Church day!!

Church day was awesome! The drive there was rather bumpy, but the scenery was phenomenal, lots of fields with sorghum, bananas, beans and sugar cane. It's very lush and green with small houses dotting the side of the mountain. The mutatoo (mini-van) would come so close to all the people walking along side the road. We would wave and yell 'Muraho' (hello!) and most would smile and wave and yell muraho back. We were aware that there are not many 'mzungu' (white people/rich people) that come through here, so it's a BIG deal. When the van stopped at the school, we were surrounded by people, smiling and shaking our hands. They try to talk to us, and we try to talk back, but we each knew so little of the others' language. Soon we walked up the hill (about 500 yards) to the church. The building is small, so they set up a canopy and benches outside. There were about 400 in attendance. There were 4 different 'choirs' in the crowd, they each had 8-12 people and would stand and sing songs with motions. There was an interpreter for the message, so we could understand. Ben was asked to speak and told them how blessed we were to be there and how much we care for them. He tried a few of 'their' words which brought smiling and laughing!

As we walked back down the hill, many sponsored families lined up along the side of the road all wanting to hug us. I hugged several when I came to a lady holding a small baby (4 mos. old?) on her hip. The mom held her free arm out to hug me and as I approached to hug her the baby looked at me and literally screamed in terror! Talk about feeling like a foreigner! I felt like an alien (from outerspace) or something. The baby was obviously freaked out, probably never seeing a white person before, or it could have been my glasses or both! I patted the mom, not wanting to upset the baby, mom seemed to be apologizing to me and consoling the baby. Wow, that was a strange experience. Next I came to an old woman, probably the oldest there. She reached to hug me with such a warm, grateful look in her eyes. It was such a contrast from the screaming, frightened baby. As I hugged her, I began to cry, it was so moving.

We walked back down by the school, I held the hands of 2 little girls who were walking beside me, staring up at me. I reached out my hand and they smiled and were happy to be walking with me. We got to the school yard which was more level and many began playing soccer or volleyball (see photo of Alan!) Casey and Amber played volleyball too. A few other ladies and I tried teaching the children following us some songs! One of their moms got the hang of it and sang a few words with us. We were so hot and thirsty, but didn't want to drink in front of them, so Melody showed us to a school room where we could have some privacy. Then 2 of the ladies with us were able to meet the families that they sponsor. This was so moving. Suzanne's family actually cried with her. (it's very unusual for them to show emotion) It was so overwhelming they cannot put words on it yet. Just observing this was very moving and it makes me wonder how I will deal with meeting our family on Thurs.

We had a nice dinner, our chef Joseph is a good cook! Beef, potatoes and green beans with carrots. Then we all spent some time blogging and posting photos, then devotions and some discussion time and off to bed! We enjoyed reading all the comments and so appreciate all the prayers. Yes, I usually am a nervous traveler, but I have felt so comfortable and at peace, so I am grateful for the prayers! God is in Rwanda, for sure.

Oh, I didn't post much our first night, but I want all of you who donated items to the Withrows, the missionaries that live here in Rwanda, to know that they were so blessed by everything they received! They all showed up Sunday night in their new clothes and couldn't wait to come show me! It was so fun giving them those things and they truly send their heartfelt thanks to everyone! Astrid made chocolate chip cookies that day and Zoey told me she had 10! (her mom didn't think it was quite THAT many) Anyway, they enjoyed them!

Love to all, Pam