The month of June has moved very fast. Preparing to travel to the US has been an ordeal but a pleasant one as it ended happily. Lilliane’s Visa came at virtually at the last minute but with “God in Charge” it came in time.
I have been blessed by Rwanda Immigration with a permanent visa. I am honored.

Urukundo is pleased to welcome Todd & Andria Ellingson as volunteers at our Home for children Their desire is to be permanent. Their presence makes it possible for me to take this journey to the US.
Nurse Nancy Ehrig has also come on board as a temporary Volunteer filling in for me in our small clinic.. Read about Nancy under visitors for June.
It was good that all three arrived with time for acquainting themselves with Urukundo while I was still there.

My favorite time of the day. Sunrise in Urukundo Village viewed from my side porch.

Last year at this time we were out of water and using our vehicle to transport drinking & cooking water for the village (our own use). This year the dry season did not happen. Climate changes.

Excessive rain this season has done damage to Urukundo property. Many died in Rwanda due to mud slides. The first photograph shows where our cement and ground started to wash away because of a heavy torrential downpour. The septic for the little house is right there. Any further erosion from the rain would be a disaster for Urukundo.
Thought you might find a few pictures worth a thousand words.


Ground preparation

Hard labor transporting the rocks in a homemade wheelbarrow

Almost finished.

Revisiting this experience is almost as painful as when it was lived through.

In November Urukundo was called by the Department of Gender and Family Development. The Secretary to the Minister’s program for the day was to secure homes for the prison children. No, they are not criminals. In Rwanda when a nursing mother or a pregnant woman is incarcerated, the baby stays in the prison with the mother until the age of three years. At that time family are looked for to take the baby. And if there is no family, then the child is placed in an orphanages.

We had been asked in the late summer last year, and said ‘no’ since we had no room. However, in November the Ministry called again and this time we knew we could not refuse. We agreed to take two children. On the 26th of January the Vice Minister called to say we would receive the two children, both boys, the next day. I expected them to bring the children to us. That did not happen.

The Vice Minister arrived accompanied by a man I had not met before. Bonaventure Uwvumyi was very tall and official-looking. He was introduced as the Head of National Prison, Civic Education and Correctional Service. They requested John and I accompany them to the prison to pick up our boys. I really did not want to do that, but it seemed that I had no choice.

When we got to the prison the guards refused us admittance. The two in the other car had to come back to get us. Finally we were inside. Eugenia came to meet me. I had met her at Fina Bank several weeks before and I knew she worked at the prison but never dreamed how soon I would meet her again. She took me aside and explained she wanted me to take a different child from my original allocation. She would take one of the boys assigned to me and I would take the boy she was to have taken to Inyanza. She had formed a special attachment and wanted the young boy where she could see him from time to time. It did not matter to me as I did not know any of the children yet.

The child Eugenia wanted us to take was named Ezekiel. He was 6 years old. He was older than the other children there, and had lived in the prison for all his 6 years. There was no sign of his mother. Eugenia introduced me to the doctor who cared for the babies at the prison. He explained Ezekiel was sick and needed medicine so he would need to keep him a few more days before releasing him to me. This we agreed and so we walked on to the infirmary. We were greeted with a disturbing scene; every age group was together in one room. The doctor called Ezekiel and told him he would go to live with me soon. He came over and put his little hand in mine and looked at me with serious frightened eyes but he did not let go.

We walked together hand in hand to where the others were waiting.

Much to my surprise the representative from Gender and Family Development refused to let the exchange Eugenia had proposed take place. He said that if we wanted to they would let us have the Ezekiel as an additional third boy. John and I exchanged looks and said we only had room for two and even so, we were pushing our resources. I had to let go of Ezekiel’s hand. He turned hurt eyes to me and let them lead him away. My heart was crushed. This young child was so sad.

The hardest part of all came when the other two younger boys were being taken from their mothers to travel with us. Daniel and Claude are three years old and strong. Even though they knew Eugenia they struggled to get away and were kicking and screaming as they were picked up and placed in the car. Big tears filled their little eyes and poured down their cheeks, their mothers were crying, and the prison staff cried along with us. Eugenia broke down and tears filled John’s eyes. I held it together until I was seated in the front seat of the car. Then I cried for the mothers and for their little boys. There has to be a better way to do this.

Eugenia, Claude, Daniel

We arrived home but Ezekiel stayed on my mind. He needed to belong and know love. Eugenia looked at me after seeing Urukundo and said “You do have room, Mama – more room than he has at the prison.” John and I had already decided we would bring Ezekiel home to Urukundo. After paperwork and due process, one week later he is one of our boys.

We were told the mothers would be in prison for a very long time, perhaps as long as 17 years. This then would be the only move the boys would have to make. They would be young men by the time their mothers were free. We would not have to face giving up one of our children while they were small. But it did not happen that way. I should have expected that, as things do seem to work differently here.

Daniel’s mother was released just two weeks after he came to live with us. Daniel had adjusted to Urukundo and did not want to leave but a little boy needs to be with his mother so we had to let him go. We do cry for our children many times over. What Daniel’s life will be, only God knows. We pray for this little boy and for his mother.

A sad time at Urukundo

After seeing the living conditions of the babies at the prison I am wondering what we are being called to do. I had worked in prison ministry in Pa. and my heart goes out to the mothers who must separate from their babies, and for those children who need to know they are loved. I am sure God has a plan. It will be revealed to us in His time. Prayers please.

Breakfast: Sorghum Porridge drink & sandwich.
First day of Kindergarten Natete, Luki, Daniel, Claude

The precious gems go off to school.
Front row: Luki, Daniel, Claude and Natete. Back row: Annah, Aline Molly, Aline, Belise

The long journey to school begins with Hope & John protecting, and Lucia, Descor and Anita helping out.

Running on the mountain is a wonderful experience but can prove hazardous to your health. Check with Jessica. A sprained ankle from stepping in a hole slowed her down – but not for long.
Well, it did give her a rest. The ankle is better and she is “back to work as usual”.

First, to all who love and support the children at Urukundo Home in Rwanda:

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010
May it be the best year yet.

Request:
Trip home to pray for. July through September. Three months. The Lord willing.

Fina Bank, a bank local to Rwanda, opened a branch in the town of Gitarama, and was kind enough to honor Urukundo village with gifts of candy for the children and a check for 500,000 rwf ($1000 USD). We were honored to be chosen to take part in this happy event.

The event started with guests arriving and being welcomed.

Fina Bank is one of the sponsors of Bicycle Team Rwanda and brought Coach Jock Boyer and two of the young men from the team to visit with our boys and answer questions. It was an exciting time and our kids were inspired as cycling has become important to them.

Here’s a picture of us receiving their generous gift.

And, lastly, a picture of the whole group.

The rules are that all balls must be played with on the basketball court or the improvised soccer field, not on the porches or in the house. Windows have been broken.

The aftermath of our much needed rain is not so good for the boys love of football. Football, or soccer in the US, is their passion. Football indoors because of the heavy rain is not so good. Our boys have discovered that windows, when hit by a soccer ball, break. Now they have a window to pay for and no football for a month.

Terrible punishment.

Mom has confiscated all soccer balls and soccer is on hold.

His name is Steven. The casts are ready to come off, but braces are need for both legs. Gatagara has a project working with the handicapped will make the braces and Urukundo will help pay for them. The family has exhausted their resources doing their best to help their child and now it is time for us to help.