It is 8:00 and we are still at the site. We were hopeful that the containers would arrive, but it looks like it will be morning. They have arrived in Kigali, and we have gotten all of the signatures we need, and we are going to pay the required fees tonight.
We anticipate delivery around 10:00, possibly earlier. Tomorrow will be a busy day.
This evening, we ate at the school, and played soccer and football in the dark. There is a big grassy hill, so we got some cardboard and tried to establish the Rwandan Bobsled team. Several of us (including me) took a shot at it, but our runs were less than dramatic. We slid about 10 feet until we came to a stop. I guess Rwanda will have to wait at least one more year for their bobsled team.
Good night.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Get Ready to Watch Some Dust Fly!
As of about 3:00 today, we got confirmation that the third shipping container has made it into the customs yard in Kigali. We have gotten permission from the customs Commissioner to deliver the container directly to the site, and they will come do the inspection as we unload.
Dan, Brad and Luca went into town around 3:30 to see if we could get the containers delivered tonight. Hopefully, they arrive on site before dark, and we can at least hit it hard in the morning.
Tomorrow, I will upload pictures from the end of the day, and you will hopefully see completed trusses waiting for installation and walls on the ground upright and in place.
As for me, I spent the afternoon playing what was supposed to be American Football (but actually looked a lot more like rugby) with two groups of Rwandan kids - each about 50 students. I did pretty well......at first.....okay, untill I had to start running. I am sitting here feeling my hamstrings tighten up. Tomorrow, I will have to do work that doesn't require me to bend over.
There is a young lady here from California, her name is Charlotte. She has a beautiful voice, and I sat and listened to her sing worship songs. On top of that, one of the students prayed yesterday at the end of camp. He prayed for his family, to keep them healthy and safe. He prayed for us, thanking God that we came, and asked God to help us finish our work. He prayed for his teachers, that they stay safe and can continue to work at the school. He prayed for his government, that they make the right decisions. And he prayed for the students, that they stay safe, can continue to come to school, and that God will direct them.
Between the praise songs and the prayer, I am reminded that it really is very simple. We make it all too difficult. They have very little, don't have many toys (if any), there parents struggle to make ends meet, their country lost almost 900,000 friends and family members to genecide, and they are thankful. There are dozens of kids that go up to ALL of us and shake our hands and say, "thank you" before they leave each day.
I need to be more thankful.
For my wife, my beautiful girls, my family.
For my job, which have given me the opportunity to do work I enjoy and with people I respect
For freedom
For friends who reach out to my kids
But mostly, to a God who watches out for me
He is God, I am not. But I will praise him regardless of the circumstances.
I am learning that from my Rwandan friends.
Dan, Brad and Luca went into town around 3:30 to see if we could get the containers delivered tonight. Hopefully, they arrive on site before dark, and we can at least hit it hard in the morning.
Tomorrow, I will upload pictures from the end of the day, and you will hopefully see completed trusses waiting for installation and walls on the ground upright and in place.
As for me, I spent the afternoon playing what was supposed to be American Football (but actually looked a lot more like rugby) with two groups of Rwandan kids - each about 50 students. I did pretty well......at first.....okay, untill I had to start running. I am sitting here feeling my hamstrings tighten up. Tomorrow, I will have to do work that doesn't require me to bend over.
There is a young lady here from California, her name is Charlotte. She has a beautiful voice, and I sat and listened to her sing worship songs. On top of that, one of the students prayed yesterday at the end of camp. He prayed for his family, to keep them healthy and safe. He prayed for us, thanking God that we came, and asked God to help us finish our work. He prayed for his teachers, that they stay safe and can continue to work at the school. He prayed for his government, that they make the right decisions. And he prayed for the students, that they stay safe, can continue to come to school, and that God will direct them.
Between the praise songs and the prayer, I am reminded that it really is very simple. We make it all too difficult. They have very little, don't have many toys (if any), there parents struggle to make ends meet, their country lost almost 900,000 friends and family members to genecide, and they are thankful. There are dozens of kids that go up to ALL of us and shake our hands and say, "thank you" before they leave each day.
I need to be more thankful.
For my wife, my beautiful girls, my family.
For my job, which have given me the opportunity to do work I enjoy and with people I respect
For freedom
For friends who reach out to my kids
But mostly, to a God who watches out for me
He is God, I am not. But I will praise him regardless of the circumstances.
I am learning that from my Rwandan friends.
Please Give Me....
Today is Tuesday, August 4th at 1:33 in Rwanda. By my count, Claire is out of bed, but Grace and mommy are still trying to catch a few more minutes of sleep.
We were up and on the road by 7:30 this morning, hopeful that we would get early word on the containers. Right before lunch, we found out that the third container has finally crossed the border, and is on its way to Meswerga (which is the neighborhood in Kigali where customs is). We have been told it will take about three hours to get from the border to customs, and if they arrive before 3:00 today, they will clear it and send it on to the site. We are all optimistic that we will have materials on site today, allowing us to start unloading first thing in the morning (it gets very dark here around 6:00). If we can unload in the morning, we will probably have three crews - 1 to unload, 1 to start building trusses and 1 to start building walls.
We have about 50 Rwandans on "stand by" to help us unload, so we believe we can get a lot accomplished tomorrow.
As for today, I have already put the shorts back on, and preparing to play more soccer with the kids. Grace and Claire - the Rwandan kids like me flipping them up on my feet and bouncing them like a horse just like you do! Only thing, there are like 300 of them and only 2 of you.
I did cartwheels for the kids this morning. The all did them as well, but then challenged me to do splits and backwards crab walks. I declined.
Apparently, there aren't many folks over here with grey hair that is very straight. I had four little girls rubbing my head and giggling. One of them said, "this is my head".
After we got organized this morning, several of us went into Kigali to go shopping. Michelle, as you know, my job was to attract all the folks asking me to "please give me", while the rest of the gang shopped in peace. I have that look about me, I guess. The hardest was a mom with a little baby. She was asking for money to buy food. There are lots of kids over here that need a home....perhaps a home in the States?
I have tried to sign on to check my office e-mail, but was unsuccessful. Obviously, I don't remember the sign on. I guess that is just as well. I would like to know if they got the foundations poured, or has the rain continued to cause delays.
I have some photos and will try to post them.
I am looking forward to construction, but am greatful that I am here anyway. I miss you all, and am prepared to eat a big burger on my way home!
We were up and on the road by 7:30 this morning, hopeful that we would get early word on the containers. Right before lunch, we found out that the third container has finally crossed the border, and is on its way to Meswerga (which is the neighborhood in Kigali where customs is). We have been told it will take about three hours to get from the border to customs, and if they arrive before 3:00 today, they will clear it and send it on to the site. We are all optimistic that we will have materials on site today, allowing us to start unloading first thing in the morning (it gets very dark here around 6:00). If we can unload in the morning, we will probably have three crews - 1 to unload, 1 to start building trusses and 1 to start building walls.
We have about 50 Rwandans on "stand by" to help us unload, so we believe we can get a lot accomplished tomorrow.
As for today, I have already put the shorts back on, and preparing to play more soccer with the kids. Grace and Claire - the Rwandan kids like me flipping them up on my feet and bouncing them like a horse just like you do! Only thing, there are like 300 of them and only 2 of you.
I did cartwheels for the kids this morning. The all did them as well, but then challenged me to do splits and backwards crab walks. I declined.
Apparently, there aren't many folks over here with grey hair that is very straight. I had four little girls rubbing my head and giggling. One of them said, "this is my head".
After we got organized this morning, several of us went into Kigali to go shopping. Michelle, as you know, my job was to attract all the folks asking me to "please give me", while the rest of the gang shopped in peace. I have that look about me, I guess. The hardest was a mom with a little baby. She was asking for money to buy food. There are lots of kids over here that need a home....perhaps a home in the States?
I have tried to sign on to check my office e-mail, but was unsuccessful. Obviously, I don't remember the sign on. I guess that is just as well. I would like to know if they got the foundations poured, or has the rain continued to cause delays.
I have some photos and will try to post them.
I am looking forward to construction, but am greatful that I am here anyway. I miss you all, and am prepared to eat a big burger on my way home!
Monday, August 3, 2009
One Step Forward....
If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Well, as you can tell, we have finally arrived in Africa. We got to our hotel around 3 am on Sunday morning (about 9pm Saturday night in Fort Myers), and then back up by 9:00 to attend a welcoming and worship service at the school. After that, we ate a lunch prepared by the YFC staff, and then headed off to visit the genocide museum.
Our first evening, we spent strategizing how to prepare for the Vacation Bible School, inflated all the soccer balls, and met with Brad to discuss how to get our containers (holding all of our building supplies) out of customs.
Monday morning, we were up by six, and Dan, Brad, Luca and myself headed off to meet with our clearing agent, shipping agent and customs officials. Long story short, despite being told we would be able to get the first two (of three) containers on Monday morning, we encountered a number of difficulties, and are now hopeful that all three will be released on Tuesday (but we are still waiting for the third, which is in route, but has not passed the Rwandan border).
So, the rest of today has been dedicated to playing soccer with the kids, getting saw horses built, and figuring out how to get connected to the blog.
Lunch was again served at the site - this was a special lunch, including cassava - which looks like a pea stew. As tasty as it looked, I decided to pass so that my fellow travelers could have as much as they wanted. I ate a 100 calorie bag of cheese nips and a couple of handfulls of cashews.
Our hotel is fine. The beds are very firm, but we have all been so tired I am sure no one has had any trouble falling asleep. I laid down last night after dinner to just stretch, and woke up about 2 hours later, still fully dressed with my hands in my pockets. Tim was already in bed and sound asleep.
Hopefully, tomorrow will bring pictures of the containers getting unloaded, and walls starting to get put up. I am sparing you pictures of me playing soccer for two reasons - apparently, my legs are so white that my fellow workers think it is funny, and the Rwandans are afraid of me. Secondly, at 5,000 plus feet, it only takes me about three minutes of running before I have to sit down. I think I am playing soccer, but I think all the pictures will look like I am just sitting.
More tomorrow.
Grace, Claire and Michelle - Dad loves you all. Seeing these kids makes me miss you all. I have decided what I am going to bring home as a gift - cassava!
Michelle - thanks for holding down the fort. I love that you support my crazy ideas. Speaking of crazy ideas....Brad and Kiki are adopting a 2 month old Rwandan girl that was found abandoned in the woods. Her name is Grace. I am thinking perhaps I could be the next Steven Curtis Champan....what do you think!?
Love, Mitch
Well, as you can tell, we have finally arrived in Africa. We got to our hotel around 3 am on Sunday morning (about 9pm Saturday night in Fort Myers), and then back up by 9:00 to attend a welcoming and worship service at the school. After that, we ate a lunch prepared by the YFC staff, and then headed off to visit the genocide museum.
Our first evening, we spent strategizing how to prepare for the Vacation Bible School, inflated all the soccer balls, and met with Brad to discuss how to get our containers (holding all of our building supplies) out of customs.
Monday morning, we were up by six, and Dan, Brad, Luca and myself headed off to meet with our clearing agent, shipping agent and customs officials. Long story short, despite being told we would be able to get the first two (of three) containers on Monday morning, we encountered a number of difficulties, and are now hopeful that all three will be released on Tuesday (but we are still waiting for the third, which is in route, but has not passed the Rwandan border).
So, the rest of today has been dedicated to playing soccer with the kids, getting saw horses built, and figuring out how to get connected to the blog.
Lunch was again served at the site - this was a special lunch, including cassava - which looks like a pea stew. As tasty as it looked, I decided to pass so that my fellow travelers could have as much as they wanted. I ate a 100 calorie bag of cheese nips and a couple of handfulls of cashews.
Our hotel is fine. The beds are very firm, but we have all been so tired I am sure no one has had any trouble falling asleep. I laid down last night after dinner to just stretch, and woke up about 2 hours later, still fully dressed with my hands in my pockets. Tim was already in bed and sound asleep.
Hopefully, tomorrow will bring pictures of the containers getting unloaded, and walls starting to get put up. I am sparing you pictures of me playing soccer for two reasons - apparently, my legs are so white that my fellow workers think it is funny, and the Rwandans are afraid of me. Secondly, at 5,000 plus feet, it only takes me about three minutes of running before I have to sit down. I think I am playing soccer, but I think all the pictures will look like I am just sitting.
More tomorrow.
Grace, Claire and Michelle - Dad loves you all. Seeing these kids makes me miss you all. I have decided what I am going to bring home as a gift - cassava!
Michelle - thanks for holding down the fort. I love that you support my crazy ideas. Speaking of crazy ideas....Brad and Kiki are adopting a 2 month old Rwandan girl that was found abandoned in the woods. Her name is Grace. I am thinking perhaps I could be the next Steven Curtis Champan....what do you think!?
Love, Mitch
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Here we go!
Well, I should be in bed, but I am doing last minute checks to make sure I don't forget anything.
I tucked the girls in and read them stories. I told them that I would tell all the kids in Rwanda about them.
I printed my Rwanda-English dictionary (found only in a blog from a girl named Morgan), and hope to learn enough to be polite and communicate with our co-workers.
Right now, it looks like our materials won't arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday, so I think we will start with VBS, and then work like crazy the last 4-5 days in Rwanda. Pray for a speedy delivery so that we can make sure we finish before we leave.
My real desire is that God does something profound. I have no expectations about what that should be, but I want to be there to see it unfold. My prayer all along has been to give me a passion and a purpose, and for Him to do all the rest.
I was thinking about the concept of Builder's without Borders, and remebered back to flying over the north African desert last time I went over. You didn't see and borders from the sky. There are no limits, no boundaries, no insurmountable odds. We go where God wants us. Where he has prepared the way.
I remember the faces of the kids. They had nothing, were living in huts, and many had lost their parents. But they had hope. They had joy. They believe in tomorrow, but live every "today".
For me, this trip is less about doing something for them, than it is to see how hope, faith, love and passion for work can bring worlds together, make opportunities for poor kids living in small huts, and make grown men cry when they hear 300 kids sing songs to God at the beginning of school.
I know....sounds like some big expectations.
We have a big God.
Signing off until August 2nd - when I will be in Kigali, Rwanda
I tucked the girls in and read them stories. I told them that I would tell all the kids in Rwanda about them.
I printed my Rwanda-English dictionary (found only in a blog from a girl named Morgan), and hope to learn enough to be polite and communicate with our co-workers.
Right now, it looks like our materials won't arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday, so I think we will start with VBS, and then work like crazy the last 4-5 days in Rwanda. Pray for a speedy delivery so that we can make sure we finish before we leave.
My real desire is that God does something profound. I have no expectations about what that should be, but I want to be there to see it unfold. My prayer all along has been to give me a passion and a purpose, and for Him to do all the rest.
I was thinking about the concept of Builder's without Borders, and remebered back to flying over the north African desert last time I went over. You didn't see and borders from the sky. There are no limits, no boundaries, no insurmountable odds. We go where God wants us. Where he has prepared the way.
I remember the faces of the kids. They had nothing, were living in huts, and many had lost their parents. But they had hope. They had joy. They believe in tomorrow, but live every "today".
For me, this trip is less about doing something for them, than it is to see how hope, faith, love and passion for work can bring worlds together, make opportunities for poor kids living in small huts, and make grown men cry when they hear 300 kids sing songs to God at the beginning of school.
I know....sounds like some big expectations.
We have a big God.
Signing off until August 2nd - when I will be in Kigali, Rwanda
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Window on The World
For those of you that are computer saavy - you can actually see our construction site (and our previous construction efforts) from the sky using Google Earth.
The coordinates are as follows:
Latitude - 1°55'57.40"S
Longitute - 30° 6'59.76"E
Look for the 5 long buildings, which are the school facilities that were built in previous years. If you look just a little to the southeast, you will see a larger Training Center that was the first building built by Builders Without Borders. The new construction site is the large open area immediately to the right (northeast) of the Training Center.
The coordinates are as follows:
Latitude - 1°55'57.40"S
Longitute - 30° 6'59.76"E
Look for the 5 long buildings, which are the school facilities that were built in previous years. If you look just a little to the southeast, you will see a larger Training Center that was the first building built by Builders Without Borders. The new construction site is the large open area immediately to the right (northeast) of the Training Center.
T Minus Three Days
July 28, 2009
It is Tuesday night, and I have finally finished packing my "checked" bag. It was a challenge getting all the tools, candy and toys in my bag, while still leaving sufficient room for the clothes. After a couple of attempts, I gave in and pulled out a small second bag to help me stay under the 50 pounds per bag rule......It is amazing how heavy the candy is - particularly Tootsie Rolls! And "no", the candy isn't for me, it is for the kids at the school and in the neighborhood. They like to watch us work all day, and it is one of the highlights of the day to spend a little time playing around with the kids in the village.
Tomorrow night I finish packing my backpack, which will be the only thing I carry on the plane. It will need to carry all of my entertainment, documents, spare clothes and hygene supplies needed for a 2 day trip. Last trip I didn't even think about the "hygene" supplies, and by the time we got there, my contacts were glued to my eyes, and all I could think about was brushing my teeth.
Our 2 day trip should be fun...we leave Fort Myers at 7 am on Friday, July 31st, and don't actually get to Rwanda until 2:00 am on August 2nd. That includes stops in Chicago, London, Nairobi and finally Kigali. We have about a 6 hour layover in Chicago, which we hope is enough time to run into the city for a slice of pizza and a Segway tour of downtown.
It is Tuesday night, and I have finally finished packing my "checked" bag. It was a challenge getting all the tools, candy and toys in my bag, while still leaving sufficient room for the clothes. After a couple of attempts, I gave in and pulled out a small second bag to help me stay under the 50 pounds per bag rule......It is amazing how heavy the candy is - particularly Tootsie Rolls! And "no", the candy isn't for me, it is for the kids at the school and in the neighborhood. They like to watch us work all day, and it is one of the highlights of the day to spend a little time playing around with the kids in the village.
Tomorrow night I finish packing my backpack, which will be the only thing I carry on the plane. It will need to carry all of my entertainment, documents, spare clothes and hygene supplies needed for a 2 day trip. Last trip I didn't even think about the "hygene" supplies, and by the time we got there, my contacts were glued to my eyes, and all I could think about was brushing my teeth.
Our 2 day trip should be fun...we leave Fort Myers at 7 am on Friday, July 31st, and don't actually get to Rwanda until 2:00 am on August 2nd. That includes stops in Chicago, London, Nairobi and finally Kigali. We have about a 6 hour layover in Chicago, which we hope is enough time to run into the city for a slice of pizza and a Segway tour of downtown.
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