So often, when we believe we are answering the call of God, we continue to have doubts, even as we obey...and sometimes we never find out what His true purpose was for us. My trip to Rwanda was NOT like that. All along, I have believed that He wanted me to go to Rwanda - I had no idea why, or how, but He made it happen, and now I know why. We visited many many orphans during our time in the Butare district of Rwanda, seeing them at all stages of involvement with the Ministry - from just beginning, where they were not even food secure, had no housing, and were barely surviving - to graduates after 3 years in the program, who were hard at work and employing others in the coffee and cassava plantations! But there was ONE day, ONE child, whose story touched my heart in a way I never imagined, and I know that she is the reason I was there. Bernadette is 19 years old and has 2 younger sisters. She was born with a birth defect that was so unusual that the villagers considered her cursed, an evil spirit, and she was shunned, her uncle took her out to the jungle to kill her - but family members stopped him. When ZOE found her, they were able to get her the medical care she needed - after trying at 3 different hospitals to find someone who knew how to treat her. I am not sure at what age she lost her parents, but she is now the head of household and cares for her younger sisters. The incredible thing about Bernadette is that, when she started to tell us of her birth defect, our leader/interpreter asked everyone to please stop filming. Bernadette's medical problem was one that, while surprisingly not uncommon, is not one that receives attention or is talked about, because it involves her intestinal tract and her reproductive organs. I have a very very good understanding of Bernadette's problem, because my daughter, Beth, was born with the same defect. When I told Epiphanie (our leader) that, she was shocked, and when she told Bernadette, she was stunned. There were many tears and hugs - Bernadette now knows that she is NOT alone in this, and I pray that that in itself offers some healing for her heart. I KNOW that God sent me to Bernadette so that she could see that God loves her and that, with God, I love her, and Beth loves her - we are her Mzungu family now, and hope to be able to stay in touch with her through Epiphanie. I was able to leave her a cross necklace, and asked Epiphanie to tell her that she is also my daughter now. I am writing this with tears in my eyes and awe in my heart that God could reach so far and work so hard to put this child in touch with someone who knows what she has been through...Our God is an AWESOME God! I have included a picture of me with Bernadette - God Bless you all, and please continue to keep all of the ZOE workers and children in your prayers.
