This morning we leave for the states. I am having mixed emotions as we leave. I have found England to be pleasantly diverting. London is a city filled with culture and historical significance. I have thoroughly enjoyed the area where we are staying. My adjustment into another culture has come quicker than I expected and I feel that I was able to enjoy all that the city has to offer.
We visited Oasis Church in Nottingham and gave a presentation to around 100 people. The people were so responsive and I feel excited about what lies around the corner here in the U.K. Julia Negus, who has become our fast friend, arranged the meeting there at her parent’s church. She is going to be working on charity status for GFR U.K. We are praying that God will lead her to several people that would be willing volunteers for trustee responsibilities. God continues to blow my mind as we follow in step with Him.
Some of the highlights of being here have been eating Yorkshire Pudding with the Negus family, praise and worship and Oasis, our flat in Covent Garden and eating raspberries.
But of all the things that stick out to me here was our visit to see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. We took the children with us one day and I was absolutely stunned by the magnificence of the Royal Crown. Actually, I had goose bumps as I watched a video of the current Queen Elizabeth being crowned during her coronation as a young girl. She was so regal and the ritual was reverent and awe inspiring. It struck me that I was watching worship in action. Every one bowed down to her and she was worthy of that admiration and respect.
I think every heart has the desire to worship something. It is in us to give awe and respect. And when I watched that beautiful video with the horse drawn gold carriage procession and the red coronation robes… I can’t help thinking that one day I will be in heaven watching Jesus be crowned. I even was so bold as to imagine putting the heavy crown on his head myself. What an honor it would be to stand so close to Him that day. To see the scars from the thorns and then carefully cover it with the fur lined crown. What a moment that will be. He is so worthy of that kind of attention and awe.
Our lives have been challenged and transformed through our experience this summer. I have watched the children grow more patient and also become closer friends. They start school next week and I know that they are nervous to start in new schools. It is an adjustment that has to be made but with Africa under their belts, I feel more confident that they will do alright.
I have also learned that a little bit of suffering has made them better, not worse. The sacrifices we have endured, though small, have proven significant character builders. I am really proud of them.
So as we leave for home, I am excited to return to our wonderful church and I can’t wait to see all my friends who made this time possible. What a privilege it is for me to be entrusted with this mission to serve in Rwanda. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. He is the Potter and we the clay. Which one of us can ever imagine the shape He will create?
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Moon to metropolis...
We made it to London… central London. I have spent today fighting off tears and disassociating. We went to the grocery store and I had to steady myself. There was so much food and everything was so clean. We were able to find deli turkey for sandwiches! I stood in front of the precooked and prepackaged turkey and it took me almost ten minutes to decide what “kind” was best. Mesquite, thin sliced, turkey ham, thick, smoked… sheesh! I ended up going with the best price! But there is nothing like that in Rwanda at all…there is NO sandwich meat other than some odd salami. Basically, you go into the store and see what they have… If you have the money… you buy it! There are no choices!
Also, there are so many people packed together here. There are lots of different nationalities. Also, I have seen more skin in one day then in the last 2 ½ months altogether. I am completely shocked by the amount of tight clothing and exposed stomachs… Of course, it will be the same in America. But I completely forgot that women wear pants, let alone mini skirts.
I am especially being bombarded by sounds and lights. Everywhere there is loud music and bright lights. Right now I am sitting in our lovely flat in Covent Garden which has a real garden in a courtyard… and the street side is booming with laughter and loud music. I can hear glasses clinging in toasts and men and women in the middle of non-sense conversation. It feels like I have been dropped off the moon and into a metropolis. Within 17 hours I went from village life to inner city life and I haven’t adjusted. I keep trying to stay “present” for Ben and the kid’s sake… but I am loosing that battle!
Every person I have met here whether at the airport or on the street has been so polite and wonderful. They are very kind and accommodating to visitors. I have spoken today to Julia Negus, our UK contact in Nottingham. She made me feel so comfortable and excited about coming to their church tomorrow for our presentation. I can’t wait to visit the countryside… somehow I think I will probably feel VERY comfortable there!
So it is off to bed I go… I have a big day tomorrow. Re-entry is difficult… I feel confused and unable to take anymore stimuli into my brain. Hopefully a good sleep with help!
Also, there are so many people packed together here. There are lots of different nationalities. Also, I have seen more skin in one day then in the last 2 ½ months altogether. I am completely shocked by the amount of tight clothing and exposed stomachs… Of course, it will be the same in America. But I completely forgot that women wear pants, let alone mini skirts.
I am especially being bombarded by sounds and lights. Everywhere there is loud music and bright lights. Right now I am sitting in our lovely flat in Covent Garden which has a real garden in a courtyard… and the street side is booming with laughter and loud music. I can hear glasses clinging in toasts and men and women in the middle of non-sense conversation. It feels like I have been dropped off the moon and into a metropolis. Within 17 hours I went from village life to inner city life and I haven’t adjusted. I keep trying to stay “present” for Ben and the kid’s sake… but I am loosing that battle!
Every person I have met here whether at the airport or on the street has been so polite and wonderful. They are very kind and accommodating to visitors. I have spoken today to Julia Negus, our UK contact in Nottingham. She made me feel so comfortable and excited about coming to their church tomorrow for our presentation. I can’t wait to visit the countryside… somehow I think I will probably feel VERY comfortable there!
So it is off to bed I go… I have a big day tomorrow. Re-entry is difficult… I feel confused and unable to take anymore stimuli into my brain. Hopefully a good sleep with help!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Cry out to Him
August 8, 2006
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I had never met Providence Rubingisa at the Romeoville Public Library years ago. I wonder what I would be doing now… maybe I would be home putting together school supplies and watching the children play in a soccer league. Or maybe I would be cooking some cupcakes for Ben’s birthday (he turns 37 on Sunday). Perhaps I would even be reading a book on a lounge chair while the children went swimming in a chlorine rich pool.
But more often than that, I think about what I have an opportunity to do now. I get to live in Africa (who can say that anymore?). I get to see people go from poverty and trauma to self-sufficiency and esteem. I get to hear my son Nathan say, “I won’t mind doing dishes in America… it is nothing like the work people do here.” I get to see first hand the amazing God changes in people who used to believe God slept while they starved. I get to run after cows and goats in fields no white person has ever stood in or even gazed at. I have even started listening to my husband… that is the real miracle! Most of all, I have found prayer to be one of my biggest strengths.
I spent last night praying profusely… I couldn’t stop. I needed God to intervene. Even after falling asleep I would wake up and continue praying. I am not saying that to brag… actually… it is a sign of great weakness. I came to realize that there was nothing I could do about a situation. Only God could resolve it. I even dreamt my prayer.
Now the question is, would I needed to pray like this over school supplies, a soccer league or even at the pool? Maybe… but most likely not. What I have found is that great adventures and crisis’ require great prayers. For me I have always thought the easiest way to live would have been to choose the “just stay put” life... but the biggest spiritual growth I have experienced has always come during great struggle.
A friend of mine told me that she has watched me unfold from a bud to a flower in the last 3 years. I tend to look at the thorns much too closely. But after spending my life on the fast track to spiritual growth, I honestly think I have just begun the process. God is really getting a hold of me now. I can’t say I would “do anything” for the Lord… that simply is not true. I fight and scream on almost every new endeavor He brings my way. But at least now I am starting to recognize that there is something good that can come out of every hurt, every struggle, everything! He is a good God to be so patient with me.
With life passing me by, I don’t want to leave things unfinished OR unstarted! Whatever God wants me to do; I am praying that He gives me the continued courage to do it.
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I had never met Providence Rubingisa at the Romeoville Public Library years ago. I wonder what I would be doing now… maybe I would be home putting together school supplies and watching the children play in a soccer league. Or maybe I would be cooking some cupcakes for Ben’s birthday (he turns 37 on Sunday). Perhaps I would even be reading a book on a lounge chair while the children went swimming in a chlorine rich pool.
But more often than that, I think about what I have an opportunity to do now. I get to live in Africa (who can say that anymore?). I get to see people go from poverty and trauma to self-sufficiency and esteem. I get to hear my son Nathan say, “I won’t mind doing dishes in America… it is nothing like the work people do here.” I get to see first hand the amazing God changes in people who used to believe God slept while they starved. I get to run after cows and goats in fields no white person has ever stood in or even gazed at. I have even started listening to my husband… that is the real miracle! Most of all, I have found prayer to be one of my biggest strengths.
I spent last night praying profusely… I couldn’t stop. I needed God to intervene. Even after falling asleep I would wake up and continue praying. I am not saying that to brag… actually… it is a sign of great weakness. I came to realize that there was nothing I could do about a situation. Only God could resolve it. I even dreamt my prayer.
Now the question is, would I needed to pray like this over school supplies, a soccer league or even at the pool? Maybe… but most likely not. What I have found is that great adventures and crisis’ require great prayers. For me I have always thought the easiest way to live would have been to choose the “just stay put” life... but the biggest spiritual growth I have experienced has always come during great struggle.
A friend of mine told me that she has watched me unfold from a bud to a flower in the last 3 years. I tend to look at the thorns much too closely. But after spending my life on the fast track to spiritual growth, I honestly think I have just begun the process. God is really getting a hold of me now. I can’t say I would “do anything” for the Lord… that simply is not true. I fight and scream on almost every new endeavor He brings my way. But at least now I am starting to recognize that there is something good that can come out of every hurt, every struggle, everything! He is a good God to be so patient with me.
With life passing me by, I don’t want to leave things unfinished OR unstarted! Whatever God wants me to do; I am praying that He gives me the continued courage to do it.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
We met Uwimana's Wife Denise
She could not believe his own words, that he had gotten a job with GFR...
We put them up in "Hotel Pahlow" for 2 nights...
Fed them dinner
Then we went over the details, and asked Denise what she thought of moving the family north of Kigali, about 7 hours away from their current home. She was so happy! 
28 precious people buried behind us
Saturday we had lunch at the home of Pascal. Behind us was his family's memorial.
GFR COW DAY!
While at Pascal's home for lunch, we had 3 cows to give away, Sarefena (Petrovic) got 2 cows, and Theresphore (Haines) got 1 cow! Both families had to walk about 1.5 hours to get their cows. This photo is with Theresphore.
GFR COW DAY 2!
Sarafena with her two new cows. The only problem she had was she could not heard them back to her house by herself...we hired some help!
Lunchtime.
After the cows were distributed...we had a delightful lunch.
Even Sarafena was able to eat with us!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
A good day part 1
August 3, 2006Great day today… went to speak to the association presidents (27 associations) for our organizations and I felt so amazingly proud that we have leaders who care for their communities!!! Ben preached on leadership from 2 Timothy and what is expected of them. He did a wonderful job. It is weird to watch him growing with his speaking abilities… I felt really moved by his passion to serve the communities around our families. We really want God to impact the whole district we are in!
I also spoke some but mostly just to summarize Ben. He tells stories and I bring it to the bottom line! We make a good pair! I told the presidents, “I am leaving for America next week and I know that I am leaving the families in good hands.” They are good leaders… I know God will accomplish much through them. Of course, I started crying and everyone was saying, “Awwww….” and “Ummmm”. I really felt sad to think of leaving them. They are so loving… I will miss all their hugs and smiles.
A good day part 4
Melody and Travis pray for a very swolen throat.
Prayer for healing of a post fractured foot.
One of the presidents of an association led us in prayer to close the meeting.
Melody praying for a healthy pregnancy.
A good day part 5
Family Interviews begin
We saw a lot of very hopeful people!
Cyprien's desk.
Uh OH!
A good day part 7
Like a hurricane, this storm came in so fast and furious!
It rained so hard that we could not hear the interviews anymore!
Let's reschedule!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Uwimana
August 2, 2006Is it really August already? It seems like yesterday that I was frantically packing for 3 months of living abroad and setting up house. Now, we are near the end and somehow it feels hard to think about leaving.
I haven’t cried here in a few weeks, which is kind of strange for me. I am moved by the plight in Rwanda regularly. But for some reason, I guess I have come to adjust to being the “fixer”. I get in “do” mode and sometimes I push feelings aside and direct the focus towards accomplishing goals. I guess that is my personality.
My heart has been considering pain and suffering. I have been praying about being able to understand God’s purpose for it. There was a time in my life almost 10 years ago that I didn’t think Ben and I would survive our marriage. Then after coming through that trial with God’s grace, I arrived 4 years later to God uncovering deep trauma in my mind… it totally disabled me and I turned into mush before the Lord. I was desperate for healing and He pulled me from that deep pit as well. Of course, there are also the regular life struggles of 4 children, layoffs, and financial struggles intermittently, which God has brought us through too.
The reason I mention this is that I believe that God brought Ben and I through those deep valleys to minister to people around us in Romeoville. Then through that tiny step of giving our testimony, God had us begin to open our home to our neighbors and welcoming them into authentic community. That turned into hosting refugees from Rwanda and Somalia in our home which ultimately then catapulted us into our ministry in Africa.
All of these things could not have occurred without the initial suffering and pain that God allowed into my life. It is not what I was thinking about when I was enduring the struggle. I certainly can not believe what a huge plan God had for us… but here we are bringing radical change to the people of Rwanda.
Tonight we had a wonderful opportunity to offer Uwimana, who is our faithful security guard, a job opportunity with GFR. Because of his job, he has been away from his family for 6 years. In 2000 his first wife was killed. At that time, he was working here in Kigali and the two small children he had were without a mother. His home is 6 hours away. Anyway, his second wife is now caring for the two older children and they have another child. She cultivates a small piece of land. But they still live far away and he sees them four times a year. When we offered him this new position, he sobbed. He said, “I have been thinking about you leaving and I thought I would never see you again.”
You see, Uwimana has been trying for years to think of a way to be with his family and still have a job, but it has not been possible. He has lost time with his children, his wife, faced death alone and did what he had to in order to survive. Suffering? Pain? Yes. But if you met Uwimana, you would know that his lifeblood is Christ. His Bible is a mess. He lives off of it like we live off of bread. And tonight it hit me that all of his suffering has prepared him to serve. I know that his pain has propelled him into the hands of our great God and now he will be able to serve widows and orphans with a grateful heart and a true ministry to those who have suffered because he knows their pain!
I am not happy that Uwimana has been suffering. But without it, I don’t believe he would be a man ready to move his whole family into a strange new village of suffering people and really care for them. Nothing is official yet because I want to know that his wife is ok with all of this! But I think it will be as much a miracle for her as it was for him. He wept with joy as we welcomed him into the family.
One of the biggest changes in GFR has been the housing projects. We went from 2 homes built last year to 15 in the first 7 months of this year with 6 more coming down the pipe. And we hope to have many more. Uwimana will be supervising the building and ensuring progress, as well as negotiation and purchasing of materials. This is a position that we never dreamed we would need, until now! God is so good to provide exactly what we need as we need it.
If you have any interest in supporting Uwimana and his reunited family, please send your donations to us at GFR, P.O. Box 529, Wheaton, IL 60189 or go to our website www.globalfamilyrescue.org and use Paypal.
Soon I will be home… First we go to England to start GFR UK!
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