It has been a day full of stories, prayers, singing, dancing, celebrating, and cow-chasing. Yes, you read that correctly — cow-chasing. We were to present one of the orphan groups with cows, but the cattle were not cooperating. So, there were some “muzungoos” (the name for non-Rwandan people) running around, chasing cows and looking pretty silly.
We visited three villages that are all part of the community our church supports. Each of these groups are in their third year of a three-year program. They will graduate from the Zoe empowerment program later this year. This means they are almost completely self-sufficient now. They can provide their own food, they have homes to lives in and they can even make some food to save and help others. It is amazing because most of these families are led by children. Yet, this program uses their child-like faith, curiosity and energy to their favor. I tell people often that children can achieve great things just as adults, and this is a testament to that belief.
We heard many children tell stories of life on the street — begging, stealing, or working a full day for just a few bananas. When they went to the initial Zoe meeting in their communities some were disappointed because they just wanted food. They did not want to start a new life, work with others, or even trust adults who were trying to help them. They had no hope and no belief that they were worthy. Some said they did not even feel human. But now, two years later, they dance, sing and celebrate how good God has been to them. Their faith and perseverance are incredible. I wish you all could be here to see their beautiful faces and feel their hugs. Continue to pray for them, for life is still hard and there are still obstacles to overcome.