“We had a really busy day in Kigali … but WHAT A DAY! It was wonderful!!!

We spent the morning doing home visits with the women that Tubahumurize works with. Yesterday we attended their group counseling session and despite the lack of understanding (everyone was speaking Kinyarwanda) we could understand the emotions and the amazing love and support they offered each other. When the leader asked them who would like us to visit them in their homes, they all raised their hands! I couldn’t imagine walking to all 18 homes!

During our visits we met a young lady (19 years old) and her brand new baby … less than 24 hours old! What struck us the most about her village was that it is full of women who were raising girls.  We brought these ladies bags of rice, gave them Canadian flag pins, shared our family photos, and prayed for them. We loved being with them, but left with heavy hearts. So much could be done … so little is being done … and it could be done in increments … so easy! 

Later in the afternoon, we visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Then at 4:00 p.m. we went out to visit the soccer teams we had sponsored last year. Little did we know, they planned a whole program for us. There were signs to thank us for the jerseys, there was singing and dancing … and an exhibition soccer match! We had our pictures taken with them and they loved on us a great deal. I can’t believe how grateful they were for something so simple as a few dozen jerseys. We were very humbled by their response. 

Tomorrow we are off to Gisenyi. We have hired a car for the day and will be accompanied by my friend Olivier. He was so excited to be asked to join us. He is fluent in at least 5 languages and is the best translator here … and he is very protective of us … the best qualities for a guide! 

We are having a wonderful time. We are both healthy and really enjoying ourselves here. Thank you for your prayers. We are well taken care of, to say the least!”

“Well, we’ve arrived in Kigali … two red-eyes back to back is a little wearisome but we made it!  Thus far we have met several individuals from the US Ministry of Defence, and a fellow from Calgary – Andy – who spoke at the Rwanda genocide memorial a year ago. He is taking his daughter to Rwanda for the first time. Andy left during the genocide but still has many family members there. This should be quite a trip for them! Andy was so sweet to us … he even offered us a ride to the place we would be staying! So even before we arrived in Rwanda we felt loved and cared for. These Rwandese sure know how to do hospitality!

When we arrived in Kigali, we were greeted by our friends Eddie, Bonita and Olivier. A brief visit with Olivier and plans were made to join him for a concert that he is performing in on Friday … should be great fun!  Today has been a lazy day. The weather is gorgeous here … mid-twenties and a light breeze – awesome! We’ll take in culture and then set to work tomorrow. Off to the market and the Genocide Memorial and some more time with Eddie and Bonita … a good day for our first. We are meeting at the Tubahumarize office at 9:00 for the group counseling sessions that they run. We can’t wait to meet the women there.

On Wednesday, Eddie has arranged for us to meet the soccer teams that we sponsored last year … bringing them jersey and cleats. The teams have blossomed and grown – they have become known as the teams to reckon with. It will be great to continue to support this team and their coaches.

We will keep you informed as we go along. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!”