It is well.
(Two blogs in one!)
Hi friends and family!
Today was exhilarating -- We started off the day with our usual devos and a nice birthday song and celebration for The Oscar U. I think we were all jealous of the fancy tray he got today to put his breakfast plate on. We then moved on to go to church. The overwhelming worship and powerful message touched everyone deeper than we all expected. The entire service was an absolutely breathtaking experience-- the usual for Rwanda, though. Our first culinary fairytale started at brunch at Heaven. It's called "Heaven" for a reason. We traveled to France with savory and sweet culinary crepes, Spain with Spanish Omelettes, and home to America with all the other servings at the buffet.
Later we traveled to the Bridge to Rwanda campus to see their facilities and to meet up with our good friends who live there. Everyone was thrilled to be united with new and familiar faces of all the scholars. We then headed to the pool where all 44 of us jumped into freezing cold water to give swimming lessons and to just be with one another. After the pool, the luxury continued as we took another culinary vacation to get burgers with all the B2R scholars. We stuffed our faces with juicy burgers and french fries at Mr. Chips. By far the best burger I have ever had. We said goodbye to our friends and returned home to Hope Haven to talk to the Peters (host family here at Hope Haven) and debrief. It wasn't a day jam-packed with events, but we made good friends, good laughs, and good memories with a relaxing and spiritually reviving day. Lots of love for everyone from here at Rwanda. (also hi Mom I love you lots!)
Peace, Love and Jake
Hello!
One of the most memorable moments of the trip so far was our immersion experience in the village surrounding Hope Haven where we were able to experience the villagers daily water gatherings. We had the amazing opportunity to go outside the gates of Hope Haven to truly immerse ourselves in a daily routine of African culture. Hope Haven sits on the side of a hill in the village of Murindi and the water well sits at the bottom of the valley. So, as a team, we trekked down through the village and experienced many amazing things. Walking the narrow red dirt trails with the vegetation growing on both sides and the quaint mud homes sporadically spread throughout the trails showed us, in an unfiltered manner, the true nature of living life in the village. We walked about 10 minutes down to the bottom of the village, sometimes walking down hills literally close to a 90-degree angle (little sarcastic but you know). We arrive at the well located at the bottom of the village that is surrounded by steep hills and swampy farmland.
We quickly acquainted ourselves with the villagers and offered to carry their water jugs for them to the top of the hill, the hardest part of their trek. The experience completely forced all of us to serve outside of our comfort zones as we picked up our 50-pound jugs and carried them up the hill. With every step up the steep incline, we were all abruptly reminded of how blessed we are of the luxuries we get to experience on a daily basis. Back home if we want water we turn a faucet, but in Rwanda they make a trek to the well and wait patiently to fill up as many jugs as they can carry and then have to haul them back to their homes twice a day, a workout that no amount of cross-fit could ever prepare you for. It was a humbling experience, to say the least. Physically, we were pushed to our limits to help serve the least of these. Spiritually, we were challenged to not wallow in sadness for the many blessings the Lord has granted us but rather use those blessings to further advance His kingdom. Even our egos took a check as we were all winded and actually borderline dying as we reached the top of the hill and quickly got rid of our jugs only to have an African woman come alongside us to pick up our jugs for us and keep trekking like nothing even happened. Overall the well was an eye-opening and humbling experience that I believe we all took to heart. We are all so blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the community in that way and even more, be changed by our experience. Sending so much love from Rwanda!!
Blessings,
Evan W
https://www.facebook.com/176800386/posts/890680937869/
(Parents I am not sure if you are able to see this yet but here is a link to a well video that one of our hosts made at Hope Haven!)
Hi friends and family!
Today was exhilarating -- We started off the day with our usual devos and a nice birthday song and celebration for The Oscar U. I think we were all jealous of the fancy tray he got today to put his breakfast plate on. We then moved on to go to church. The overwhelming worship and powerful message touched everyone deeper than we all expected. The entire service was an absolutely breathtaking experience-- the usual for Rwanda, though. Our first culinary fairytale started at brunch at Heaven. It's called "Heaven" for a reason. We traveled to France with savory and sweet culinary crepes, Spain with Spanish Omelettes, and home to America with all the other servings at the buffet.
Later we traveled to the Bridge to Rwanda campus to see their facilities and to meet up with our good friends who live there. Everyone was thrilled to be united with new and familiar faces of all the scholars. We then headed to the pool where all 44 of us jumped into freezing cold water to give swimming lessons and to just be with one another. After the pool, the luxury continued as we took another culinary vacation to get burgers with all the B2R scholars. We stuffed our faces with juicy burgers and french fries at Mr. Chips. By far the best burger I have ever had. We said goodbye to our friends and returned home to Hope Haven to talk to the Peters (host family here at Hope Haven) and debrief. It wasn't a day jam-packed with events, but we made good friends, good laughs, and good memories with a relaxing and spiritually reviving day. Lots of love for everyone from here at Rwanda. (also hi Mom I love you lots!)
Peace, Love and Jake
Hello!
One of the most memorable moments of the trip so far was our immersion experience in the village surrounding Hope Haven where we were able to experience the villagers daily water gatherings. We had the amazing opportunity to go outside the gates of Hope Haven to truly immerse ourselves in a daily routine of African culture. Hope Haven sits on the side of a hill in the village of Murindi and the water well sits at the bottom of the valley. So, as a team, we trekked down through the village and experienced many amazing things. Walking the narrow red dirt trails with the vegetation growing on both sides and the quaint mud homes sporadically spread throughout the trails showed us, in an unfiltered manner, the true nature of living life in the village. We walked about 10 minutes down to the bottom of the village, sometimes walking down hills literally close to a 90-degree angle (little sarcastic but you know). We arrive at the well located at the bottom of the village that is surrounded by steep hills and swampy farmland.
We quickly acquainted ourselves with the villagers and offered to carry their water jugs for them to the top of the hill, the hardest part of their trek. The experience completely forced all of us to serve outside of our comfort zones as we picked up our 50-pound jugs and carried them up the hill. With every step up the steep incline, we were all abruptly reminded of how blessed we are of the luxuries we get to experience on a daily basis. Back home if we want water we turn a faucet, but in Rwanda they make a trek to the well and wait patiently to fill up as many jugs as they can carry and then have to haul them back to their homes twice a day, a workout that no amount of cross-fit could ever prepare you for. It was a humbling experience, to say the least. Physically, we were pushed to our limits to help serve the least of these. Spiritually, we were challenged to not wallow in sadness for the many blessings the Lord has granted us but rather use those blessings to further advance His kingdom. Even our egos took a check as we were all winded and actually borderline dying as we reached the top of the hill and quickly got rid of our jugs only to have an African woman come alongside us to pick up our jugs for us and keep trekking like nothing even happened. Overall the well was an eye-opening and humbling experience that I believe we all took to heart. We are all so blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the community in that way and even more, be changed by our experience. Sending so much love from Rwanda!!
Blessings,
Evan W
https://www.facebook.com/176800386/posts/890680937869/
(Parents I am not sure if you are able to see this yet but here is a link to a well video that one of our hosts made at Hope Haven!)
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