Wednesday in Rwanda

We began Wednesday with a home visit to Jean Claude's home. His home is possitioned on the side of a mountain with unbelievable scenery all around. Jean Claude is nineteen and caring for two sisters and a brother. Today at his home we again were able to witness Giving Hope mutual assistance at work. Yesterday, through Giving Hope, Jean Claude recieved a goat and today along with other group members he was busy building his new goat a shelter and a toilet for his family. At Jean Claude's, he shared with us his Giving Hope dream and also held hands with us in prayer. After leaving Jean Claude's we returned to Joseline's and the construction site of her new home. I am not sure how much background you have on Joseline from other posts, but since we have been working on her house almost everyday I thought I would give you some more insight. Joseline is nineteen and cares for her two younger sisters, her dream is to have a house of her own. This week our group has been helping make that dream a reality for Joseline and her sisters. As soon as our bus turns onto the dirt road to Joseline's home, children are comming from every house or field around with smiles and waves. These children run along side or behind the bus all the way to Joselines and everyday are there to great us. Following hugs and a few rounds of head, shoulders, knees and toes or they hokey pokey its off work. There are a wide variety of jobs on the worksite. On a typical day, we have group members, making mudballs, passing mudballs or mudding the side of the home, while others hoe, carry concreat, work on the roof or just spending time learing the Kinyarwandan words for head, shoulders, knees and toes from the children. I know other posts have touched on this subject but it is amazing that even though we have a huge language barrier with the people we are working with in Rwanda it is evident that we are all able to connect on a different level. I am not sure if that level is one of human beings, human kindness, love or a greater power. Tomorrow as our group departs Butare we will journey down the dirt road to Joselines home for one last time. On this last trip we have a special purpose. We will say goodbye to the now familiar faces and be there to help Joseline and the other members of the Giving Hope group dedicate Joseline's new home. As we leave tomorrow, I expect there will be one last singing of a song that our group and those we have met in Rwanda both understand...Iyo Mona Ni Nziza, Iyo Mona Ni Nziza, Iyo Mona Ni Nziza, Ni Nziza, Ni Nziza Pe - God is Good, God is Good, Good, Good, So Good.

Love, Claire