Responsible Children

I have been home just over a week and have been thinking about the journey to Africa and how it impacted me. Today is my son, Josh's, 19th birthday. My thoughts go to the number of heads of household in Rwanda younger than Josh with tremendous responsibilities for themselves and their siblings. Thanks to the Giving Hope program, Epiphanie and her staff, they joyfully accept their responsibility and all that is rewarded to them as a result of their work. In many cases, they will take in another orphan. These children truly touched my heart and soul by their beautiful smiling faces and their prayers for God to bless us. We were there, many miles from home, to help them, to reach out and share God's love with them and yet, as I have experienced in the past when I am obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I am the one who is blessed beyond belief.
We visited one of the genocide memorials the last day we were in Kigali. There were around 300,000 people buried there. As we journeyed through this memorial, there were pictures (faces I could put with each of those numbers). I must say this experience broke my heart. Rwanda has come a long way since the genocide and is on the right path. I was approached by a couple of people prior to the journey who questioned my motives for going to Rwanda when there is so much to be done in our own back yard. I believe God calls us to be aware of the pain and suffering of His children all over the world. My eyes were opened and my heart touched so deeply by this journey. I will continue to pray for these wonderful children and the Giving Hope program. I ask that you do the same.
I appreciate the financial support of our family at HBUMC and especially the many prayers lifted up on our behalf. THANK YOU. Peace, Donna