An update from Rwanda
Meet Grace and Lillian. I am happy beyond words to be with them and completely at home in this amazing, beautiful place.
Traveling so far gave me the tiniest taste of what it might have been for Odette to make her journey. My respect and my admiration for her strength and hope as a woman and mother leave me in awe. Truly, Odette, my friend, you know the truest meaning of love and
of courage. I have so much to learn from you.
I don’t have much time to write and would pay money for you to see this internet cafe, but know this: Rwanda is a warm, welcoming, loving place. For all the sorrows witnessed (and perpetrated) here, there is an equal measure of kindness and hope.
We are moving out to the villages tomorrow. There are many logistical things to work out with the girls as Lillian has had exposure to TB and more than likely should not return to her school. The girls need someone to care for them in Kigali and much support. Working
on these details while I’m here.
With so much love for you all, Jen
May 20th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
How exciting to know you made it safely to Africa and to finally see pics of Odette’s children. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been checking everyday for a report! Best wishes on the rest of your journey.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
What incredibly beautiful young women!
May 20th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
OH YEAH!!! They are beautiful. Thanks for the update. I’m thinking, praying and sending positive thoughts for courage, strength, love and compassion for you and the girls!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
They are such beautiful, beautiful, girls. It’s so good you are there to help work out practicalities for them right now. More prayers and thoughts going out to all of you, and to Odette. What beautiful girls!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Such beauty shining from the girls! I bet Odette is so pleased to have such a recent image of them.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I love seeing these darlings… sending you luck and love and synchronicities and health to distribute wherever you go in Rwanda.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I dreamed about your trip last night (a good dream!) and was so pleased to see this update and beautiful photograph today.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
wow. i got teary seeing their beautiful faces, knowing that you’ve made an idea into an incredible reality!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Ah, lovely photo of lovely women and a fantastic story continues. Thanks for making this trip, Jen!
May 20th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
So good to get an update from you and to see photos of Grace and Lillian. Tell them how beautiful and brave we all think they are.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Wonderful to get the update. Lovely young women, and such an absolute gift to hear about your amazing journey. let us know if there is anything we can do from accross the ocean and a continents away.
Veronique
May 20th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
God they are beautiful. Those eyes! Wow.
We’re praying for you all!
May 20th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Wow, Jen — after all this time, to see these amazing faces feels like a gift. My heart is aching for Odette right now, imagining her wanting to crawl right into this photo and hold them close.
Lots of love coming your way, and with yours here at home.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Such lovely girls with wonderful open expressive faces. Wishing you all the best.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Woot!
I adore the thought of your love and beauty spilling out over that piece of Africa, mixing with all the love and beauty already there… making something amazing.
Keep trusting. You’re you the Way.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Beautiful - you, the girls, the whole adventure. It brings tears to my eyes.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Hello! and blessings to you and your travels! A friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend (yes I think I got it all) told me about your travels to Rwanda and explained your inspiration for the trip was a young girl who was just diagnosed with TB? Not sure if I’ve got the story straight. My friend forwarded me your blog in hopes I would pass along the gift of hope and health with glyconutrients (8 essential saccharides the body needs to function properly and support it’s immune function to heal itself). Rather than clog up your blog I will just give you my website to learn more: mannapages.com/annieallen, and I invite you to please contact me for more info (too much to share in a blog). Also, in your travels, you may find the opportunity to share this hope with others. Mannarelief.org provides FREE supplements to orphans around the world. It’s a wonderful program! What I’ve read of your blog is truly inspiring! Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Thinking of you Jen…. positively brimming with goodness, and my belief in you. You are an inspiration. And those girls? Absolutely beautiful. You can see that they feel touched by their mama’s love, even by proxy.
Odette, if you’re reading these comments, your daughters do you proud. They are you… beautiful.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I found your site through Andrea the Superhero, and am thinking of you in Rwanda — it is a moving and wondrous place. I look forward to hearing how it affects you.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I haven’t been on the computer since Friday, so I’ve just read your Twitter. It made me warm and teary eyed to realize that you are actually IN RWANDA and the cards that I held in my hands HERE are now in the hands of their intended recipients THERE.
I am so proud to call you my soulsister, and I am so honored to be part of your journey.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Ditto to everyone else comments, they’ve said exactly what I am thinking too.
Best wishes
May 20th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Oh it is amazing to see know that you are actually writing from Rwanda. What an amazing experience you must be having. And how wonderful to see you with Odettes children. It brings tears to my eyes, and so much joy to know that they are able to meet a women who is so close with there mother in ways which words cannot describe. I wish you the best on this journey and have been lighting my “hope” candle for you. Hoping your trip is safe and moving and touching. Best of luck to you my dear. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
this photo gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes, sweetie.
oh my goodness, you’re there!!!
you’re really there…
making things happen…
making a difference!!!
sending love and blessings to you and the girls.
xoxoxoxoxo
May 20th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Oh thanks for writing! I’m so glad to hear you’re there. The photo is amazing. So much life lived in those eyes.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:41 am
Yay! Beautiful girls. Beautiful YOU.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:53 am
The girls are beautiful.
Jen, this is all so great.
May 21st, 2008 at 8:15 am
Jen, you are a blessing. Eager to hear more.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:36 am
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. It’s so great to know that you’re finally there, doing what you were meant to do. And it’s wonderful to be able to participate in even the smallest ways.
I’m sending blessings and love for your journey. Thanks again!
May 21st, 2008 at 10:26 am
What a joy to read your words and see the photo of those two beautiful girls. What a blessing you are to them and they are to you.
I wish you could send a photo of the internet cafe. I imagine it would be a shock for those of us who tote our personal computers to Starbucks for a little web-surfing!!! Or who do so in the comfort of our homes.
I cannot wait to hear more and see more from your journey. Traveling mercies. Joy, joy, joy.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:14 am
I’m just beginning to follow your journey and am humbled in the face of your generosity and kindness. The light in those girls’ faces shines across miles and oceans.
May 21st, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Oh, Jen. They are so beautiful. Thank you for the update. The chambers of my heart are full of thoughts these days of you and your trip of wonder. Much love and peace to you and to all you encounter on your voyage.
May 21st, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I am thinking of you so much, and can only imagine how amazing your minutes, hours, and days are right now. Grace and Lillian are so very beautiful. love to you.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Breathtaking Jen. They are breathtaking.
Love love love to you my soul sister.
We miss you and are with you in thought every minute!
May 21st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Go Jen go. Such an amazing journey.
May 21st, 2008 at 8:54 pm
What beautiful girls! It must be profound to have their presence be real in the “terrestrial” world beyond the mental images you had of them. I’m w/Tracey - you are on our minds every every minute.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
so beautiful.. the girls and the journey that you’re on. travel safely.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Thinking of you everyday. x
May 21st, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Thinking of you at least once an hour. And knowing that you’re meant to do this.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Absolutely, stunningly beautiful. Just like Odette. I’m in awe of all of them!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Thanks. Just thanks. For all that you are doing and for updating us and for the inspiration.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
OMG… Jen wrote from Rwanda..
Sending XOS to all those warm, kind people.
Humongous love to you Jen.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
jen
great job
yes i can picture the internet cafe!
and i can picture you now in the village
blessings
you’re in my thoughts each day this week
kelly
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:32 am
So happy you’re there with Grace and Lillian now and that your journey there was safe and sound - continued good wishes!
Thank you for being a brave and comforting soul for the girls and other youngsters in Rwanda - Odette must be thrilled beyond imagination as if she can’t be there, you’re the next best thing.
Cheering you on from Northern Cal…
Cate
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:13 am
Working miracles while experiencing blessings ~ what could be better!! Love & support ~ Scotty
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Oh so great to see that photo of the girls! Can’t wait to read your tales. Blessings!
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
They are lovely girls. How sad that Odette can’t be there with you, but I’m sure she couldn’t imagine a better surrogate than you. Safe journeys, Jen!
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hugs across the oceans.
May 24th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Jen, Thanks a lot.
Sending love and lots of prayers for you and these wonderful girls.
Great job Jenny!
I am just voiceless.
Thanks
May 26th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
So beautiful! Thank you for the update… I’ve been thinking of you all week!
May 27th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
They are beautiful!! Came over from Mother May I and so glad I did. Have a wonderful journey…
May 28th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Just wanted you to know that I have been thinking of you and am wishing you well on your travels in Rwanda. I am sending you and everyone whose lives you touch (and I am sure there will be many)lots of love!!! Thank you for taking on this amazing journey.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Can’t wait to hear some juicy stories!!