Today was a slightly less hectic day for the team and we were able to sleep in as we didn’t need to be at breakfast until 8:30am.  The day started well with devotions ably led by Sam as we got together in Steve’s room to listen to worship, reflect and pray together.  After breakfast we went to the Champions Centre where John Kalenzi took some time out of his busy schedule to give a group of us an in-depth tour of the centre and the new wall.  What a wall! Wow, now Steve reckons that’s a wall!

After the “wall” we got to spend some time up close and personal with John and were blown away by what an awesome man the good ark AEE has at the helm, a man filled with both compassion and vision.  It is truly inspiring to see that Riverview has developed ties with and supports a man of such integrity as John.  We are evermore committed to support him, his team and the people of Rwanda with our prayers and our talents.

The afternoon saw us take what best could be described as a wide goat track to a small village nestled atop one of the far flung hills of Rwanda for a school outreach.  We arrived to the sounds of the 150+ students singing worship songs that we couldn’t understand but could certainly feel.  After some worship and simple introductions the Riverview team broke out in song to the accompaniment of violin by Iron (Ian) and Olivier on keyboard.

Matayo (Matthew) started the meeting by sharing his testimony whilst Finnius from AEE translated for the students.  The students were absolutely blown away by Matayo’s testimony as were those of us who had not heard it before.  Matayo was ably followed by Steve who preached a message about being “on board” with Jesus through the story of Noah and his Ark.  A truly inspiring message that obviously had an impact on the students because Pastor Chiz gave his testimony and made an altar call that was answered by about 50 young people.

This was a truly inspirational day, as well as a day filled with firsts for this blogger,  despite being in resistance to singing in front of a crowd not only did so but did it with joy and pleasure.  I realised that God brought me to Rwanda to help me to see that He doesn’t want just the fruit of my talents to support a solution in Rwanda and our world but he wants me to be a part of the solution in how I am and by my physical presence on the ground.

Laslo

It is becoming clear that we all very excited about being here, everyone has shaken off the jet lag and is enjoying their experiences. Today we took advantage of the weekend by going to the Centre of Champions first thing. The beautiful thing about today was that we didn’t have an agenda, we just got to hang out with the kids. Of course I managed to get a soccer game going. Some of us took a guided tour of the premise and through the facilaties, heard the stories of how the funding came together future plans of development and the dreams that will come to pass. It is easy to see how attached we are getting to the Champions by the time it takes leave, no-one is in a hurry especially the kids. It has been mentioned today during our reflection time the contrast between those who have been at the centre for a few year and the transformations they have been through in all aspects of their lives. So to anyone who has been to Rwanda thank you for have a profound influence in the lives of these young men and women, and to those of you who provide support in any way thank you, without you these kids could potential still be living on the street.

This afternoons activity was to go along and sing, minister and hang with some of the regional students. I think we all had some apprehension about singing in front of 150+ students, our fears melted away as soon as we arrived hearing the songs being sung just because we turned up. So we sung and it was good, to the point where we will enjoy it even more tomorrow. We ministered on how Jesus is the new ark for us to be saved by, just like Noah built an art to save his family and those who would believe in God. It was really impacting for those present as almost half came forward to accept Jesus as Lord over there life. Praise God!

After enjoying another bountiful feast at the AEE office in Rwamagana, we are settling down to enjoy the rest of the evening looking forward to the events of tomorrow, so until then good night and God bless.

Spent the morning with a group of villagers doing ground preparation for new crop planting.

The ground looks good, but its heavy clay and very hard in this dry season.   Amazing to think that what they grow is what they eat.   No IGA store down the road.     Carrie had a great time with the kids, singing and stickering heads and faces.     I reckon these kids could empty the Red Dot stores in Oz of all their sticker stocks.

We then walked 2-3 kilometres to join these people in working on a new house for a 17 y/o girl who is looking after two younger brothers.    The whole village and other community are involved. 

What  a fantastic thing to cart mud and be a part of something that will mean sooo much to this girl and her family for years.    Jesus said we are his eyes, hands and feet in the world, so a dozen

“ muzungu’s” took Jesus into a building project theses people will remember.      Never done anything like this before.     So glad I came to Rwanda.

Steve

After a very restful night we had our first devotions in preparation for the upcoming day, many of us still confused by the dynamic leadership that is such a delight especially as everything happens on African time.

We piled into the vehicles and went off road. The roads here are marvellous on major roads, take one turn off and its like battling a driveway to an old abandoned mine that has been parked on the side of a mountain. Once we arrived at the parking lot (small tree with shade), the muzugu’s started the invasion. The walk down the goat track took us past some of the most breathtaking views God has put on this earth. We arrived at the first child headed household, where a young girl of 19 was looking after her brother whom is lame. We took up some hoes and set to work ploughing around the small banana plantation she owned. It was a true blessing to be able to give practical help and minister to many of the young kids who had turned up from all kinds of nocks and crannies on the hillside.

From there we walked back up the goat track to where the construction of a home for another child headed household. Many of us carted water from a nearby pump to make a mud slurry that acts as mortar between the bricks. A few trips of that saw to it that a nap may be in order later in the day. I was privileged to lay a few bricks (with some supervision), it was quite impactful for many of us who experienced God in ways that are both confronting and rewarding, it put the western thinking to the teat for sure.

After lunch and some rest we headed back to the Centre for Champions, we had science experiments, kite crating and flying tutorials, Frisbees and of course a soccer game that only got partly out of control when 35 or so kids joined in. All in all it was a very rewarding day and has seen new friendships starting, hopefully these connections will continue tho develop over the course of the week and in the future.

Thanks for checking in and supporting this wonderful country, more stories tomorrow so until then good night and God bless.

The journey begins! The final 2 members of our team arrive on a delayed flight from Nairobi, and the journey to Rwamagana got under way with a lazy start of 11am. Driving along the full sealed road we saw the most beautiful scenery of the rolling hills, it is so picturesque. “The Land of a Thousand Hills” is not an understatement, and the fields are lush with crops of maize, banana trees, kassava and sugar cane. Upon arrival at St Agnes we checked in to the beautiful rooms, where hot showers are bountiful. Being eager to see the kids from the Centre for Champions I took a solo mission to the Centre for a game of football. It is amazing how many people turn up when a muzungu turns up with a football. After about 2 hours the altitude had wore me down and I returned, only to go back 30 minutes later. The teachers and students became overcome with excitement when they saw Inge and Pastor Chiz, it was almost celebratory.

Later that night the feast prepared for us was beyond what I would expect from some local buffets in Perth. The team is starting to gel together well, our first debrief night is a wonderful way to end the day. We share experiences from the day and talk more about the beauty of the Rwandese people and the wonderland we are now beginning to call home.

Until tomorrow good night and God bless

Today we visited two church memorial sites for victims of the genocide, Nyamata and Ntarama. This was the first time I had visited these churches. You see pictures and hear the stories but nothing can prepare you for the atmosphere and the realness of these places.

Nyamata was the first church we visited. Driving towards it you see from a distance the purple and white banners and flags surrounding the area. The two colours are significant to the memorial, and are used at every memorial site for the genocide, the purple represents the genocide and the white represents hope for the future. The outside of the church is well kept and maintained well. And then you go in...

I thought I was prepared to see inside this church, but as I said before, nothing can prepare you. Looking through the doors that had been mangled and broken by grenades thrown at them you see thousands and thousands of dirty and bloodied clothes covering the floor, clothes that belonged to the people who sought refuge in this place from the guns and machetes outside. Unlike 1992 the Tutsi’s were not safe in these sacred places.  Our guide pointed out the place in the church where the parents had placed their children, thinking they would be protected by the brick wall. The brick wall worked but when the church was searched by the Hutu’s they found the children and murdered them. Smashed against brick walls, there was no mercy.

So many emotions took over me. I couldn’t stop crying and was completely overcome with sadness. Then my sadness turned into anger. I was, and still am, so so angry at this merciless and pointless act of violence and murder to over 1 million people. And where were we? Where was the western world to help when Rwanda needed us the most? Rwanda felt forgotten. We went through the Genocide Memorial Centre, the more factual part of our day, and watching a video this was what one young woman said, “We felt like we had been wiped off the earth”

Rwanda is a beautiful country full of beautiful and inspirational people, but of course they can’t forget what happened 17 years ago and they are still recovering from it. Forgiveness is happening and I praise God that it is because no way could it happen without Him! It amazes me that people can look at the person who murdered their family in front of their eyes and say “I forgive you”. These truly are amazing people!

Hannah

Day 1 was by all accounts a very confronting day. For those of you that know the story of the genocide in Rwanda wouldn’t be prepared for the events we faced today. After a rather disjointed arrival of the team we have all now got our feet on the ground. We visited Ntrama and Nyamata genocide sites. These two churches became genocide sites due to the massive atrocities that happened. Nyamata, was our first stop. This church was a safe haven during early attacks on Tutsi tribe members in 1992, all of the people who sheltered here were free from harm, and this then stood to reason that in 1994 when the genocide took full force 10,500 people sought shelter here. On the 15^th of May 1994 every soul hiding in or around the Nyamata church was killed, including women and children. The stench of stale blood and the old clothes hung in the air as a reminder of the horror of that day. At the Ntrama church on the 14^th of April 1994 a similar event happened and 5,000 people were put to death. For many of you reading this it may be shocking and to others it may be unfathomable. Believe me it is a wide eyed way to be introduced to Rwanda.

Rwanda. A country that is the most under evaluated place I have ever been. As you just read from my mild description of the 1994 genocide, many including myself may expect to find people who are filled with hate, despair and revenge. I tell you with great gladness that Jesus the Son of God has turned this country around. There is a joy that radiates from every Rwandan smile and the hospitality is beyond reproach. Each person celebrates their life with a sense of purpose. I feel truly blessed to be here. Tomorrow we will travel to Rwamagana where we will meet the orphans at the Centre for Champions. I hope over the next 2 weeks you will be inspired and touched by the stories from the 2011 Rwanda Impact trip that your heart is impacted to come to this wonderful country “The Land of A Thousand Hills”.

Good night and God bless

MONDAY

This was a challenging and emotional day for the team, where we gained a deeper insight into the 1994 genocide.

Kigali Memorial Centre

We visited this centre that educated us on the 100 day massacre, taking over 1 000 000 lives and resulting in 85 000 child headed households and 300 000 orphans, some of whom we were able to support and build relationship with during this trip. From the displays, we learnt that the Belgians initially empowered the Tutsis, i.e. the Rwandan minority who were taller, with fairer skin, narrower noses (etc). However later the Rwandan Hutu majority gained control. This led to years of conflict. However in April 1994, the Hutu Rwandan president was shot. The shooter remains unknown. This led to massacres of Tutsis, moderate Hutus, and anyone who tried to help the victims, by the Hutu extremist military, who attempted to eliminate Tutsis. Victims were tortured, raped and mutilated. For me, the most confrontational information learnt here was that though the International community knew, had the power to stop the genocide, and yet took over three months to do so.

Nyamata Genocide Memorial

We also visited two genocide memorials. This centre, like many others across Rwanda, honours the lives of over 10 000 Rwandans killed. This church was a place where many victims sought refuge, thinking it was a safe hideout. But rather, we were told it was an easy target for mass murder, victims being burnt alive, or killed by grenades or by hand.

As we were led throughout the church, we saw piles of clothes once worn by the victims sprawled across the floor. Their blood still stains the floor, walls and ceilings. Their graves surround the site. Shelves of their skulls and bones, some even still with the spears that penetrated through, were displayed.

Seeing all this made the genocide so much more real and close to our hearts. We all reacted in different ways, from anger to hurt, confusion and emptiness. A question that kept running through my mind was - where was our Father God of love, who is supposed to protect His children, in all of this?

However 16 years later I see a nation that is healing. The Rwandan community has learnt to forgive and care for one another. Instead of questioning God and holding onto the immense loss, pain and suffering, I have seen the Rwandans, like the champions from the centre, with hope for the future, singing praises to God. Those responsible for the killings are trialled by courts, must ask the community for forgiveness, and pay penance. Although I may question the justice afforded, I can see that the Rwandans let our God of justice be the ultimate judge, who will one day set things right. I think the whole team has learnt a lot from the forgiveness and trust in God from the Rwandan community, and can really see God’s joy, hope and love in them as a result.

What made the day more difficult was later saying murabeho / goodbye to our friends from the centre of champions. Each of us left them with a message, i.e. that: God will never leave them, even through the valleys, that God would always forgive them..........

So we woke up to our usual amazing devotions session, yet another riveting dive into the depths of our relationships with each other and God.  After breakfast, pastor Ezekiel the great, took us all as one group to his church. Walking into that place was an experience in itself. Ducking under scaffolding and through half built walls into a big mudbrick hall where people were on their feet dancing and singing praises to the Lord, accompanied by a bass player and a keyboardist running a synthesizer drum beat, along with the unsteady hum of an old generator in the backround. We were fortunate to listen to 3 separate choirs, the childrens, youth and adults and then they were forced to listen to 3 songs of ours and pastor Chiz’s preaching. Haha jokes we were great! The whole thing was Radical. God was certainly there.

After Lunch the team split up and some drove out to a womens support group and the others went to kindergarten. At the womens group we reconnected with friends that we had made last year and Gatesi (Sheryn) shared with them how it was touching to see that the were still meeting together and growing. These ladies don’t just meet together though, they make incredible things by hand. We all purchased many earings, bowls, baskets and necklaces. In order to support this group further some of us are creating a website where we will be selling their items.  If you would like to purchase any please call Sheryn on 0439 962 338.

The rest of the team delivered the most amazing dolls that had been made by hand by the ladies in perth at Barbara Ridyard's Seniors Connect Group.  The 22 kids that received the dolls were awestruck as this was probably one of the best gifts they had ever received.

Later in the afternoon we went back to the Center of Champions where Ingeburg delivered her testimony about Gods insane restoration capabilities. We sung more songs together and after Inge’s word had an alter call in which we all prayed for each other amidst a thick presence of God. We all felt like something really powerfully was done through us. It was a brilliant day that everyone was mega stoked about, the most high God is using us!

Rosco

Dear blog readers,

This blog is proudly supported by Sheryn Binks (Gatesi-Keza) and the letter R.

I’d like to document the experience of the 2010 Riverview team for day 7 of 14, to be remembered for the rest of time.

Today was great! After an initial disappointment in finding out that we would not be visiting the prison (6000 people) because of the elections coming up, we quickly made other plans.  We spent a couple of hours this morning at the Center for Champions which was flipping sensational. Of the 3 years I’ve been with the team spending time at the Center, today was definitely my most special day.  We split off into 2 groups as we have been doing each time we visit them. The majority of the team hung out with the majority of the champions and taught them how to play ‘bump’, did piggy-back races, played hacky and other way fun things.  Chiz, Dave, Sam and myself met again with the young Bible study leaders which was just incredible. We decided to open it up for questions today instead of giving them training on small group facilitation. We were definitely blown away by their questions and had about 2 hours of full-on theological discussion with our favourite Rene helping to translate. Some of the questions included:

“What is the difference between bible study and theology?”

“Why is Satan on the Earth and why do we die?”

“Should baptism be full emersion or water on the head?”

“What is the significance of the number 666?”

“Where is heaven?”

And lots of others! Chiz was really great and gave very comprehensive answers for the leaders. Overall, it was very amazing to be part of such deep fellowship with these beautiful and strong young Rwandans. It gave us a lot of encouragement and hope in God’s restoration of this country. Truly amazing.

In the afternoon we again split up into 2 groups. I will just write about the group who went to visit the child-headed households. In total, we visited 3 households. 2 girl-headed and 1 boy-headed. This is really the first time we have just gone to see a completed house and spend time with the children without carrying water or helping build. This meant that it was a lot quieter (without so many people from the village around) and also meant that we had some time just to talk with the children and then pray for them. I was actually totally overwhelmed by the experience because I realised how much of a privilege it is for us who have been entrusted with the ability to relieve people out of poverty. It really is huge that we have the chance to give of our resources and help others across the world (and even in our own city) to live a better today than yesterday, and to praise God for our works. This concept for me felt just insane today. Thanks to Childrens foundation for mobilising this opportunity for us in Australia to be part of how God is moving here in Rwanda.

Overall today was a perfect day in Rwamagana. A perfect day of sharing with each other in unity and love, and sharing together in how God can use those who are willing to submit to Him. I am constantly changed each time I find myself here, and love that we can all be part of God’s transforming work in every country and people.

Over and out,

Gatesi x

9^th July 2010 – Cure Day

We were privileged to attend a Cure Day event today. This has been developed as an opportunity for young people to express their feelings through a creative forum and is an amazing mental health program delivered by and for the community. As part of Cure Day young people presented their emotions through song, dance, drama, and written word. The theme for this year was unity, where two can become one. It was a very serious affair with judging conducted and prizes awarded.

To be honest, I was completely and utterly blown away. What us Westerners may have thought was too simple was in fact a truth and a reality for the Rwandese youth. In one drama a scene was depicted where a child did not want to be friends with another child because one child’s parents had killed the others parents during the genocide. This is something I do not believe anyone I know could overcome yet these children forgave each other. We may have disregarded this as childish naivety that it could be so simple to forgive and forget but in fact these young people live these scenes out every day in their lives. They have forgiven huge atrocities and it is in this that the country can move on and we are often so overwhelmed by the enourmous sense of community everywhere we go.

Next, we got to partake in the Giving of Goats and Cows Ceremony! Several years ago Riverview donated cows and goats towards child-headed families. However, these young people do not keep what they have for themselves. When their goats and cows have kids and calves they give these to other child-headed families within the community. This allows friendships to be made and returns the blessing to others in the community. We were again exceptionally privileged and were involved in this giving process.  On behalf of the original owners we presented the kids and calves to the new owners – wow, what a blessing!

We then attended an African Crusade with an American Preacher – this was certainly an interesting experience!!

Cassandra