On a previous visit to Rwanda, Gerrit was approached by a bishop who has a congregant with two deaf children. Sadly, the father believed that God was punishing him for his sins, by allowing his children be born deaf. Prince (15) was recently fitted with hearing aids during a mass hearing aid campaign, by well meaning people from the USA, with little effect and no support. Even though Prince now owned hearing aids, it was meaningless, as he still could not hear. In fact, he “told” Gerrit on a previous visit that the device only made a ssshhhh noise in his ears.
Gerrit approached Nico and Anita van der Merwe, owners of the Ear Institutes in South Africa, for help. Under their guidance Prince and his little sister, Jeanette, 6, were tested in Rwanda, ear impressions were made and mailed to Pretoria. They manufactured the ear moulds and donated the correct hearing aids for Prince and Jeanette. On July 9, at 07:30 am the father brought his 2 children to a hotel in Kigali after a 1.5 hour bus ride and Anita fitted them with the hearing aids. Even the hotel staff got excited as a staff member acted as an impromptu translator. Imagine the smiles when these children could hear properly for the first time in their lives! During prayer, little Jeanette slipped her hand into Anita’s. The father of the children was delighted seeing the body of Chris in action and it was a privilege for every one involved to have helped this family.
Hearing loss is rampant in Rwanda. Some of the reasons are the untreated ear infections many people suffer from as well as the lack of testing and hearing aid services.
See the joy on these faces!
Me thinks you guys are in your element!!! How exciting to be in the midst of such a cool happening!!! The prison story is waaay cool. I just read an email from a friend reporting of 100’s coming to Christ and being baptized in China — It’s the True Good News and about the ONLY good news in our turbulent world!!!!!!!!
Prayers and thoughts for the rest of your time there. Love, Shirley