More pictures of life here!

 

More fun pictures of my kids...and life here...

 

I can only imagine what these little boys are thinking about Abbie and Lola. :)

Zanetta, gettin' down and dirty at the soccer game.

Kang-Hee has grown so much, in so many ways in the last 4 years I've worked with him and tutored him. Hard to believe he was non-verbal when he arrived here. What a joy it is to learn from him each day!

Having fun with my Bible Study girls in 8th grade.

It's Twin Day!

The Nutcracker Ballet came to Rwanda!

 

I love the diversity at KICS. It's so real and rich and reminds me of what heaven will look like someday! Here, we have a student who has a father born in the Philippines, a mother adopted from Korea, and this girl was born and raised in Texas...and now they all serve in Rwanda. On the right, is a young girl whose mom is from Greensboro, NC! Father is from Ghana, and they live and work in Kigali, for the UN, helping to reunite refugees with their families. This young girl has come to know the Lord this year for the first time!

Nutcracker Ballet with Joy, my neighbor and former student

 

Celebrating Dr. Seuss week with "Wacky Wednesday."

 

Kenneth and Ntare, Thing 1 and Thing 2 :)

Serving in Love!

More pictures of our time with John's kids over the past few months...

 

I love watching my kids serve. with so much love and compassion. they really bless me with their servant's hearts. It's also fun seeing the "teacher" blossom inside many of them! What great lives He has planned for those whom He has called and chosen!

 

Reading Buddies

 

I know it's been quite a long time since I've shared with all of you. I do appreciate all of your prayers and cards and letters!  I'm enjoying this Spring semester...my last one...at KICS. I've seen God show up in many different, unexpected places...as always, here in this beautiful land of a thousand hills. His peace is my comfort. always.

 

I've been focusing on FULLY being in the PRESENT each day. FULLY being awake to those around me and what God is doing RIGHT NOW. not worrying about tomorrow...for tomorrow has enough troubles of its own! (Matt 6:33-34) :) But rejoicing in today, and rejoicing and THANKING for in EVERYTHING! whew...easier said than done sometimes...but what a wonderful, loving compassionate God we serve that knows each of our weaknesses and uses us in those weaknesses! Thank you Father!

 

And yes, we have been busy here, serving, loving, giving, sharing our talents with others. Thank you for sharing your gifts with me, that have enabled me to be here for so long and to love these people well. I want to continue sharing some pictures and stories of life here in Rwanda these last few months that I remain here. I realize communication hasn't been my strength this year...eek! thanks for your grace! I do have pictures and stories to share with you, because I want my family and friends all over the world to know of the beautiful story of Rwanda...a story of redemption, forgiveness and HOPE!

 

I think the last time I blogged on here was Christmas! Is it bad that I still want to share stories from New Years, and even Thanksgiving on here with you...even though it's March? :) Will you please pardon my tardiness? :) thanks in advance. :)

 

for now...I leave you with some pictures of my sweet students, reading to their buddies at ManaMfasha preschool. I've blogged before about my dear friend, John, and his story about being a survivor and helping many other local children realize their dreams of a bright education. His school has grown so much this year, and John gives all the glory to God. He has provided new land, larger facilities, running water, loads of donated books! (thank you guys!), and school supplies for these precious children whom God has chosen. We're thankful to be a small part of his story, and to enjoy our time with these students. My kids love being able to teach them Bible verses and read to them!

 

Christmas Party

I am honored to serve the children of our community at our annual Christ Church Christmas Party! It's something I've come to look forward to each year. Planning with Keli, coming up with games, crafts, and fun new ways to teach the Christmas story, and especially seeing all the bright smiling faces! It's such a JOY!

 

Santa's helpers...I love these girls!

Hearing the Christmas story....some for the very first time!

Listening so intently as the story is translated into Kinyarwanda

I love these beautiful smiles! The girls on the left are the Lindens sweet older ones, Evey and Sali.

Showing off their Christmas cards

Sweet Children of God

 

Christmas in Rwanda



I love Christmas in Africa. Especially in this small beautiful country that has become my home. Christmas is obviously special anywhere you spend it, and as much as I would love to spend it with family and to see my sweet nephew tearing open his gifts, and spend Christmas Eve taking in the smells and memories of Grandma's basement....I think Christmas in Rwanda is the next best thing. The one thing that makes it so special and unique here is the PEOPLE and the COMMUNITY. That's what this day is about. People and communities coming together to worship and spend time with one another and celebrate the birth of our Savior, our Savior who came for all of us, all tribes, all ethnicities, all people.

 

And this Christmas was another beautiful FULL one, packed with many visits and greetings and hand shakes and hugs and simple gifts and gatherings. I saw so many people I do life with here and love.

 

 We began the day worshiping at Christ Church Rwanda and witnessing beautiful baptisms as people are raised to new life. What a day to be baptized! I enjoyed a Christmas brunch at the Stevens house, complete with REAL bacon shipped in from Texas and REAL biscuits and gravy! :) (I delight in the simple things, as you can tell.) Then, I had the most enjoyable time talking with the soldiers and guards in my neighborhood and singing carols and eating sweets with them. They work so hard every day of the year and I loved seeing them enjoy cookies and sodas, which are such special treats!

 

You know, the longer I live here, the more special Christmas becomes to me here. I'm sure that's true in any place.

 

Then, I ventured out to Beatrice's village to spend time with her precious family, her husband Sylvester and daughter Karia. Beatrice takes such good care of us and spends her days washing and serving and loving us well at our homes, while we teach and love the students. I'm so thankful for her! Being with all of these people filled my heart full this Christmas, and reminded me just how much God has blessed me with an incredible community near and far!

 

After the village, I had Christmas dinner with one of my favorite families, the Lindens, and their sweet little girls. They hosted many people from church and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and celebrated with dancing and impromptu karaoke by their little ones. :) What fun and joy! I spent the night opening cards from my church home in the U.S., and then Skyped with all my siblings and loved ones in my other home! What a blessing! I'm so thankful I get to share my life with these beautiful people in Rwanda, and also with my family far away. This Christmas was so rich and so good!

 

Thank you Jesus for coming to this world as a tiny baby, so that we can come to one another in rich community. Thank you for this life!