RWANDA!

Muraho! That is "how are you?" in Kinyarwandan, and pretty much one of the only words I know in the language. Hopefully I will be learning more soon... but it is not coming easily!

So, for those of you who don't know, I am teaching English as a Second Language at an international school (www.isk-rwanda.org). I'll be working with elementary and middle school students, and they are literally from all over the world... South Korea, Italy, Tanzania, Oman, etc. It's located in the capital of Rwanda, Kigali. It's so much different being in the city. There are way more options for food (which I am quite happy about... there's even pizza!), there are a lot more "mzungus" (white people) around, people don't normally say hi on the streets, and there are even stop lights!

first Rwandan sunset... mmm, so beautiful!

Here is what I love so far about Rwanda:

• I wake up to perfect weather every day. Of course, there's the occasional thunderstorm a few times a week, but who doesn't love a good thunderstorm?!
• I live in the mountains, and it's beautiful. I'm hoping for some good hiking opportunities throughout the year!
• When I go on a run through the village, I have at least 10 kids join me, giving me high-fives, running along side me, and shouting "mzungu! How are you? I am fine!" It's just like in the movies.
• The city is SUPER clean. They even have a national "holiday" once a month called "Umuganda". All the stores close, and everyone goes out to the streets to clean!
• The city is super safe. At dusk, all the police line the streets and stay through the night... so there's a very low crime rate.
• I walk EVERYWHERE. Well, let's be honest, sometimes I hate this. But for the most part, I love it.
• speaking of walking everywhere... so many times when I'm walking, a couple kids will come up to me and ask to practice their English... which then proceeds to an improptu English lesson. Gotta love it.   
• People are SO welcoming. All you have to do is go to church, and you'll get invited to someone's house. Not to mention get 10 new phone numbers. If only church was like this in America!  
• I joined a "cell group" (Bible study) at the church, and it has been SO wonderful to have such sweet fellowship with people from all over the world. When we spent time in prayer together, I just started crying. It was so powerful to hear their reverant voices lavishing praises before the King of Kings.
• My neighbors have PET MONKEYS in a cage in their backyard! I have yet to meet these neighbors, but one of my goals this year is to hold one!
• I have my own bathroom and hot water... sooo blessed by this! Given, my bathroom is about 3X5, and I even succeeded in flooding my entire bathroom and bedroom the first time I showered. But, it still is a luxury I'm so grateful for.  

Our nice house that is right across from the school!

the bathroom that I am SO thankful for!

my bedroom

and once again, my bedroom

I wish you could see it better because it is so pretty, but this is the view of the city outside our house!  

 

So far, teaching has been fun! I've enjoyed all my students a lot... they're really good kids. It is easy to feel like you're in a western bubble at the school though. So I'm hoping to get plugged into some Rwandan ministries while I'm here... whether it's an orphanage, IJM, Living Water International, or some other organization. I'll keep you updated! I will be working with Educate Rwanda (http://www.mgefc.org/Educate_Rwanda.ihtml?id=444395), which is an organization started by some people from my home church in Minnesota! Once a week, I'll be teaching English to a group of teachers from Rwanda. Recently, the government has mandated that all schools must teach in English. The problem is, most of the teachers don't know English themselves. So hopefully, I will be able to teach them some English once a week.  

This is my classroom! A lot of work left to be done... but we'll get there :)


"You keep him in perfect pease whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." -Isaiah 26:3-4

Smile Africa

Smile has been as wonderful, chaotic, beautiful, and awful as ever. Kids fighting, kids dancing and singing, kids using my body as a jungle gym, kids crying, kids yelling with joy over bubbles, and kids that are sick... that’s just a little piece of Smile. I’m so thankful I had the chance to revisit the kids there, and I look forward to doing so in the future during my breaks from school.

so happy to have their wudje (porridge)!

reading a book about bnguni (heaven)

Abuchay and Roberto

One of the most heartbreaking things when at Smile is the babies. Their mouths are covered with filth, they have a hacking cough, they are constantly swarmed by flies, they sit in their pee with no diapers, and they just sit/sleep on the cement with no one looking after them. Now, I do want to say that some of them have older brothers or sisters that take care of them. And if the babies weren’t at Smile, I don’t think they would be alive at all. Yet I think the majority of them have to fend for themselves and have a very hard life. I’ve been struggling with what I should do about it. Compassion moves you to action. Pity makes you feel sorry for them for a while before you more onto your everyday life. I want to have the same compassion that Jesus showed to us. Yet, I just don’t know what to do about it… especially when I’m only at Smile in short increments. Please pray for protection for the kids at Smile and that they would all experience the love of the Father.

sweet baby Sarah... so tiny!

Something really awesome that has been going on at Smile is that they created a boys’ soccer team. There was a group from the states that donated soccer jerseys, and the team has been playing in tournaments and doing quite well. In a lot of their spare time, they practice, and they practice with such passion, excitement, and hope. I was talking with Andrew, their soccer coach, about it, and they can get scholarships to school if they’re good at soccer. This has given a lot of the boys purpose and hope for their future, and they work all the harder to do well. If anyone has old soccer cleats or shin guards that they would like to donate, let me know! Especially shoe sizes 7, 8, 9, and 10. I can guarantee you the boys would be thrilled and that they would put them to good use.

This is Eric. Both of his parents died, and he was living on the streets before Pasor Ruth found him and invited him to Smile. He says playing soccer has changed his life, and he wants to help people by training them to play soccer.

This is Alepel. He is an awesome soccer player! Both of his parents died, and he was left to fend for himself on the streets when Andrew found him. Alepel says playing soccer has helped him to heal and forget the painful memories of the past. He wants to play professional soccer in the future!

gotta love playing soccer with the boys... in a skirt.

Abuchay knew it was my last day at Smile, and when I left to go back to the Crystal hotel, he ran up and took my hand. Thinking maybe he was going home, I asked him, “Abuchay, where are you going?” He said, “America!” I smiled and said, “Where is your home?” All he would say was “America!” I felt so bad, but I kept letting go of his hand and saying, “Abuchay, I love you, but you need to go home.” But then he would re-grab my hand and keep walking. Finally, I had to get on a boda (motorcycle), and once again I told him that I loved him but that he needed to go home. He just stood there, frozen in place until I couldn’t see him anymore. I felt like I was one more person in their life who had abandoned them. I hate that.

Alupot and Abuchay... Love these boys SO much!

This is Dennis. When I asked him what he wanted to do after his studies finished, he told me he wanted to be a preacher. Then, he plunged right into a full one hour sermon! He has so much passion for the Lord and such a heart to tell others about him. I can only imagine God is going to do great things through him!

That night, I went to the internet café. While I was there, a little boy named Isaac hung out with me. I let him listen to music on my headphones, and he played with my hair. His mom came and told me I was a “good woman” and then proceeded to ask if I would take her son with me to America and take care of him. Now, this same thing happened on Sunday. I found about five boys from Smile on the street. They hadn’t eaten all day, so I got them each a chapatti. The man making the chapattis told me he had two sons and then asked if I would take them in. I don’t know if this was done out of love for their children because they honestly cannot provide for them or if they just want to get rid of their children. After talking with Pastor Ruth, it sounds like both reasons are quite common for the parents in Tororo, especially among the Karamajong tribe. So so sad.

This is Abay... such a cutie!

And, I am officially in Rwanda after a crazy day of traveling. More Rwanda updates to come later...

God bless! 

Back in Uganda!

Hello from Uganda!

First of all, I just want to say I had SUCH a good last few weeks in America, spending time with so many wonderful people. Thanks to everyone who made it such a great few weeks. I am going to miss you all a lot!

After a long few days of traveling, I finally made it safely back to Tororo, Uganda. It has been quite the adventure, and I have been completely overwhelmed with God’s love and His providence over this whole trip. In even the smallest things, He has been SO faithful. For instance, one of my friends from Iowa visited me before I left. I accidently left my camera in her purse, and she went back to Iowa just a couple days before I headed out. She shipped it as fast as she could, and we started praying that I could get it in time. I by no means should’ve gotten it, but a lady from the post office hand delivered it to my house literally as I was leaving for the airport. Then, when I got to the airport, I was supposed to pay $400 for my luggage being overweight, but the guy decided not to charge me. Every time I felt at my breaking point, God showed up and provided. He NEVER fails.

Honestly, on the flight over, I was terrified. Two thoughts stuck with me though:

• Romans 8:28- “And we know that those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” I don’t know if this year is going to be hard or wonderful… probably a mixture of both. But I do know that God is going to use it all for His glory, and that He is going to use it for good. No matter what this year brings, it will all be worth it if I can just bring glory to God.
• The story of Peter walking on the water keeps coming back to me. Jesus is saying “come” to me right now, and I have to step out of the boat. It’s completely terrifying if I focus on the waves and the wind around me… but if I keep my eyes on Christ, it enables me to get out of the boat and have an incredible “walking on water” experience. I’m so excited to see God at work this year, and I know He is going to do amazing things.

It was quite different coming to Tororo on my own. I felt pretty alone, and I missed being able to share the experience with others. It’s been so cool though to see how God fulfilled me, and then provided for me. I came back to the Crystal hotel and was greeted by my dear friends who work at the hotel, George and Martha. Then, today I met a Jewish Israeli woman. We ended up talking for quite some time about Christianity, Israel, and Africa. She invited me over for lunch, so I went over to her house and ate with her and her husband. I ate fish, eggplant with humus, and foods I have never even heard of before (nor remember their names). For those of you who know me… this was quite a stretch. All for the sake of the Gospel!

my new Israeli friends!

Afterwards, I got to go to Smile. It was such a happy moment… I may have even teared up a little bit. They even remembered my name! I didn’t expect them to at all. I know it’s not important that they know my name, but more so what I taught them about Jesus. But it was definitely an extra little blessing that they did J Then, tonight, I met three other girls who are serving at Smile for the week. They’re all so sweet and invited me to be a part of their team for the week. The Lord provides. Once again, I am just so overwhelmed by His love… He cares even about the little things.

Sweet, sweet Alupot. SO happy to be able to hold him in my arms once more!

Sandy! Awesome girl. So good to reconnect with her.

Abuchay was pretty happy with the pictures I gave him from last year!

“He who calls you in faithful; He will surely do it.” -1 Thess. 5:24