After months of planning and preparing for our Mission Trip to Rwanda, we finally began our trip on Thursday, June 6th. As planned, many travelers would fly into New York at the JFK airport so we could travel together as a team on the same airline. What a day. For most, our trips began with earlier flights from other states. It would definitely be a long day. Others experienced missed or canceled flights. Notwithstanding, God was in control.
Our trip from JFK to Rwanda was pleasant but long. We left JFK, New York, at about 6:15pm Eastern Time and arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, on June 7th at about 6:50pm local time (CAT), which would have been midday 12:50 pm US EST. We had an approximate 3-hour layover in Brussels, arriving there at 7:40am and leaving at approximately 11:00am.
On the evening of June 7th, we arrived in Kigali. After getting our visas and going through customs, Pastor Felix and his church members welcomed us at the airport. It is impressive how all travelers and luggage were accounted for on arrival except for one traveler's luggage.
After arriving at the Kigali Marriott and checking into our hotel rooms, we met up in the dining area and enjoyed an excellent dinner. Our meals were without issues. The buffet-style meals at the Marriott were beyond expectations.
After getting all rested on our first night, we met in the hotel's dining area for breakfast. We enjoyed a scrumptious Saturday breakfast before heading out to visit the Kigali Memorial and do some shopping. At the Memorial, we first watched a short documentary before being escorted through the various rooms with details of the 1994 genocide timeline that the Rwandans experienced. Although we can see their commitment to moving forward as a nation, we still could feel their pain in this moment. We heard it in the voice of our tour guide. He was 8 years old when the genocide took place. The mass graves within the memorial site told the story. The solemn faces of family and loved ones visiting the site also expressed the unforgotten pain. Yet their resilience and boldness were present in their narratives of the untold stories. The sign overlooking the mass graves read, "Kwibuka 30, Remember, Unite, Renew." Kwibuka in Kinyarwanda means "to remember." The number 30 means notes that 2024 marks thirty years since millions of innocent people brutally lost their lives.
During our visit to the Memorial, we also learned that the Tutsi and Hutu, which we recognize as the Rwandan tribes, were originally classified as: the Muhutu, Mututsi, and Mutwa. The Mutwas were considered the handcrafters. The Mututsis were considered the families with less than 10 cattle, and the Muhutus owned more than 10 cattle. For political and economic reasons, the Belgians introduced tribal systems, which created a division among the Rwandans, determining their identities by their noses and skin color. Rwandans were issued identification cards stating their identity as one of the three tribes. Since the genocide, the RFK (Robert F. Kennedy International Human Rights Federation) and Gacaca (transitional justice organization of the people that addressed lower-level offenders of the genocide) have been credited for promoting peace within Rwanda. The government and its people now foster a society of patriotism and not identities. Citizenship as a Rwandan is more important than tribal or class identity.
After leaving the Memorial, it was time for lunch. We visited a local restaurant where we enjoyed some favorable roasted chicken and beef. After being energized by our lunch, we were then prepared to shop, bartering at times with the locals on prices or conversion rates.
Day three in Kigali was spent worshipping. Our God had brought us to this land to serve others. The service was fulfilling both in terms of singing and message. What a blessing. The tempo had been set. Each morning, we returned to the church for the health fair, and our day began with a strong message and uplifting singing. We may not have understood the meaning of some songs, but we felt the spirit. We were entertained by the dances of the church youth. It was by no mistake that the messages being delivered each morning fell on the ears of those who could hear. Matthew 11:15 reads, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!". The word was always a right now message. In some instances, it felt like it was the day of Pentecost; before the pastor delivering the message could complete a sentence, the translators were already speaking. I felt the movement of the Holy Spirit. God was indeed present at all times.
We would leave the Marriott at 7:15 am every morning to get to the Mount Carmel Celebration Church. After praise and worship, we would head to the various tents to serve. In serving, I always stayed energized and could see that the younger adults were passionate about what they were doing. All volunteers worked well as a team to assemble gift bags and assist however needed. The temperature was very forgiving, with the nice cool breeze blowing into the tents at times.
What can I say? Our work was done. We did all we could, hoping we could have done more, but satisfied that we had done something. We know we made an impact just by the number of people turning up each day and by the smiles on their faces upon being served. We accomplished a successful trip by working alongside church members, including youths who served as translators and crowd control.
On Wednesday, the last day of the health fair and A.M.E. Zion conference, we visited a local Ivuriro clinic to present medical supplies. In keeping with Kigali's cleanliness, like all the other places we visited during our trip, the clinic was clean despite not having the technology we are accustomed to here in the US.
On Thursday, our last day before our departure on Friday from Kigali, we visited Hotel des Mille Collines, famously known as Hotel Rwanda. This hotel became famous because many families took refuge here during the Rwandan genocide. Our next stop was the Niyo Arts Center, founded by Niyonsenga Pacifique. Niyo was two years old during the genocide. He is a painter, drummer, and musician. The community center is dedicated to improving the well-being of Rwandan society through art.
What a trip. I could go on and on about beautiful Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, the clean air, and just being in God's beauty and making new friends. Thanks to Bishop Crenshaw, Missionary Supervisor Crenshaw, Dr. Beysolow, and Rev. Jallah for allowing me to be a part of this journey. This is definitely not my last. I applaud you all for making an effort to change lives. As my father would say, "Impression without expression leads to frustration." I can see that your faith is definitely in action. Be blessed.
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