Rwanda Rundown from some of the girls...

What were you expecting coming to Rwanda?

What surprised you the most?

What did you enjoy the most/least?

Is there anything you will change or do differently back home?

What does Rwanda need most and is there anything you can do to help?

Describe Rwanda in one word.

Describe your experience in Rwanda in one word.

How can you bring awareness or contribute to the partners we have made?

Katie Payne

1. I'm not really sure what I expected. I guess I thought everyone was going to be sad and there where going to be dirt roads and nothing developed.

2. The thing that surprised me the most was how happy everyone was and how lush and green the earth is.

3. The thing I enjoyed most was the first full day we were in Rwanda when we were greeted by the deaf kids with hugs and smiles.  The thing I disliked the most was leaving.

4. When I go home I will appreciate every moment more. I will always have a smile on my face and not be afraid to give unconditional love to anyone.  You never know who will need it.

5. Rwanda needs to invest in their youth and keep moving forward with their progress.  I think I could keep going back and encouraging kids and maybe sponsor a kid at a school. 

6. Strong

7. Unforgettable

8. I will bring awareness by telling everyone about my trip in detail.  I will contribute to the organizations by going back or sponsoring a child at one of the schools.

Caki Briggs

1. When I decided to come I expected there would be brokenness.  And although there is some, I was proven very wrong.

2. I expected brokenness coming to Rwanda, but this amazing country blew my expectations out of the water. Rwanda is alive and growing stronger.  It has come so far and has seen so much growth.  Rwanda is not defined by its brokenness from the genocide or by brokenness at all.  Of course brokenness can be found everywhere in everyone but we choose what defines us.  Rwanda has chosen to be defined by thankfulness, joy and above all, love.  Love for the Lord and love for others.

3. Something I really enjoyed was having the opportunity to talk to orphans that were my age at Imbabazi orphanage. Most of theses teens have seen unimaginable things and many were orphaned because of the genocide. You would expect for these kids to be bitter and shy and afraid of life, but rather, they were thankful, ambitious, full of love, joy and eager to learn. They talked about going to college and becoming social workers, singer and professional soccer players. They even love Justin Bieber and Shakira.

The hardest part for me was at Noel orphanage. The kids ranged from two months to over 20. I got to spend most of the day with the babies. When I walked in, the women who take care of them told the babies to call us mothers like they were also called. It killed me to look into the eyes of these precious babies and know they have no family and hearing them call me mother. They are young and don't understand. 

4. When I get home I need to slow down my fast paced life enough that I can remember and be thankful for my blessings. Seeing people less fortunate than I and watching them find joy in the little things that truly matter, helped give me a new perspective. I have a home, food, water and a loving family. I am truly blessed. Also when I get home, I cannot keep silent about these past days. God calls us to be ambassadors and that is what I will be. 

5. Rwanda needs many things but after seeing so many children in orphanages, Rwanda needs a reliable relocation and rehoming project. Soon this will begin. Rwanda is closing all orphanages in a few years. But I'm afraid many of the kids will have even harder circumstances with this. I'm still thinking how I could even make a dent in this issue but I'll start by doing my research and taking it step by step. No child should grow up without a family!

6. Forgiving

7. Love : it's tough knowing that going on shorter trips like this that you may not have a huge impact or make a huge change by visiting the orphaned, but that isn't the point- Love is! Even showing love to others in small ways shows the love of Jesus and eventually those small acts of love will build to something great!

8. As for awareness, we can start small and grow big. Change always stems from an educations of what is needed- in Rwanda, Excel school specifically, there is always a need for someone to sponsor the many kids that attend but cannot pay.  If we talk to people in our schools, churches or anywhere, about the program, we can help lead to sponsors of the children. We made many friends and partners in Rwanda so we can start by educating people about the issues and offer solutions those programs provide.

Ellie Allums

1. Coming to Rwanda I honestly didn't know what to expect. I knew about the genocide that had occurred and the destruction it caused, but also knew they weren't still in that state of turmoil. I guess I expected a developing country that was building its infrastructure, but that was more rural. 
2. I was surprised by the kindness of the people we met. I was not expecting to be constantly greeted and said "hello" to. Having gone through so much suffering I was not expecting them to be so gracious and open when they have so much reason to be unhappy and dispirited. 
3. The thing I enjoyed most about the trip was the visit to the deaf school, because the kids were so, insanely sweet even though they were disabled. To me I felt like we made the kids' day because they probably don't get a lot of visitors that try to come and communicate with them. The least favorite thing was probably leaving because I grew attached to Musanze and the kids we met and the help we gave. That and the long flight/travel day were my least favorite thing. 
4. Back home I'll definitely appreciate things more, from the little things like the clean bathrooms to the bigger things like good education systems. After seeing how some of these kids live, especially in the places like the Noel orphanage, it really puts into perspective what I have, especially my parents. Due to the genocide and other situations a lot of kids don't have parents, so when they called me "mom" for the day or asked if I had a mom and dad it made me realize I need to appreciate them more. 
5. Rwanda needs a new reputation most. People make a lot of assumptions about Rwanda due to the genocide. People will think it's still in turmoil or is still underdeveloped and this is unsafe to go there. This isn't the case at all though. Rwanda is not stuck with this bad reputation it has. 

6. Generous. 
7. Moving. 
8. To bring awareness we need to tell the story of Rwanda of how it is today and get the thoughts away from the past. By focusing on the past it takes away from the awareness that should be brought to the needed school supplies and other supplies for the orphans. Changing the perception and continuing to give aid will bring awareness and help maintain the friendships and ties we've made. 

Grace Boyer

1. What were you expecting coming to Rwanda?

Coming to Rwanda I expected a run down country still depressed and mourning their loss. I knew from reading bishop John's book before that the people there were learning to forgive and continue life but I did not expect to see so many smiles on their faces and such joy every time they say "muraho" to you.

2. What surprised you the most?

The joy and friendship between the people amazed me and how loving each person was to me. Also their ability to speak English an their desire to learn it shocked me.

3. What did you enjoy the most/least?

I enjoyed serving and just being with the kids and loving on them; I enjoyed making them laugh and just feel cared for. I would say the thing I enjoyed the least was the food. Our cook was amazing but the lunch at the schools was hard.

4. Is there anything you will change or do differently back home?

When I get home I want to spread and show the love that each person from Rwanda showed me. I want to show the people at home how amazing this country is and how it isn't full of hate.

5. What does Rwanda need most and is there anything you can do to help it?

I think that Rwanda needs more efficient schools. The excel school was amazing but the wisdom school was so packed and I felt it needed more teachers and people pouring into the students 

6. Describe Rwanda itself in one word

Joyful

7. Describe your experience in Rwanda in one word

Eye-opening

8. How can you bring awareness and contribute to the partners we have made? 

Telling my peers about the trip and how Rwanda really is. Maybe sponsor a student from the excel school.