Visiting the sewing projects on Tuesday

Sunday – Joy

Monday – Sorrow

Tuesday – Hope!

These are the words that best characterize the past three days.  Today we went to two of the ministry projects here in Kigali where widows and orphans are learning to sew, cook, and make intricate baskets.  With these skills, they can earn a living and provide for themselves and their families.  They can pay school fees so their children can go to school, as well as provide basic necessities.  The smiles of these women said it all!  They are so grateful to learn, to work, and to provide.  They WANT to learn and work!   They are proud of their work, and rightfully so.  Not only are their economic situations improving, but more importantly, they have the opportunity to know the God who loves them and realize their value and worth in His eyes.

The first program we visited is located in Ruth’s home where we had our joyous welcome our first night.  Again, the children greeted us at the gate; the women were busily at work using every square inch they can manage.  One of the little boys, Amable, latched onto us and quickly became a new friend.  He’s about 4, talks non-stop, loves to pray and obviously listens in Sunday School.  What a sweetheart! We also got to meet two of Ruth’s children, Peter and Esther.  They are both ready to enter university, and we prayed with them that God would make a way for them to go. Ruth said that Peter wanted to share a song with us; what an incredible voice declaring God’s amazing love!  As we prayed and sang together, we were reminded that we truly are one body, His body.  

The second ministry center is another sewing project.  Again, they have as any machines as they can cram into their small space.  Two women have to share a machine; there are two sessions at each location, morning and afternoon to train as many women as possible   Given more space and equipment, they would be able to train so many more.  We’re praying with them to be able to do that.

This afternoon Suzanne was able to share prayer ministry training with the ministry leaders, which was quite a blessing for them.  It’s wonderful to be able to encourage and support those who are giving so much to others and provide tools to help them in ministry.

As we drove through the city today, we saw evidence of reconstruction efforts in Rwanda.  The new buildings, improved roads, cleanliness, all point to stages of recovery for the nation, definite signs of hope.  The greatest evidence, though, is in the faces of the women we met with today.  Their lives are being transformed; they have the eternal hope of Jesus in their hearts and hope for today and tomorrow as they learn skills that will supply their basic needs.  They have true hope now and for eternity.

Life is hard here; the trauma of the past still haunts, but we saw real hope today.  With God, nothing is impossible.  Diane