Rwanda update



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Journal update to come...

Rwanda day 6



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Journal post to come...

Rwanda day 4

Today is saturday so we were able to sleep in.  Brogan and I are scheduled to go to a Bible study with the girls choir today but I'm not sure if that is what we will actually be doing.  Things change here so much.  There are no schedules and they just go with the flow.  It is kinds messing with my scheduled personality that I have at home.  It's a good thing I can "fly by the seat of pants" also!

So, above you see the beautiful faces of the Youth Choir.  They are mostly girls, only a few boys, and they are between the ages of 7-17.  A lot of these children are orphans (which I didn't know until several days later).  I had planned to do a Bible study on Esther and Daniel and their faith and obedience in the Lord and those that are their elders.  Turns out I didn't have to do much reading, teaching or explaining.  The girl in the turquise shirt on the left knew the entire story.  I asked what they could tell me about Esther and she stood up and told me the entire story.  Basically, word for word what I had written down to explain it.  She knew all the details and names of everyone and did a great job relating it for everyone.  I found out later that she has been raised in a Muslim home and accepted Christ as her savior about 2 years ago.

Our time with this group was awesome!!  John Bosco is the leader of the Youth Choir and he is doing a great job with them.  His desire is to finish and release a CD of their songs and sell it.  This would provide extra money for the choir and the church.  So far they have two songs done.  They need around $3,000 US dollars to finish the CD and get it ready to market and sell.  (If you feel called to help it would be a great blessing to these children and the church!)  The girls tried to teach Brogan to dance and well, she moves a lot like her Daddy so that didn't go so well.  They sang some songs for us and were really happy to have us there.  Most of all, we were happy to be there.  A 30-45 minute plan turned into almost 3 hours.  After we finished singing, dancing and Bible study we blew up balloons and handed them out.  Those were a big hit!  The girls all loved Brogan and had lots of questions for her.  Will she stay, will she come back, what does she eat at home.  I thought that one was interesting.  "What do you eat at home?  Do you eat beans?"  Beans are cheap and a staple here.  You see little ones snacking on raw beans and they might be some of the only things they eat.  So, the "Do you eat beans?" was a question that I am sure they expected her to say "No" to since she is from America.  God-thing here:  She does eat beans...and a lot of them!  See, beans and rice is a staple in our home because it is cheap and we can feed a lot of people on a little money.  And, when I say a staple I mean every 7-10 days we are eating bean soup or beans and rice or beans and cornbread.  So, when they were expecting a "No" Brogan pipes up "Yes".  The response "You eat beans at home?"  Brogan, "Yes.  All the time!"  You see, God was preparing her for this moment her entire life.  This moment was a connection between girls who live across the world from each other and have very little in common otherwise.  You see my dear sweet Brogan, as much as she doesn't get everything she wants she still has more than she needs.  And, while we made her some cute skirts for this trip, and are going to leave them for the girls, the fact is that she gets to wear something different every day that we are here and still has a closet full of clothes at home while these girls are wearing the same thing everyday.  And, while Brogan has a family that loves her and cares for her, some of these girls don't.  And, while all of that and so much more could seperate them instead, the fact that she eats beans often just like they do has bonded them in a way that means so much to these girls.  She IS like them...even though her skin color and her geography and her circumstances are different...she IS like them!

So for all those that questioned why we would allow her to come to Africa and why we would spend the money on a 9-year old to come over...

THAT IS WHY!!!

Brogan and I have played a ton of Uno and SkipBo games.  She has won all but maybe two.  I think somehow the cards are rigged.  I got tired of playing, actually losing, so she begged me "Please mom.  I promise I'll go easy on you." and started giggling.  Does that look like a face that will go easy on me?  I think not!  We have also played some volleyball, with a beach ball, as well as we could.  The people here at the hotel love watching her play outside.  I'm not sure that maybe they haven't seen a little white kid before.

Rwanda day 3



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Today we were back in the school but in the Primary 1 class.  It was more of the same chaos today but maybe a little worse.  We brought a few balls and some balloons.  It was a madhouse trying to get one with all of the pushing and shoving and kids crying because they didn't get one or because someone took theirs or their balloon popped.  Part of me thinks the teachers are probably wondering who we are thinking we can come in and do these things because it makes their job harder controlling the kids.  They are extremely nice and hospitable but sometimes I can see in their faces how they do not enjoy breaking up the crowds.  When we were in the P1 class today we taught them a few songs also then we watched them finish their lessons.  I felt bad we came in and interrupted their schooling so I asked the teacher if he would continue with the lesson so I could take some pictures.  As we were watching Brogan noticed the teacher was teaching them wrong when it came to <,>,=.  He had it totally backward.  I wanted to correct him so badly but who am I to come in and take over his class when I am only going to be there one day.  I spoke with the Headmaster about it and found out some very interesting information about the school and the teacher.  I will talk about those in a seperate post so that it can get the attention it needs. 

I have so much going on in my head right now:

~How much I miss Jeremy and the boys

~How I pray Brogan doesn't get sick here or once we get home

~How I pray the boys don't get sick or hurt since we don't have insurance to cover them right now

~How I pray for Jeremy to get a job and I know how much he is struggeling with that right now and being able to provide for our family

~Then how I see the need over here for basic fundamental stuff like education and qualified teachers and how blessed we truly are

~Part of me thinks we should be here to help but then how would we pay for it?

~How I want Jeremy and the boys to come see all of this but then how would we pay for that?

~Did I say I miss all 5 of my bloys!?!

~Did I say how thankful I am that God chose me to live where I live and have the things I have yet part of me feels like we should be somewher else, doing something else.

Everyday-several times a day- I thank God for all of my many blessings and then I quickly turn around and ask him for a job for Jeremy quickly and to give him peace about that situation.  I know He already knows what I am thinking so I just tell him.  But, then I feel selfish and wonder why I ask and can't just trust Him.  Scared, pride, you name I got it.  Faith, trust, I have it too.  It is just harder to hang on to those sometimes.  It is the other way around here.  They have nothing but faith and trust because they don't have much, if anything, that they are scared of loosing.

Lord, Please help me to trust in you and your plan.  I know it is perfecf and you have it all worked out.  I trust you and your will for our family.  Please help Jeremy and I to stay strong and steadfast in what you have planned for us and our family.  Amen

Rwanda Day 1 and 2

July 4, 2012

Our first Rwandan meal.  Beef & chicken kabobs w/chips (french fries).

We had a good nights sleep last night and rested well.  Our hotel is on the same street as the residence of the US Ambassador and there is a headquarter (or maybe residence, I'm not sure) for World Vision across the street.  It is in a very safe neighborhood.  The grounds are beautiful and the rooms are comfortable. The showers are very- can I stress- VERY cold.  Pretty much like to Pacific Ocean cold where you walk into it but never really get all the way in.   

We went into town today to eat and get some things we needed for the team.  Brogan got sick while we were there and now she is scared that something is wrong with her.  She is overly tired and hasn't eaten a real meal in two days. airplane food just doesn't count when it comes to that.  She is very homesick!  She has asked to go home several times and wants her Daddy really badly.  We weren't able to get on Skype but we were able to send him a Facebook message back and forth.  It just isn't the same as having him there- or here- or being able to see his face.  I miss the bloys too.  I see things and think "Oh _____ would like that" and wish they were here with us.  Maybe one day! 

The plan for tomorrow is for me to teach a women's group.  I am really nervous and feel very unequipped to be doing this.  I am giving it all to God.  I also found out that we won't have as much time in the school as we thought we would.  They have their standardized testing starting so we will only have a couple of days with them. 

Today while we were in town we went by the Hotel des Mille Collines.  This is the actual hotel that was a safe haven for many during the Rwandan genocide.  The movie "Hotel Rwanda" itself was filmed in South Africa but it looks remarkably similar to the actual hotel.  You get that kinda feeling as when we went to Pearl Harbor.  Knowing something so significant took place right where you are.  There is a ton of history here that most people don't even know about.  It is a very beautiful country!

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July 5, 2012

Today was our first day in the school that is associated with the church in Remera.  It was chaotic to say the least.  The children were so excited to "myzungus" or white skin.  They crowded around us like a mob.  Well, not like a mob---it WAS a mob!  They wouldn't let go of us.  They were so happy.  They just wanted to touch and feel our skin.  Their hugs were so sweet.  Brogan was very overwhelmed.  I couldn't even see her for the crowd of kids around her.  She didn't know what to do with all of the pushing they were doing.  The teachers couldn't control them and she couldn't move.  I could barely get my arm in between them to get to her there were so many kids.  I finally went to play soccer with some of them to try to divert the attention but the little ones wouldn't let go of her.  She started to get upset and I could see in her face the fear and the tears starting to come on.  She started feeling sick to her stomach again so I sent her in the classroom to be by herself.  She was better once she could take a few breathes and the kids calmed down.  We probably didn't come at a great time as they were at recess and the entire school was outside.  Once they all went back to their classes we were with the class that would be equal to our Pre-K and Kinder classes.  I wanted to teach a Bible story but that was not going to happen.  I ended up reviewing the alphabet, numbers to 20 and counting to 36 with them (that is how many were in the class).  After that we taught them a few songs and they sang several songs they already knew for us.  They were so proud of the songs they knew in English and so happy to be singing them for us. 

Once we were done we went back over to the church where Wayne and Tyler were with the Pastors.  Most of these men have only a 3rd-6th grade education yet, here they are following the call to preach and teach.  They are so in tune with listening to everything that is being said and are eager to ask questions.  When they worship it is with so much feeling.  I have know idea what they are saying but I can tell they are worshipping with everything they have.  It is so unlike us.  We stand and sing because it is expected, listen to what we hope is not a long sermon and expect to be done no later than noon.  These men are doing sessions 2-3 hours in length and you have to make them take a break in between.  If only we had that desire!

Here we go...

We were a little worried about Brogan being able to swallow the malaria pills but she has done a great job.  A friend told us to practice with tic tacs so we did that and the malaria pills haven't been a problem at all.

This was day 1 down!

Our sweet neighbors and friends spent a late night with us at 3 Spoons before we left.  Brogan and the girls have become great friends and Jeremy and I kinda enjoy their parents company too :)

Here is our group for the trip...

Wayne, Tyler and us girls

Here we are on the plane and waiting in the airport...

Brogan was a great trooper and after almost 2 whole days of traveling she didn't let it wear her down a bit!

The flights were smooth and we not only saw the sunset, but we saw it rise and set again.  All on the plane!  The entire time traveling I had one of the kids VBS songs stuck in my mind "God is so wonderful, He's so incredible, My God, My Maker."  And, He is so wonderful!  Thank you, Lord for allowing me and entrusting me to do your work.  At home with my own kids and family and on our journey to Africa.

Prayer Card

Here are just a few of the ways that you can pray for our upcoming mission trip.

A few more details:

Brogan and I will be teaching English and Bible to Pre-K thru 2nd graders.  I might also lead some women's Bible studies and if that happens, Brogan will be in charge of the kids during that time.  She is very excited about the chance to get to work with the children and tell them about Jesus!

The pastor at the church there would like us to do a youth conference but we are in need of funds to do it.  Please pray about the conference.  It would be a great service for us to be able to do it.  There about 100 kids they want to bring in for it and some of the issues they want to cover are definetly needed.  The conference would cost about $40 per youth attending so that adds up to a big $4000 bill.  Big in our eyes anyway!  Not big in God's!  Please pray for God's guidance for this event.

We will be traveling with Wayne (over One27 Ministries) and Tyler (a college student).  Please keep them in your prayers as well.

I will try to update periodically while we are there but we will probably only be in a WiFi spot every 3-4 days or so.

We are super excited and can't wait!!!!

Long Time, No Post

Wow!  I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted.  We have been very busy around here at Winston Manor although you would never know it from lack of posting.  Or, I could say that we have been so busy that I just haven't had time to post.  Either way...I feel like a definite slacker when it comes to this blog. 

Part of the problem is my computer won't pull up my Blogger dashboard anymore.  Don't know why and, I am not a computer techy.  I have been just borrowing Jeremy's laptop whenI can so I can try to get caught up.  That is no fun because I tend to forget things I want to post about.  Anyway, I will post what I can, when I can.  Hopefully today will be one of those days!

Well, Joshua and Codey a team of over 45 are headed to Amarillo on their annual mission trip with Mission Amarillo.  This is a great week of service and both of the boys look forward to this all year.  I am so excited for them and their teams and look forward to hearing about all God is doing while they are there.  I am kinda sad, though.  This will be the first year that I am not with them.  They, on the other hand, are excited about that!  Please pray for teams as they minister to refugee and low-income children and families. 

Brogan and I leave in 7 days for Kigali, Rwanda!!!  We are super excited and can not wait to see what God has planned!  I will post more details about that in another post.  I will try to post as much as I can once we get there also.  It may not be much but I will try to let you know how things are going.

Jeremy is job searching.  Please pray about that situation.  As of July 31, we have no income so it is getting down to the wire (or so it feels) to find something.  We know God has a great plan for where he wants Jeremy to be and placed it all in His hands a long time ago.

Well, that is all for now.  Updates from the last month coming later.