What you should know about this picture
Sooooooo the internet is pretty spotty in Rwanda. Someone call Mama and Daddy and tell them I’m okay! Between that and a day full of visiting schools, serving lunch and trying to squish little kids in my pockets so I can take them home, I am also dealing with sickness and insomnia. Jet lag is not my friend. Neither is my anti-malaria medication apparently.
But you press on in Rwanda! Arise and rise! And when your game is on you get awesome pictures like this to post on your website:
1. My sponsor kid JD (left) is wondering what he’s supposed to do with the oddly shaped soccer ball I gave him.
2. His kid sister is obviously wondering the same thing.
3. And clearly I’m not understanding a thing my translator is saying and it shows ALL OVER MY FACE.
PS: When I was little, I ran into a full-length mirror on the back of a door and had a gash above my eye. When I furrow by brow, the scar is REALLY noticeable.
PSS: Why didn’t I see myself coming when I ran into the mirror?
4. I have been sick the entire time I’ve been here and have laryngitis. If JD knew what 1-900 numbers were, I’m sure he would encourage me to make a little extra change with a side business.
5. Do you see the blue sticker on my arm? It’s from Academy. As in Sports & Outdoors. I brought JD a kid-sized fold-up chair for his house since they don’t have any furniture. The sticker was on the chair and somehow ended up on my arm the entire visit. When I peeled it off hours later, it ripped all the hair off my arm. Is that too much information? I’m running on only hours of sleep.
6. We walked in a torrential downpour down a side of a mountain (read: large hill) to get to his house. The team of women who were with me are ROCK STARS. I was wearing a pancho to protect his gifts and quite frankly, to protect my hair so it wouldn’t do a weird “woo-hoo” thing. I was having enough anxiety that he wouldn’t remember me at all!
But then this happened and all was right with the world.
That smile gets me every time.
I was thinking about writing a post about him, but there are no words that would convey the emotions I feel when I’m with him for such a short amount of time. It’s deep. It’s personal. And it’s a gift from God.
With that said (and if WiFi is willing) I will definitely post more later this week about my adventures in Rwanda! Murabeho!
I love this!! So glad you made this trip. I hope you start feeling better quickly!
Lincee! Thanks for the update!
I’m so glad you are pushing through!
You got this!
Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the moment and be well!
Those are such sweet pictures! Praying for you to get better quickly. Enjoy the rest of your trip there!
Love the photos!
Healing thoughts are being sent your way.
Looking forward to hearing more from you plus more photos.
Thanks for sharing…healing prayers being sent your way. Hope the rest of your trip is filled with good memories.
What a wonderful experience! So sorry you are sick. Feel better! I know there is nothing worse than being a zillion miles away from home and not feeling well but it looks like you have so many other great things to help take your mind off of it. By the way, when I had to take malaria meds, they made me have the most vivid dreams. I had a one really bad one to the point I woke up with tears running down my face. My trip to Africa was so worth it though! Safe travels.
oh that picture makes me want to WEEP OPENLY! i love the look of his mom (?) in the background, she’s covering her face.
such a joyful picture.
such a good heart you have. keep up the good work and blessings on your travels!
Next time ask your doctor about Malarone. It is the best anti-Malaria option as it has minimal/no side effects. Its the one I use when I travel to Nigeria.
Enjoy your trip!
Lincee, what a great example and reminder you are to all of us that God is everywhere and He has created each person special and unique. You have such joy in your eyes when you are with JD, and the love you share with him is unconditional. Thank you for being a role model that even a world apart we can help someone have a better life.
Hope you get to feeling better soon and enjoy your visit.
Ditto what “maria” stated above. My thoughts exactly.
Lincee, seriously. I was in love with this post before I saw the picture of you and JD greeting each other, but when I saw that photo, it look ‘love’ to a whole new level. I know you will treasure that photo forever and ever.
I hope you’ll post more about JD – I’d love to hear more about him!
I am so happy for you to have this experience and the friendship that’s so obvious with a special young man. *tears*
You’re an inspiration!
You’re amazing!!
Absolutely beautiful! God is so good – have a wonderful trip and time with JD – hope you feel better!!
Tears running down my face…..Do you see the woman in the picture behind y’all?? The faithfulness to go and again to return….you will never know the impact. The “hands and feet” evident and present for him to hold! how special, how very special!!