On the last day in the east the team visited Akagera National Park and went on a 5 hour safari with our two vans, barely making it at a few points. At one time  the park was comprised of nearly double the area, but, in more recent years the government shrunk down the area of the park and used the land to resettle people who had been displaced from the genocide (or even earlier genocides). Many who resettled in this area left Rwanda in 1959 with family, friends and neighbors.

Today the park still covers a large distance of land on the Rwandan/Tanzanian border. The government recently prepared a north entrance to the park which just opened this year. You have the option of going from the North entrance all the way through the park and exiting the south entrance, this takes about 6 hours and required a solid 4 wheel drive vehicle. What we did was spend about four hours in the northern area of the park looping through and around both dense bush and open fields.

We had a great time and saw a variety of animals including hippopotamus, giraffe, gazelle, snake, water buffalo, zebras and many more! Check out some of the pictures below, and, to see more pictures click on the slideshow image at the end of this post.

Click below to see more pictures from the Safari!

One of the last things that the group team from Highlands did was, perhaps,  one of the most impactful for many of them, the house visits. Several of the children sponsored by different team members lived close to school. So, after the farewell celebration that was done by the students (see last post), the team members split up into smaller groups and went out into the community with FH staff to visit some of the families.

Of all the things the team was able to do while in Rwanda this was probably one of the most raw and authentic experiences. No longer are you focused on a vision that includes so many, no longer are you talking about them, suddenly it all boils down to one single child who lives in one particular family.  Some of the families visited had both a mom and a dad taking care of the many children, some were single parents, other children were taken care of by only a grandmother or grandfather. All of the families lived in modest homes, their caregivers working their land and livestock to ensure the survival of their kids.

Their seemed to be multiple periods of sweet and unspoken connections during these visits. Though most parents spoke no English, the translators weren’t needed to communicate the heart of what was being said. While the children appreciated meeting their sponsors, and I’m sure loved getting the small gifts, the parents understood what was being provided to their children that they simply couldn’t provide on their own. There was a humbling appreciation that radiated from the eyes of these parents, as if you were seeing their very hearts gleaming through.  With kind embraces and gentle handshakes they would warmly greet their guests, always inviting them in to their homes.

The visits didn’t last long; usually no more than fifteen to twenty minutes each. But in that time everything became clearer. The struggles of the families, obstacles before them, the hope they still carried, the joy they held tightly to. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. In my experience, Christ is always magnified more in the lives of those who face the biggest struggles, the darkest darkness, or the most difficult roads. It is in these places that hope, grace, and joy seem so unattainable, and yet with him, seem like the only thing that truly matters. It saddens me that in our lives of comparative comfort back in the states we are reminded of this truth seldom and far between. We don’t cling to the grace of God because we must actively seek the reality of that truth; we don’t acknowledge the hope we have in Him, because we surround ourselves by artificial hope; and we don’t realize that we stand in darkness, because many times darkness just looks a lot different for us.

It is my hope that this time was as valuable for the Highlands team members as I suspect it was. I also hope it was a time of encouragement for those visited, a time of sweet reunion between souls striving on towards the same end goal. For me it was another reminder on this journey that when it all boils down to it the only thing that is left is relationships.

People and the Triune God.
That’s it.

When we lost sight of this we lose sight both of what holds us together and what gives us life. It is my prayer that this understanding in my life will continue to be built upon. But for now, what a sweet and beautiful reminder.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped,when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

The past few days…

Well I am officially way behind on my updates.  I spent the past two days hiking in Nyungwe Park here in Rwanda (will tell you more about that soon:), but now I’m trying to pack, say goodbyes, and update this blog. So, here is the plan. I am only here in Rwanda for one more day. I then fly to Seattle to stay with my good friends David and Tara Malouf and their awesome family for about a week. While there I’ll try to continue to post updates to fill the gap between stories and pictures. And speaking of pictures, I really hope to have more time to work on getting some more pictures edited and put up. Shooting out here is amazing, as if that isn’t enough motivation ot work on my stuff I’ve been keeping an eye on my buddy Phillip’s blog, as he travels through the UK & Europe. Amazing stuff. Long story short, I’m motivated and hope to really dig more into the photos soon!

All of that said here is a bit more on the Highlands team and their trip last week!

A New Resettlement Village Off the Beaten Path

Last Wednesday afternoon was spent with Wilson, the head of the Rwimiyaga Sector, taking our group to a newly resettled area. The people had just relocated in this land, adjacent to the river above and right on the border of Tanzania.

Water is still hard to come by, and outside of the river and pools stemming from it, there is no other source of water. Above, a young boy is filling a jerry can with water to take back. Sometimes this is boiled before drinking, but that happens more seldom than we’d care to believe. This leads to all kinds of issues.

We stopped in the village and spent some time talking with the people, or rather attempting to talk. It seems that we caused quite a rukas as we disrupted the norm of daily routine. Within about 30 seconds we had what seemed to be the whole villiage surrounding us. I tried to sneak away and take a few pictures of people off to the sides.

This building was recently constructed. I don’t know whether it is a house or business (maybe restaurant) but I love the texture of the mud with the bright blue doors!

Below you can see a woman looking on with excitement as Dr. Jackson puts his Kinyirwandan to good use and carries out a fun debate with a local man on who should be hosting who.

Above, Nate is hanging out the back of the van getting shots of the scenery. Below, you can see the beautiful Rwandan sunset as we made our way back to Nygatare.

A Farewell at Gacundezi Primary School

On Thursday the team made it back to Gacundezi Primary school for a goodbye presentation by several students. The students played drums, sang, and performed several beautiful dances.

The girl pictured above lead most of the dances, did a solo, and even pulled some of the members from the Highlands team up (see below).

Becky, the FH Regional Coordinator, worked with the PBS film crew that was shooting the “Heroes of Hope” film series. She looks on (above) as the children are dancing and the film crew is hard at work.

One of the students, eager to find a better view, takes to the trees!

The Highlands Team representing the USA, Highlands Church, and white dancers everywhere. Well done everyone

It really was a beautiful goodbye. One that I’m sure no one from the trip will soon forget!