 On a recent flight from Rwanda back to San Francisco, I had a tight layover in Munich—just about an hour to get from one gate to the next. As I stepped off the plane and into the terminal, a woman in an airport golf cart appeared almost out of nowhere. She asked where I was headed, then immediately whisked me off through the crowded airport. She didn’t seem to have a horn, so she simply called out for people to move as she navigated at full speed. She zipped me through customs and got me as close to my new gate as possible. By the time I arrived, the plane was already boarding.
Looking back, I realized I had no idea where I was going or how long it would have taken me to get there on my own. Moments like these remind me that God—or perhaps a guardian angel—is watching over me. Sitting in that golf cart, carried along by this kind woman’s determination, felt almost surreal. It caused me to reflect on how often I go through life unaware of the support the universe sends my way—sometimes through people who anticipate my needs before I even recognize them myself. Recognizing the ways that God or goodness is present in my life begins with paying attention and cultivating awareness. Noticing and acknowledging those people or experiences creates connection and gratitude. Seeing God in others involves cultivating inner qualities like empathy and humility, and practicing outward actions like offering kindness, support, and encouragement. Pay attention and notice this week who is offering you kindness or support, even when you didn't ask for them to do so. And make a point to acknowledge it. As William Arthur Ward, a prolific writer and author of inspirational quotes, has said, "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."  Do you know what you were doing on April 7, 1994? Most of us probably have no idea. Since it is the date of my youngest son’s birth, I was probably making preparations for a party to celebrate his second birthday. I am sure that I had little awareness of the downing of the plane that carried Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana that triggered one of the most tragic events in human history—the Rwandan Genocide. It was a systematic massacre conducted for the purpose of ethnic cleansing—neighbors killing neighbors, even their own family members simply because they belonged to a different ethnic group. In just one hundred days, around one million people lost their lives. I recently had the privilege of visiting the country to see the work that Women’s Federation for World Peace has been doing there for the past 30 years. What I found is a quiet revolution taking place that is bringing healing and hope to Rwanda. Women's Federation for World Peace or WFWP is an international organization that has as its vision: Women working together to realize one global family rooted in a culture of sustainable peace. As a member since it was founded in 1992, one of the projects that the North America branch supports financially is the Schools of Africa Project. In the early 1990s, WFWP Japan launched international cooperation activities by Japanese overseas volunteers to serve all over the world. They started schools, supported opportunities of education for those in need, and created opportunities for women and girls to build a promising future. I had the honor of being part of a small group of WFWP members to visit the New Hope Technical School and see what our donations are supporting. This was the first time that a group representing North America was able to visit the school. In Rwanda, I met one of these volunteers, Marie Nozaki who went there in January 1995 together with nine other Japanese volunteers. The country was beginning to recover under the de facto leadership of Paul Kagame, former commander of the Rwanda Patriotic Front which is credited with ending the genocide. He has been the president of Rwanda from 2000 until today. Marie told us that many men had been killed or fled the country, resulting a population of 70% women. They asked themselves, “How can these women — who had always lived under a male-dominated system — survive and rebuild their lives?” Believing that helping women gain practical skills would be the key to empowering them economically and beginning to restore their dignity. In 1996, they began a small sewing class with just a few students and two years later New Hope Technical Vocational School was established in 1998. During this time, Marie met Georgette Umubyeyi, a Rwandan genocide survivor who had lost twelve of her family members during the attacks. She and her brother are the only remaining family members. Georgette has been the WFWP President in Rwanda for the past 30 years. Together with many others, Marie and Georgette are growing the school to create support, hope, and stability in the lives of those who attend. After a visit to the home of one of the students who receives a scholarship to attend New Hope, I felt overwhelmed with the enormity of the challenges still facing many in Rwanda. We brought some gifts of food staples but it felt like a drop in the bucket in such a humble environment where 8-10 people lived in a small three room structures crowded together on a hillside, water is fetched at a communal pump, and students walk 30-60 minutes each way in order to get to school. I asked Moriko Hori, WFWP International President who was accompanying us during our stay how does she manage the feeling of not being able to do enough. Her answer was--be the voice to share this with others, share the hope and vision that is changing lives. I ask you to consider supporting the fundraiser that my WFWP N. California chapter is hosting this month. Our goal is $5000 and the funds we raise will support New Hope Technical Institute in offering an expanded lunch program to ensure they are well-fed, healthier, and more motivated to excel in their studies and for hiring instructors with advanced expertise and experience to support the students after graduation. I will be giving the sermon at my local church this Sunday, November 23, 10 am PT/1 pm ET. Please join to hear more: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NS23eAs8Sc2cxxsAgNI7lA#/registration To support the fundraiser (through December15): www.wfwp.us/norcal-soa See some clips from our visit to Rwanda: www.facebook.com/wfwpusa For more on the Schools of Africa project: www.wfwp.us/schools-of-africa To learn about the Kigali Genocide Memorial that became the birthplace of peace education in Rwanda, kgm.rw/ For many Rwandans, visiting this place is where they can feel close to their family members that were lost during the genocide.  We all long for love, peace, and abundance--so why aren’t we living it? Because buried feelings and thoughts shape our reality. Our lives reflect what we’ve believed and felt most deeply throughout the years. Ask yourself the following questions:
What if there were a simple tool to release old emotions, reprogram false beliefs, restore peace, joy, and love, and begin creating the life you truly want and deserve? Join the Self-Care Isn't Selfish monthly webinar on Saturday, November 15 from 10-11:30 pm PT where Liisa Freystaetter will be guiding us to understand this simple tool. Liisa Freystaetter is one of the founding members of "Self-Care Isn't Selfish" and a mom of five grown children and a grandmother of eight (with a ninth on the way!). As a life coach, she helps women, men, and young adults overcome self-doubt,build confidence, and strengthen relationships—guiding them to clarity, inner well-being,and more fulfilling connections. During this session, Liisa will lead us on a journey of self-discovery, exploring how our thoughts and feelings shape every result in our lives. Drawing on the book "Feelings Buried Alive Never Die" by Karol K Truman, she will explain how all our emotions and beliefs are stored in our cellular memory—and how they influence our relationships, health, finances, and overall happiness. You will be introduced to a simple, easy-to-use tool that helps release old emotions, reprogram limiting beliefs, and begin creating the life you truly want and deserve. To register for the zoom link: tinyurl.com/Self-Care-Nov-15 The overarching theme for our monthly webinars is "Heal Yourself, Heal Your Family, Heal the World." Making a change begins with me because that is the only person that I have control over. But the amazing truth is that as I make effort, I change my interactions with those I care about and often, that sparks change in others as well. Each month, we are creating a global community of connecting and support by showing up, sharing, and caring about each other. All past webinars are available on our YouTube Channel.We'd love to have you join us on November 15th. www.youtube.com/@Self-Care.Isnt.Selfish/videos |
