Day 5 – Faith, Friendship, and a Beautiful Surprise in Rwanda: We Were in the News!

​A Joyful Sunday Service

Sunday began with a beautiful opportunity to join Paterne at a Catholic church located close to our hotel. We wanted to support him by experiencing his place of worship, and it was unlike anything Alan and I had seen before. Hundreds upon hundreds of people filled the church—so many that once the parking spaces were taken, cars were parked in front of other cars until the lot was completely full. Inside, every seat was taken, and people stood wherever they could find space. This happened for each of the three services that day!

The Scripture readings were especially meaningful. One passage came from the “faith” chapter of Hebrews, where we are exhorted to live by faith, not fear—a reminder of how Shari traveled to Rwanda trusting God’s call. GIFTS Rwanda itself was born of that same faith, believing we could positively impact the lives of Rwandans in need. Another reading, from Luke 12, encouraged us not to seek personal gain but to lay up ‘treasure in Heaven’ by serving those in need. This is exactly what you—our supporters—make possible, meeting the needs of people in Rugarika. We left the service inspired and encouraged to press forward in our work.

When we left, we found ourselves completely blocked in, so we decided to walk back to the hotel. Along the way, we stopped at a small shop connected to the church. I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of the unique items for sale—small bags of room-temperature milk, pineapple-flavored soft drinks, and chicken-flavored crisps, all new to me. It was fun to soak in the bustle of the community around us.
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Before leaving for this trip, Karina had given Alan and me Namaste bracelets. On the walk home from the church, Brigitte stopped at a street vendor, picked out some beads, and created her own Namaste bracelet. She then asked to trade with me. Alan also gave his bracelet to Paterne. It was such a small exchange, yet deeply meaningful. Now Brigitte and Paterne wear the bracelets we brought from home, and I have a beautiful Rwandan Namaste bracelet made by Brigitte. I know each of us will treasure them.

​A Visit from Two Special Alumni 

​Later that afternoon, we welcomed two very special visitors—Souzane and Edison—both of whom GIFTS Rwanda’s founder, the late Shari Shelton, sponsored more than a decade ago. They traveled from Kigali to see us, carrying with them a beautiful gift and, for Edison, a heartfelt poem he had written in Shari’s honor. Alan and I were deeply moved, reminded once again how stepping out in faith can ripple into countless lives for years to come. We shared a wonderful lunch together, and before heading home, Souzane and Brigitte enjoyed a quick dip in the pool. It was a joyful reunion filled with love, gratitude, and beautiful memories of Shari.

​GIFTS Rwanda Makes Headlines 

As the day wound down, Paterne shared some exciting news—GIFTS Rwanda was featured in a Rwandan newspaper! The article celebrated the graduation of 20 sewing program trainees—19 women and one man—who each received a sewing machine as start-up capital to launch their own tailoring businesses. The graduates’ stories are powerful—women overcoming discouragement, a young man given a fresh start after financial hardship—all made possible through your support. Local leaders praised the program’s life-changing impact, and we are proud to say that since our inception, GIFTS Rwanda has trained 37 graduates, each equipped with the tools they need for self-sufficiency. You can read the original article HERE (in Kinyarwanda) or enjoy the English translation below:

Kamonyi–Rugalika: Graduates of Gifts Rwanda’s Sewing Training Receive Start-Up Capital to Launch Their Own Businesses
Date: August 10, 2025
Location: Nyanza-Kibirizi, Kamonyi (Rural District)

The non-governmental organization Gifts Rwanda officially recognized 20 trainees (19 women and 1 man) who completed a six-month sewing (tailoring) training programme on August 8, 2025. Each graduate received a sewing machine as a start-up tool to help them establish self-employment and improve their lives and those of their families, entirely free of charge.

Personal Success Stories
Nyiratunga Immaculee, a mother of four and grandmother of three, faced discouragement along the way—many told her she was too old—but she remained focused. She expressed deep gratitude to Gifts Rwanda for providing both education and a sewing machine as essential capital, saying: “Thanks to Gifts Rwanda... we completed the training without paying school fees, and they also gave us a sewing machine as capital. I’m going to go work and lift myself out of poverty... those who discouraged me will see me working.” 

Emmanuel Nzabandora, the sole male graduate at 18 years old, had to drop out of secondary school due to financial difficulties. He highlighted how the training and the gifted sewing machine gave him a “start in life,” allowing him to look forward to a better future.

Words from Gifts Rwanda and Local Authorities
A spokesman for Gifts Rwanda praised the 20 trainees, emphasizing that beyond imparting sewing skills, the program celebrated their resilience, strength, and courage. She envisioned that these graduates would go on to transform their communities and become role models.

Marie Josée Uwiringira, Vice Mayor of Kamonyi district in charge of social welfare, awarded Gifts Rwanda as an exemplary partner in enhancing lives. She encouraged the graduates to take initiative, become economically self-reliant, and strive to transform not just their own lives but their families’ as well.

Scale of Impact Since its inception, Gifts Rwanda has provided sewing training to 37 students. All graduates receive sewing machines upon completion to help them enter the job market and build self-sufficiency. For the 20 newest graduates, the total value of training, certificates, and machines—including costs they didn’t have to cover themselves—amounts to approximately RWF 5,395,000.

Reflections on the Day

As the day came to a close, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude—for the faith we shared that morning, the friendships deepened over lunch, and the pride of seeing GIFTS Rwanda’s work recognized in the news. Each moment reminded me why we are here: to walk alongside these beautiful people and live out faith in action as they transform their lives and communities with hope, dignity, and love.