This post is a little late due to the limited wifi, but we couldn't leave out a wonderful Sunday that we had. We began our Sunday traveling to Gisakura Methodist church. There is a lot of history between the church and their Pastor fidelé and Pastor John. Throughout the year, donations both monetary and items like bibles, clothes, ect are collected from church and community members. Last year they were able to give enough money to put a new roof on the church. We were able to see the results, a roof which looked beautiful and extremely well done. Nothing was wasted.
As we walked up to the church we were greeted with the biggest hugs and smiles from church members. We exchanged greetings as far as our Kinjarwanda would take us, but the other words of thanks and joy were felt by all, despite the language barrier. The children greeted us with open arms and lots of hugs, and they reached for our hands as we were led inside to the front of the church to chairs on either side of the alter. The choir welcomed us with beautiful, moving songs of praise, accompanied by a guitar and a young boy playing drums.
The music had everyone off their feet, and their smiles were contagious. We could not understand the lyrics and were not familiar with the tune, but their faith strengthened our own as they pointed their hands to God and joy just radiated from each person.
With singing inevitably comes dancing, and the term kicking up the dirt was far from a metaphor here. The floor was a beautiful red clay color, and when there was any movement aside from walking, fine red dust started to rise until it enclosed all who were dancing. The dancing was truly a celebration of the love God has for us all.
Pastor John and half our group had gone to the Congo to visit another church and bring other donations to an orphanage, hospital, and handicapped home. So in his place his wife spoke about how, "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us." While holding on to this, worry and stress that often overtakes us fades to the background, making room for us to live in the present and be thankful for all our blessings.
We were also able to present a donation of $700 which would be enough to help put a cement floor on the church. I can only imagine how rain affects the clay floor and how hard it is to keep everything clean. Despite that, the church was beautifully kept, no doubt due to the pride that Rwandans have for their church. I have noticed it also applies to their own homes and possessions and the way they present themselves. Beautiful, modest, and put together.
When we shared the news (through our wonderful friend and translator Jeremiah) there was so much celebration, clapping, music playing, and shouting of amens and alleluias! Rwandan people are so hard working and self sufficient. They were already doing all they could to start the floor and had no idea we would be bringing a donation. They had already gatherered hundreds of big rocks and created drainage systems needed to prepare the floor for the cement, which was the expensive part. We can't wait for them to send pictures as they did with the roof!
About ten minutes before we got to the church, Jeremiah told me that I should also speak, since they had expected us to take up more time than we had planned for. I wish I had time to prepare, but Matthew 17: 20-21 has spoken to my dad and I this trip. He also based his mini sermon around it, and was sharing it with those in the Congo around the same time that morning,so I chose to do the same. "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." My faith really grew through times of struggle and doubt, when I could feel His loving hand on me, guiding me and molding my heart into who he created me to be. I know I have seen him do what seems to be impossible in Rwanda. The genocide, left a country and people devastated with over a million dead. Many with anger and loss in their hearts, the others who were brainwashed to killing their neighbors and friends were filled with regret and sorrow. God has his hand on this country, and that alone has helped bring forgiveness and healing. They are truly one people, undivided. 50% of Rwandans now have electricity, with plans for 75% in five years. Outsids the big cities, everyone is seen walking to collect water and carrying pounds of food and fertilizer ect on their heads. He also helped us connect and form relationships with the people despite the language barrier, though our faith in the same loving God.
Below is a picture from a quick visit to the church the day before when the whole congregation was not there, but they still had a choir and a wonderful welcoming party to greet us. You can see the beautiful roof and a need for a permanent foundation.
The later part of the day we visited Kibagora hospital, a missions/church based hospital that primarily receives funding from the government, but is supported, run, and staffed by many missionaries. Dr. Tim Berg and a nurse Stephanie gave us a tour. They are Americans from Texas who live by the hospital in a complex with other missionaries. There was a narrow bumpy road up the hill the hospital is set upon, consisting of multiple one level buildings right next to each other. It was hard to tell who were the patients and who were the family members, as there were people scattered doing their laundry, cooking, and washing off in the outdoor showers. They are able to walk around, and take in the fresh air and vitamin D, some of the best forms of medicine! There were also two to a bed in most wards, maybe three with children.
Patients are responsible for doing all of those things, and a caregiver or family members are required to stay with them to ensure they are taken care of. This is extremely different than American hospitals where there is a hotel feel and patients are confined to their bed, which health care workers know is not always best for patients or staff. In the pediatric ward, there was about a 18 patient to one nurse ratio. And post operative and acutely ill patients in the "ICU" there was a 12 to 1 ratio. Shocking comparison to a 2 to 1 in the ICU and 3-5 to 1 in acute care. Not being required to help with their activities of daily living definitely would make it easier, but I would not have time or resources to do all the things I would want to do, assessments, vitals, daily dressing changes, charting ect. Somehow, it all works out and there are very good outcomes according to the Tim and Stephanie, except for with cancer as there is only one hospital who does chemotherapy in all of Rwanda. They also said there is an acceptance of death with certain things such as non life sustaining birth defects and cancers that are not treatable in Rwanda. It would be just as hard to let a loved one go, but there is also something to be said about accepting death and that they will be with filled with peace and joy with God, free from pain, rather than doing everything possible regardless of the monetary cost and physical side effects. Of course when it is your loved one, your perspective changes, but it was a thought provoking topic.
The medical decisions and treatment for patients are all based upon current studies and knowledge, but the execution completely depends on the resources. Only having X-ray leads to more diagnostic/exploratory surgeries, there are limited laboratory tests, and bandages are used and re-sterilized.
Upon first glance, there would be no similarities to pick up upon from an American hospital, but after spending the afternoon there, the chaos seemed to makes sense.
