(IJM Rwanda Office)
We have had a wonderful first week in Kigali! We began the Social Work and Trauma Counseling Training on Tuesday. We received such a warm welcome by all of the IJM Rwandan Staff! It has been such a blessing to begin our mornings together with the IJM Rwandan Staff praying for current cases and issues of injustice in Kigali and Jali (a sector IJM currently works in). We have learned so much from each of the staff as they have shared with us their individual work for IJM. The work IJM is doing in Rwanda is incredible!
On Tuesday morning we were introduced to IJM's newly hired social workers, Bridgette and Ailene. Bridgette has worked extensively with local NGOs on issues of Gender-Based Violence. Ailene has a history of working with Compassion International...both are extremely gifted and passionate about issues of social justice! We also have worked closely with Lillian, who has helped to work as an interpreter during the trainings. Lillian too is extremely talented, and definitely has a heart for the issues we are discussing. We are so humbled to be working with such gifted, talented, and experienced social workers. We have spent our mornings providing training on Social Work Values, Building Therapeutic Rapport, Assessment, Issues of Victimization, Domestic Violence, Gender-Based Violence, and Impact of Trauma. We have had great dialogue and have learned so much from Bridgett, Ailene and Lillian! In the afternoons, we have been doing role playing in both the counselor and client role, using our own personal backgrounds. Our afternoons together have been a very special part of our time here...
In the mornings, we take the local motor cycle taxis to IJM, and usually take the motor cars (mini bus) home. It has been a great way to commute! However, tonight we hopped on the back of two motor cycles during rush hour...needless to say, it was quite an adventure home!
Thank you so much for ALL of your thoughts, prayers and love! Please continue to pray for our time together with Bridgette, Ailene and Lillian. Sending you lots of love from Kigali!
Peace & Love, Ryan & Marla
Picture #1: IJM Office; #2: Bridgette and Ailene; #3 Marla and Lillian; #4 View from IJM
Friday, July 25, 2008
First week in Kigali
Posted by Ryan and Marla at 11:30 AM
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3 comments:
LOVE reading your updates! Can you guys post the pictures bigger so they are easier to see. I like to see all the details in them :). Love you guys and praying for you!!!
PS - Ben and I are total pals! He loves me, I love him, it's been great. Mazie and I, well... we're working things through :)
Love you guys!
Becka
Dear Mar and Ry,
Your first week sounded productive and rewarding. IJM is an incredible organization. I appreciate the way you described your colleagues and the wonderful gifts they bring to IJM. I know that both you and the Rwandaneze will share great insights on how to demonstrate care and healing to the victims of oppression. May the Lord richly bless your time together.
Love,
Dad
What a blessing to have such wonderful people to work with there- all having the same passion and love for those who are victimized by greed, hate and evil of all kinds. I'm so happy that your there with all of the love in your hearts and are able to be a part of the healing solutions for these wounded ones. Your both blessed by and a
blessing to our Lord. Can't wait to hear more when you get home. By the way are you still sleeping out under the stars in those oh so comfy looking beds. The waking up to the sights and sounds of God's beautiful creation in Rwanda sounds great! Hope your sleeping well and waking rested for each new days adventure.
Love, Vicki
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