Hey guys! Sorry for the update a day late! We were exhausted last night. Yesterday, my team left Kibuye at around 8:15am to get to Kigali. When we got here, we went to the Bourbon for lunch. For all of us, it was the first food that tasted similar to our home’s food since we’ve been here. Delicious! Later that evening, we met with the other twelve at the restaurant Heaven for our last meal together. We all had to say some goodbyes to friends that were going back home & some that have been with us these past two weeks and were now leaving. It was definitely not easy, but it’s just a see you later.
Today the team of 12 left for their journey home. Be praying for safe travels! They’ll be arriving mid-day on Thursday. As for the team still here, we woke up at 4 am this morning to go on our safari. Not going to lie, it was dreadful waking up that early, but extremely worth it. We saw the most beautiful animals this morning. The best on my list were the zebras, baboons, hippos and the giraffe we almost didn’t get to see. As we were headed out, there was a giraffe in the middle of the road. How cool! None of us knew it was there until we heard Lisa scream in the front seat. It was a good cause… I guess. We ended up following the giraffe around and it was literally one of the most beautiful animals I have ever seen. It was huge, yet moved with such grace.
The safari ended early and we decided to go to the genocide memorial. I knew as soon as we got there that it would not be easy. While walking through the memorial, I was with someone who has become a dear friend to me on this trip. He started to tell me his story as we walked together. I was informed that he had lost two siblings during the genocide and one had been severely and permanently injured. As he told me more about his experience, I started to get emotional. It started to become extremely realistic to me that this tragedy really happened and everyone in this country has been deeply affected in one way or another. It hadn’t been real to me up to this point, for this country is astoundingly beautiful, and so are all the smiling faces we pass everyday.
When the children’s section of the memorial came, the emotions I had are unexplainable. It was one of the most difficult things seeing pictures of children and reading about their murder.
There was a sign at the end of that section in quotes saying “I didn’t choose to be an orphan.” So many children have lost their entire families and it wasn’t their fault. It was when I read that sign when thoughts of “Why God?” and “How could you let this happen?” and “This isn’t fair” came into my mind. I thought of the verse stating “with God, all things are possible.” Yet again, I found myself questioning why it happened.
I think the hardest thing for me to accept is realizing that I won’t be able to understand why no matter how hard I try. It’s a mystery and a challenge to trust that God knows what He is doing. This experience has really caused all of us to sit back and think. It’s up to us to promote PEACE and have faith in our amazing and graceful God.
What we saw today was just another reason to keep perservering in God’s global mission. It’s our responsibility to stand up and make the tough stuff known. Easy? Absolutely no way. Worth it? Yes indeed. It’s time to love like there’s no tomorrow, no matter what the circumstance. For his glory, not ours. Fight for the poor, the weak, the broken. Jesus died for us to live for Him, remember?
On a lighter note, tonight our group will be heading the Bourbon Coffee again for dinner with some friends. Then Pastor Theophile and Patrice are meeting us for dessert!! After a long day, some laid back time is what we need. Fellowship is awesome. Hope you’re all doing well back home. See you in a few days!