Mama’s book

For some time now, I have been sharing with you the expected birth of my book. Yep, it is like giving birth. The process takes too long and the labor pains seem to go on forever. Finally, the book is produced. Like with a newborn, I am hoping and praying all is well and everyone will love the new (book) baby.

So, OK. Because I am 89 years old, a baby is not possible, but a new book is. Hope you all like my creation.

My manuscript is “Hope Made Real.” It is now a book and is available in ebook and paperback. While the book can be purchased in several locations, here is the Internet address for people to order my book directly from the bookshop where we earn a great deal more on each book sold. https://store.bookbaby.com/book/hope-made-real

Please note all proceeds from the book go to the Urukundo Learning Center Education Fund.

More information is available on the website. Check in there, please.

Book front cover.

May in Rwanda

May is a beautiful month in Rwanda.

In the morning at Urukundo, the sun is shining, birds are singing and there is no sign of rain.
We are blessed. After the torrential rainstorms and mud floods, this is a welcome relief.

When clouds come down

I share with you one of my favorite sights in Rwanda and what on occasion I can see from the top of my mountain. Remember Rwanda is the land of many mountains of many different sizes; some are considered hills.

Here in Rwanda we have small and large volcanoes.They are beautiful but when active dangerous. Most are not active.

The volcanos reach high into the sky. Usually you cannot see their tops as the cloud cover hides them from view. There are four in this area of Ruhengeri. Two are visible from our school on a clear day.

Small and large close together. Top not visible on tall one.

When the tops are visible, they are a beautiful sight to behold.

There are occasions when the cloud cover is so intense that it covers not only the volcano but it comes down to the top of our mountain.

My home is close to the top of a high mountain, so clouds move in on us at times. That was the case one morning in May. Looking out my door, I could not see beyond my hand. The cloud was like a huge blanket. Everything waits for the clouds to lift.

I love the differences in Rwanda and like sharing them with you.

Out and about

After being released from isolation, my first venture out was to visit the school and the project in progress. I was pleased at what I saw happening. It is good to know life goes on at Urukundo even if I am in isolation.

I was amazed at how liberating just the ability to walk to the school was. Such an adventure!
I take time to rest beneath a tree near the library. Still going strong, just a bit slower,

Weather report

The saying is: April showers bring May flowers. Not so in Rwanda. The rain storms this month have been terrible. They are much worse than usual, and usual was bad enough.

We have not had a total dry season for about a year and Africa's weather has changed so much. Climate change is very evident. It is a bit confusing for the farm people. When to plant is the question. Heavy rain washes away the seeds.

With all the thunder and lightning, I appreciate our donors who sent money for us to erect lightning arrestors at the school and in the village. Those arrestors have saved lives not only for Urukundo but for the community. The land of a thousand hills is lovely but dangerous if there is no protection from electrical storms.

Mudslides from the rainstorms have destroyed many homes, taken many lives and in some cases washed away whole villages. Many of our staff have had home damage (Pastor Yves for one). Mud bricks are susceptible to rain. They’re somewhat like sugar cubes being exposed to drops of water over an extended period of time. Slowly, slowly they dissolve. Best description I can think of.

The US embassy warned of heavy rainstorms on April 18,19 and 20. They were right. These storms have continued. We have dug deep ditches and tried to accommodate excessive runoff to protect the village. The plan was for the water to run past my house to the main road where drainage was available. It did not go past my house. Instead, the deluge was aimed at my house. My home had not been in jeopardy before, but by taking steps to protect Urukundo Village, it was.

The first storm came at night. Lying in my bed, listening to the thunder and watching a late night lightning show is intimidating. The flashes lit up the room. It was like someone was turning off and on a huge flashlight. I am not afraid of thunder. It is a big noise. Am I afraid of lightning? Of course, I am. The two go together.

The second storm was even worse than the first. There was rain, tons of groundwater, heavy wind, lightning bolts and strikes, loud thunder and no visibility. The area around my house was a raging river. My front yard was a boiling lake. I have experienced floods in the USA, but from creeks rising, giving time to evacuate and not from water pouring down from the top of a mountain with no warning. This was different. Neither are any fun, and both are lots of cleanup work.

Progress is being made.

After the first storm, it was necessary to protect the foundation of my home and guest house. To provide an outlet for the water, it was necessary to remove some of the cement blocking the flow. Digging a ditch to connect our excess water to the drainage ditch along the main road required a ditch alongside my driveway. Let's hope it works.

Out my bedroom window. Day worker working hard.

Well, guess what didn’t work. Surprise, surprise.

The protection needed to be expanded. Benjamin and two workers, allowed by the village leader even with the distance rule, extended the ditch directing the water away from my house. Pickaxe, shovel, wheelbarrow and a lot of muscle are what it took to divert the stormwater away from my house.

Latest version of the ditch on April 25.

At the top of the steps lies the garden that flooded earlier. All water at the upper level and the top of the mountain now will travel the new ditch and pass by the red ledge corner of my house and into the drainage ditch at the road.

This one worked.

Storms continued beyond the embassy’s forecast, but now the water bypasses my house. I thank God for the workers who tirelessly continue working to keep me safe from mudslides, floods and the Pandemic virus.

Mama’s book alert

I look forward to when the book “Hope Made Real” is published and I can come to the USA to share it with you. I will be available for book signing and sharing my favorite passages. Bookings later.

Hoping it will be in the fall or early spring. A lot depends on this very contagious virus. In the meantime, I would like to share excerpts I feel appropriate with you.

It seems this segment from Page 112 about a time when I was a speaker in the worship service fits well with April and the Easter season:

While I was still serving as the speaker, a special Sunday in April was a challenge. Each April the country sets aside a time of remembrance for those who died during the genocide. It is such a sad time for the Rwandese. By government decree, there are to be no festivities or celebrations during the entire month of April. Weddings and parties are taboo. Singing and dancing are prohibited.

Yet, every four years this mournful national observance falls at the same time as the Christian celebration of Easter. My kids and the worshipping community look forward to the fun and joy of Easter morning. The older girls practice for weeks to present a traditional dance and the children’s choirs practice new selections. This year we had to tell the children that none of this was allowed. The younger ones could not understand the reasoning for this gloom.

As luck would have it, I was to give the Sunday message. I tossed and turned all night deciding what I could say that would respect the Rwandan observance of remembrance yet still celebrate the risen Christ of Easter. The next morning rising up from my chair in the front row and stepping up onto the platform here is the essence of what I said.

“This morning we, with our country, feel sad for people who died during a very troubled time. None of you children had been born yet, but it is important for you to know what happened and to honor those who died. We also feel happy because it is Easter when we celebrate the risen Christ. None of those living today were born when that happened either. We can feel both sad and happy at the same time; sad for those who died, and happy to celebrate Easter. We grieve for what is lost and rejoice for what is gained.”
Thank goodness, as I sat down the children rescued me by launching into the song, Because He Lives in English and then in Kinyarwanda. I was so pleased. Afterwards, the service ended in silence and everyone departed quietly.

A cooking adventure

OK, so boredom makes people do things not common to that person.

Long ago, I gave up cooking. Hey, I cooked most of my life. My mom started me cooking when I was young and the oldest girl in a large family. I love being in Rwanda where someone else does the cooking.

To get on with my story: Urukundo has a farm with lots of chickens. Chickens have wings. Wings can be barbecued. Barbecued wings are great. I called the farm manager, Eugene, and I asked if I could get a kilogram of wings. They were delivered and so my adventure began.

I checked to make sure I had electricity for the slow cooker my daughter Patricia sent from the USA. Then I mixed a sauce from scratch. Anybody have a good simple barbecue sauce recipe? I placed the wings and sauce in the cooker. Turned on the electricity, set the dials and waited.

Yep, they were delicious. OK, so it doesn’t take a chef, but I felt very smart when those in my shutdown house raved about how good they were. I've still got it.

Best part is I did not have to do the cleanup. Hated washing dishes as a kid. Still hate washing dishes.

This might be a treat I could offer volunteers in the future. Have to think about that.
Probably not.

The joy of new treasures

Fifteen suitcases arrived at Kigali International Airport with two energetic, resourceful and awesome women. Carol Falke and Marilyn Ely are two amazing women.

Carol is president of the Hope Made Real International Board, which helps to support Urukundo. This is Carol’s 10th trip to Urukundo in as many years.

Marilyn is treasurer of the International Board and has been a part of Mama’s ministry since 1996. This is her seventh trip to Urukundo Village and Learning Center.

Now here are some of the treasures from the suitcases:

To start:

Two throws now in the guest house and my home in Urukundo Village.

The messages are inspirational. Lovely. Delivered by Marilyn Ely, these special throws came from a dear friend in my hometown.

“Footprints” is one of my favorite pieces.

Give your own title to this photo. Think about it. Pray about it. Feedback, please.

This special prayer applies to every day and every walk of life.

Fun with Carol and Marilyn.

Marilyn and Kavine play one-on-one indoor basketball.

Wings and masks are a delight.

Balls are a favorite toy and pastime entertainment here at Urukundo Village and Learning Center.

Pastor Yves and his crew inflate the balls.

The big orange one is for babies.

Our daycare babies also love the balls.

Combining balls, vests and sunglasses make for a fun time. Pastor and Seraphine indulge with the kids. We are all kids at heart.

Seraphine becomes mysterious and beautiful. A butterfly. Yeah.

Now it is time for the kids to experiment with masks.

John masked and ready to fly.

Soso and Forever are a bit scary.

Tool time: some assembly needed. Putting together the tool chest/table requires master mechanics.

Many parts were assembled to make a table and chest for tools.

Kids did it. No extra parts. Great accomplishment.

Job well done

Our visitors, Pastor Alexis and wife Pastor Delphine, received pointers on tools and the tool chest.

Safety first. Helmets, goggles and vests for trying on for size.

Cooking on an ultra modern stove and having a work table and shelves storage adds to the wonder.

A regular chair and a printed canvas make up the stove and cabinet an amazing teaching tool.
Notice the microwave oven. Wow.

Our Chef Seraphine and Kavine prepared food for cooking.

Teacher Theogen stirred the pot. So much fun for students and teachers! Learning can be great fun.

Carol and company. Olive, Carol, Deborah and Seraphine. What a beautiful grouping! Great photo.

Heads up

Mama’s book went to the publisher on Feb. 26.

Soon it will be available on Amazon as well as in bookstores.

Some of the photos from the book

Hey, I, Mama Arlene, was a little girl long ago with a mom and dad and later children of my own.

Hope Made Real is the final chapter of my life, and “Hope Made Real” is the name of the book. My family now includes children from my adopted country, Rwanda.

Read all about it. Proceeds from the book go to the Urukundo Foundation and Learning Center.

After publication, I will travel to the USA for book readings and signing events. To host an event with me, contact: Patricia Brown: pdbrown@spiritworks.org.

Sight to see

An unbelievable vision! Visitors are in for a treat traveling through Kigali City. I was very surprised and impressed. It was not there the last time I was in the city.

A basket on top of this beautiful building! I am told at night the basket is illuminated and the flag of Rwanda is visible. I think I need to pay a night visit just to see this sight.

What do you think? Would it fit in your living room? Small ones are available. Lovely to see.

Reunion for best friends

The story:

Edison’s mother works at Urukundo, and Edison has grown up and gone to school with Urukundo kids. It was not a surprise that Edison missed Jacob, his best friend through daycare and preschool at Urukundo Learning Center.

Jacob was moved to a foster family over a year ago. One Sunday morning, Edison asked his mother, “Where is Jacob? I need to see Jacob.” His mom called Olive, our child advocate, telling her that Edison said, “‘If I can't see Jacob, then I will ask NCC to find me a foster family so I can live with Jacob.’” The NCC is the National Commission for Children.

This was a bit funny to adults as Edison has a mom, dad, brother and a great home. It was not funny to Edison. He was serious.

Tresor who just came home from Arizona State University and was very close to Jacob when they both lived at our home. He also wanted to see Jacob, so a surprise trip was arranged.

Benita, who also lived at Urukundo Home, had a history with Jacob. When Benita was 3 years old and had to go visit her grandmother far away, she was told she would come back but had to see her grandmother. She agreed to travel by bus to see her grandmother near the Burundi border. When she stepped out of the bus and saw her grandmother, she looked at her traveling companion and said, “OK, now let's go home. Jacob needs me.”

The impact Jacob had with so many has been felt. So Tresor, Edison and Benita went to spend the afternoon with Jacob. They had a wonderful time together.

Next visit, our maintenance worker Benjamin, who was Jacob's idol, will go to see Jacob. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Jacob’s answer was always the same. “I want to be Benjamin.” No greater love.

Jacob in green and Edison in blue

Benita, Jacob and Edison, who were best friends at Urukundo Home, meet again after being separated for over a year.

Kids are kids. Photos are fun.

Edison and Benita came home to tell me, “Jacob has a tooth problem and needs to come home to get it fixed.”

Tresor and Jacob

June 2019 Newsletter

Return from USA

The 10 weeks in the USA sharing the love and the story of Urukundo Foundation -- its beginning, development and future goals -- was so exciting and so full of love. I thank all who shared their time with me.

Arriving at the Kigali International Airport on Saturday, June 1, I found Divine and Deborah, who are two of my university students, waiting to welcome me. They had been at the airport since 4:20 p.m., the original time of arrival. Along with hugs and kisses, they presented me with this beautiful bouquet.

I arrived home at Urukundo Village at about 8:30 p.m. It was very late and dark after a long journey and a seven-hour layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My plan was to arrive home during the daylight hours, but that did not happen.

The children waited for me. The greeting was all hugs and kisses and flowers from Urukundo’s garden.

Flowers are always a delight. I loved both arrangements.

Then it was off to bed for the children and a very tired mama.

Special event for Urukundo

Auntie Delphine’s wedding was indeed a special event. So sorry I missed it. Delphine was the first Urukundo employee in 2006.

A bridal shower was given by her coworkers at Urukundo Village.

After a surprise, you shed tears. Tradition, I think.

The wedding was followed by dancing and singing.

Then food.

The food was served by the Urukundo kitchen staff. Looks good.

The wedding attendants and Diescor. Not quite sure how he got in the bride’s photo. Delphine is rather special to our kids, and Diescor has been under her wing since 2007.

Not the best photo, but our kids and staff presented the bride and groom with a gift. Jean Marie is handing the large pease basket filled with I-am-not-sure-what. It is never empty to Auntie Delphine in the photo.

Beautiful bride and wedding attendants.

Best wishes for a long and happy marriage.