waiting in town for the bus on our first day of ministry
crammed in the bus!
in the typical Kinyarwandan fashion
"Miliwe" or "Mwaramutse"
hanging with the kids before Bible study Friday night
walking home from ministry
Elizabeth and I
The pastor and his wife gave up their master bedroom this month for us to sleep in. The room is large but after 6 oversized backpacker's bags, 3 queen sized mattresses and 6 bodies in there, it now feels over crowded with little walking room or space to spread out our things. Its going to be a long hard month but we have much to be thankful for: beds to sleep on, a roof over our head, running water, electricity, 3 meals a day, access to internet, etc.
The weather is sunny and warm during the day and dark and cool at night. I love it! My teammates tease me all the time about the lack of "lip sweat" I have in this country as opposed to all 3 countries in Asia. I am so grateful!
Worship services here are incredible. There is no shame, pure joy, total freedom, perfect harmony – an unforgettable experience! And Africans love to dance, even in church. I really enjoy this about their culture. I should warn you about just one thing. The music can be way too loud if they have a sound system but you can grow used to it. Maybe.
The kids are beautiful and so friendly! In most parts of Asia they were too scared to look, let alone come near us but not in Africa! Here they run up to you from their homes with open arms crying out "Mzungu! Mzungu!" (white person, white person) then crash into you for a hug. Some will shake your hand or just hold it out for you to touch. When we leave the village every night they latch onto arms, fingers, hands, legs – whatever they can get a hold of and follow us home until we force them to let go and say goodbye.
Ministry this month consists of singing, sharing testimonies, and preaching on Sundays. As well as evangelising, leading Bible studies, and teaching English during the week.
Attempting to share saltine crackers with the kids. I got stampeded!
A favorite world race memory :0)
Four teammates out of eight have been sick at some point this month already.
Tasha and Kay have terrible coughs, fevers that come and go, and sinus infections that they can't seem to shake. Bethany will be taking them to a medical clinic tomorrow. And my throat and nose are starting to have cold-like symptoms. Please pray for healing!
It has been 18 years since the genocide in Rwanda but the hatred and anger are still there for some. Pray for peace and complete restoration in the Rwandan people.
We still struggle to be unified as a team. Pray for strength and humility to set aside our differences. Pray for friendships beyond the sake of unity.
Finances. On my team only Chris still needs funds, praise the Lord! Yet a handful of others still need your prayers.
