Trusting in God’s Plan
Written by: Jenn O’Neill
“When my little brother hits me, I don’t hit him back. Instead, I get him to play something with me.”
This was the answer one of the children gave when we asked for an example of how they show goodness, which is one of the Fruit of the Spirit in Galations 5:22-23.
The children at Gisenyi’s preschool, Victory Christian School, really enjoyed filling up the tree with fruit.
They also liked the video 11 year old Haleigh, who lives in America, made for them. She loves Jesus and the art for this project was completely done by her.
After coloring and a snack, the children presented us with gifts that had our Rwandan names and said we are welcome on the bags.
There are many children in the area from poor families who are preschool age. Right now many stay at home because their families cannot afford it. The school is trying to find ways to fund teacher salaries and porridge to keep the costs down so more children can benefit from early education.
Meantime, on our last night in Gisenyi, we shared dinner and discussion with the church leaders and staff from the region.
Pastor Aaron began by thanking us for our commitment to spend time in this region. “Our partnership is now cemented by you coming back but also what you have been talking about with the different groups. All of this will help contribute to our relationship. You have visited different places from the city to rural areas. They were happy to see you and spend time with you,” Pastor Aaron said.
Pastor Philemon also attended from Bwiru. “I know you blessed many women. In rural areas, you find many men are alcoholics or engage in polygamy. Women are struggling in life because the husband is there but doesn't take care of the family. The wife is responsible for everything and there are consequences for the children. They don't receive the primary things they need. But since you came to visit some of the women with those problems, today they are empowered and they are doing something to survive and support their families.”
In Bwiru last year, AWHI gave 50 microloans to the large women’s cooperative here. The team also contributed personal funds to provide porridge for the children for 3 months. It was a temporary blessing and these additional needs are outside the scope of AWHI’s mission. We would like to help with every need but the U.S. requires nonprofits to be very specific in their mission focus. It is our hope that by partnering and empowering women with microloans and savings bonuses, women can build a sustainable life not only for themselves but also for their families and communities and we are beginning to see examples of this.
AWHI President, Heidi Kittredge told the leaders we can advocate for other projects by continuing to share their stories and pray that God will bring people forward who can help in those areas. She shared examples of that already happening like last year when someone helped with food and teacher salaries for Batima along with additional funding for Bwiru microloans.
One of our interpreters, Sandrine, mentioned this scripture to us last night. “At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” -Isaiah 60:22
We trust that God will bring the needed resources for other projects in his own timing. We have already witnessed this through the rapid growth of AWHI as an organization and the microloans and savings bonuses given in the last 2 years. We will continue to pray and collaborate to do God’s work. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for next year in the Gisenyi region.