All for Him...

Over the last 2 weeks we have been dealing with an outbreak of measles here at the school. So far we only have 5 kids infected but being that measles is highly contagious, we are grateful to only have the number be 5 to this point. We've had a visit from someone from the local clinic and we have a 2 week break after Friday so we're hoping it can be kept under control with their suggestions and less time for the kids to be together over the next 2 weeks on their break. I wish I could say that the adjustment in coming has been seamless but in all honestly, there are time when I just get tired of everything being different and unfamiliar. And it's not the easiest not knowing any of the languages most commonly spoken here. Then there's the fact that my loved ones are 7000+ miles away.  So there are times when it gets hard. But there are times when it feels phenomenal and I can't get over that God would have me here. I love these kids. I love these people. And to thin...

Being in the village for over a month now, I have had quite a range of feelings, both from what I see and from what I don't see. Today I had the opportunity again to take a long walk and along the way I was greeted by some of the most beautiful faces. I get plenty of attention simply because of the color of my skin and I must tell you that I love being approached, not only by the kids, but by the adults too. I see the beauty and the wonder and the love here. Yet I also see the situation that they live in and some pain here. There are days that I wish I could lift the eyes of the older folks and let them shine again like the smiles I see on these kids. The history of Rwanda is evident in only a few ways here now and I personally believe one of those ways is in the eyes and the body language of their people.  My desire is to allow God to work through me in some way to reveal Him and His love and help change that for some. Yet it's been hard at times. I miss my family...

It's been too long since I've had enough network strength to be on here to post. In the time since I was last here I've had some great things happen. On Tues. this week I found out that I got the 2 year visa that I'd been praying for. And right before I found that out, I had an awesome experience in outreach ministry deep in the countryside with Pastor Lambert and my friend Emmanuel. We walked for miles first on the dusty road and then across fields and through banana groves to a place where about 25 or 30 Rwandans from that area were gathered, sitting on the ground literally in the field to meet with us, heart the Word of God and sing His praises. It was the most simple of surroundings in the middle of nowhere and yet God surely met with us there. I didn't know how I would be received as there has never been a mzungu (white person) come all the way out there but they were warm and generous with their reception and seemed genuinely happy for the love and care I was ...

This is already a big weekend for me. I met with Pastor John, a new friend, City of Joy Board Member and instrumental piece in the puzzle to get my visa. We have a plan now that seems hopeful and will go in to Kigali this week with my final  paperwork. Then after meeting up with Pastor John I ventured around Kigali with Grace and even accepted a small, basic apartment to share in the city. It's been my intention to get out of the village on the weekends, as most of the staff do, and see the city and  enjoy some more modern conveniences, as well as see some games and have some fun and shopping. So I'll be sharing a place to land whenever either Grace or I or both (and maybe even share it at times with friends who need a place for the night) want to have a place to sleep and freshen up. And the best part is that it's so secure on an old Rwandan woman and her family's property so there is someone here looking after things constantly and it's gated and locked up tight. ...