Yesterday was an amazing day. Amazing because we were able to treat the boys and some village kids to a Fanta. Fanta is soda and is a treat for the kids here. We all walked to a shop that sold Fanta, more of a cafe. It was quite a procession - about 25 Rwandan children and 3 wazungu (white people). We grabbed the attention of everyone we passed.
A highlight was to be able to reconnect with some of the village kids I had met last year. There were a few who had absolutely stolen my heart last year. Ones who I cry over and wonder what will happen to them. Kids who come from really poor families who do not have the many privileges that the boys at Umuryango have. They are in lots of pictures I have, and I have been so excited to see them ever since my trip became a reality. When Theresa and Val began visiting Byimana I would ask them about these kids, especially about Rom and Jean Pierre. Sadly, these two boys were nowhere to be seen. My heart broke for them because I didn't know what had happened. Had they gone to the streets, moved to another town, gotten sick, or worse? Well, yesterday my questions were answered. As we walked to the shop to get Fanta, I saw both of them. They were on the street, playing with some friends. I welcomed each of them and called them by their names, and they got huge smiles on their faces. They grabbed my hand and we walked to the shop. I do not think I will forget Rom's priceless expression as we sat next to each other and sipped the Fanta. He would stare at me, with this look of fondness and joy - large beautiful eyes and a big smile.
We spent a good chunk of time at the Fanta shop, hanging out and dancing to the television. It was one of my most favorite times here so far. Just being with the boys and village kids, and blessing them in a way that is mundane and small to me, but quite large to them.
A highlight was to be able to reconnect with some of the village kids I had met last year. There were a few who had absolutely stolen my heart last year. Ones who I cry over and wonder what will happen to them. Kids who come from really poor families who do not have the many privileges that the boys at Umuryango have. They are in lots of pictures I have, and I have been so excited to see them ever since my trip became a reality. When Theresa and Val began visiting Byimana I would ask them about these kids, especially about Rom and Jean Pierre. Sadly, these two boys were nowhere to be seen. My heart broke for them because I didn't know what had happened. Had they gone to the streets, moved to another town, gotten sick, or worse? Well, yesterday my questions were answered. As we walked to the shop to get Fanta, I saw both of them. They were on the street, playing with some friends. I welcomed each of them and called them by their names, and they got huge smiles on their faces. They grabbed my hand and we walked to the shop. I do not think I will forget Rom's priceless expression as we sat next to each other and sipped the Fanta. He would stare at me, with this look of fondness and joy - large beautiful eyes and a big smile.
We spent a good chunk of time at the Fanta shop, hanging out and dancing to the television. It was one of my most favorite times here so far. Just being with the boys and village kids, and blessing them in a way that is mundane and small to me, but quite large to them.
2 comments:
What a WONDERFUL day, thanks soo much for sharing! I'm so glad you finally got to see them!!
I LOVE THOSE VILLAGE KIDDOS!!!!! Particularly those 3 boys (Rom, Jean Pierre, and Claude!)...I was just looking at pics of them today actually, man I miss them!! They are so playful and mischievous, I love it! They totally stole my heart. Tell them I love them and tickle them all for me :)
May you continue to find joy in the day to day things, savor each moment!
That is so awesome...
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