Goodbyes, Reflection and an Impactful Gift
Final Rwanda Team Blog
Written by: Meg Locker
I have struggled to find a way to summarize and express such profound feelings and emotions surrounding our final days in Rwanda.
I visited Rwanda for the first time in 2018, at which time I was introduced to Bishop Theo and the work he was doing in Rwanda. Four years ago he likened our visits to rain. He stated that rain is good and needed but a rain that returns is a “good rain”, a rain that allows their crops to grow. Bishop Theo called each of us, “Good Rain” or in Kinyarwanda- “Imvura Nzinza”. It was at this moment in 2018 that I knew this would not be my last time in Rwanda.
I returned in 2019 and then began planning to return in 2020, which was canceled due to covid and then further delayed. As our team sat down earlier this year and planned our trip, I had a subdued excitement. I was eager to come back and see my Rwandan family again but I was guarding my heart as I knew if something happened to hinder my ability to travel, I would be disappointed.
I have a deep sense of gratitude for each and every person who has visited Rwanda and Bishop Theo over the years. With each new person who visits, it’s one more person cultivating the relationship which allows our team to be welcomed with open arms, warm hugs and lots of love.
Our Final Days in Rwanda
On Friday, after our safari we enjoyed a fun ride from East Rwanda back to the capital city of Kigali. The team took this as an opportunity to get to know each other better. We found ourselves stuck in the infamous Kigali traffic. This traffic is like no other- think Boston times 100. Despite very few traffic lights and signs, everyone finds a way to work together and make it through. Our driver, Mussa, found himself making small talk with the vehicles next to him while in this bumper to bumper traffic. We made it back to our accommodation- the IRIS guesthouse where we prepared for the following day.
On Saturday we went to Kimisagara. We had church here on Sunday and visited earlier in the week where we got to meet the teacher of the young children's school and Keith, Jen and Nate did a bible study for all of the children. Kimisagara has a mix of ages from about 3 years old through older teenagers.
On Saturday we hosted a bazaar where each child was given the same amount of play money to spend across the various tables we had set up for clothes, shoes, toys & candy. We also had a nail polish station where we got to paint children's nails and we also treated some of the mothers. The play money allows them to learn both math and currency. It was a great event and each child left with a new clothing item, shoes and toys.
Kimisaragara is a slightly more impoverished area of town and most moms of the young children will walk their children to school- sometimes miles, and then hangout during the day while children are in school. The older children typically walk themselves and younger siblings.
Upon our arrival at the center, we passed by the young children's classroom, made up of 3 to 5 year olds. Our arrival surely distracted them. I made eye contact with my sponsor child Acquila. Her eyes got wide and she ran out of the room and into my arms. Before we knew it, a flood of children were running into a big, messy group hug. This is when my tears began, and I don’t think they stopped until I arrived at the airport the following day. I wish with all my heart that I could have spent even more time with these children, getting to know them and their stories. We ended our time at the center serving lunch to the children before we had to say our goodbyes.
On Sunday, we went to Kimironko for church service where we got to witness some of the most sincere worship we’ve ever seen- booming voices singing praise, hands outstretched and a beautiful dance to accompany nearly every song they sang. I have admiration for anyone who worships and praises with such glee. Keith gave a message of courage and when church service was over, Bishop Theo called us into his office where he began goodbyes with each of us.
The goodbyes, and tears, continued back at the IRIS Guesthouse. Through the generosity of donors, we were able to present Bishop Theo with a large financial contribution towards the mission in Rwanda. The money will fulfill a number of needs including musical instruments for the church, a computer, cups and utensils and the biggest project – funding to rent a building for a center in Nyamata, the next community in need. The local government said the current building is too small. Bishop showed us a great new location that will be large enough for all of the children and it also has a fenced in yard for them to play in. With the cost of living so small in Rwanda and the outpouring of generosity we received, we should have enough to cover all of those needs.
One week in Rwanda passed by quicker than one day back home in America. Our hearts are full of love, gratitude, appreciation and sorrow, longing for the day that we will be able to return to visit our Rwandan family once more.
-Ambassador Mbabazi (Meg)
