Rwanda experienced one of the most intense rainy seasons in decades this Spring. The rain, which usually stops in April, continued well into late May this year. This meant that dirt roads were washed out and rutted, fields were flooded and, devastatingly, many homes collapsed. More than 200 people died in Rwanda this Spring as a result of the widespread flooding.
Several families in our community were affected and, following negotiations with the Ndera Sector leaders, we were approved to help one family with a student at our school to rebuild their home.
This house is owned by a grandmother, her daughter and her children. During recent heavy rains, the walls of their home collapsed in the middle of the night! I can’t imagine the fear and trauma associated with having your home literally fall down around you, but it must be extremely distressing.
The home only had three walls, no toilet, no running water and no private place to bathe. Thankfully, with the help of Mission Hills Church (missionhills.org), we were able to rebuild the walls, install doors, windows, a latrine and a private place to bathe!
Hebrews 3:4 says,“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”We know how much effort it takes to build a solid house. And our stewardship of the resources that God has provided, including dirt, water and human ingenuity, enables us to build things that reflect God’s glory. He is lifted high when we sacrificially devote our resources to serving others because it reflects His character!
As we neared the completion of this project, the Ndera Sector leaders stopped by Hope Haven Rwanda and were elated that we were able to pitch in and help this precious family! Even some Hope Haven Rwanda staff members, Sylvester, Olivea and Priscillah, jumped right into to the project alongside us, demonstrating their proficiency and compassion.
We worked with local specialists, who enthusiastically shared their talents with us. It was incredible to see a team of Americans working together with indigenous professionals and we are all thrilled with the finished product. Jon Roberts, one of the Executive Pastors at Mission Hills Church, even joked that he is so good at slinging mud now that he may be able to pursue a career in politics!
At the end of a couple of days of labor, there were a lot of sore muscles and a few sunburns, but they were overshadowed by a giant dose of fulfillment after being able to really help improve this family’s life!