A Summary

We have been back from Africa now for over a month, but I can honestly say that the goggles that I view life through have changed. I have a new lens. A lens that shows how blessed we really are to live in a country that has so much. There is one main question that people ask me when they inquire about our trip to Africa. So, I figured the best way to answer would be a blog post, because answering that question in only one sentence is near impossible. The question is: "What did you do while you were there?" So, here is a summary of what I did every day that I was gone. Michelle's schedule differed a little because our group went in many different directions, but it is similar. I journal a little while I was there, so some of the details were written while they were still fresh in my mind, and others were written later.

April 30: Left for Africa!!

May 1: Flew to Amsterdam, and then over the Sahara (what a sight from the airplane!) to Rwanda. We met all the team members - bible college students, experienced African travellers, and even an energetic 70 year old woman. The man in the photo is one of our drivers, Pastor Ernest. I love it especially because my dad is a Pastor Ernest too!

May 2: This morning we toured the Rwandan genocide memorial. It was heart breaking. There were so many victims, so many of them children. I was astonished in a room full of pictures of those who died, but broke down completely in the section devoted to children. Children that died in their mothers arms with machetes and others whose last memories were of seeing their parents die. What really got me is when I was looking at a wall of pictures children that had died. There was one of three happy little children - same ages and genders as my children. Our guide, a nice man names Paco, hugged me till I was ok. It was really hard. Paco is my age, but survived the genocide because his family fled to the Congo, and then returned afterwards. 

In the afternoon we went to Jabana. It has been under Home of Hope's care the longest, and it was evident. Many of the children were sponsored - in clean clothes and not starving. We went orphaneering - which is visiting local families that are really struggling and giving small gifts to their children.

(The local toy - a ball made of plastic bags)

May 3: Today we went to Mugomaro.

There we fed 160 kids, but it was fairly unorganized because it was their first time feeding that many children. Lunch was supposed to be at 12, but because we had a massive rain in the morning (and the cooking is done outside) it wasn't ready until 2:30. We prayed for kids and they got to see a nurse. Later I went orphaneering and met a lady named Marie-Chanta. She is HIV positive and so are her two youngest children. Her kids are 2, 4, and 5. There is such heartbreaking stories, but the people are very gentle and willing to hear about Jesus.

May 4: Today we went to buhoro. There we fed a lot of kids. We dished up more than 200 plates but, many kids shared. I LOVE the dancing here. These people are so warm! We have learned a few songs like "iman izee zeeza" and "mambo sawa sawa"

We travelled back in a packed van. (About 20 people in a van about the same size as my own minivan) We sang and one of the eccentric girls behind me yelled with an unmatched enthusiasm for God. It was awesome. As a side note, the driving here is a little crazy, but definitely fun!

We went to Hotel Rwanda for supper. It was amazing just to touch the swimming pool that had been drank dry by people just trying to stay alive a short 19 years earlier.

May 5: Today we went to kibali in the mountains. It was so beautiful and remote. It is most certainly an agricultural community. After doing an impromptu children's program, we took stories from orphan children by he storied were so heartbreaking. Some parents died of HIV, others left them on the street and other parents suffered mental illnesses. It was so hard to hear story after story of these poor children. It felt too deeply personal to ask such questions as " what happened to his/her parents?" But they were very forthcoming with answers. These children's eyes were so sad, and none of them had health cards or mattresses (which means they had to sleep on the ground). A few of the kids had HIV, and one (whose parents died of HIV) had not even been tested. In Rwanda, the government will pay for your HIV medication if you have a health card. They are only $5-10, depending on your region, but these orphans are too poor to even afford that. Some had to go to restaurants to beg for food.

Midday we stopped for some goat on a stick. I must have a iron stomach because I am the only one that did not get sick.

In the afternoon, we had a crusade in a location with no christian church. People gave their life to Jesus, and immediately Brian put them to work praying for other people people. A deaf man was completely healed, and we prayed for another man whose back was in major pain, but the pain was completely gone when we finished. Thank you Jesus!!

May 6:  Safari Day!! We saw monkeys, zebras, water buffalos, wart hogs, and a host of beautiful birds. What wowed me the most was standing in a safari Jeep, driving over the mountains and plains, and seeing the beautiful creation that our God made. He is so good!

Today I also learned how to say 'I Love You" in a few more languages: 

Ndagukunda (Kinyarwanda) 

Nkwagala (Ugandan )

Nalingiyo (Lingala from Congo) 

Nalikutemwa (Zambian)

Je t'aime (French)

Nakupenda (Swahili)

May 7: Up until now, we had been visiting areas within 2 hours driving distance of Rwanda's capital, Kigali. Today, however, we flew to Kamembe. It is located on the western side of Rwanda, bordering Lake Kivu. It is an area rich in coffee and tea, but it also borders the Congo, which is very dangerous. We arrived in the local Home of Hope church and were welcomed amazingly with singing and dancing. Me and two of the students went to a local secular vocational school. One of the students, Jesse, mistakenly thought it was a bible college and began preaching. When the students began asking some very good and intelligent questions. (ie. If I give my life to Jesus and I sin again, does he have to die again?) Jesse realized that it was not in fact a bible college, but he answered their questions expertly. He did an alter call at the end, and 80 people aged 15-25 gave their lives to Jesus. 

In the afternoon we did a feeding program and I wound up at the church with no other Canadian around. It was really nice just to communicate (through gestures and some broken english) with some local moms.

May 8: I delivered pigs today! The concept is that a pig is given to the poorest of families. It will be used as an income source, and they can bless someone else by tithing the first piglet back to the church (a standard litter is 8, leaving enough to support the family). I hiked a mountain with my pig because the motorcycles did not show up on time, but it was a lot of fun!

May 9: I got to deliver pigs all day on motorbikes! What fun! It was sure amazing to whip across the Rwandan countryside on a motorcycle with a squirming pig between me and the driver. I would do it again any day, poop and all.

We had to say goodbye to our great friends. We will miss you pastors Jane, Olivier and Fidel!

May 10: We left for Kenya today. When we arrived at the Dream Center (the orphanage for the babies rescued from the dump) we were able to just cuddle and snuggle babies until supper time.

What a sight those babies are after supper! All the babies (4.5 months to 3 years old) get a little potty time so they learn to use a potty, and the caregivers have time to clean up.

May 11: Today I got the privilege of helping do a feeding program in an area where they have never done a feeding program before. There were so many children that we had to wash the plates that we could serve more, but getting clean water to wash dishes in a slum is a process. Since there had been no program done before, it took awhile to set up. So, an awesome team member (Liz) and I did an impromptu childrens program. We sang songs with them (some they already knew, like "Father Abraham") because most of the children learn english in primary school, which is paid for by the government. I also read the story of creation out of Genesis while Liz acted it out. She is very talented! We ended the day cuddling the Dream Center babies.

The photo below is a small demonstration of both the crazy driving in Nairobi and how some parts of the city can resemble garbage dumps. (In this case, the garbage helps traffic, by pointing out exactly where the traffic circle goes). And yes, that blue truck is completely submerged in mud.

May 12: Today we went to church in the slum of Tassia and cuddles babies again.

May 13: Today we visited the Dump early in the morning. I cannot begin to explain how nasty would be to live there. We visited where one of the children from the Dream Centre was rescued. He was 4 years old, and felt safer living in the dump alone than with the abusive grandfather he had been living with. As a parent of a 4 year old, it is really hard to imagine my own 4 year old doing that. In the afternoon, Michelle and I took the place of a few of the caregivers so that they could attend a training session. Those babies are just so precious!

Pastor George interviewed this lady, and she has been earning her very small living from the dump for 30 years. She has now been living at the dump for 6 years.

May 14: Today I was able to help paint and do repairs in the Dream Centre. I also got to go visit the shop of a young girl, whose mother has been given a micro-loan. We got to brainstorm with her for ways to expand her business.

 This is an entrance to a typical slum home. You must duck down to get in, and the space is very small and not ventilated. However, rent must still be paid, and the cooking is done over a fire inside the home.

May 15: Our last day in Africa! At least is was a full day.

 (The church is on the fourth and top level.)

We went to Kariobangi, where we talked to women about microloans and basics of business. Michelle got to speak with the Beautiful Women (prostitutes), and was able to help a woman who was 8 months pregnant a safe place to stay.

To end this post, I will conclude with some special photos of the Dream Centre children.

(Carter fell asleep with two cuties resting on him)

Thank you to my mom, Corrine Marti, for sending along some gifts! They were much appreciated!

Me and Evelyn (one of the house moms). She is awesome!!

Lastly, a big shout out to our dear friend Packos! God Bless you!

Fearless

Last year, several ladies from my home church and I began reading and discussing the book, Fearless  by Max Lucado.  Fear was a study topic I had encouraged my friend, and fellow book enthusiast, to look into when we first chatted about beginning a book discussion group at our church.  You see, fear has been a large part of my life for as long as I can remember.  My folks will tell you, I was not the baby who giggled when her daddy playfully tossed her up in the air.  I didn't learn to properly ride a bicycle until I was, well, let's just say there were double-digits.  I didn't learn to swim until I was sixteen and only managed to pass my swimming class by choosing to dive into the deep end on the spur of the moment, just because I was in a good mood that day.  In my late teens, I began struggling with depression and anxiety, for which I was later medicated and received counselling.  As an adult, I've been plagued by worry over finances, health and my family's well-being.  For every idea my husband has had, I can give you about a hundred "what-ifs."  Fear stinks.

I've tried so many times in my life to just "Let go and let God."  The letting go part isn't so difficult.  It is the not taking it back part that is the challenge.  So many nights, I've prayed and said, "Okay, Lord, I'm giving this to you," only to pick whatever it was back up in the morning.

The Lord tells us in His word, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)  Only a few months ago, during another discussion group, a pastor shared this word and I decided I needed to make it my word.  Needless to say, tonight, I think I may have begun to clue in.

This past Friday, May 31st, Lacey and I were able to speak about our journey on the local Christian radio station.

The question was asked,  "How did you feel going into Africa?  Were you afraid at all?" 

Both Lacey and I responded with an overwhelming, "No!"

Our reasoning was, of course, that we were there because God wanted us to be.  He had a purpose for us there and, because He was with us, we had nothing to fear.

"Be strong and of good courage, 

do not fear nor be afraid of them; 

for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. 

He will not leave you nor forsake you." 

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)

It is true.  Before we left, I was not afraid of going to Africa or anything that went along with it.  I was nervous about leaving my family behind and missing them; but, that was all that concerned me.  

As I look back on my time in Rwanda and Kenya, I miss it so much.  I miss the people and the places and the work.  Most of all, I miss the freedom from fear.  Each day as I awoke, I felt so much purpose. With that purpose, fear was pushed aside.  I literally was on a mission and it was God's will.  Knowing that gave me freedom.  

I wasn't concerned about mosquito bites and malaria.  (Later was tested for it upon my return, but I'm fine and that's another story all together.)  I cradled ill children and taught parents how to help their little ones feel better.  I hugged, held and cried with amazing women who happened to be HIV+.  I worked with a wonderful nurse and prayed over the sick.   I climbed up the steep hills and mountains of Rwanda, not worrying if I slipped down the muddy trail.  I rode in a very questionable boat taking on water over a lake that was reportedly some seven kilometres deep.  I preached for the first time, completely on the fly.  I walked through the thirty acre dump in Nairobi, Kenya, flanked by armed guards, strolled through the slums skipping over puddles of raw sewage, and I gave a testimony I had never shared with anyone before in front of a room full of almost complete strangers.  Most amazingly of all, I discovered a painful secret from my childhood, while holding a child that God told me had gone through the same thing.  Through this child and through the prayer of a beautiful sister in Christ, God released me from that pain and much of the fear it had caused me to feel for so many years.

Now, I am back in Canada.  I am back to what some may call my "real" life.  Everything I experienced in Rwanda and Kenya is indeed real life.  It was a God-given experience, meant not only to be a way He would use me in a tiny, tiny way to perhaps bring some joy and the love of Christ to others, but also to teach me something so valuable.  When God gives us a purpose, when He chooses us to do His work in whatever respect, be it raising a family to love Him or leading thousands of people to Him... He means for us to be fearless.

This may very well be something I will need to be reminded of.  I am so thankful that I can draw on these wonderful experiences.  Sometimes, I just lie in my bed and think, "Wow! I may never have gone to Hawaii or skied down the Alps (or anywhere else for that matter), but God sent me to Africa and I wasn't afraid.  How cool is that?" 

So, tonight, as I have done many nights before, I am releasing fear to God; but, this time is different.  This time, I know from experience that I am capable of living in a fearless manner thanks to my Father in Heaven.  If, tomorrow morning, I try to pick up that nasty fear again, do me a favor, convict me of it will you?  After all, a life without fear is freedom in Christ!

"Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

Love,

Michelle

We're Back!!

At the Kigali Memorial Centre (Rwanda Genocide Memorial)

It's so hard to believe that Lacey and I have been back from Rwanda and Kenya for almost a week now!  I apologize for the delay in writing.  We had limited internet in Africa and I couldn't get the Blogger app for my Kobo tablet.  So, we'll be writing our experiences here after the fact.

I don't know where to begin.  What an amazing journey!  First of all, I just want to thank our Heavenly Father for His blessing and care and thank all of you for your support and prayers.  We are safe and healthy and our families were kept well while we were away.  Special thanks to my mom for caring for my husband and children while I was away.  Thank you also to Heidi for making a delicious meal for them.  Mike raved about it!!

There is so much to process from this trip.  I'll give a basic explanation of what we did in this post and then I will write in more detail later.  

Our days began with devotionals led by a team member, followed by prayer.  Many days our team of fifteen was broken into a few smaller teams and then we all went in different directions.  We assisted with feeding programs, sometimes for over three hundred children, visited poor families, aided in medical ministries and helped with church services.  Each evening we would all meet for supper and share our "highlights of the day."  We went over the following day's schedule and closed in prayer.  

Rwanda is a beautiful country.  I could not believe how breathtaking the land is!  There are so many mountains and it is so green.

In Rwanda, we were based in Kigali, the capital city.  We journeyed out to rural areas each day.  The first full day was spent in Jabana.  We were met by so many children!  I don't even know how many were there! After spending some time visiting families in the area who were in need, we returned to the Jabana Word of Life church campus and played in the playground with the kids.

Children clung to us.  Sometimes we'd have two or three little ones hanging on each arm.  They loved to stroke our skin and hair.  They practiced their English by saying, 

"Good morning.  How are you?"  

We greeted them with "Muraho.  Amakuru?"  

Hopefully one of us would answer with, "I am fine, thank you," or "Meza."  

I met a twelve-year-old girl who carried her baby brother on her back.  I wish I remembered her name.  I spoke very little Kinyarwanda; and, she spoke very little English.  We connected somehow and visited for a long time. I felt compelled to teach her to say, "I am beautiful, " to which she replied, "God is beautiful!"

She was very excited for church to begin and guided me into the building.  Something I didn't know was that the children only sat in the back, not in the front.  The other team members wondered where I was and I didn't want to get separated from them, but when I tried to go to the front, I was not able to bring my new young friend.  She found me afterward and I was able to get a photo with her.  She touched my heart so much!  What a beautiful welcome to Rwanda!

Hugging my new friend in Jabana. 

Love,

Michelle

Tomorrow, Tomorrow!!!

I can't believe the time has come!  Lacey and I leave tomorrow for Rwanda and Kenya!  Ahhhhh!!  Please bear with me as I'm a bit scatterbrained right now.  I'm finishing up the last of my preparations for the trip.  Bags are nearly packed.  My mom is here to help my husband care for the kids, which is especially necessary since Mike had to have emergency surgery to repair a hernia on Thursday.  The kids don't seem too concerned that I'm leaving.  I hope they'll be just fine while I'm away, though my heart already aches when I think about leaving them.

Sunday after church I was covered in prayer by my Evangelist and one of our Priests.  They prayed especially that there would be an entourage of angels with us.  I am holding fast to this prayer.

I want to take time once again to thank each and every one of you.  Each of you has contributed in a very special way through prayer, support, financial gifts and donations for our auction. Everything you have done has not only helped us to achieve our goal of going on this mission trip, but you have also built up our spirits and brought tangible proof of God's love and desires for us.

Today I especially remember a wonderful family who has gone above and beyond.  I want them to know that I will be bringing them with me in spirit as I take along a little token that was given to me just less than five years ago.   Little wings will remind me to believe.  Sending you much love!

I will be bringing along a journal to jot down (well, probably write extensively) the experiences that we have in Africa.  Should we have access to WiFi, I will do my best to pop in to the blog and make an update.  Some of you have been signed up for emails from Home of Hope so that you can keep tabs on our progress and travels.  We'll take lots of photos and we look forward to sharing them with you all!

Thank you once again and please continue to keep us in prayer.

Love,
Michelle

Two Weeks, Baby, Two Weeks!!!

It's countdown time!  We are leaving for Rwanda and Kenya in two weeks!! (We leave April 30th)  Both Lacey and myself have completed our fundraising for Home of Hope.  We wrapped up our auction this week and it has been incredibly successful.  Aside from cash donations and donations directly to Home of Hope in our stead, the auction raised an additional $2505.50!!  Wow!  We'd like to say a HUGE thank you to all of our sponsors and the individuals who purchased items from the auction.  To everyone who made both monetary and material donations, we also want to say thank you so very much and we pray God's richest blessings upon all of you.  We will take you with us to Africa in spirit and think of you with everything we do.

The time has come for us to make our final preparations for the trip.  We have had check-ups and received our immunizations.  We've gathered lots of wonderful items to bring with us for the little ones in Kenya.

Michelle's suitcase overflowing with donations.

There is quite a list of items for us to bring to keep ourselves comfortable and safe while we are overseas.  We need preventative medicines, medicines for sleep, stomach issues, and possible allergies, as well as proper clothing, mosquito repellent, first aid supplies, toilet paper, cleansing wipes, laundry soap for hand washing, luggage locks, voltage converters, etc. Oh the list, the list!  Still, as we pack and think of the things we may need, we remain mindful that those we are going to serve have so very little.  

Please continue to pray for us.  Areas we need specific prayer for are:

• Blessing - That we may be a blessing unto those we serve and in turn to our home churches and communities upon our return.
• Protection - Physically, mentally and spiritually (for all below)
• Strength
• Health

If you would like to receive email updates about our trip from Home of Hope while we are away, please let us know and we will have them add you to their contact list.  

Thank you once again for everything you've done!

Love,

Michelle

Randomness: We're still here

Whoa...it's been a busy couple of weeks!  I've been working at a new job.  We had a really awesome weekend in Calgary with our church.  Then, I came down with a wicked flu, which I'm still fighting off.

So here's where we're at.  Our online auction seems to be wrapping up.  It appears next week may be the last week.  We have a few more generously donated items.  I feel as though the auction is just naturally winding down.  So, we'll accept it and leave it at that.

In the meantime, Lacey and I have been busy making our preparations for the trip.  Lacey received a crazy amount of immunizations on Wednesday.  Ouch, ouch and ouch!  She's a trooper, though and got through all
of them.  I'm up next on April 12th.  Yay.

Both of us have a tonne of physical donations to take with us to Rwanda and Kenya.  I want to say thank you to some special Angels who made that happen for me.

We're constantly going through experiences of faith, which is amazing.  We've had a few emotional moments and have been working hard to battle against the negative spirits that are trying to shift our focus from doing His work.  Please remember to keep us in prayer.

Little Akida and his mom Valerie

Lacey is still accepting cash donations for her immunizations, visas, etc.  I'm still raising funds for Home of Hope and, by now, you know how you can donate for that if you so choose.  Please just keep us all in prayer.  Remember our families, too.  They are sacrificing a lot for us so that we can go do God's work in Africa.  Please also pray for the other donors like you.  We want to make you proud and be an extension of your hands in Africa.

Thank you so much for reading our story and for all of your help and prayers!

Love,
Michelle

The Time is Drawing Near! Please Help.

I know that many of you may be getting tired of my pleas for help, but please read the caption of this photo. This is why I am going to Kenya!!! I have been placed on a medical team as well as a women's ministry team to assist these at-risk expectant mothers. I still need to raise $1194 to be donated directly to Home of Hope in my stead.http://homeofhope.ca/sponsor/onlinesponsorshipform I only have a few more weeks before the deadline! Please help me go to Africa. For these women, their babies and for all of those who have donated for me already. I don't want to let them down!

We want to REACH them before they need to be rescued:
One of  Home of Hope's FAVOURITE projects right now is helping starving, 
pregnant prostitutes in Kenya who see the sign to not throw 
their babies away. You can partner with us to help women and save their children.

Love,

Michelle