Laughter & Learning

Last Friday we finished the official two weeks of training. It has been an incredible two weeks with Bridgette, Aline, and Lillian. We are all amazed by the amount and depth of information we have covered together! We are so thankful for the ways in which we have shared life together over the last several weeks, and learned from each other in many ways. We continued to do role playing today. Two of our favorite “clients” that have developed over the past several weeks are Bugabobarabona “A man who has seen many things,” and Nyiramiruko “A woman who has many problems.” Bridgette has a great sense of humor and named both of these clients!

Our time with IJM has been so unique as we have experienced the richness of witnessing the lives of women who the Lord will continue to use to bring hope and healing to many! We have been so humbled by the time we have shared together, as well as extremely energized, inspired, and affirmed in the ministry God has called us to! Today we celebrated our shared learning together by going out to lunch. During lunch we presented Bridgette, Aline and Lillian with Certificates of Completion for 60 hours of Advanced Social Work Values and Trauma Counseling Training. Our lunch together very much reflected the last two weeks we have shared together...lots of laughter! We have had so much fun together!

On Friday night, Bridgette invited us to have dinner with her family at their home. We will always treasure this very special evening with her family. We spent time eating ground nuts (peanuts) and drinking Fanta, as we got to know Bridgette's husband, Valentine. We then moved to the dining area, where we were presented with an incredible feast of delicous food! We ate and ate until we were full of Matoke (a favorite of Rwanda=). Bridgette and her husband shared more about their family’s story of loss and survival during the Genocide. Bridgette is truly a “Wounded Healer,” it is through her miraculous journey of healing, that she will continue to help many others to heal.

Bridgett presented us with two gifts while we were in her home. She presented to Ryan a wooden milk jug, to symbolize the gift of a cow, “the highest honor.” Bridgette explained that it is the men in Rwandese culture that traditionally would milk the cow. Bridgette then presented me with a traditional Rwandese basket, and explained that it is where women can “put the secrets of their household.” She demonstrated how Rwandese women would carry the basket on their head until they reached their friend's home, and would then present their friend with a gift that was hidden inside. Bridgette then explained that this is a special basket as it if from “One social worker to another social worker.” She told me that this basket is to help me to honor the story-tellers by “putting the secrets” of their stories of both trauma and survival that they share with me. What a beautiful and powerful metaphor! As I thought about Bridgette's words, I realized the beauty of this metaphor, as "the secrets" become a "gift," an offering of peace and healing, to both the story-teller and listener as healing takes place. This basket will continue to be such a special reminder and a gift that I cherish as I continue to share in other’s journeys of healing…
Below is a picture of Bridgette's children and some of her neices and nephews. Kalisa, IJM Accountant, also came to visit while we were at Bridgette's home.


We are looking forward to what awaits us during our final week in Kigali...our cups overflow! It is possible that we may be doing some counseling with African New Life Ministries for some survivors of the Genocide who experienced severe trauma and continue to be significantly impacted. Please pray for us that Christ would give us wisdom, peace and guidance. Thank you for all of your prayers and love! Peace, Ryan & Marla