One of the most difficult things about coming to Rwanda is….well… leaving Rwanda for many of us. It is especially difficult when you feel like you are leaving - knowing that this work is so critical in the lives of so many people. It isn’t just the widows themselves but their children, and the families of our entire staff. Personally, when I think about it, I have to sometimes stop and rethink. This is not my project or the project of TVM. It is God’s project. The important thing is that His will is being done here and lives have been transformed.
Linda and Cynthia arrived at about 2:00 AM on Saturday. We all got some needed rest and made our second trip Amani Ya Ju (widows sewing co-op) where we were having some things made for The Vineyard Marketplace and our online store. They do some amazing work and it is so wonderful to know that we are helping their organization as well as ours when we purchase from them. It helps keep food on their tables and sends their many children to school. TVM is Amani Rwanda’s largest customer! What a blessing that is to us!
Earlier in the week, Molly and Ollie said their goodbyes to the widows and Saturday evening they left Kigali, headed for Austin via Brussels and Newark. I spoke to Molly a few hours ago and they had made it through customs. They should arrive into Austin and 106-degree heat in few hours…ouch! It is about 60 degrees here this morning…ahh to be in Africa in July!
After an English church service in Kigali, we headed up to Sisters of Mother Theresa Orphanage that is located behind Saint Famille Church (from the movie Sometimes in April). Linda arrived with a giant suitcase of beautiful baby clothes that had been donated by many people at her home in Brooklyn, NY. They were so grateful. This orphanage is one of the only orphanages approved in Rwanda for international adoptions. On average, there are approximately 100 children (mostly babies) hoping to be adopted. There are 12 sisters that work there. What we found so sad is that nobody is allowed to hold the babies… there just isn’t enough people to comfort them after they get used to being cuddled. Very,very sad.
After a quick lunch, we headed to the public bus station for our return to Ruhengeri. We had so much luggage, so again, we left in shifts. The girls and I went in the first round with pots, looms, spindles and all kinds of things in our laps. Sean and Thomas were on the bus that left 30 minutes later with the rest of the luggage. The girl’s bus stopped a few times and we ended up arriving into Musanze within about 10 minutes of each other. Mambo met us there and took us to our house where the second team was greeted by all 10 of our ladies and some of their children. The ladies were wearing their finest – orange Bake the Cycle shirts and beautiful African fabrics wrapped into skirts. They welcomed the new girls as well as Sean and I with praises to God in song and dance…no wonder it is so hard to leave them!
It is now about 7:30 AM and we will be leaving the house shortly for a full day of work. First, we are off to the land to gather flowers, eucalyptus leaves and other items that Linda will need as she begins and in-depth training with the widows on dyeing yarn. Please keep all of us in our prayers as we learn and support Linda!
Thank you so much for your continued prayers!
Blessings,
Diana
Linda and Cynthia arrived at about 2:00 AM on Saturday. We all got some needed rest and made our second trip Amani Ya Ju (widows sewing co-op) where we were having some things made for The Vineyard Marketplace and our online store. They do some amazing work and it is so wonderful to know that we are helping their organization as well as ours when we purchase from them. It helps keep food on their tables and sends their many children to school. TVM is Amani Rwanda’s largest customer! What a blessing that is to us!
Earlier in the week, Molly and Ollie said their goodbyes to the widows and Saturday evening they left Kigali, headed for Austin via Brussels and Newark. I spoke to Molly a few hours ago and they had made it through customs. They should arrive into Austin and 106-degree heat in few hours…ouch! It is about 60 degrees here this morning…ahh to be in Africa in July!
After an English church service in Kigali, we headed up to Sisters of Mother Theresa Orphanage that is located behind Saint Famille Church (from the movie Sometimes in April). Linda arrived with a giant suitcase of beautiful baby clothes that had been donated by many people at her home in Brooklyn, NY. They were so grateful. This orphanage is one of the only orphanages approved in Rwanda for international adoptions. On average, there are approximately 100 children (mostly babies) hoping to be adopted. There are 12 sisters that work there. What we found so sad is that nobody is allowed to hold the babies… there just isn’t enough people to comfort them after they get used to being cuddled. Very,very sad.
After a quick lunch, we headed to the public bus station for our return to Ruhengeri. We had so much luggage, so again, we left in shifts. The girls and I went in the first round with pots, looms, spindles and all kinds of things in our laps. Sean and Thomas were on the bus that left 30 minutes later with the rest of the luggage. The girl’s bus stopped a few times and we ended up arriving into Musanze within about 10 minutes of each other. Mambo met us there and took us to our house where the second team was greeted by all 10 of our ladies and some of their children. The ladies were wearing their finest – orange Bake the Cycle shirts and beautiful African fabrics wrapped into skirts. They welcomed the new girls as well as Sean and I with praises to God in song and dance…no wonder it is so hard to leave them!
It is now about 7:30 AM and we will be leaving the house shortly for a full day of work. First, we are off to the land to gather flowers, eucalyptus leaves and other items that Linda will need as she begins and in-depth training with the widows on dyeing yarn. Please keep all of us in our prayers as we learn and support Linda!
Thank you so much for your continued prayers!
Blessings,
Diana
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