Visiting a Refugee Camp

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken them?”

(Psalm 22)

Steve and Passy (our host) visited the Mahama Refugee Camp which is four hours east of Kigali, Rwanda on the border of Tanzania.  We had supplies to deliver from Suavis, who is our dear friend from our church family in Portland, Maine.  Her mother, two sisters and two nephews have fled Burundi and have lived in this camp for over a year now. 

(Steve) Mahama Refugee Camp is “home” to 70,000 people — a city slightly smaller than Portland, ME.  In a corner of this lush, green, fertile country, it is barren, dry, dusty.  Yesterday we sat with a family of our good friends from home.  The floor was covered by their sleeping mats bearing the logo of UNHCR - the UN agency which runs the dozens of camps for the millions of refugees who have fled their homes to save their lives.

Yesterday we were with five people — Veronique, the grandmother; Claudine and Regina, two daughters; and Billy 18 and Badou 14.  The building was made up of two 8ft/8ft rooms made of mud bricks and covered by corrugated steel.  Veronique apologized for not having tea and snacks to offer us.  After having left behind a good life in Burundi, she was humiliated to have guests and not be able to offer the hospitality that is universal on this continent.

We learned that one pound of maize flour must last each person five days.  We learned that the wait to see a doctor can be one year.  Veronique broke the bones in her lower leg several moths ago.  This healed in a way that her leg is unstable and she must walk with a stick.  Previously, we had learned at the U.S. Embassy, that even if she were granted a visa to get to our country to be with her daughter, she would be turned back at the border.  She spoke of how little hope they had and despair was palpable.

There is nothing to do here in Mahama — no work, nothing to read — no way to work toward a future.  UNHCR is replacing the tents with the mud brick homes and paving the water ditches with stones.  They are preparing for people to be here many years.  

Then, we were taken by Claudine to visit the oldest accommodations there — large buildings partitioned into maybe 50 living stalls.  We were welcomed into one of these, holding about 8 people.  I held a 3 month old baby boy named Adonai.  They had heard that I had prayed with Veronique’s family and asked me to pray with them.  In the next stall was a man near the end of his life with heart problems.  I was overwhelmed and numb.

Last night I could not pray.  It seemed as if God has forgotten these people — abandoned them.  How could I pray to a God who seemed to have abandoned some of his children.  Elizabeth held me as I told her of my inability to pray.  She said our evening prayer for both of us.  I said, “I know I will be able to pray tomorrow, but first I must live through this dark night.”

(Elizabeth)  I was unable to go to the camp with Steve and Passy.  I was very weak from a bad cold.  When they came home in the late evening, I could see they were both affected deeply by their experience at the camp.  I shared with Steve that their loving presence has brought a light into the camp and let us focus on this Light of Love.  All I could do was to be in this Light myself and hold to God’s Loving Presence.  I was reminded of this quote:

“Keep the eye of your mind ever toward the Lord.”

Psalm 25:15

Jacques and Passy want to go to the camp on a monthly basis to give Shiatsu (a healing massage) and bring to them whatever they can get to bring.  Jacque said, “Many people complain about what they don’t have in their lives, until they see how other unfortunate people live, then they have appreciation for what they have.  It is good to see this and to help however you can.”  

These two amazing people are living their calling, “Tubasange” — “let us meet them where they are.”

After having five years without a job and always trying other options and failed, I thought I am the most suffered person.  But, yesterday I saw many my age staying in camp and I apologized to God for my complaining.  I wish them to be in a home like me — to sleep in a bed like me.  I am so speechless.

I have lived in a refugee camp too for three months when I was eleven years — it was so hard .  Even if during genocide, we didn’t have any help from outside, in the camp we had biscuits and enough food.  Now, I can see how the world is changing.

I and my friend Jacques, we were thinking to go back there and see what we can do with the people in the camp — we do Shiatsu massage which can help with specific body problems, but can also let them feel our presence in this difficult life.

This is the meaning of our center — to go and meet the people who are in need of love, family — being together with others and share what we possess.  It may be food, materials, skills, but mostly being there together for each other.  This is a voluntary job anyone can join us and share in any way he/she can.

I thank God for being with the people I am with today, who understand this, and who have been able to learn from the past.

Today I may need you for help but tomorrow you may need the same.  Let’s be there for one another.

Another area where we can bring our prayers and the Light of God’s Love.  

It is going to be so hard to leave here on Monday.  Passy and Jacques have opened their Hearts to us as we have to them.  In such a short time we have become close like family.  God bless them and all who benefit from their loving presence.

Love,

Steve & Elizabeth