Genocide Memorial; IKIREZI; Child Development

February 22: Visit to Kigali Memorial Centre, Rwanda Genocide Memorial: Heart-wrenching reminder of the 100 days of horror that enveloped Rwanda and of agonizing pain for survivors.

February 23: Today we visited Ikirezi Natural Products, a Rwanda owned community Interest agri –business that specializes in the growing and steam-distillation of geranium plants for production of essential oil. The farmers are organized into cooperatives that foster reconciliation and unity among the group members, mostly women and orphans. Farmers receive training in agribusiness management and also HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

As the widows shuffled in from working in the field, they scrubbed the mud from their shoes and washed the days work from their hands before greeting us with smiles and hugs. The Kinyarwandan songs of praise filled the air as the ladies led us in a time of worship, prayer and bible study. Odette, the leader of the widows, shared about the deep loneliness they experienced following the genocide and the death of their husbands. Their sharing during the depth of lonelieness and grief, provided healing and a glimmer of hope as they waited for God's blessing. Thankfully, each were granted a plot of land through Ikirezi to grow and care for their geraniums from which the oil is extracted and sold to markets around the world. Today, some have even been given new homes in a place called "Village of Hope."

Ruth Martin, of our group, shared a reflection about choosing joy in times of sorrow. We were touched by their warmth and the knowledge that our visit brought joy and encouragement to them.

Next, we traveled to Masaka to see the Child Development Program that is empowering churches across Rwanda to help children become agents of change in their own communities. Community volunteers are trained to lead care groups of 20 children, ages 5 to 12, who live in rural sectors with poor access to health care, and limited educational and economic opportunities for children. Care groups meet weekly after school for singing, games, skits, and bible lessons related to health messages and health life choices. Each child chooses three friends outside the care group and takes responsibility for teaching them the same health lessons.

We enjoyed the children's fun skit that demonstrated the importance of using bed nets to prevent malaria. Bible stories about Joseph and Moses were used to encourage children to be strong and confident in their unique abilities! Our team was invited to share in games and sing with the kids. It was wonderful to see younger siblings (and babies) standing on the sidelines EAGER to be involved as well!

Parent volunteers support the child development through a parent-to-parent support network. We visited the home of Cecelia, a widow with three children, who reaches out to other parents with encouragement and friendship. Despite her own struggles, she chooses to be a servant of the Lord and a resource and example to other parents. Her church selected her home to receive a water filter that she will be able to share with other neighbors and friends. Cecelia is happy to provide waters to her neights.

We had a sweet time of prayer with Cecelia. Her depth of faith, love for the Lord and her children was inspiring. Cecelia exclaimed: "I am blessed and honored to have you come all the way from America to be a guest in my small home. May God Bless you -- we are not strangers, we are one in Christ."