| Day 7
Widows and Orphans
Solace Ministries gives holistic assistance to those traumatized by the
genocide, especially widows and orphans. In a large room, filled with
young parentless children and widows, we were welcomed by smiling faces
and words of greeting. They told us they had prayed for "foreigners"
to come to see them. We each gave a word of greeting expressing our relationship
with them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Then we heard their tragic
testimonies. Two widows spoke first, one who walked hesitantly due to
brain injuries and another who wore a wig because her head injuries had
still not healed after 10 years! We also heard from a young orphan, left
to care for 5 siblings when all of her adult relatives were lost to the
genocide or AIDS.
We were asked to pray for necessary resources. It was a powerful experience
for us all. Many in our group were moved to believe that perhaps WE are
the resources. We are committed to exploring ways to make a difference.
We cannot do everything, but we can do something!
Hospitals
Nearly 3,000 patients are cared for at this hospital. There are separate
wings in low brown buildings for different departments. From the size
of the buildings, the maternity ward appeared to be the largest –
a sign that from death, God brings life!
Our MPPC team of four went to the small chapel with our translator and
hospital chaplain for a 30-minute prayer and praise service. These services
are held every noon for both patients and medical staff. Rwandans are
very expressive and their music is lively and full of joy. In this land,
praise and prayers are truly a joy-filled experience.
About half of the 25-30 people in attendance were patients and the other
half, nurses. Each member of our team brought greetings with Bob Bevier
leading off. We were able to talk briefly with a few patients and nurses
who spoke a little English afterwards.
In leaving the grounds many beautiful children came up and wanted to
touch us or shake our hands. The sight of so many deformed and crippled
patients along the corridors made the reality of what these brave people
have suffered through the genocide, and the last 10 years, more real for
us.
Schools
Patti and Justin went to the King David Academy today with four members
of the Canadian team and Pastor Paul Desire from Kigali. We introduced
ourselves and each shared a brief portion of our story. Then, Paul gave
a powerful sermon on Matthew 27 about the "notorious" Barrabus.
The students loved it! When we arrived, the students shied away from having
their pictures taken. When we finished, it seemed they all wanted to join
in photos. It was great to be with so many young, beautiful, smiling faces.
It brought despair to our hearts, however, to think that many of them
were orphaned since the genocide, and have been running the household
for years since a very young age.
|