Sweet goodbyes...

 

Goodbyes are never easy for me. I tend to stretch them out, never wanting that finality to arrive. But I'm thankful for all the emotions that have come these last few weeks of finishing well. I have deeply felt them all, and thanked God for them, even the hard emotions that are tied to leaving people and a community that is definitely my home.

 

It's been celebratory, with dinners and parties and fun times with my kids! And it's been tough too, saying goodbye and wondering when I will see these sweet faces again...but I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit that is alive in us! That connects us to one another in Christ's love. And although, I'm moving on for now from this city on a hill, my light and love for Rwanda keeps shining brightly...milele na milele... :)

 

Here's a few pics from these last few weeks!

 

 

Last day of school, we were all a bit teary-eyed. :(

 

My sweet 8th grade ladies. I taught them 5 years ago!

 

Precious and Hilarious Orla! She got a scholarship to attend boarding school in Utah this fall! So I'll be seeing her soon I know it! :)

Nancy and her girls at my surprise party! Nancy, from South Africa, has become a dear friend and confidante this year.

Laura and her sister Echo :) I taught Laura last year.

Inge and her mom, from Mozambique. This was right after the kids attacked me with water balloons! :)

 

Sweet Nyah :) Her mom, Vicky, planned my surprise party. They just moved to Malawi for 4 more years! She's been such a loyal friend to me here

The Nsenga family :) Love them!

Zanetta showin' off her hulahoop skills. :)

I enjoyed a lovely dinner with Orla and her family. Orla's mom has actually been to school at N.C. State to learn more about agriculture, as part of a Rwandan Scholars Program! Her dad is retired military and runs the local grocery store.

Singing worship songs on the porch. I'll miss this for sure!

Celebrations!

The last few weeks have been full of celebrations and delighting in my sweet students! The last day was Friday, and we spent time playing together, praying together, singing, worshiping, eating, and loving each other! These children have brought me so much joy this year, and I thank God that He chose each of them to enter my classroom. They are gifts to me! Here's a few celebratory pics from last week's Field Day, and more! More pics to come! This has been such a joyful, but busy last month in these beautiful thousand hills! I'm so thankful for each moment I have to spend here! More pics to come!

 

Dance party during Worship Time! :)

Enjoying Field Day, Rwanda-style!

Jae-Seok came to us in January, not speaking a single word of English! In 5 months, he's now become almost fluent! He's the funniest little fella' and loves Jesus! He's taught us many songs in Korean this semester!

 

June is so hard for expats and missionaries, because of all the goodbyes that you never get used to. Here, we were praying over Gabe, who left a week early to travel to Tennessee, his new home. Gabe is American, and 10 years old, yet he's only lived in the States for a year! He grew up in Togo, and then moved to Rwanda 3 years ago. It humbled me to hear the prayers of these children as they prayed over Gabe and blessed his journey and prayed for new friends for him and a wonderful school. Their prayers continually teach me how to pray.

 

 

Class pic at the end of a fun Field Day!