Opportunities!

Ever since coming to Rwanda, I have been praying for opportunities to serve and to engage with the culture. Working at the international school has been great, and it's been so cool to work with kids from all over the world, but I felt like I wasn't experiencing Rwanda and investing in the people here. So for the past month and a half, I have been praying and praying for opportunities, but it seemed like it was closed door after closed door.

 

But the Lord has been so faithful, and this week, He opened up some doors for me. And all in His perfect timing. On Sunday, I was able to go to Pastor Esron's church. Pastor Esron actually just got back from visiting my church back in the states, so that was fun! I sent the whole church greetings from Maple Grove Free, and the church was very happy to hear it! After church, I went over to his house for lunch and was able to chat more with his sweet family. Excited to continue to get to know them more and be involved with the women's ministry Esron's wife, Kezia leads. Also, I'm going to start teaching the teachers English once a week on Thursdays.



 



At Pastor Esron and his sweet family's house for lunch. They send their love to MGEFC!

At Pastor Esron's church... 3 1/2 hours all in Kinyarwandan! Love seeing the kids praise Jesus :)

On Saturday, I went to visit OVC orphanage. I cannot even tell you what a joy it was to play with the kids there. I'm going to start going there every Saturday, and Emmanuel (the founder/director of OVC orphanage) asked if I would be willing to do some teaching. So come next Saturday, I'm going to read a Bible story, give a short English lesson, teach them a song, and play soccer with them. I'm eager to establish relationships with the kids there and to be able to share about the love of Christ with them! I'm leading a service club at school, and I'm hoping to get our kids at school connected with serving at the orphanage. Can't wait to empower the kids to serve in the community!

 

at OVC orphanage :)

such beautiful people

for all your Starbucks coffee lovers: this is where your coffee comes from!

When they first brought the drum out, they motioned for me to come and dance for them. So... I pulled out the best moves I knew... the shopping cart and the running man. Definitely got a lot of laughs! Ha, after thoroughly embarassing myself, I decided it was time to motion the kids to join me, and we all had a lot of fun dancing.

and THIS is how Rwandese dancing is actually done. They were so good!

Much to my horror, they took me by the hand to participate in their Rwandese dance. Let's just say I'm not really a natural when it comes to African dance... at all. Haha, but it was fun.

watching the dancers

the orphanage is in Masaka about 20 minutes from Kigali. So good to get out of the city for a bit!

 

This is Emmanual, the founder of OVC orphanage. When he was 12, both of his parents died in the genocide, leaving him as an orphan. When he was 18, he had the dream to start OVC orphanage, and now, it serves about 100 kids in Rwanda. Such a sweet man with a passion to serve the orphans in Rwanda! 

We had homemade pizza in our house last night. We decided to splurge and buy some of the ridiculously expensive cheese, and one person brought pepperoni from the states. Best meal I've had in a couple months!

 

a couple of my house mates and some friends making their pizza! YUM!

And this Monday, I'm meeting again with Living Water International to find some times that will work for me to see some of their work digging wells and preaching Christ among the villages in Rwanda. It's an awesome organization (check it out at: http://www.water.cc/), and I am very excited to see more of their work!

The Lord provides. Thank you Jesus!