My Boys

Here’s an update on two of my boys whom I made recent posts about…John Baptiste, who recently had the hand surgery, and Zac, my little street boy.
John Baptiste is doing very well after his surgery, and his hand has recovered beautifully. He is now able to take vigorous notes in school, playfully throw a ball around with his friends, and perform other fine motor skill activities that the tumor prevented him from doing before. In fact, he and I actually made Rwandan television because of the surgery! The national television station heard about the story while interviewing the surgeon, Dr. Butera, and subsequently interviewed John Baptiste and me about the whole process. The media wanted to show an inspiring human interest story to Rwandans about the ability to make a difference in a child’s life. John Baptiste is now staying with his uncle in Musanze and attending a local school, so we often get visits from him.
Zac has also been showing back up at our house to visit. He assures me he is off the streets, staying with his aunt, and attending school every day. He says, “Streets are bad, auntie’s house is good.” From his report, he got a bicycle so that he could ride back and forth to school every day…a 50 minute bicycle ride. He is back on his regular HIV treatment from the hospital and appears very healthy and well-groomed. He wants me to come visit his aunt’s house very badly so he can “give me lots of bananas,” but I haven’t been able to make it there yet. Zac still has me wrapped around his finger with his sweetness…even though I know that he knows how to work that sweetness.
And funny enough, Zac and John Baptiste have become big buddies from meeting at our house. When the boys visit, they joyfully occupy their time at their favorite “muzungu” house by drawing pictures, reading books, watching movies, riding bikes around the yard….all of which are luxuries to them. And we also put them to work when we need help around the house…which they also joyfully complete. The other day we were preparing for a big dinner at our house for the Sonrise teachers, and Zac and John Baptiste came right in the kitchen and got to work. We didn’t even have to tell them what to do…they just started peeling carrots, washing dishes, taking out the trash, and mopping the floors. Betsy (my wonderful roommate) and I just looked at each other in amazement at these two young boys, cheerfully working without even being asked!

By the way…there are also precious, wonderful little girls in Rwanda. I just seem to have a soft spot for sweet little boys, and that seems to be all the stories that I post about!

My boys!