Another Sweet Rwandan Family!

I met Christine, and Christian and Christi at our gate one day. 

Mama came asking if they could have money to send the kids 

to public school.  Her English was very limited but i asked her to go visit a nearby school where she might possibly be able to get a job.  She went but when they called me they said her English wasn't strong enough to do what they needed.  

So.. I talked to Bruce and he said, 'Yes… let's help them'.  That was over 2 years ago now.  They have visited us in our home a couple of times but one day Christine asked if i would come visit them in their home --in their village.  So, with Innocent along as an interpreter we went to her home to be with the family and to meet her husband.  

This was the most frail African foot bridge i had
seen, but we had to cross it to get to their home.
They walk over this every day…. so what was
I so scared of?  For one thing they are little people and
i am not.. BUT we all made it across… even me. 

Once inside their living room/dining room… that consisted of a small table and 2 bench chairs,
 Christine began to sing songs and pray.
Innocent was telling me what her words were saying..
It was very moving.  Her thankful heart from her
and her children was making my eyes well-up with tears.

Little Christine was showing me her writing skills
and big Chris showed me all of his grades and his notebooks
that he copies pages and pages from the board at school.
They were so proud to be able to learn and show me
what they were learning. 

Big brother!

Mama

Papa

Little Sister!

Innocent took pictures of us all on the one little bench! 

He made us laugh really hard.
The joy in the room was so wonderful! 

Christine walks with the children to church every week…
about 1 1/2 miles.  At least it is downhill going home.
She started a year ago Easter….I had invited her to church but I didn't really think she would come.  I was so surprised to see her.
She doesn't have an easy life but as you can see her life is filled
with the joy of the Lord.  And each Sunday.. she brings her kids to Sunday school so they can learn more about Jesus.   I don't think she can understand more than 10 words on any given Sunday but that doesn't stop her from coming!  

They loved the "photo" shoot!

I think this was the first time they'd ever had their
picture taken together.
Now they have copies to hang on the wall..

This is the front of their home.  They have a wall around it to protect the children from any outside influences that might harm them.
On our way out i asked Christine if there was anything they needed.
She is so humble and kind and said that she had been sleeping
on a thin mat on the floor and if there was anything she
would like, it would be a mattress.

Wow!  Would that be the first thing you would say if you were asked if you needed anything?  

Leaving the little village we stopped
and bought some
fabric to make some clothes from.

After our visit Christine was worried that
people might think we were giving them things
and they might be broken into. She was
also worried for my safety in the village.

It was endearing to think she was concerned
about me….. when all i could think about was her
and that little room with a small table and 2 bench chairs!

She longs for her children ( who are quite bright)
to have an education….They are working so hard.
She walks them to school every day and back… about
3 miles each way.

After I left there all I could think about was what if
ONE family in the world took on ONE OTHER
 family in the world…to assist.

Could it happen?  How could it become a reality?

It has been on my mind ever since our visit to the village
to be with all the Chris's!

I was so blessed to be with them and to know them.
They have enriched my life more than material things ever could.
Yet, they actually need material things and they say i am a blessing to them.

Life is engaging if we will engage.
The Lord has things for us to do… if we will do them.

I trust we will all be open to the people around us
and let the Lord lead us to those He needs us with most.

love,
margie

PS.  Oh, in case you were wondering, Christine and the kids love
 their new mattresses.