Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Rwanda's amazing growth
It's always nice to see people taking a continued interest in things, and Dan is a good example, sharing with us on facebook an amazing article on the BBC web site about Rwanda's plans to get broadband. you can read the article for yourself here:
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
First Thoughts - Steve
Steve's first thoughts:
I was deeply move by the spirit of Rwanda. I arrived not knowing much about Rwanda apart from it's turbulent past.
What I discovered was a truly beautiful country matched by it's people. A place where people have such strong faith that they are able to forgive and move on.
I was truly humbled by this experience, a nation with so little material possessions but rich in so many other ways.
I hope to continue to visit for years to come and strengthen my new friendships and witness first hand the development of this wonderful place.
I was deeply move by the spirit of Rwanda. I arrived not knowing much about Rwanda apart from it's turbulent past.
What I discovered was a truly beautiful country matched by it's people. A place where people have such strong faith that they are able to forgive and move on.
I was truly humbled by this experience, a nation with so little material possessions but rich in so many other ways.
I hope to continue to visit for years to come and strengthen my new friendships and witness first hand the development of this wonderful place.
Monday, 7 September 2009
First Thoughts - Jon
And Jon's contribution...
So, it's just over a week since we got back from Rwanda, and already I'm starting to plan my next trip. Everyone who has asked me about how the trip went has so far been given the one word answer of 'awesome' because in my mind, it is the only word that can describe such a fantastic experience.
Whilst out there I thought that I coped pretty well with the change of culture, the new people, and a new way of life albeit temporary. However, for a country with such a devastating past the sheer volume of faith demonstrated in all the people we met is a true testimony to the power of God's word.
The liveliness and energy of worship, especially with the choir, really showed me how religion is suppressed in the UK. Meeting people in Rwanda who's lives have been changed by God's work has really opened my eyes to how little we express our faith. Its frustrating that we are the home of the Anglican Church, but still struggle to fill our churches week by week.
Part of me will always be with the people we met in Rwanda, and hopefully I will be able to return for longer to make more of a difference to their lives.
Imana yac'irahambaye!!
So, it's just over a week since we got back from Rwanda, and already I'm starting to plan my next trip. Everyone who has asked me about how the trip went has so far been given the one word answer of 'awesome' because in my mind, it is the only word that can describe such a fantastic experience.
Whilst out there I thought that I coped pretty well with the change of culture, the new people, and a new way of life albeit temporary. However, for a country with such a devastating past the sheer volume of faith demonstrated in all the people we met is a true testimony to the power of God's word.
The liveliness and energy of worship, especially with the choir, really showed me how religion is suppressed in the UK. Meeting people in Rwanda who's lives have been changed by God's work has really opened my eyes to how little we express our faith. Its frustrating that we are the home of the Anglican Church, but still struggle to fill our churches week by week.
Part of me will always be with the people we met in Rwanda, and hopefully I will be able to return for longer to make more of a difference to their lives.
Imana yac'irahambaye!!
First Thoughts - Nic
And Nic's first thoughts are:
Having traveled a little in Africa prior to this trip, I was expecting to take Rwanda in my stride - In reality I was completely blown away.
Blown away by the people we met in Kigali, by everyone living and working in hope village, by the children in Remera, by the strength of faith, and by the positivity in the face of such (historic) adversity.
It is an incredibly special and inspiring place and I was humbled and honoured to be there as well as be part of this trip.
The biggest thing on my mind at the moment is working out when I can go back and what I can do for the best when I get there.
Having traveled a little in Africa prior to this trip, I was expecting to take Rwanda in my stride - In reality I was completely blown away.
Blown away by the people we met in Kigali, by everyone living and working in hope village, by the children in Remera, by the strength of faith, and by the positivity in the face of such (historic) adversity.
It is an incredibly special and inspiring place and I was humbled and honoured to be there as well as be part of this trip.
The biggest thing on my mind at the moment is working out when I can go back and what I can do for the best when I get there.
First Thoughts - Sam
In next with his first thoughts - Sam
My first thoughts are that Rwanda is an amazing place full of amazing people. Had a great time, such a rewarding and motivating experience.
I think the main thought is that we really could learn a number of lessons from the Rwandans. Its really got me back into church again, which is really good.
Really want to say thanks to everyone who fund raised, prayed and put time and effort in to our experience.
It was also great to spend some real quality time with everyone. My favourite photo isn't one i took but it reminds me of the good time we had together worshiping God.
My first thoughts are that Rwanda is an amazing place full of amazing people. Had a great time, such a rewarding and motivating experience.
I think the main thought is that we really could learn a number of lessons from the Rwandans. Its really got me back into church again, which is really good.
Really want to say thanks to everyone who fund raised, prayed and put time and effort in to our experience.
It was also great to spend some real quality time with everyone. My favourite photo isn't one i took but it reminds me of the good time we had together worshiping God.
First Thoughts - Amy
And here are Amy's first thoughts...
I was given the chance to spend two weeks surrounded by some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Whilst at points a swarm of children around you can seem scary and daunting, you stand there, and see how happy they are, and you just get carried away in their smiles and games. This is similar with the thirteen people that I was able to share this experience with, it can seem scary and daunting spending two weeks with the same thirteen people, but again the people that are surrounding you are so amazing, you just get carried away, so that you laugh and cry together.
My favourite part of the trip had to be the days that we helped to build all day at Hope Village, there really was a sense of teamwork and camaradary that day, despite the language barrier and being covered under a layer of brick dust.
So all in all, I feel that the trip was a success and even though, "Toyota" and "THE GAME!!" can become annoying, without it, life is a weird and quieter place. Come to mention it, life if also a lot less orange and deety-suncreamish.
I live in the stone age and so haven't seen most of the photos yet, and also haven't yet gotten mine developed; at the shop, when it comes to you in a lovely little envelope all glossy and special, and so don't as yet have a favourite photograph. I do however encourage look at the photographs that are about as I know that there are some amazing ones.
First Thoughts - Becky
Next with her first thoughts - Becky
Going to Africa was something completely different to anything I had ever done before. Immediately I stepped off the plane I could feel that everything was different, but in a way that made me instantly love Rwanda.
Perhaps, what I saw as, the beauty of the city of night captured my heart, whatever it was didn't let go for the two weeks, and still hasn't.
When asked how the trip was I often say "amazing but really challenging". There were moment's where I felt down, but these shaped my experience just as the high points did.
After all, it wasn't a holiday.
The best moment was when we were first accepted, truly, into Hope village. You just knew they were being sincere when they thanked us, and sincere when they told us we were brothers and sisters to them.
It touched me that they accepted us so quickly into their lives. Our last day there also stands out in my mind, for the villagers once again thanked us. It was only on the last day I truly understood what our trip there meant to them, and how it was we had helped them.
My favourite photo from the trip is this one, I think it sums up a lot about why we were there:
Going to Africa was something completely different to anything I had ever done before. Immediately I stepped off the plane I could feel that everything was different, but in a way that made me instantly love Rwanda.
Perhaps, what I saw as, the beauty of the city of night captured my heart, whatever it was didn't let go for the two weeks, and still hasn't.
When asked how the trip was I often say "amazing but really challenging". There were moment's where I felt down, but these shaped my experience just as the high points did.
After all, it wasn't a holiday.
The best moment was when we were first accepted, truly, into Hope village. You just knew they were being sincere when they thanked us, and sincere when they told us we were brothers and sisters to them.
It touched me that they accepted us so quickly into their lives. Our last day there also stands out in my mind, for the villagers once again thanked us. It was only on the last day I truly understood what our trip there meant to them, and how it was we had helped them.
My favourite photo from the trip is this one, I think it sums up a lot about why we were there:
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