Thursday, July 22, 2010

Hello everyone!! so today we woke up at 7o'clock (super early!) and went 30min out of town to make mud bricks for a 17yr old girl and her siblings. we first had to carry huge water jugs on top of our heads to her plot which was really tiring! then we mixed water and dirt to make 31 bricks, the house uses 2000 bricks but because of the lack of water we wernt able to make any more. after lunch we went back to the center to clean up the library and hang out with the remaining kids. being with them was alot of fun but saying goodbye to them was really hard and emotional. around 1 o'clock we separated into two groups and went into the less travelled roads to converse with people. which was difficult because of the language barrier. luckily sophie and robbie spoke some fench and were were able to have a semi decent conversation. sophie definately dominated the conversation but robbie liked to add things like "i play with soccer" (it had obviously been a long time since he spoke french). on our way back to the guest house allie sophie robbie eliot and madeline saw a large group of people singing and dancing under some trees which gave us a taste of the Rwandan culture. during our prayer walk we got the opportunity to pray for a few people in the streets and were invited into the Zion Church for an impromptu worship session. after walking the side streets of rwamagana we came back to the guest house and barely stayed awake for dinner. it had been a long and fun day!

today's message was brought to you in part by sophie and allie
thank you and good night :)

PS robbie's wearing a banana suit (AKA the Rwandan soccer uniform) while singing and dancing around the room. were all alittle tired from the past week.

10 comments:

  1. My heart is so uplifted on hearing of your day's activities (adventures!), helping make bricks, pray for others, dance in a banana suit, etc... It also must be very rewarding to be able to communicate a little using French (all that classwork being put to use finally). Many, many thoughts and prayers across the miles. I miss you terribly but am comforted knowing that you are doing God's work and that He holds you in the palm of His hand. Much love, Gail (Sophie's mom)

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  2. Gabriel says: Eliot, I miss you a lot. I think it is really cool that you got to help someone by making bricks. xo We are praying for all of you and love reading the posts. Also, praying specifically for the Rwandan people and the upcoming elections. xoxoxo

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  3. I would have loved to see you all carrying water jars on your heads. So thankful that you had the chance for impromptu prayer and worship. Sounds like your days are full and that your hearts are full (and running over). Praying for you all and for the Rwandan people. Fretboarder (a.k.a., Eliot's dad, a.k.a., Jeff)

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  4. What a range of experiences you're having! Carrying water jars on your heads and making bricks...what stories you'll have to share with your friends in Bellevue! It's a good thing you have all those pictures to back up the stories!
    Yasha, what happened to your French, girl? Or did today's authors just not hear you?!....Raoul misses you a lot. At first he said he missed playing ping pong with you, but daddy and I started making up for it - I even bother him the way you do! But I think he was quite sad yesterday (may not admit to it!). He wanted to know if he would get to seeing you before he goes to camp - unfortunately you'll arrive in D.C. as his bus takes off! Love you lots.

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  5. Wow! We continue to be very proud of all of you for choosing to spend a part of your summer in Rwanda. Your posts illustrate that your time spent there has been valuable to you and those around you. Thirty One bricks seem like a "far cry" from 2000, but it's a start..:) We look forward to your return but are so happy you've had this amazing experience...guess I'll go back to pulling the weeds..:)
    Be Safe and Much Love,
    Char (Allie's Mom)

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  6. proud of you guys...keep it up, it's almost the home stretch! God has something to show each of you, something specific...Peace,
    Greg

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  7. and give Mark hug for me...and have Robbie buy me a Rwanda jersey XL :)

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  8. Keep up the good work! Sounds as though you are having a lot of wonderful experiences and getting to see the people and culture. I wish I was there with you! However, I probably wouldn't have done very well carrying water on my head and making bricks! Sounds very tiring! This week has gone by so fast and I'm sure you are thinking of the end of your journey. Take lots of photos as we'll all be anxious to see everything you've described in your posts!

    Take care. Love, Deborah ( Makaela's mom )

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  9. I can't tell you how awesome it is to hear all you have been up to! It will be great to hear more of your stories when you are home! Tell Robbie Happy Birthday! Be sure you all do a little birthday dance (or however you celebrate in Rwanda!)
    Karen

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  10. Amazing - I'm loving eavesdropping from Scotland. So Happy Birthday Robbie! Gosh, another bday spent away from home and no pink white and chocolate cake...missing you but so proud of you and all the young people. Wish we were there too.
    God bless and keep you especially at the squatty potty...love the name you've given it.
    Michele (Robbie's mum)

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