“I can hear those church bells ringing ringing…!”  That’s Carrie Underwood.  Well, I didn’t hear church bells this morning at 7:30 when I woke up.  In fact I heard absolutely nothing.  It was so quiet!  I finished packing my bags before walking downstairs to eat another great breakfast.  The relationships I am making with new friends as awesome.  The group from Raleigh (near Raleigh) are great.  I have also expanded my relationships with Wally Fridy, Jay Hill and Rev. Jerry Hill.  Jay’s girlfriend Kelsey and fellow BSUMC members Rosie Jordan and Kimberly Carter are all amazing and so much fun.  Our whole group has definitely bonded.  Lots of laughter and sharing of past stories and future aspirations have been exchanged.We packed up the van and left the hotel at 10:00. We made our way into the heart of Kigali and suddenly we saw 100’s of people in their best dressed threads.  Congregates were marching spiritually and proudly into the mega church house.  Being the only white people we were welcomed with hugs and handshakes.  The church choir revved up their voice boxes and in a matter of seconds I was mesmerized by the traditional African spiritual hymns and ballads that were backed up with organs, steel drums and guitars.  Totally awesome!  The lead vocalist, a man in his 30’s, had amazing energy and kept the gospel like choir on point with leadership and zeal.  I had chill bumps through the first 30 minutes of the service.  I actually recorded some of the spectacle on my phone….discreetly.  The recording will never do this show justice.  Alleluia!!!!!  The sermon was a little tough to follow, although I did understand the scripture lesson in Acts. We left the church and returned to the former Hotel Rwanda for a fabulous brunch buffet by the pool. A four piece band entertained us while we relaxed and I ate a primarily vegetarian meal.  We left Kigali at 2:30pm.  We traveled south for 3 hours to Butare.  The roads are awesome.  So much better than our SC roads. Gov. Haley should come visit and learn something.  Rwanda is also amazingly clean.  There is no trash anywhere.  The rolling hills and landscape are absolutely gorgeous.  We gained a lot of elevation and traveled through many small villages.  Every passerby along the roadway smiled and waved at us as we passed.  I have never felt safer and welcomed everywhere we go!  We made it to Butare at 5:30.  Shantel (our ZOE guide) took us directly to a retail shop owned and operated by 4 ZOE graduates.  They are now in their early 20’s and are running a very successful shop.  I bought lots!  The quality of the hand woven baskets are amazing.  The handbags, aprons, earrings, puzzles are pieces of artwork.  But it’s not just about the merchandise. Each of these young adults were left as orphans 22 years ago.  If you have been reading this blog out may have figured out the significance of 22 years ago.  In 1994, the genocide massacre took place throughout Rwanda and over one million civilians were killed (mostly Tutsi.). These 4 kids are survivors of the genocide.  It’s because of ZOE and the support of the international community that these kids are now prospering.  I am proud of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church for their commitment to support ZOE.  I have seen first hand the benefits of our financial and Christian support.  We left our ZOE friends with a heavy load of gifts and drove down the street to our hotel.  We were spoiled in Kigali by the hotel and the 4 Star status. The hotel is a bit more of what I had expected on this trip.  Spotty electricity and Internet service, hot water is warm at best, plumbing smells…go figure and a large mosquito net surrounding my hard bedded mattress.  But no matter the differences in luxury status I am so happy.  I am proud to experience ALL of Rwanda… The good, the bad, the sad but especially the hope, the love and the beauty of a culture of people so proud.  I will never know what day to day life is all about in Rwanda. No running water, no electricity, mud huts, twine soccer balls, no shoes, one change of clothes, one meal per day, no hygiene products, etc. The list goes on and on.  I have no idea.  One thing I have learned from the Rwandans and ZOE orphans they have which dominates what I have is faith.  

The most striking and profound thing I have heard yet is from Odette, the 18 year old orphan who is raising her 3 younger siblings. Writing this brings tears to my eyes…..We asked her to speak about her life today and where she and her brothers used to be.  They used to live in a roadside ditch and had to steal for food.  Her parents died when she was 11. Odette said after telling her story: “Look how beautiful I am today!”