Been here almost a month now!

Hey

So I have got just over a week and a half left at Urukundo in Rwanda to go and only one day left helping out at the school before the school holidays.

It has been great living in the same compound as all the kids, as well as being sticking with the same class at the school each day. It has allowed me to get to know the kids so much better than if I was just coming in for a few hours each day. Rather than just being known as some random Muzungu (white man) that they all swarm round, it has allowed me to hang out with just one or two of the kids at a time, playing a game, reading a book or helping with there homework and getting to know them a bit better. 

I managed to meet up with some of the friends I made last time I was here this week as well. It was great to see them again. I had an amazing meal around Bosco's house and got to meet his family (as well as having freshly made passion fruit juice!), he has had a new baby since last time I was here. I also met up with another friend called Olive, she too has had a baby since I was last here but I didn't get chance to meet the baby as she was asleep, she is going to visit Urukundo on Friday which will be great to spend some more time with her.

Visiting Bosco has meant going into town a few times this week, each time passing Muhanga Prison as well as many people begging on the streets. It is sometimes easy to forget when living in a place like Urukundo, where the children are loved so much and cared for, about what life is like for those who don't have anyone looking out for them, not just in Rwanda but around the world. 

This has to be where the Church comes in. It is by far the largest network of communities in the world, situated in some of the darkest and most desperate places, and it has a mandate to care for the most vulnerable in society, love the least the last and the lost and seek justice. It is the Church falling in love with Jesus, and God's love bubbling out of it into the community around them that is going to bring about change that we so desperately need in the world. 

Just over 2 weeks has passed since I arrived here and I feel that I am getting a bit more into the swing of things now.

I am helping out at the preschool week days, with one class in the morning and one class in the afternoon. It has been hard work but really good. The teacher will start the lesson with some songs and than get them to do some exercises on the board. Whilst this is going on I write an exercise for them to do in there books. After they have finished the work on the board they go and do the exercise in there books and I wonder round helping where I can. The rest of the time is taken up with reading to them, playing and going to visit the animals.

There are 4 voulanteers including my self staying here now, one person from Rwanda, someone from Germany (we watched the world cup semi-final together and he was very happy!) and someone from the USA. It has meant that evenings are less lonely now, with people to talk to, or even just company for each other whilst we read.

The main thing which has got slightly annoying is the electricity, or lack of it. It seems to turn off several times a day for several hours at a time. Most of the time it is fine as it is bright enough not to need lights at day and we have solar powered lamps for the evening, but gets frustrating when trying to Skype people back home!

The more time I spend here and get to know the children the more I realise how amazing this place is and what an impact it is making on the children's lives. Being told some of the stories about how the kids ended up here was heartbreaking, but it is increadible to see how they have been loved and taken care of so much here that they are happy, noisy, cheerful children (even if a bit grumpy just before dinner!). You wouldn't be able to guess there background if you met them.

It seems like such a great image of what the Bible says relationship with God is like. When we enter a relationship with him we are battered and bruised and dirty, but he loves and cares for us so that all the past rubbish is washed away and we become part of his family.

And that is exactly what he calls the church to do as well, to love people, no matter what there back ground, where they are coming from or where they are at, but to simply love them! And we have the hope that Jesus' love for people will bubble up in the church so we are moved to dismantle the unjust systems in the world, speak up for those who have no voice and love everyone who comes across our paths.

I have learnt in the 2 weeks since being here that even when we think there is nothing we can really offer, that there is huge value in simply loving someone. Use all the skills and talents you have in loving people, but when you end up in a situation where there is nothing practically you can do, just love them.

Hope you are all having good weeks!

Chris

So i have been here about a week so far and I thought I would write a quick post about how it has gone so far.

It felt strange sitting in departures without anyone else there, especually as just a week and a half earlier I had been sat in the exact same departure lounge with Karin about to go to Prague. After the initial strangeness wore off it was fine though, the flight was good, changed over in istanbul and it was really interesting to see the city and all the boats nearby all heading towards the narrow channel through to the mediterainian.

I ended up arriving in Kigali half an hour late so by the time we got back to muhnga where I am staying it was 1:30 in the morning!

The first day was a bit of a getting to know the children's home, the staff and some of the children. In the afternoon I sat in on a preschool. The weekend was pretty lonely as I didn't really know anyone by that point, but as this week has gone on I have got to know people alot better. On Monday I was observing another class, than there was a national holiday on the Tuesday. I have been in the preschool since than helping out with the lessons. It has been difficult as I am not used to interacting with such young kids, but has been good fun.

Meal times are fun, I eat with all the children for lunch and dinner, which can be a very loud experience! The food is good, pretty much the same most meal times but good food.

The evenings have got some getting used to. All the children are in bed by 8 and I usuraly go back to my room not long after. With only very basic internet function on my kindle I have ended up using the time to read and to chat to God about things. It has been really good, and often challenging, having this time with almost no distractions as it has forced me to listen to and really think about what he is saying and what I am going to do about it.

There are a few things I would really appreciate prayer for!

1. Language barrier - I know enough Kinyarwanda to ask someones name, how old they are thankyou etc but is hard getting to know people with only these phrases!

2. Learning names - particularly with the kids, I have learnt about half there names but would be great to learn all there names, particularly to avoid confusion about things!

3. That I can be helpful with the work I am doing in the preschool

Chris