Stories

There is a story of a little girl in Congo. Her name is Yvette. When she was two years old she was found in the bush bleeding. Her mother picked her up and placed her in the arms of a man who was visiting the country. She had been raped by rebel soldiers. I saw…

Sitting in quiet. Girls are in bed. Warm coffee to my side. Nothing but the music overhead putting them to sleep. I treasure time with them. I often wonder what normal life would look like for me had my path led me differently. Normal life could have easily led me into marriage again. Quickly. Years…

“How many rebel groups are there in Congo?” I asked. They all start laughing immediately. “There are many. In North Kivu there are many. In South Kivu there are many.” Looking at his bookshelf in search of something. We were at one of the few centers in town that work with former child soldiers. I…

She wouldn’t look at me. In fact, if she did look at me it was only for a split second and she would look away. She was around 16. Her eyes were Flat. Angry. Hidden. Harsh. It was as if she was tucked away inside of her Self. Her soul as broken as was her…

There is a scene in the Movie ‘Mother Teresa’. She is riding through the roads of Calcutta. It’s like she begins to see her surroundings from a different set of eyes as she drives through the streets and looks out the window. The cries of the hurting seem louder. Those who are begging in the…

Rwanda I look around this country. Green. Plush. Beautiful. Clean. Growing. Flourishing. You would have never known it was covered with such bloodshed 15 years ago. Around one million people slaughtered in 100 days in the genocide. One Million. The stories of forgiveness here after the genocide are simply more than human. It is not…

So many more blogs before this one… but this is the only one completed. And one of the most recent. Thank you for prayers and support – both financially and in your heart. Sitting down at the Catholic Guest house tonight to eat dinner. I am the only guest here and have been for the…

This is a blog from Bethany on her recent trip to Democratic Republic of Congo: At the foot of a volcano. Underneath a mosquito net. Surrounded by strength. In the heart of darkness. “Welcome Home” Jeanette said to me this morning. Her smile lights up the room. Short but Assured. She is not afraid to…

I have a sweet, sweet soul in my life that has been through similar experiences of abuse, exploitation and hurt in her life. She advocates for these children and has worked tirelessly to deal with her own trauma. Before Alaina and I left for this trip, she sent me an email that said: I hope…

I have a confession. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be Little Orphan Annie. I went around my house dancing and spinning with my arms outstretched singing about the sun coming out tomorrow and dreaming of having red curls. To be honest, I kinda still do that sometimes. And then there was…