The second orphanage we went to in Rwanda was Imbabazi. It's an American run orphanage in Gigali, Rwanda which is on the west side near the Congo. It was started by a woman named Rosamond Carr at the age of 86. She spent much of her life in Rwanda living on a working flower plantation (where the orphanage is). She was forced to leave Rwanda during the genocide but returned when she was able. Upon returning, she noticed children around the area who were now orphans... and so Imbabazi began. Imbabazi means “a place where you will receive all the love and care a mother would give.”
We arrived there and first thing first, we needed to use the restroom. This was our first official squattie-potty experience. Then we had lunch which was beans and Posho which is a corn-flour that you cook with water to a porridge. It was like mashed potatoes consistency. This was the same that the children/teens eat each day.
Next we were blessed to tour the flower plantation with the teens. It's a beautiful place. And we saw Rosamond's grave.
Some of the girls. It took a while for them to warm up, but once they did they wouldn't stop talking and showing off.
Next was taking us on a walk through the fields... holding hands the whole walk. I loved that about Rwanda... you'd be sweating and still they would not drop your hand. Such a desire for touch and love.
After walking the field, a group of us girls sat making friendship bracelets while others played soccer. This is Rose, who was my buddy. The girls sang with us the entire time... they loved Rhianna and Bieber and contemporary music from the states. How far it travels. Ha!
She made one for herself and one for me.
We ended the time with the boys jumping the log and doing tricks as they went. It was a great day. And this place was unique in that all the children were teens. I am so glad they have each other. And yet, we saw so little of their day to day life... what they eat, what they do.
Jesus I lift up these teens to you today... 7 months after I met them- Lord be their God, their Father, their guide. Prepare good things for their future and lead them into deep relationship with you.
Please read this. You will be challenged and blessed. Voices 4 the voiceless is an awesome ministry that supports a baby home very close to my heart- Sangaalo. They just returned from a trip to Uganda and this is one of their testimonies from the trip. I resonated with much of this from my trip. I pray you will be challenged and changed by this. http://voices4thevoiceless.blogspot.com/2013/03/in-words-of-richard.html
