During the last week in Rwanda, our team preached on various topics: love, fear, prayer, and personal testimonies. We continued to lead kids’ programs at school and church. Our budget allowed for us to purchase a mattress and sack of porridge for a young woman in need. We were able to visit her and meet her newborn baby.
One day, the students had exams so we couldn’t teach them English. Instead, we joined with a team of women in intercession. They shared their stories with us, telling how much God had brought them through. Most of them were single mothers with many children. One woman’s ex-husband had even hired men to kill her, but God delivered her. Spending time with them was very inspiring.
On a free day, we went to Akagera National Park on a safari. We saw lots of animals including zebra, giraffes, elephants, antelope, and hippos. Our driver and guide were very helpful, and we got to enjoy the scenery as well. For our last Sunday service, the pastor purchased an article of clothing for each one of us to wear. We were decked out in bright, crazy African prints while dancing and singing (and sweating).
After saying goodbye, we met with our squad for a Leadership Development Weekend at a beautiful location where the East African Revival began. We stayed at a place called Seeds of Peace, and we each got our own rooms with bathrooms, toothpaste, flip flops, and soap included!
Our travel day to Uganda included a bus ride to Kigali, a bus ride to Kampala, and a van ride to Rukungiri, our base town for the month. The biggest difference that I have noticed between Rwanda and Uganda is that Ugandans drive on the left side and the steering wheel is on the right side. Luckily, I won’t be driving here. People stare a little less and speak English a little more. Otherwise, things are fairly similar so far.
Our American host, Amanda, picked us up at the border and drove us to our living quarters, which is an Anglican diocese house. She co-founded an organization called Unified in Mission, whose mission statement is: “to serve and empower young men and women to receive the glory of Christ which is manifested on earth as it is in heaven.” Their website continues, “Our goal is to spread the love of Christ all over the world through creating stable education systems, providing clean water solutions, and establishing Christ-centered relationships.”
For our first two days of ministry, we drove about an hour and a half to another village called Garuka. We visited a school and sang and danced with the students. Their dancing includes a lot of stomping and jumping with more chest movement than in Rwanda. Sometimes, they yelp in high-pitched voices. I got to beat the drum for one song, which was super fun.
The kids wear green, white, and navy uniforms, but many of them don’t wear shoes. Some of their classes take place outside with a few benches and a portable chalkboard. Their current classrooms have been damaged by severe rain and wind, so they constructed a new building. We painted the inside and outside walls while jamming to music in the intense heat. At times, I wasn’t sure if the dripping was from paint or sweat. Lovely as always.
Our circumstances this month serve as a wonderful transitionary period to returning home. We live with two Americans, shop for and cook our own food, and clean after ourselves. We have lots of space, warm showers, and flush toilets. I am getting used to a fixed schedule again and trusting that when someone says we are leaving at eight in the morning, we actually leave at eight in the morning.
The power goes out fairly often, so Wi-Fi is not a guarantee. My team and I tried to find internet in town and got caught in a hailstorm. When we arrived home, there was a huge lightening flash and an immediate thunder clap right in our yard. We have yet to find where it actually struck, but it was crazy! Missing you all! Jess
