Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
You may have heard of Fatima, Lourdes and our Lady of Guadalupe…but did you know there was/is Our Lady of Kibeho?
Donna here -Today’s entry is a serious entry. It’s an honest sharing of faith. Feel free to skip this one if it’s not your cup of tea – and join us tomorrow.
I think it was about my 3rd or 4th trip to Rwanda that some people asked me if I had been to Kiebho. Had I heard about Mary (as in the Virgin Mary’s) appearances there? “Nope” was my reply and I let it slide. Then I googled it and saw that it far from our New Hope Homes in Kigali and let it slide. I also learned that Immaculee Imabegeza – the Author of Left to Tell – the story of her survival for nearly 100 days in the 4x5 ft bathroom with 7 other women during the genocide – had written a book about it.
So on my last here in January we did a road trip to Kiebho with Kristen Cavallo and our big kids. You can read the humorous in a prior blog. I didn’t really know much at the time other than Mary had appeared to some young girls there in the early 80’s and in it’s height 100,000’s of pilgrims would come to this site. I also learned that one of the young girls – now grown was still on site to meet visitors. It sounded amazing.
On that trip we just missed the woman, but toured the grounds with the kids and learned more about the story from a young boy who followed our group around and then our kids translated for us.
Today was different.
Today was well prepared for what was to come. I had read Imaculee’s book 2 times and was attempting to begin to comprehend what was in store for us. I also prayed that with no warning that Anathalie would be here today and I could meet here. Passengers for this trip were Abby, Sarah and Chantal’s daughter Erica. All woman of faith and open to understanding more about the Catholic tradition and what the day was about.
The trip took 3 hours with the last 45 mins a dirt road, but substantially improved from my last visit. When we arrived a the beautiful mountain top I paused to soak it in this time. We approached the beautiful church and took in the grounds which were mainly vacant. We asked through a translator is Anathalie was here today and was told she was not yet here. I breathed in and thought…ok, well if it’s meant to be it will be. We make a quick stop at the “squatty potty’ as Sarah calls them and when we returned our driver informed us that she was here! My heart lept for joy and I began to ensure I had everything I needed. We knocked on the door and she welcomed us.
I was hoping to skype my parents in to listen (yes…we now have a modem) but were informed that the church must pre-approve any recordings etc …so skyping would seem a bit too much. She then asked us to turn off our phones and those with gum to remove it was we were in a holy place. We sat on chairs and just soaked the love. She lead us in a prayer in Kinyarwanda and then I thanked God for her and all that she is doing to share the story.
After prayer she asked (Erica and our driver Gilbert translated) what we would like to know. I asked her to simply share her story. She began with how Mary 1st appeared to her when she was 17 years old. If you read the book or fan our Lady of Kibeho on facebook you can learn about the other visionaries.
Mary’s message was to love each other and to trust in God. She also wanted people to pray the rosary ever day. The rosary she was particularly fond of is the 7 sorrows. Those are the sorrows that Mary experienced as the Mother of Christ taking us on the journey of Simeon fortelling of his birth, his role in history and the death he would endure…all the way thru his burial. She told Anathelia that life can come times be hard. That we have burdens to bear – but in those sufferings we should connect to Christ’s suffering for our sins.
We asked her to describe what Mary looked like. She paused and said…there are no words to describe her beauty. That she was like a young girl, but full of such wisdom and maturity. Her skin was neither black nor white. She wore a white long dress with a blue head scarf that came to the ground. She was very tall. There was a light around her yet not too bright as to block her eyes from seeing her.
If you read the book you will learn lots more about her many appearances and how the church came to sanction them etc etc. You will also learn how she foretold of the genocide that was to become.
We asked about how she survived the genocide as over 20,000 people were killed in the hills near here and 200,000 in that region of the country. She said the military came an encircled their small area to protect it. She would have to sneak out late at night if she wanted to help someone. She said death was all around her. Then the military men switched sides and became quite violent. In that window of time she was able to sneak out and get to safety with some other nuns.
The shine area was then closed for quite some time after the genocide.
Anathalie returned and intend to be here until the day she dies to speak with visitors who come. Imagine taking the that commitment as a 17 year old. Today we believe she is about 45.
Continuing on, we asked her about the songs she used to sing to Mary. She talked about some of the songs Mary liked to hear. I asked her if she would sing one of the songs that Mary taught her and she agreed. She paused and found her sweet voice and sang. I practically melted in the moment trying to imagine her learning this song from Mary and now sharing it with us. In the moment, I forgot to ask the meaning. In the book there quite of few songs listed that will have to do.
She told us that Mary would talk about ‘watering the flowers’. It was a way she bestowed blessings on people as the Visionaries would sprinkle people with water. Mary said we call needed water ask some people a fragile, others are strong but we all need water to thrive.
She also talked about how important it is to convert our hearts and have faith.Anathalie spent about 40 mins with us just patiently answering our question and being present. In the end, I told her that I had timed the trip to celebrate my Dad’s near death experience 3 years ago next week and how he was a believer and prayed the rosary every day. I also shared how Mary came to my Aunt to tell him that Mary had told her that he would survive and shared what she had told us about those messages. She listened attentively.
When we finished, I bought some rosaries and other memorabilia and then asked we could take a photo. She agreed.
In her presence, there was an aura much like I felt when I was with a neighbors Dad when he was dying. A fullness of heart and bit of light headedness. I asked the group if they felt the same. They did too and we assumed it was because we were hungry and thirsty
I was able to quickly phone Mom and Dad and simply allow Dad to say hello to her. She simply said Hello Matt – and I’m sorry – as she didn’t speak any English. YEAH Dad…a least he was able to have 1 personal moment with her.
After our goodbye hugs I the rest of our group went in search of lunch and I just wanted to be present and soak it in. I sat in the outside courtyard at the top of the hill where there are benches in a circle surrounding a statue of Mary. There are flower beds under the statue with 7 petals. Anathalie has explained earlier that those are for the 7 sorrows and the star in the middle was to reflect Mary’s visit to this remote part of Africa. Then I went to the chapel and back outside to pray the rosary. I had sent all the rosaries back with the rest of our group so I did as my Father has told me many times…You have 10 fingers…the work perfectly to pray the rosary.
As I was sitting there, Anathalie came over and just held my hand for a bit and then gave me a hug. I kept trying to say “God Bless You” in Kinyarwanda but kept messing up. She giggled and kept trying to help me through the tough part. As she hugged me again I felt that same overwhelming feeling – very powerful.
About 30 mins later we met for the 3rd time and she pointed out where the Nuns live and tried to tell me something…but alas, without a translator it was lost. I tried my “God bless you” again and she giggled again and held my hands looking into my eyes to try to help me through it. Again the overwhelming feeling.
As she left me I stood there knowing that I will again return. She gave me her mailing address and mobile so I can coordinate next time.
I walked the grounds and tried to imagine what it was like when Mary was here and what the sights and sounds were during the genocide. With the exception of being in the city center, Rwanda is very quiet. At night you can a voice travel for a long long way. A barking down way down the street sounds like it’s right next door. So I tried to imagine that horrific sounds of the night that filled this landscape for 100 days 16 years ago. I would imagine it’s a sound you will never get out of your head.
I returned to the group for lunch – more about that tomorrow…some funny stuff.
And then we went to the school where the girls studied and saw that was left of it form the genocide. Next to it a church where 5000 people were killed. All of this just a few football fields away from where Nathalie had been for most of that time.
Next we went a few Kilometers down the road to the Cana Center. A priest made a journey to this area 20 years ago and felt he was called to stay. The grounds are stunning. It featured an 18 ft tall statue of Jesus with “I trust you Jesus” inscribed at his feet. The statue was made in Chicago. There is also a church built by a man in the states who had an incurable blood disease and after these people prayed he has a full recovery. We rang the bell to meet the priest and he toured Abby and I all over the grounds as he shared his vision for the location. After 20 years they just got electricity 10 days ago and that is sure to make a huge difference.
Abby was trying to learn if the Visitation Nuns that live in her Neighborhood in North Mpls happened to be the nuns here tending to our Lade of Kibeho as those nuns asked her to bring greetings to there sisters in Rwanda. Alas it is not that group but told us where their two cloistered communities are. Next time Abby ☺
For me this was a very personal journey. I have shared it with you as best I am able. I know much of what I have shared is hard to comprehend, but I do believe it. Fully. I took on this journey as another step in faith to thank God for giving us a second chance to get our lives right as a family when he brought my Dad back from near dear 3 years ago July 26th. I thank Mary in her role of providing proper notice so we could get Dad back from Arkansas and to the Mayo for treatment.
It’s all a bit to much to soak in at the moment. I don’t know if you will have taken the time to reach the end of this entry. If you have, then I hope somehow it has strengthened your faith or perhaps made you a bit more curious.
And bit about the rosary. Know that Mary wanted everyone to learn to pray it. She did not see if as a “Catholic thing” . Abby , Sarah and Erica asked that I teach them. I am delighted to as I just learned it 3 years ago during Dad’s recovery and treasure it.
Ps Imaculee is leading a retreat to Kibeho on the 30th of this month. You can learn more on her facebook page or her blog.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The most exciting moment of Donna's trip. This is Desami. He is a twin that has serious challenges. One of them is a foot that is curled up and prevents him from standing. We started PT in January and he now wears a boot. This is the FIRST time I have ever seen him stand up. While he certainly can not yet bear his own weight his foot has never touched the ground before and he would wail in pain if you ever tried to get him to do it. Look at this sweet boy. Every dollar of PT shows on his amazing smile. Patty and Chris Janssen family - I did NOT put this Tshirt on him...was so so thrilled to see him wearing it today. WHOO HOO.
Donna and Laurent Mbanda. The founder of CALM and the new Bishop of a big part of Rwanda
Sarah cooking on the charcoal stove.
Donna and Laurent Mbanda. The founder of CALM and the new Bishop of a big part of Rwanda
Sarah cooking on the charcoal stove.
Abby and Sarah cooked for "Miss Donna" tonight. Yum
Abby giving the kids a ride on a bike tonight
The little kids decide to give Abby a new 'do'
Anna leading the group in a tough game of hangman (what a terrible name for a great game)
Abby is a blessing to our kids. She is SUCH a GREAT teacher.
Abby doing a wonderful job teaching school
Sarah home from the produce market. It's a long walk with very heavy bag.
Elections for the President are next week. Here is a booth for the current President Paul Kagame.
Abby giving the kids a ride on a bike tonight
The little kids decide to give Abby a new 'do'
Anna leading the group in a tough game of hangman (what a terrible name for a great game)
Abby is a blessing to our kids. She is SUCH a GREAT teacher.
Abby doing a wonderful job teaching school
Sarah home from the produce market. It's a long walk with very heavy bag.
Elections for the President are next week. Here is a booth for the current President Paul Kagame.
Avocadoes, volleyball, and cultural exchange...
It is again the end to a very full, yet fantastic day. I just finished washing dishes in the buckets outside. My hands are wrinkled from the amazi and sabune (water and soap.) While washing, Lionel and Innocent were break dancing to the music on Sarah’s iphone. They seriously have some mad talent! Sarah and I also each took a short ride down the driveway on the coffee bike after dinner tonight. These bikes have huge racks on the back to carry hundreds of pounds of food, coffee, or anything else needing transportation. The uncles at the houses (Claude and Everest) use the bike or a rickety wheelbarrow to transport pretty much anything on these roads with deep ruts and potholes. Their job has to be incredibly hard, as they are also the night watchmen. Imagine staying up all night and then doing hard labor half the day. They even have time to play a mean game of volleyball in the afternoons. It is becoming a favorite past time for everyone!
Today was a mix of teaching and learning, playing volleyball, bouncing toddlers on laps, eating good beans, rice, and avocados (!), reading, getting slobbered on by toddlers, singing songs, and cooking on the charcoal stove. This morning the kids came over to have school. We read books, learned about syllables, and hunted for words. One of the girls’ favorite past times is to write stories on the erasable boards they have. Alyce’s story was about a girl named Alyce who was number one in her class at school. All of the kids seem so motivated to do well in school. First in class is the goal. The great part is, many of them have achieved it at Sonrise School or the school in Remera!
This afternoon at home number one, ministry partners from Kansas City came to visit the kids. They brought incredibly beautiful, handmade quilts for each child. Each quilt was intricately made with their names stitched into the corner. The kids loved them and are sleeping covered with the quilts as I type. It is amazing to think about all of the people involved in the kids’ lives. So many people have given time, resources, money, and prayers. It really is true that it take a village to raise a child.
One last story and it’s time to say goodnight... Donna started teaching English to the staff on previous visits, so we are continuing to do so this time. It usually consists of one or two of us sitting in the living room with 7-8 of the staff. Last night included greetings, colors, parts of the body, and clothing. Being two city girls who are committed to cultural exchange, Sarah and I ended the night teaching the tantines (aunties) and tantos (uncles) “pound it”. It was a hit. (Literally).
Muramuke! (Goodnight!)
Abby
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Life is so sweet in Rwanda.
It was a good day.
The kids are so blessed to have Abby and Sarah here. Oh my, what a gift to have teachers in our midst that love our kids so much. They come from a trained professional background and balance that with just lovin’ on our kids.
Abby is magnificent working with the kids. She teaches young kids so we turn it over to her. This is the 1st time we’ve had our little, middle and big kids in our school house all day and it’s quite a feat to keep it all going. Abby and Sarah know just the right balance of playing, learning, singing, drawing etc.
Sarah has taken on the task master role…can I tell you how it is to give up that job. She does it effortlessly. Playing with the kids, while measuring their feet, inspecting their clothes sizes and learning special things about them like their favorite colors etc. She makes it look like she’s playing the whole time and then emerges with another spread sheet of info. What a blessing!
I ran errands today. In Rwanda a 1 hour errand is usually about 4 or 5 hours so when I left this morning, I told them they shouldn’t worry if I didn’t come back for a long while. I was able to get some things we needed in the house for volunteers, try to assess the internet situation as ½ of the country is down and we happen to be on the wrong ½. Every the tech head, we found a solution and appear to be back on line with a pay as you go plan. I am much the local now with my Rwanda cell phone and modem.
For the kids today was a transition day back from School. We wanted to give them school time, but just time to play with their brothers and sisters whom they miss so much when the big kids are at school. It was so wonderful to see how the big kids are so good to the little kids playing around with them.
I was also able to skype with Bob Safford and Kristen Cavallo. The kids were so excited to see Kristen. We had a terrific connection and it was wonderful. Kristen was here with me in January and it was a mutual love affair.
Today was a day to step back and see how far we’ve come in just 4 years. The kids are thriving and people have been so generous in meeting our financial needs. One of the biggest has been medical expenses, but I can tell you they are paying off. Deborah our girl with Cerebral Palsy has made SIGNIFICANT strides since I last saw here. Physically and mentally the change is VERY apparent. Thanks to people who had donated to New Hope Homes. We’ve used some of the money to get her physical therapy and medicine.
One of the Desami twins has struggled all of his 2.5 years of life. His brother is active and running, but the other has a foot that is badly curled and is a bit crossed eyed with some sight limitations. In January we started him on physical therapy and then put a cast and now a boot with brace on the bad leg and he’s making progress. I know the Janssen family will be especially happy to hear the news as they pray for him and have helped me some of his needs. I have never seen his leg straight…but it is. He is not yet walking, but tonight I let him stand up and he could hold his own weight for a bit. Praise God….I believe he will one day walk.
Other fun parts to the day were Sarah getting a game of volley ball going with some very special soccer balls (yes Kate and Charlie…your balls…more about that in the next post). The kids were so excited about the balls that after they played soccer (football) they decided to play volley ball tool. The “uncles” and “aunties” joined in with Sarah, Abby and some of the big kids. Laughter could be heard throughout the grounds.
It’s almost time to teach English to the adults, so I must sign off.
Speaking of…my goodness. I looked at Fabiola’s report card. WOW…Terrific grades in English, French and Kinyrwanda. To think 4 years ago she didn’t understand the “concept’ of another language…much less be conversant in 3.
Thank you for following along in our journey and we thank you for any support you can give. Remember your donation is tax deductible and 100% of the money goes directly to the care of the kids. You can donate on the ‘donate’ botton on this page or my facebook page (lower left corner) or calmministries.org
At times I feel like I am a begger…but when I know it’s going to a good place, I know the ‘ask’ is important. Every dollar matters…$5, $20 or more…we promise to make good use of your resources.
Big plans are coming:
Movie Night
BIG BALL PROJECT UPDATE
Road Trip to Kibeho
Let us know if you want to try to skype with your kids. We're taking ‘reservations’ ☺
For Saturday morning US tme.
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