A Blessed Evening

So I know I have gone from writing once a month to twice in three days, but I had to share what I just experienced. I worked late at the school today helping our national teacher prepare for next week and explaining some of the arts and crafts projects. I was not excited about staying late when I first realized we were not going to finish quickly, but God soon showed me that he had some blessings in store.

I had a wonderful conversation with the teacher, Patrick, about what he would like to do in the future and how he has grown to love education. It is such a gift to hear that he loves these children and what he is doing and it is not just a paycheck. He does want to go to university in the future, but he hopes to be a teacher and maybe even come back to teach here in the Rafiki Village. Oh, how we could use good, qualified teachers once the primary school is up and running!

After we finished prepping, I went to get the medical box (I am on duty in case of emergencies this weekend) and go home. The evening was the perfect temperature, warm with a cool breeze, and still light enough to see well but not bright and sunny. As I walked up the hill towards the cottages where the children live, I saw that all of the mamas, aunties, and children were sitting out in one of the gazebos. They invited me to come in and sit with them for a while, so I did.

We talked for a bit and I got to love on the children and then some of the girls started dancing. Before long most of the children had made their way to the floor of the gazebo and they were all dancing a beginners' version of the Kinyarwanda dance. It was one of those moments when you just praise God that you get to witness what is before your eyes. These beautiful, sweet children were dancing with all of their hearts and smiling and laughing. I wish I had my video camera there so that I could show you, but you will just have to use your imagination.

As it got a little darker, the security lights began to turn on and the mamas all said, "It is time," which all the children promptly responded to by heading inside. I wished them a good night and the mamas wished me sweet dreams, and I headed the rest of the way up the hill to my home.

What a blessed evening to live in Rwanda.

Back to School

Well to be honest with you, I just remembered I had a blog so you can attribute my infrequent posts to my lapses in memory. Or, if you would like, you may attribute it to the altitude (which is about 4,500 ft. above sea level here in Nyamata). I seem to blame quite a few things on the altitude these days; my baking failures, the fact that I get out of breath trekking up the hill to my house, and anything else that doesn't go quite as planned :-)

I mentioned in my last post that we were having GAMES here for the children. We had six MiniMissionaries come to help and it was a blast. The students learned lots of new songs and games and we went on a couple of field trips; one to the farm and another down to a little shop to buy sweeties. You can see here that Valante is not afraid of chickens.

Since GAMES we had a week "off" for teacher In Service and last week had our first week back to school in Term 3. I am now teaching the Kindergarteners in the mornings and doing Education Director stuff in the afternoons.

We also have had a new team of ROS arrive, the Kochs who were in Zambia, and the Koepkes who moved from Kenya. It has been exciting to meet my new workmates and I feel certain we will all work well together. I will, however, miss the ROS who are moving from here to other Villages.

So that is the last month in a nutshell. Hopefully I will write again soon, but if it takes me a while, blame it on the altitude.

Until next time,

Erica