What's in a name?

  
  

Hello,

I just had a long post I was going to send but the internet cafe was switching from off the generator since the power came back on so I lost it all. I have less time now to say hi to you all but I'll be back on Wednesday I hope. We have just 11 days left in Uganda and then we are on to Kenya for a month. I am definitely excited to see another country.

I was thinking that maybe I should explain my name to you all. If you noticed I have been signing my blog posts as Isimbi Johanna. Obviously you all know that my name is Johanna:) Isimbi is my Kinyarwanda name (pronounced ee-SEE-mbee). It is very special to me because Selassie gave it to me. He said that it was perfect for me and since he rarely reached out to people like that it meant a lot. Simply translated Isimbi means "shining". A more accurate translation is shining like a snow-covered mountain or a pebble in the water. Rwanda has no natural resources like gold or diamonds so when people wanted to describe something that was treasured they used the way the sun glistens on the top of a snowy mountain as an example. But that is not what means the most to me about my name. When Sel gave it to me he said that in Rwanda girls that were named Isimbi were special. They were in his words " quiet, beautiful, and wise". As soon as he had said that he started talking about 1994. He said that during the genocide sometimes the killers would ask people what their names were and when they came to a girl named Isimbi they still killed her anyway. He had this look on his face that I can't describe and he shook his head and said "that was very bad" as if killing them showed how little regard there was for anyone at all. So, anyway that is the story of my name.

I will talk to you all soon! Bye for now!

Isimbi Johanna

The Chicken Picture!

Yeah, but Dad still knows where to look for the evidence...

Chickens and attack helicopters!

Hi people!

I have to say that I had the most unique and probably most fun Easter sunday that I have ever had yesterday. I woke up early so that I could slaughter chickens! I told some of my African team members back in Rwanda that I wanted to learn how to kill a chicken and they let me kill five of them and then I defeathered them and learned how to cut them up. I won't go in to more details for those of you who are grossed out but any of you that want to know the specifics for killing a chicken just ask me when I get back:) I have pics of it up on facebook for those of you that can access that but I couldn't post them here.

Then I went to church and after it was over the guy who was giving us a ride back to base gave us a tour of his flight academy. We went up into the control tower and since the military also uses that place we got to get a tour of a military attack helicopter. It was really cool. It was loaded with rocket bombs and had a 30-mm gun in front. I am hoping that tomorrow I might get to go back and sit in the planes that the school uses. I also got to learn how to make chipotis that afternoon which is a bread type thing that is absolutely delicious. All in all it was a good day.

Time goes so fast. We have less than three weeks remaining in Uganda and less than two months until we graduate. I will be happy to go home and see people and to be totally honest I am looking forward to a Dunkin' Donuts medium french vanilla coffee almost as much. At the same time though I will be heartbroken to leave. I keep leaving bits of myself all over Africa. I guess every time I do God replaces what I lost with Himself so that I am never depleted or running dry. It's better that way. I'd rather lose myself even though sometimes it hurts if it means that I get to feel more of what God feels. And I will need His strength because coming here is not always easy. I really enjoy it sometimes and I joke about how fun it is to kill chickens but the truth is that in the long run I will only be able to last in Africa if God keeps pouring Himself out into me. I find it amazing that He even does but I am so grateful. The Johanna Beachy that I am on my own cannot deal with little children, even babies, who are slowly dying. They seem just like ordinary kids sometimes until they suddenly throw up or I see a kid that I think is maybe a few months old until I find out that she is over a year old.

I also am incapable of dealing with the amount of inside pain that I have seen people living with. It will sometimes just rise up and smack me in the face when I am not expecting. Someone will be talking and the next thing you know someone else makes a remark about how during the genocide they fell down a hole while running for their life and broke their back and that they had to lay there covered with a bag of beans to try to hide since they couldn't move. It's a whole different world and I don't know how I'm going to go home. Sorry I didn't mean to get all depressing but that is what it is like to live with Rwandese. I would love them so much if only for how much they have survived and God has protected them through. I love this God who keeps people alive when it is humanly impossible to do so. And He is the same God who then sustains me when I am facing the pain that comes as a result of their experiences. How amazing is that! Every time I see how big and powerful He is I am so honored that He cares for every little thing about me.

Yeah, if you want to see some more about the God who cares for you come to Africa, especially Rwanda, and you will be blown away. I think a lot of people in America have this view of God as our Father and best Friend which is totally true but sometimes we can forget about this whole other side of Him. He is the Defender of the weak and oppressed, a Warrior King, and all-powerful in everything He does. I've gotten some awesome glimpses of my Lord in that role here and it gives me goosebumps. Actually, it drives me to my knees. You don't stand in the presence of a King like that. And if you really want to be in awe of Him take a look in the Bible about what he says regarding the widows and orphans. I have learned a lot about His heart towards them in the past few months. He loves them alright but I was amazed and scared to see the way He will act against those who abuse them. He has such a tender spot for orphans and widows that anyone who dares to hurt them or even to just not help them out should be really scared.

OK, I love talking about HIm but I am running out if time now. I will see and talk to you people in June. Bye!

Ndagakunda cyane! Imana ibahe umugisha!

Isimbi Johanna

Happy Easter!

Hi everybody,

I have not been able to get to the internet as much but will try to do
better. Ministry here is going well although it is already tiring. I
spent two days the beginning of this week in the hospital. Don't panic
family:) My friend got malaria so I stayed in the clinic to take care
of her. It was a good glimpse for me into the way clinics here work.
They took good care of her but so many other things were frustrating.
I want to work at a clinic like that so that I can see it improve! As
for the other things I've done; probably the most exhausting and also
the most rewarding is Amacet. Amacet is a home for young children
living with HIV/AIDS or babies that need someone to take care of them
for a time. It is grueling work, particularly the 14-hour overnight
shifts, but the kids make it all worth it. This afternoon our team is
going to an Easter celebration where we have been asked to
participate. I'm not much of a singer but at least I'm in a group.

Today makes exactly three weeks left in Soroti and then we will
hopefully go on to Athi River, Kenya for the last month. Your prayers
about that would be appreciated. The other thing to pray for is the
upcoming month of April. It is the hardest month of the year for
Rwandans because it brings so many memories of the genocide and is
often the anniversary of the deaths of their families . I am grateful
actually that we are not in Rwanda next month but it will still be a
difficult time for many of our team members. They are my family now
and the pain they experience is intense enough that I feel it as well.
Oh, to be honest I quite miss Rwanda. I will be back there for two
weeks before I go home at least. Well, I must go...Monday is my day
off next week so I will try to write more then. Bye! See you in June!

Isimbi Johanna

Hello from the other side of the equator!

Hi everybody!

I have to be very quick but I wanted to let you know that I arrived safely in Uganda:)

The bus trip was long and very bumpy. We drove across the equator along the way which was cool. I found it even more fascinating to drive across the Nile! On one side was all big modern buildings and the on the other side down by the shore I looked out the window and saw some fishermen in little dugout canoes. That is what I have found Africa in general to be like; a blend of modern up to date technology and old old traditions that have hardly changed in the past few thousand years. Maybe that is part of the appeal.

Oh, I need to go. I will post a more complete update later that includes what it was like working with little children with AIDS. Talk to you soon!

Isimbi Johanna

Arrival in Uganda...

Hello to all Johanna's friends:

Her roommate Laura posted an update on her blog to indicate that they have arrived safely in Soroti. The highlights are as follows:

• Left Kigali base early on Tuesday morning and were on our way to Uganda by 6 30. We crossed the border in less than 2 hours.
• We raced along the highways until we arrived in Kampala in the afternoon. The scenery is very different here, much flatter and drier. We also crossed the equator, which was cool.
• We spent the night at a friends house in the city and had a late dinner before all falling asleep while standing up.
• The next morning we awoke early again and caught a bus to Soroti. This one was much bigger and full of people. We raced along the bumpy pothole-filled high ways, through flat Ugandan marshlands for most of the day. By the time we reached Soroti, we were all exhausted and our backs were aching from the incredibly bumpy ride.
• We found our way to the YWAM base and were greeted by a small staff. The base here is spread out and each ministry has their own compound. Soroti is much more rural than our base in Kigali, and we are in the middle of a big, hot field.
• We were shown to our very "cozy" room, where eight of us girls will live. However, you could put me in a box for all I am concerned, because we have running water, our own bathroom, and a shower!!! Oh, and there is a toaster here as well, in the kitchen!
• We spent our first night meeting them, looking at the stars, and sweating while being eaten alive by mosquitoes.
• We awoke this morning to breakfast and an orientation about the ministries we will be involved in. Mostly we will be working with FACE (facing aids with compassion and education), a primary school, and Amachet, which is a phenomenal ministry for children with AIDS. We will be working night shifts at the center for children and helping ease the pain of some of those who are very progressed in their symptoms. I know it will be very difficult, but this is an incredible ministry to show children love and dignity before they die, and to nurse those who can be saved back to a healthy and somewhat normal life.
• Please pray for us as this will certainly be an emotional experience.

Johanna's Dad

Africa's Potential

I'm back again! Two days in a row I have been able to post something!

I ran off to the internet quick in between packing and cleaning to get some last minute things in order. I will have to hop on the back of a moto to get back in time for supper.

I have to say that one thing I came to believe in the past year has been confirmed beyond doubt for me in Rwanda. Africa as a continent has the potential to become a great teacher to the rest of the world about the healing power of the Almighty God. I know that at first glance that doesn't seem likely. The few things to be heard in the news are not inspiring or reassuring especially because there is truth in them. Nevertheless, I'm telling you that I believe with absolutely certainty that God has been holding back a powerful weapon to reach the world and it's Africa. There is something stirring on the horizon of this place. I first sensed it in West Africa although I didn't know what it was at the time and I can feel it here as well. It is exciting for me because I have had the belief confirmed by multiple people who sense the same thing. I don't know if it will happen in my lifetime but I would love to see it! When God unleashes Africa, which I think will happen as more people here begin to seek His face, the world will stand in awe at the way God is reflected. It makes me so excited! We serve an amazing God who turns the worst into something wonderful. Remember that the next time you hear another horrible story or statistic about this continent because He can and will use to show His glory to all humanity.

I could talk about this for hours but since I am leaving at five in the morning to drive to Uganda I need to go:) I will arrive sometime Wednesday and I'll talk to you as soon as I can. Bye! Love you all!

Isimbi Johanna

Leaving for Uganda!

Hi friends and family!

I have no idea where I will next be writing you from as I am leaving
this Tuesday morning to go to Soroti. It is a long bus ride but the
exciting thing is that we will drive across the Equator and right by
the source of the Nile! We expect to be in Uganda for about a month
and then we will hopefully be heading on to Kenya depending on how the
situation is by then. I am looking forward to seeing another African
country. Mostly I am excited for what I know the Lord can do through
our team. My prayer is that we will put aside who we are in order to
better reflect our Creator.

It looks like I will probably not be going straight to South Africa
after DTS is over. The base has not responded to me yet and I have a
very limited time in which to prepare the details if I were to go. I
am sad to miss the adventure it could have been but I know that I will
have others. So that means I will most likely be coming home in the
end of May. I expect I will be around for at least a couple months
before heading out somewhere. I am also still going to pursue going to
the Primary Healthcare School in South Africa next year. That will
give me time to work before I go. I will be spending time praying
about this next stage in my life as I come home.

First, though, I am looking to be used in ministry in Uganda and
Kenya. There is more than one AIDS ministry that I hope to be able to
work with. I will write to all you dear people as soon as I can!

Isimbi Johanna

P.S. I have not seen or heard from Selassie. Even if I never see him
again I will pray for him the rest of my life. He is my twin brother.

A quick hello

I have to be fast today but I wanted to say hello to all of you and I miss you.

I will be leaving a week from today to go to Soroti, Uganda. In fact,
I just came from the Ugandan Embassy here where I was working on
getting my visa. It is exciting to go and sad to leave Rwanda. OK a
short recap of my time here...In the past three months I have:

• Eaten cow stomach and intestines
• Become an expert at bucket showers
• Learned a very little bit of Kinyarwanda, Swahili, and French
• Cooked over charcoal
• Completely lost the whole idea of personal space
• Seen zebras, giraffes, antelopes, warthogs, baboons...
• Heard the most horrific testimonies in person
• Swam in Lake Kivu

And the list could go on and on but I am out of time! I will try to
write again soon. Miss you all and love you!

Isimbi Johanna