On Friday we had a goodbye party for the boys. Well, the team from Calvary did. I am happy to say that I didn't have to say goodbye to the boys just yet, not for a little over 4 months. We wanted to really bless the boys, so we had them over to our house in Gitarama. They arrived at 11 am or so and we hung out the entire day. We decorated the house with streamers and balloons. Most of us had African shirts or dresses made, so we wore those. Inside the house we had my iPod filled with dance music and speakers, so music was blaring the whole day. The boys absolutely love to dance, so an all day long dance party was perfect. Even the older folks got into it and shook their bon bons. For lunch we had lots and lots of food.
One of the biggest highlights was having four of the streetboys over - Hasane, Olivier, William, and Pasfik. They helped carry corn for us, and we let them stay. It was so wonderful. They played so well with everybody. They enjoyed hanging out with Siliac, who used to live on the streets with them. They played futbol in the front courtyard, drew with chalk on the driveway, threw water balloons at each other, swung on the hammock, and played the puppets. They were boys. They were able to play with toys they normally don't get to, or have ever, played with. Some of the four boys, hopefully all of them, will be moving to Umuryango when the new home is built, so it was such a relief to see them play so well with everyone. I shot some wonderful footage of them playing and also talking about themselves. After dinner I had my videocamera and David was next to me and he began to interview each one of them, voluntarily. I don't know what David asked yet, as I haven't had a chance for Jean Paul to translate yet. But, I think they each spoke of their pasts and their current lives. I can't wait to
hear what they said.
For dinner we made a treat they don't have very much at all - meat. We served beef shishkabobs, corn, rice, beans, fruit salad, and Fanta. It was such a blessing to serve them food that they covet and desire. I wondered when the next time will be that Hasane, Olivier, William, and Pasfik eat this way.
This was quite a party. There were about 45 people present! It was a gift to celebrate with some of Jean Paul's family members too. His mother attended, as well as some relatives I hadn't met. Also present were some of the relatives who help at Umuryango - Muja, Francine, Damascene, and Hadija ofcourse.
When it got near the time for all of the boys to leave, our group shared in communion together. It was so special to share in the Lord's Supper with them and see that most of them have made a commitment for Jesus Christ. Jean Paul and his family also presented the team with lovely plaques and baskets.
It was a perfect ending to the two weeks that Calvary spent here and I know that everyone - each team member, each Umuryango boy, and each streetboy will cherish it in their hearts for a long, long time.
One of the biggest highlights was having four of the streetboys over - Hasane, Olivier, William, and Pasfik. They helped carry corn for us, and we let them stay. It was so wonderful. They played so well with everybody. They enjoyed hanging out with Siliac, who used to live on the streets with them. They played futbol in the front courtyard, drew with chalk on the driveway, threw water balloons at each other, swung on the hammock, and played the puppets. They were boys. They were able to play with toys they normally don't get to, or have ever, played with. Some of the four boys, hopefully all of them, will be moving to Umuryango when the new home is built, so it was such a relief to see them play so well with everyone. I shot some wonderful footage of them playing and also talking about themselves. After dinner I had my videocamera and David was next to me and he began to interview each one of them, voluntarily. I don't know what David asked yet, as I haven't had a chance for Jean Paul to translate yet. But, I think they each spoke of their pasts and their current lives. I can't wait to
hear what they said.
For dinner we made a treat they don't have very much at all - meat. We served beef shishkabobs, corn, rice, beans, fruit salad, and Fanta. It was such a blessing to serve them food that they covet and desire. I wondered when the next time will be that Hasane, Olivier, William, and Pasfik eat this way.
This was quite a party. There were about 45 people present! It was a gift to celebrate with some of Jean Paul's family members too. His mother attended, as well as some relatives I hadn't met. Also present were some of the relatives who help at Umuryango - Muja, Francine, Damascene, and Hadija ofcourse.
When it got near the time for all of the boys to leave, our group shared in communion together. It was so special to share in the Lord's Supper with them and see that most of them have made a commitment for Jesus Christ. Jean Paul and his family also presented the team with lovely plaques and baskets.
It was a perfect ending to the two weeks that Calvary spent here and I know that everyone - each team member, each Umuryango boy, and each streetboy will cherish it in their hearts for a long, long time.
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