength to help shape his community for the better. I feel like i can not write in words how much i look up to him! when I get home i want to tell you more about him!

*This is a pic the CDP staff went to a wedding them one sitting by me is Moses

I feel like i can not express everything that has happen within two weeks! But, I have learned how to cook tons of African dishes, learned how to hand wash my clothes, begin to speak another language.

* Vicki and i cooking!

Also the village community gave me a new name: Nakumitsa - which means planting and growing season. So now I introduce myself in the community: Malembe, Coma sinta casa Nukumitsa Layah. translated means: Peace, my name is planting and growing season Leah!


To end this blog I will just tell one of the many stories that i have.
This last weekend i went to church at the Salvation Army. And before church I was playing on this spin thing with the children. While i was playing I happen to break my favorite pair of flip flops that i bought here in Uganda! I was kind of upset! but there was this girl who took me and my shoe to go get it fix! The shoe Guy fix my shoe for free and i was so happy because nothing is free for a white girl in Africa lol . Since i was so happy i gave the man and the little girl a tip. While sitting in church that same girl who i gave a tip to sat by in church! when it was time to give the offering, I went up and gave some offering and so did the little girl! She gave everything that I gave her. This act of Kindness and Faith floored me because i knew she did not have any money or food for lunch or dinner yet she still gave it all to the Lord! I think this is how people should live. How much more can i give when a little 9 year old African gave everything she got?

I am sorry about not writing on the blog! internet and power is always hard to come by! But i miss you all! Thank you for all your support and prayers! I can not wait to share more with you all! But i have to go before the power goes out!
Love you Leah

Peace

White Water Rafting!!!!

It's not everyday that you get to experience life in a way that feels like death; but instead of pain you experience the adrenaline rush and constant excitement created from fear! This past Saturday, that is exactly what we encountered on our adventure. Along with the other 10 students in this study abroad program, about three Ugandans, 4 guys from Europe, 4 girls from Sweden and 3 other students working here in Kampala we traveled by bus headed towards the Nile River! Unfortunately, we did not bring our camera's in fear that the large waters of the Nile would engulf them. Fortunately, for us the Rafting company takes over 300 pics of the rafters and also takes an awesome video; which we bought!
Starting off, as we drove to the rafting company on the mountain next to the Nile there were monkeys jumping everywhere. It was very exciting! We finally arrived after about a 3 hour drive in a crowded bus on dirt roads. Taxi rides are always fun here in Africa! The best part is that when you stop at a gas station or rest stop tons of people come right to the windows to sell you things....you don't even have to get out! It's great! Like walmart on wheels! And Fried Grasshoppers are sold as a delicasy here!
Alright, lastly I will get to the River! It was like the Father of all rivers! Its rapids were as large and as frightening as a Semi-Truck headed straight for you on the highway! Well...maybe not that frightening, but they were BIG! At the beginning of our White Water experience we started off with some easy rapids, then by the end of the day we went on a killer of a Wave. It knocked the breath out of us! One of falls that we went on was a 18 foot waterfall! It was completely insane! That is the one in the photo! Funny story is that we got stuck in the root of the waterfall! It was hysterical and thrilling! We got thrown out of the raft on others and sucked away by undercurrents and whirlpools! Sounds dangerous, but honestly they staff they have working for them know each and every current there is! They do the river every day! One of the very last ones that we went on was called the "Bad Place" and it was! Our entire raft flipped! We had the time of our lives and there is so much more to tell you! We are sorry that it took so long to update the blog, but the internet is a little sketchy here and does not alway want to cooperate with us! Anyways, for the next month we will be going to different areas! Leah will be in Unganda; in just another area working with Children in hopitals and going on home visits to see children and I will be going to Ethiopia to teach High School English! Scary, eh!? Well, fortunately for Leah she will have full access to internet and have electricity. Sad thing for me is that I will not. I am completely roughing it! So for now I am saying "Good Bye" until a month from now! We love you all and Leah should update this a couple of times before I will talk to you! Thanks for reading the blog and God Bless!