Our time in Rwanda was so sweet. It was filled with days of miscellaneous ministry and loads of afternoons of card games with our African “little brothers.” The family that we lived with was INCREDIBLE and our meal times together (with around 14 plastic chairs surrounding a tiny table and plate in our laps) definitely fall under my favorite memories in the home.
Pastor Innocent’s three sons, Joshua, Mucyo, and Prince, were always down for exploration, games, and accompanying us ANYWHERE we went. They drove us crazy and loved us deeply- and I know they will remain one of the biggest reasons that I love Rwanda.
Mucyo Innocent, the middle child of the family, celebrated his 13th birthday while we were living with them. We sang happy birthday, had a dance party, ate cake, and drank every form of soda you can imagine to commemorate his special day. He is the kindest and most gentle of the three boys- always looking out for others and we jokingly claimed he was a TOTAL angel.
While we were living with them, we found out that Mucyo was eligible to attend secondary school starting the next school year in Rwanda. However, he did not have the funds to go. In Rwanda, it costs anywhere from $120 to $150 USD to sponsor a child in school. It was obvious to me that the $150 I had was supposed to go towards schooling for the sweetest little boy.
By attending secondary school, Mucyo will be beating the odds in Rwanda for young men by astronomical measures.
When I gave the money to him, he was astonished and so excited to know that he would be able to attend school. It was so sweet and humbling for me to see what an impact this had on a 13-year-old boy.
Now, I am getting ready to head out to northern Uganda to live in and work in a refugee camp there. I will be heading there with my NEW team!
I am so excited to see what all this will entail and what spending Christmas here will look like!
Until then-
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM AFRICA!!!
Xoxo
Abigail
