First field update from Rwanda. Gratitude is the Attitude.

My first update from the field originally written on September 15, 2009.

Work at the orphanage during the day, as amazing, uplifting, and inspiring as it has been, still leaves us all quite tired in the evening. I apologize that I have not been able to provide more frequent and detailed email updates ... the challenging internet connection doesn't help either, as it can take over an hour to do things that take me less than 5 minutes at home! I hope this communication makes up for lost time.

I have, however, been updating my Facebook profile daily and posting some great photos there. In case you missed it, here's a video thank you from some of the orphans. At the end of this email, you will find a new video I just posted tonight!

Today was our 2nd day at the orphanage conducting formal programs. For all of yesterday and half of today, we held intimate therapeutic interviews with some of the orphans (40 in all) who were deemed as being 'highly traumatized.' We asked questions about what was troubling them, what their experience of the genocide was, and what they hope to get out of working with us.

I have never heard such moving testimony before in my life. I will share just one story, the only one so far that got to me enough where I needed to restrain tears. A boy, who would have been approximately 5 years old at the time of the genocide, watched both of his parents get murdered in front of his young eyes. He was then stabbed and left for dead. Before leaving, the genocidaires threw his parents' bodies on top of him and for three days he lay bleeding, with his two dead parents on top of him. Miraculously, he was rescued by a sympathizer who happened upon him and subsequently cared for him. (Take a breath.)

I heard many more such stories, each filled with feelings of tremendous grief, loss, helplessness, and fear of the future. All I could do while listening was be present, help wipe away tears, or hold a quivering hand. In the interviews that I conducted personally today (yesterday I teamed up with Lori for what I realize now was a training session, as I've never done anything on this level before), I also offered some encouraging words, e.g., that it's a miracle each child survived and that it was as if receiving the gift of life for a second time. I told each that the ultimate way they could honor their family and their country was to do the hard work of inner healing in order to live a good life. I told them that doing so is their families strongest wish and that their missing family members will help, even more so if they ask for it. Lastly, I told them that there was a part of them that is incorruptible and pure and that their special task is reconnecting with that. Those who I spoke to like this became visibly lighter and when asked if they believed me, each said "yes."

What stuck out the most as we went from interview to interview, was the remarkable strength of character these children demonstrated. It literally exuded from them. Seeing this filled me with hope that they will be able to recover and build a bright future. Essential human goodness is so much stronger than our pain.

For the 2nd half of today, we worked with a group of 80 to do trauma healing, as well as leadership training. After giving a quick talk, Lori lead a relaxing breathing exercise, which was taught as a tool the children can use whenever painful, overwhelming feelings arise. Lori then lead another exercise where the children broke into smaller groups to compete against one another in creating the longest list of things to be grateful for. This got everybody focusing on positive things and lo! the winning group conjured up a list of 30! I want to mention that during this time a powerful thunderstorm rolled in, so loud that it made it very difficult to communicate in the room we were in. Rain is a symbol transformation and could not have been more perfectly timed. After the group work was complete, we were treated to unexpected Rwandan tea and sweet bread. Delightful indeed.

A very sweet moment occurred before leaving for the day. One of the children approached me, his name was Innocent ... Lori and I had interviewed him yesterday. He came up to me with the innocence of a child and said (in perfect English), "You remind me of my father. My father died in the genocide. Will you tell me about your life and I will tell you about mine?" I acquiesced, moved deeply by his honesty, and filled him in on some of my basic details. He shared what bothers him the most: Not having anything to do when he's out of school because he has no family left, everybody he knows was killed. He then asked if I could take a picture with him and send it to him in the mail, as he felt it would help him in our absence. How could I say no?

Suffice it to say, this has already been a life changing trip for me and for all the orphans you have allowed us to care for. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for affording us this magnificent opportunity. Verily I tell you that we are doing good work for the world here and I know that I know that I know, that you are a integral part of it as well.

Tomorrow is our last formal day on the orphanage (Lori, the filmmaker, and I will return next Monday for some informal follow up and individual work). I will be giving individual Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions for a couple hours and there will be additional group work, mostly skill building ... teaching the children some techniques they can use to continue with their therapeutic process after we return home. From there, we will be working with a separate group--orphan heads of households, i.e., orphans caring for other orphans on Thursday and Friday.

In closing, please click below and enjoy this video that I just love. Gratitude is the attitude.

With love and great appreciation,

Christopher