home activities location pictures about us
Rwanda Mission  
 
Updates
 
   
5/10 - After ~ 35 hours of travel we made it from Kigali to Boise! And Rwanda decided to send us home with a stomach bug of sorts, maybe from a meal before we left or on the plane???... We had a busy final week, said heartfelt goodbyes and are glad to be home. This update is from Kelly...Danielle may send one in the next few days. She also has some picture to share of her that are one her digital camera.
I wasn't sure if our final week would wind down gradually, it didn't. We took on a final project of helping to register 70+ kids from the Kigali slums for sponsorship. When Danielle and I were out in the neighborhoods working with the families certain kids would follow us from house to house. Their clothes were rags and they'd ask via a translator, "Can we be sponsored?" It was heart breaking to realize that without sponsorship these kids were being left without education (a sure way of staying in the cycle of poverty) and also hungry. On Mondays and Thursdays these same kids (and more) would come to the church to eat lunch with the street kids.

I asked Charles (ANLM director) if we could get their info and work to get them sponsored. So last Tuesday ANLM staff interviewed the kids and parent/guardians, Danielle wrote down info and I took pictures. Word spread rapidly and kids turned out in droves. In the course of 2 days I took pictures of 70 kids. 70 was more than I had anticipated but we had prayed that God would help us to connect with those who needed help and food most urgently. As I look at the photos I took of these precious children I know that part of my heart is still in Africa. It is hard to describe what it is like to play with them, hug them, hold them and pray with them. They are so innocent, so hungry for love, and hungry for food. They open their hearts readily when they are young and cautiously as they grow older experiencing more of the pain of their hard lives.

Last Monday we spent the morning relating with the little ones. They want to be held and touched. An ANLM staff person told us that many of them don't receive love since they live with relatives or on the streets. Danielle noted that when you held some of them they didn't know how to be held. They didn't easily adjust/conform their body but remained a bit stiff. But they want to be in your arms! One little boy I held was named something like "Beet-ey." He was 3. I've included his picture below. I held him for 45 minutes and he just melted into me. He had wounds on his hand and leg, very troubling. His cousin is a street kid and we're not sure about his mother, perhaps a prostitute. (Prostitution is shameful in Rwanda but after the genocide many young girls were left without any parents or family and were forced into either begging, or prostitution to survive.)


That same day I talked with the cooks as they prepared the food for 50+ hungry street kids and little ones. JeanPeirre had 12 siblings before the genocide and there were 3 of them left after. Israel lost his parents, and all his siblings except one sister. Israel is now a street kid and his sister is a prostitute. Simon's whole family was killed, he became a street kid addicted to petrol but eventually came to Christ. His favorite character/book in the bible is Job. He finds great comfort in the devastation and restoration of Job's life. Remember Job lost all 10 of his children in one day. Much like what happened to JeanPeirre, Israel and Simon (and so many others). To these young men the family of God is so special and they cling to the fact that God is their father. It was amazing to hear their stories, their forgiveness and also their passion to help other street kids and orphans.

One purpose of our trip was to find out if ANLM was a good ministry to partner with for the long-term. Our church wanted to know if this is a good place to plug into and really make a difference tangibly in the lives of people and an entire country. I left Rwanda with an overwhelming sense that "yes" this is a key place to be and the work is worthwhile and imperative. And the people/ANLM staff we will be joining arms with in ministry are compassionate, spirit filled and incredibly hard working. I/we can't solve all the world's problems but I/we can make a significant impact in a specific area and that is what I believe with all my heart that God asks us to do. Praise God that he lets us join with him in the work of restoration, healing, compassion and justice! It was such a privilege and joy to be the literal hands and feet of Christ in Rwanda. We got to do what Jesus Christ would do in Rwanda if he were physically living on earth in 2005. Wow!

Thanks so much for your prayers! We will be sending out a follow up letter with pictures about our trip via the mail. We hope to show pictures and video footage to many of you!
   
4/30 - It's been wonderful (!!!) to talk with some of our family on the phone. It is amazing how good a familiar voice sounds! We are also realizing how much will miss some of the staff and kids here in Africa. Heaven becomes even more special when you have friends from around the world who will be there with you.

We've almost visited all the kids on our list. Our final homes were among some of the poorest we've seen. The kids were playing with a very flat and old soccer ball, dressed in dirty and old clothes, but their smiles are so sweet. We've been asking quite a bit about each child and if they receive enough food. Many of them do not and are quite thin or their hair is brittle. We've been praying for wisdom in knowing how to address this need especially for certain kids whose families are without any resources.

Today we will have our last "center day" with the kids in Kigali. We are making Lion Puppets with them. And the bible story today is about Abraham and his willingness to obey God in Gen 12.

On Wednesday we shared with the adults about "love letters." At first they were puzzled, "we're going to talk about love letters at church?" But it is a great lead-in to discuss reading the bible as a love letter from God. The people were really encouraged and decided they want to start reading and bathing their hearts everyday in God's love. This Sunday we'll talk about the same thing, at Charles' request. We'll help buy notebooks and pens for those who can't afford them. Charles will pass out bibles. So exciting to see them hungry to know and love God.

We also spent some hours this week making plans and arrangements for the team trip. We have a youth leaders conference, youth retreat, kids vacation bible school, and some work projects planned. It will be great!

Danielle will be singing in church this sunday wearing her new African dress that she had made. Kelly is trying to decide whether to get braid extensions put in her hair...hmmm...

We are excited to see many of you in a week or so! And we will be sending out a letter with pictures after we get home. Thank you so much for all your support, encouragement and prayers!
   
4/26 - Hello Everyone!

Where should we start?! God has been doing some amazing things! Last Sunday Kelly taught the adult Sunday school class and did a great job! Later at the service they had a visiting evangalist from Portland preach...it was a great message, but what was so awesome was that over ten people gave their lives to Christ that morning! Just yesterday we went to the program for the street kids. Many of them are addicted to various drugs, obviously have no homes, and hardly anything to eat. This program gives them a chance to clean up, wash their clothes, fill their bellies and hear God's word. We both gave our testimonies, sharing what God has done in each of our lives. At the eand several chose to give their lives to Christ...praise God!!! Please pray for those...that their descisions would be genuine and that they would take the steps that ANLM offer and get off the streets!

Well, we only have about a week and a half and there is still so much to do!!! We have visited almost all of the FBC sponsored kids and have taken some great pictures and video footage (well, maybe not great with the video...our hands aren't always as steady as we'd like, but you will be able to see the joy you've brought to their lives!!!) Being over here has been amazing...God is using this minisrty in some huge ways and it's an honor to be a part of it!

This Sunday both of us will be teaching Sunday school - Danielle will be teaching the chiildren's and Kelly the adult's again. Please pray for wisdom and strenght! Kelly will be teaching tomorrow in Kayonza for the children's chapel in the school!

I (Danielle) got to visit Bella again today. She is so sweet...and very innocent. I really appreciate all your prayers for her family. I feel so attatched to her, even more since I've met her, and it's hard to see these things happen to anyone...please continue to pray for her and Olivier's placement.

Once again, thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, support and love. Each one of you is making a difference in the lives of these people. God is continuing to do great things for his kingdom...let's continue to be faithful! We'll see (most of you - Boisens) in a week and a half!

P.S. We were both given African names!!! Danielle is Mutesi (meaning gracious) and Kelly is Mutoni (meaning Loved by the Father)!
   
4/18 - Where should I start?...On Friday I got to meet and spend some time with my sponsored child Bella! She was so sweet! Maybe I'm being biased, but she not only has a sweet disposition, but a very sweet face!!! She seemed to really like all the gifts I brought for her. We had a great time together.the next day brought some sad news, however. Specioza (who is one of the social-workers here) called during dinner on Saturday to let me know that Bella's mother had died just a few hours earlier. I told Kelly the news when I got off the phone, and we both started to cry. Bella's story was sad without this new news. Her father had died a couple of years ago and her mother became paralyzed on half of her body just shortly after. Bella's older half-brother Olivier (same father), who is also a FBC sponsored child, seems to take very good care of her. Now they are both left with neither of their parents. The burial will be today and within the next few days things should be settled as to where Bella and Olivier will go.Please pray for this situation. Ideally it would be good if they could stay together, maybe in the orphan home. God knows best, so please just pray! On a lighter note, it has been so good spending time with the kids and the staff at ANLM. Tomorrow I get to do some more work with Happy and the Body Worship group. They learn very fast, so it will be exciting when they have learned the whole dance and are ready to perform! Thank you again for all your love, support and prayers. ~ Danielle~


This is Kelly. Today we are off to Kayonza and I get to meet my sponsored child, Christine. I must say that I feel quite attached to ALL the kids that FBC sponsors. On Saturday we spent the day with quite a few of them. They greeted us with hugs and more hugs. We taught them how to play duck, duck, goose, very fun! And we showed them how to make "friendship bracelets." The older children (late gradeschool) caught on quickly but some of the younger kids had to have LOTS of help. But they were SO proud of their bracelets. When you visit the children in their homes one realizes how important the work of Africa New Life Ministries is. Without ANLM these kids literally might not have food and just barely survive in small dingy shacks. Some of the kids on Saturday hadn't eaten in awhile and so they scarfed the lunch that ANLM provided. It is a bit heart breaking to watch. Being here elicits a variety of contrasting emotions. One moment we are crying because of their dire situations and the next we are having so much fun loving on them and holding their hands. Most of them don't speak much English so we spend a lot of time smiling at them and using hand motions. Please pray that my muscles stay relaxed. I've done really well but I do feel them starting to cramp up and so I'd appreciate your prayers. There is lots of ministry/work that we still need to do while we are here! Love to you all! Thanks for your support! =) Kelly
   
4/15 - Yesterday we had a great day visiting kids in Kigali and giving them the gifts we brought from our church. They are such sweet children and both Danielle and I loved our time with them. Today we are heading out to do the same thing. This next week our schedule is busy. Saturday we work with the Kigali kids on their center day from 9-2. Sunday is church in the am and then youth group in the pm. Monday we travel to Kayonza with Charles to see the school and orphan homes. Then we get to take 50 of the orphans to the lakeside for the afternoon to play and do bible stories. Tues we visit more kids and do choreography practice with the Kigali youth. Wed is shop and rest. Thurs we leave for Kayonza and stay the night up there. On Friday we get to go with the kids to Akagera game park!!!!!!!!!!! We are so very excited! We are starting to get to know that staff and laugh with them. They are all very fun and great to be with.

Danielle got to dance with "Happy" and the dancers here. Happy is very good~ Dani did a great job and we all laughed a lot. The youth here are learning the choreography to "More to this life" by Stacie Orrico. Cool! Today Danielle gets to visit her little Bella Bezza. Very fun!

We are starting to enjoy our time here more and more, especially since we get to be with the kids and church people. It is such a blessing!
   
4/13 - Hey everyone! Each of us are writing one update:

Danielle's update: Hello from Rwanda! First of all thanks for all your prayers.they are very much appreciated and much needed. Things are going pretty well. Charles, Florence and the rest of the staff at Africa New Life Ministries are all so nice and helpful. We are staying in our own apartment in a very nice area of town.also very safe! Monday we went to Charles and Florence's home and met their children. They have a new baby girl, Sarah, I spent most of my time holding her.she's so cute! Yesterday I got really sick, I'm not sure if it was something I ate or just the culture shock. I'm feeling much better today.God has been good! Tomorrow we will be meeting several of the sponsored children and bringing them their gifts. I'm really excited about that! Well, I love and miss all of you.I have been feeling a little home sick, but I think as soon as we start working with the kids things will get better!

Kelly's addition: Rwanda is a beautiful country with so many gorgeous plants and flowers and vines. Our apartment looks out at beautiful trees in bloom and vines with yellow, red, orange, purple and white. So pretty! We have a wonderful balcony to enjoy it all from. We have taken nice walks up the winding roads each day. My sleep schedule is a bit off but I am still very thankful to be here. The roads are busy with crazy drivers and lots of people walking. Some are friendly and others just stare.so we smile back either way. I have had some nice talks with Charles and Florence. Both came to visit us yesterday when Danielle was sick. Tomorrow we are scheduled to visit up to 15 of the kids that FBC sponsors. I am SO excited for that! And we get to deliver all the gifts which should be great! We are also scheduled to visit the genocide memorials soon. That should be good and also very hard. We are starting to get to know the ANLM staff that drive us and we will work with; each is friendly and warm. It is fun to think that in a few weeks they will be our good friends! Dani might lead body worship tomorrow night with the group. Pray she will know what to do! Florence has talked to me about doing some teaching but no time is yet set. I'm glad for a chance to get a bit more accustomed to the people here first before trying to teach! We'll try to send a picture or two soon. The connection is rather slow so we don't want to overwhelm the system. Thanks again for all your support and prayers!
   
4/10 - Kelly and Danielle arrived safely. They're in Rwanda already.
   
4/9 - So they say flexibility is the name of the game when working overseas...we're still in Denver. Our flight to Frankfurt is 4-5 hours late and so we've missed all our connecting flights
New schedule...Frankfurt, London, Nairobi and Kigali. We should arrive in Kigali at 10:20 am on Sunday. Please pray we will make our connecting flights especially when we change major airlines in London with not much time between flights. Danielle is sleeping on the airport floor like a traveling champ! I got a picture! Hee, hee! We are doing well! Just a bit tired of the Denver Terminal A.
   
4/8 - Danielle and Kelly leave this Friday at noon. We have two bags stuffed with gifts for the Rwandan kids! Very fun... And now we are each trying to fit our personal stuff in a bag! =) We are very excited to go! Thank you so much for your financial support and prayers!

Flight Schedule:

LH 9823, 08APR, Boise to Denver, 12:00N – 1:42P (arrives 09APR)
LH 447, 08APR, Denver to Frankfurt, 5:20P – 10:35A (arrives 09APR)
ET 765, 09APR, Frankfurt to Addis Ababa, 2:45P – 10:55P
ET 879, 10APR, Addis Ababa to Kigali, 3:55A – 5:15A
ET 806, 06MAY, Kigali to Addis Ababa, 5:10P – 10:00P
ET 764, 07MAY, Addis Ababa to Frankfurt, 11:20PM– 6:00A
UA 945, 07MAY Frankfurt to Denver, 8:25A – 1:25P
UA 6654, 07MAY, Denver to Boise, 2:45P – 4:40

Gifts for sponsored children: