Komeza Women at J.Lynn's...

Komeza Women... Strengthening Women

That is what J.Lynn's is all about.

 

With an average of about 18 workers around each day, life is never dull or quiet! They are busy making the daily batch of bagels, fulfilling customer orders, or doing one of the various other task to keep life moving forward.

 

We will start to roll out the business entrepreneurship program as well in April. That will bring a whole new level of work and commitment for them. As we finish up the individual interviews for business and their current life situation, it's challenging and fun at the same time to be thinking and dreaming of what journey we can take these women on to be who God has created them to be. 

 

Most of  the women who make J.Lynn's happen each and every day!

Another grand addition to our team here is Stephanie Watson. Her husband Robbie is also in Rwanda and digging in - literally! - to make the grounds of J.Lynn's a better place.

 

Stephanie and I chatting through a cake order... SO fun to have
someone to bounce ideas off of.
Classic line... 'Sure we can do that...' and we have no idea but we
trust the skills we have to produce something that is saleable!

Like J.Lynn's on Facebook and follow the women and the cake creations.

I'm back...

... I hope.

Can't believe that I haven't blogged since November...

Life has been full - more than full. It seems that when life comes at me too fast, I don't have the time to process what to put on the blog as usually... it's just too much.

BUT I'm hoping that I've turned a corner in life and.. I'm back.

Onward to a blog post or two!

Good ol' Boney M

So this morning I am driving to J.Lynn's and drive by the small shops close to our place. What is blaring but Mary's Boy Child by Boney M.

 

Caused me to laugh.... you see, Rwandans don't get into Christmas - if they do that is - on December 24th ... so I know they were somehow just liking the music and had no idea what the lyrics were.

 

Reminds me of all the times I have heard music in Rwanda that made me pause...

 

My first trip into Rwanda ... 2003... I'm in some remote village and what do I hear wafting through but Phil Collins. A bit surreal to say the least.

 

Before we were married Serge and I would go to this one restaurant up one of the mountains in Kigali for some Fanta and nice view of the city.  Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Christmas was ALWAYS playing! Makes me tempted to go back and see if they are still playing it eight years later. Probably...

 

Rwandans LOVE Celine Dion ... anytime. They also love Don Williams. Nothing like the leading furniture company here having Don Williams playing in the background of their TV commercials.

 

I think this one takes the cake though... we were at a good friends wedding this past July and I about lost it during the reception. You see... in the middle of it all, the DJ played 'You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille'... again by Kenny Rogers.

 

For the most part... they like the music and have no idea what the words are saying. I wonder if / when it will change.

 

In the meantime, it's good entertainment.

Refugees at the Gate

This morning our gate bell went. Everyone was where they were to be ... so who was it?

Boniface our day guard came to say that it was two women and he thought they were beggars.

Serge went to check.

Indeed two women were at the gate

Congolese refugee women.

Both widows - their  husbands killed for being Rwandan heritage Congolese citizens

One had seven children and I didn't get how many the other had.

They had walked from the Byumba Camp to Kigali looking for anything they could find - food, money, clothes, a job...

It takes over an hour to drive to Byumba ... not sure how long it would take to walk .

Our  hearts broke.

 

You see... with the current events in Congo, so many - thousands upon thousands - have lost their hope to once again live on the land that has been in their families for centuries. These women and their children are a product of that.

They have been in the Byumba Camp for five months.

From the statistics and realities in the Kiziba Camp which we work in, I am sure they are not registered and there have not been given a home, a monthly food ration or any access to any other amenities within the camp. Who knows when that will happen, so ... they walked to Kigali to try to find means to provide for their family.

Serge gave them each money - enough to take the bus back to Byumba and get some food for themselves and their children. He also urged them to not beg in Kigali. Who knows who could take advantage of them and when what about their children. We pray that they take this to heart.

 

My heart was heavy as we left to take Isabella to the doctor.

The women had been so grateful for what we had done for them but I know that the money won't last long.

I also know that Serge's heart is so weighted down with the happenings in Congo and the realization that his people have no home.

I about cried when I thought about us taking Isabella to the doctor, just because we could, to get her checked out for whatever is ailing her.

I prayed today many times that if God would want it, our gate bell could be rung by any refugee who needs help. May they somehow find their way to our gate and may we be home to be able to respond to their needs as we're directed to.

 

 

Just what I'm reflecting on tonight...

 

Library in the Refugee Camp!

Just got an update today from our teammate Joel on the library in the Kiziba Refugee Camp.

SO exciting what is happening there.

 

It opened in September with over 100 coming through the first month.

In October they have had on average about 80 per DAY!

 

Pray that the last shelves arrive in the next few days so all the books we have can be properly displayed. We also have donated books in Canada that need to get here... May God make a way for that to happen!

May the activities which happen in the library not only educate but also bring people into a deeper knowledge and relationship with Jesus.

May it also be a safe place - a place of refuge from the ongoing daily life in the camp.

Choosing Joy and Gratitude

The last weeks I have made a conscience decision to choose joy and gratitude in life.

 

I have been reminded by the Apostle Paul to rejoice always.

 

I bought a cute ring that has the word Joy inscribed on it.

 

I read an insightful article the other day about choosing joy and gratitude in life. One can be joyful but do we have gratitude? Are we truly thankful when all life circumstances happen to us?

 

One of the things the article talked about was how we live in fear and scarcity mentality. It was an American who wrote it so that sort of took me by surprise - the scarcity mentality bit - as I live in a developing country and I think I have a grasp of what scarcity mentality is - when one can't think beyond the moment because they don't know / believe that that they will be alive tomorrow so get all you can today and use it.

 

That said, what stuck me was how the author talked about when things are going well, it's really easy for us to think that something bad is going to happen. Life is too good. We don't deserve this.

It caught me. Over the last years, I have caught myself thinking those things about my husband or my kids. I have been given these incredible gifts from God but they aren't forever. All kinds of thoughts can go through my mind when I know that I live in a country where I can't call 911. I must live with enough faith and trust in God that if something were to ever happen, I would rest in peace that passes understanding. I know that and have known that for many years.

 

What I was challenged again as I read the article was to live in joy and gratitude - each and every moment. We do not know the future but we have been given the present and we must live it in all things.

 

SO making that conscience effort - it sure has been put to the test so many times over the last few weeks. It's like I'm being tested... will I in fact choose joy and gratitude in the situation?

 

Let's just say... it's a good thing I spent $17.99 on a ring (which I love) to help remind me.

Our 15 Minutes of fame...

One Saturday on the way to J.Lynn's, Serge made the comment that we might have a film crew in that day but wasn't sure. ARG!

 

So did NOT have my camera face on that day - oh well.

 

Here it is...