Habits die hard.....

I wanted to write today! It was such an encouragement to have so many come to the Sunday open house. I wanted to thank you.....if you are still reading this!
I found it easier to speak up in Rwanda then in my own home church! Interesting isn't it! I'm hoping that as a few more days pass.....I can think better and understand better what it is that God has done these past few months. It wasn't about me.....the trip to Rwanda.....but I am seeing that coming back with a different perspective on things involves a bit of introspection to assess the changes! I want to be forever changed! And I want to be able to communicate what it is God has done/is doing better than I tried to on Sunday!
I'm so grateful for my dear husband! He really is giving me time to adjust to life back here! I need to start working once again. I have found all the people who I worked for before I left still want me back......after fending for themselves all summer! (I clean houses/help elderly people live in their homes.)
I'm listening to the birds of Rwanda right now on my audio tape player. What a joy it was then and now too! God didn't have to make them with so many different songs but HE did! Why? Think about it! It's because He loves us and this, His creation shows us by the care He put into it all! My students even had a song talking about this!

They say it takes only 21 days to start a new habit! I'm beginning to believe it! I keep coming back to this page and wondering if I should post anything.....well, I wonder if there is anything worth recording.......AND I think yes! there is! God is the same here in US as HE is in Rwanda. The circumstances I find myself in today are very different from last week, but I know a few more things about this wonderful God we serve! I long to share them, record them, never forget them so to encourage others!

The lost bags are found

Here's a praise! I received word that my lost luggage is coming to my doorstep today! What a wonderful blessing! Thank you for praying about this!
I'm so very grateful.....Virginia's ESL books are in that bag too......along with my son's drum, tea and letters! So! praise God with me about their return!

Will you read this, even though I am home now?

I just wanted to let you all know that I made it home! Thank you for praying about the journey homeward. It was so uneventful that I just don't have much to say about it. Oh, I do have a prayer request however, two of my bags were lost somewhere enroute. So, my son's drum didn't get home ......yet!
Thank you for praying!
I have received many emails from friends in Rwanda.....that has helped........!

More grad day

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Let's pray that these rabbit pairs just really produce.... lots more bunnies!!!! They can trade them for items they need, sell them, or whatever........it's the dry season right now and so vegetation is getting browner by the day but with the trimmings from the food they eat...do rabbits eat potato peels?....Let's pray it will work!

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My orphans! Can I bring them home! They are all in need of school fees to be able to continue their schooling. They all need a dad, all but one need a mom.

More grad day

The man (third from the right side in) was the "village representative." Unbeknowst to me he was also my neighbor, just down the street on the opposite side! One evening when the roadway was being worked on and I was coming back late.....well, in the dark probably around 7:30pm, he happened to be out right where I was needing to jump over a trench and he had a light! Between John Baptist (aka JB) and him, we made our way to the house just fine but in the process I visited with this elderly gentleman and practiced the few words I knew.......He talked about that "event" at some length, saying because of that conversation he knew me to be a woman of honor or something like that. It was a very nice compliment......I was thinking I've had a watchman inside my gate (John Bosco) and outside my gate (this man, I believe his name was Fiedel and he is related to Pastor Sitaki too, if I heard right) all these days! It was
special that he also came to the ceremony.

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This is sort of funny......but they were scary!......those sharp claws......I'm glad Eric knew about rabbits. He was a good "handler" for the picture part of the ceremony!

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I was given a wonderful gift by the students.......my very own Imikenyero, the traditional Rwanda special occasion dress!

The graduates got a gift book.

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THE RABBITS arrived in style!!! Oh, it was so wonderful.......well, it was like A DREAM come true! What a sight to behold!!! I so wish you could have been there to see it too!!!!

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Oh, it was special.....they sang my favorite song about how much God loves us .....the birds remind us and the Rusumo (I think that's how you spell it!) River flows reminding us of His love for us too!

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The RABBITS ARRIVE in style!!

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Pastor Kamanzi and Alfred officiating the event.

Grad cont.

Olivia dresses me up for the occasion!

Graduation Day!

Beautifully dressed up in traditional Rwandan dresses.....IMIKENYERO's.

Just a few prayer requests.....

And thank you so much for praying! Let's pray that today will glorify the Father in all we do and say. Could you be praying about the speech I need to make? Also, there is one more Radio Mucuyo....pray that the gospel will be clearly presented, that hearts will be ready, with understanding about our need for THE DELIVERER, our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.
On Sunday I will be attending church one last time with Jeanne DArc and will also need to speak then. After church I will be going to her home to be with her family too!
Monday I arrive at the airport at 11:30am and the plane, which we confirmed two days ago, is scheduled to leave at 1:45pm.
It's Kigali to Nairobi
Nairobi to London
London to Dulles, Washington DC..?
Dulles to Portland.
Portland to John and family!
I'm ready to be there!!! Love you, honey!!!

The Big Day ...... Graduation

The days are winding down and today is the celebration! We are getting ready for LOTS of people to come for graduation! We made 7 cakes for the event and my friends had lots of opportunity to practice their cake decorating!
This day promises to be full!!! I've had my lessons in dancing and so........well, we'll see about that hahahahah!
I was just on Skype with John and Rachel. He was able to add Pastor Sitaki too! This is a wonderful day! We see what God has done!! And it is amazingly wonderful!!! .....Here is some encouragement for you, my friend........ To be obedient to what God may ask of you.........well, it is ABSOLUTE JOY! Not easy, maybe, but there is SUCH INDESCRIBABLE JOY! Praise Him with me for all this........

I totally forgot......Dancing may be required!

Yes, I should have been practicing all along too! I conveniently forgot that at ceremonies there is the traditional dance that may be required of me! I got a taste of what is to come today and so I did get a little bit of practice......the key is to hold your arms up high and you look like you are at least trying.......this muzungo is so inhibited.....uncoordinated too......ah! my students tried to document the fact also......with a picture from behind so I wouldn't see them doing it....But it was with my camera!
Lesson 70 was today. It was our final day and a celebration of sorts.......I say it like that because we are all sad that my time here is drawing to a close. I told them I am happy to go because I miss my husband so much. They liked that! They already know he is a wonderful man because I am a big/ well cared for woman! They also know he must be a special man to let me go for so long. Yes, honey! Thank you so much for all your sacrifices on the home-front! You are a wonderful man!!!! I'm so grateful for you, for your supporting this summer. Everyone here wishes to greet you once again too!

Ernest and Agnes, his sister

I got to meet Agnes today! This is Ernest's sister. Tomorrow I get to meet the two younger brothers also.

The last Radio Mucuyo

It has been such a wonderful opportunity to teach Biblical truths over the radio to the children of Kigali! will you be praying about this last time coming up. Thinking about this right now, it's just plain amazing what God has done! Pray that I will finish well, my part in all this....

Double-up!

Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I'm getting a lot of picture doubles! It's getting funny!
Today was our lesson 69. This lesson was the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The lesson's focus took us to a lot of the OT places where the things that happened were written hundreds of years earlier by God through His prophets. What marvelous facts our salvation rests upon! All the passages that pointed to the Deliverer happened just as He said it would! Not only these prophecies but the stories of the OT also help in understanding why Jesus had to die, why it could only be Him who came to do it too! It was God, the Perfect Lamb who alone could! Do you believe He paid for your sins by dying in your place for your sin? Believing that He came to do this FOR YOU! is so very important! He alone, nothing you do, can save you! What are you trusting in? Your "goodness"? (sorry it's not good enough! Plus you have probably been minimizing sin for awhile!) You go to church, read your Bible and pray......these are good things! But if you are trusting that this will make you acceptable to God the answer is NO!
Believe that Jesus died, was buried and then arose. That's it! Your sin was punished by His death, it is for you to believe this by acknowledging yes, I am a sinner, undeserving of anything but God's wrath against sin, choose to believe Jesus died for your sin too! Simply come to Him, trusting in His blood shed for you! and thank Him for being YOUR DELIVERER!
Today we will be talking about God the Holy Spirit....our Counselor, Guide, Paraclete....
We serve a living Savior! He is seated at the right hand of the Father God on high. He is interceding for those of us who have been redeemed!

my husband's favorite

Apple Fritters African style! Oh, we had so much fun in the kitchen together!!! Arlene! I found out making frosting really does need a beater! Our frosting was so thick/heavy that it broke out the bag......plastic bags didn't work too well for the tips. We need the bags that are made of it so they can stand the pressure! We still had such great fun!

Jannelle's guy named Henry

We met him, Jannelle! He was very polite, quiet and he had a "house mom" with him. It was fun to meet him and he really appreciated your gift! It was a great joy to be the one to do this, thanks!!!!

Adeline and Ernest on Saturday

School Fees for Ernest's siblings

Remember Ernest? He is one of our students and he has been carrying heavy burdens. He is responsible for his three younger siblings. I found out he was not able to get his report because of unpaid fees so I wondered about his "kids" too. Well, today I found them here at the office and Ernest heavily burdened. He brought Agnes with him and they told us that she is not able to go to school today. She goes to a boarding school but the cost for back fees is preventing her also! What a situation this young guy has! 42,000RF is $72US but a mountain for him. Plus he has two others along with his own fees to do! Anyone out there want to sponsor Ernest's school fees?
Oh!!! it's heartbreakingly close........the struggles to survive here! I know that God is able, God is good, God is Almighty! It's just I've gotten closer to the struggle and pain of the waiting today.

some "oral exams"

Adeline, widow spoke on John3:14-16.
Clementine-Genesis 3:2

Tabitha and Silivine

Tabitha and Silvine! Both of these dear women had such wonderful "mini-lessons/testimonies" for their "final exam." Both are very quiet, reserved with words normally but each one really surprised me (and Olivia) with their "talking time." It was so encouraging.......

Yes, I'd like to talk to you

I'd like to talk to you and thank you for your support and prayers for this ministry. There will be an informal time of questions and visiting at Salem First Baptist Church in downtown Salem, Oregon on August 29. It will be from 4:30-6pm. You are welcome to come! I hope you do so I can thank you. I believe I am scheduled to give a report in the evening service too! Hope you can join us!

Some closing remarks...

I never know if I'll be able to post what I write.....so I thought I would take advantage of this moment in time to let you know that I have appreciated you taking the time to read this. John, my dear husband, has informed me of the many who do read this! Thank you! Mostly because I hope it means you are/were praying about the things that are going on here! That means soooo much and I truly believe that is THE reason why these months have been such a joy and blessing. God has answered prayer, He has helped me complete (almost, two lessons to go!) the work. Things that could cause alarm have not! For an example, there was a grenade thrown onto the crowded street just last week.....the street that I took the picture of from the tower at the radio.....the election process, so uneventful!, just so many other things....I am able to "rest" in my heart in the fact that I serve a Sovereign God who is RULER over all......and anything that trickles through His hands to get to me are filtered through HIS GREAT LOVE for my good, and His purpose to grow me up into His likeness!!
I don't have words to express what all God has done through me here....yet, maybe that's good, i don't know. What I do know is that His Word has gone out in many ways, it is living (Heb.4:12.) The seeds have been sown (see Mark 4:13-20.) Praise God with me, and pray for His will to be done here in Rwanda.

Some interview-ees

Gasbar the man in charge of the Saturday night program for children came to ERM to interview some of my ESL students. I didn't realize what he was doing until I heard him play them over the air waves just before the lesson I gave on Saturday. They all had very sweet things to say about what they learned. Tom translated for me to understand what they were saying. The "media exposure" for ERM is good! Olivia was interviewed explaining what they are doing for the orphans and neighborhood kids.
The actual radio program went very well too! Praise God! The part that I had prepared for some reason ended up being a lot shorter than the previous times even though it was a combination of several lessons taken from "THE LAMB" book. So! for an anxious moment, staring at the clock that said 6:35pm, I looked over to Tom, (interpreter) and just continued talking ......most all the things that I had been talking to him about just an hour earlier in the stairway! That was Gods prep time for what else HE HAD WANTED me to say too!! How grateful I am to Him for how He helps me is SOOOOOOO evident in so many ways, but as most of you all know, I just don't think "on my feet" too well! But God so graciously intervened once again......We had talked about the fact that God HIMSELF came! JUST think of that! GOD IN THE FLESH, IMMANUEL! Well, then it went on from there......I don't remember but we were scrabling to various scriptures.......Tom having me read one that he had just remembered reading......I know it sounds disjointed but it wasn't, it was wonderful to see God at work using who we are and what He has shown to us.......Praise God! and thank you so much for praying about all this. I know He has answered them and it's truly a marvel.
The day yesterday was just filled to the brim with wonderful things. We had planned to visit Jannelle C.'s sponsored guy who is with another sponsorship program. So in the am I hired a cab and we met him for pictures and to give him the gift that Jannelle had sent with me. It was fun to meet him. I don't know what all it took to get him there at the prescribed time, place but I know it was ALOT, just because that's how it is here especially with transportation issues.
OH, I saw Steven also. He was the one who had a baboon jump into his lap last fall when I was last here with my husband too. It was the Steven whose wedding I attended when Pastor Emmanuel was still here also. He is a driver for the other sponsorship program/ministry.
Getting back to Saturday. ....We then came back home and had the widows who could get here come for a cake decorating demonstration. I also made up a batter for Apple Fritters....my husband's favorite thing.....which I don't make at home but hoped to show them how! Oh, it was such fun to have this informal time together once again. I so enjoyed the "ladies in the kitchen", some washed my dishes from yesterday too! Several young people came too. One was Peter who I had helped HIS twin brother write his letter to his sponsor Greg. E. just yesterday!
I could visit with the younger people better than the others.....Olivia gets so tired talking, talking so I just would watch and listen to them visiting and telling stories. I learned a lot just by watching and was so amazed to see how telling stories really gets/holds attention! And causes emotional responses. This is too bad that I saw it so clearly so long after I've been here and am leaving! I thought I knew this before I came, but really I SAW yesterday with deeper understanding! My thoughts.....hummmmm if I come back, then......this, this ....NO! Instead, when I AM at home I want to RECORD in my little book, stories.......STORIES WITH purpose to present spiritual truth!
I learned several new words yesterday. John Bosco taught me umutuku...that means RED. And Olivia taught me the word for dust or dirt. The dust is really beautiful and it's really fun to say those words together. My friends here just laugh! (they are not fond of dust.....and boy! it's thick in places!!!)
I also wanted to learn something important to say to the kids last night so they taught me.....pain-painstakingly slow......how to say "Jesus is the Deliverer." Well, I guess I wasn't a very good student because I can't remember how to say it now.....but I got it down on paper.....phonetically so I will remember how to say it! Lord willing, when I get home !!!
The love of these dear friends, sisters in the Lord and the younger kids has been such a joy. They all love me so much! Jeanne DArc explained it for me why.....she stated "It's because they know you love them," (oh! that's so true!!) and she went on......"I'm uncomplicated," and "humble." So there you have it! I really think having a white-skinned, large woman around just adds variety!....humor! because let's face it, I'm foreign!

Wonderful Day!!!!!!!

The ERM sponsored orphans came today and I helped them write their letters in English. It was so fun to be a part of this! I helped one young man write to his sponsor who is named Greg E.! The boy said in his letter that his mother was in a Bible class taught by Debbie. I told him to put my last name also because that man that he was writing to knows me! It was special to meet this young man. He is a twin and yesterday I posted his twin's picture (Peter.)
There was lots to do and we didn't get it all done yet! So, many will be back on Monday also to finish. We had to scramble to be ready for the Bible class. It was ORAL TEST day! They were to present a Bible lesson or testimony about what they have been learning. I'm tearing up just thinking about this 2 and a half hour time. I sat with the students and dear Olivia stood to interpret for the students. It was wonderful! There were some very, very wonderful surprises as some of the quiet students had important things to say! It was such a joy!!! I recorded it all and hope to re-view it once again but at this time can not even begin to do it justice. I'm quite a bit tired and our "dusk" walk was short tonight. John Bosco and I did pass out tracts....one in Ikinyrwanda and one in English.....and we did "advertise" Listen to radio Mucuyo for the kids and young people, well, whoever!
The testimonies provided evidence that several are trusting in their good works to be right with God. I'm thinking on Monday and Tuesday there is important, very important things that need to be taught. The lessons are on Jesus death and resurrection.......finally.......THE LAMB of God who takes away the sin of the world. Please be praying as I will be asking questions and asking if any wish to trust Christ as their Savior. Please pray for these last days.......My thoughts are all a mess right now from being so tired, and it's emotionally draining to think about leaving......

Today is the students LAST EXAM

Olivia made it clear that everyone will be speaking today. She started to make it sound like she wanted all to deliver like preachers too.....but I intervened saying, I don't want them to "drum up" things for a show, but would just like to hear from their heart if studying the Old Testament the way we did has made a difference for them.
Tomorrow in the morning Robert a sponsored boy with another sponsorship program is coming to Kigali to meet with me for a picture to get to Jannelle C.
Also tomorrow we will be having CAKE DECO 101. Using the tips Arlene has donated! Then, in the afternoon I hope to get a bit of shopping done before radio Mucuyo at 6pm.
I appreciate your praying about all this! The days are numbered, I leave August 23 and marvel at how fast that day is approaching.......in rapid speed! (could you be praying about the rabbits too.....they are "being found" for purchase. WE NEED healthy, good breeding stock!
THanks!!

Interesting places along the way...

There are many old, abandoned-looking places along the way. I often wonder about the people who use to live here or what purpose this building had "before." There are many, many broken down walls that are being repaired, but many more to go....if they will......I wonder about who used to live here...on the walks I take in the evening.

More pictures of the family that has sponsored (to go to school) kids. Their mother was out working.

With their sisters

Two sponsored children at home

the rabbit watcher's house

Eric knows about rabbits!

Eric lives with his auntie

her children

her children

Peter, another boy who wants to be a pastor

Mother-in-law

This lady is 84!

The oldest man I've met in Rwanda

Pepetue's father-in-law is 105! He's lived an amazingly, long, long life! He's close to eternity! We talked about Jesus paying for our sin. I'm not sure where he is going to spend eternity. I know his daughter-in-law does! Pray for this man, and his daughter-in-law!

today I went visiting

What a wonderful day it was! No English classes, instead I went to some of the widows homes and was able to put children (who have been coming for classes) with their moms or grandmothers! OH HOW FUN! Olivia went with me and we started out at Africa New Life place to deliver a package for Jannelle C. from my home church. From there we went to Pepetue's house. This is the dear widow lady who not only has children, grandchildren but has her husbands mother and father living with her too! I so admire her "spunk" but she is an amazing woman! What a wonderful teacher she already is to her children and today was exceptional in that I met her son who I had met the first week here who had made a very good impression because he had been translating the Good Seed "readers" to the younger student who were awaiting their chance at an interview for a sponsorship with Charles or TJ. He reminded me that I was the one who had given him a Bible! What a neat young man he is and his mom was one of the Bible ladies!! SO COOL!!!!!!!! Visiting in their home was just so fun!!
I also got to meet the 105 year old father-in -law and 84 year old mother-in -law!

students

I couldn't post last week! This is nice!

Great with child Solange

My dear cook! She wants the baby to come while I'm here so I can help deliver baby! She asked me today if I could do it for her. I said I "talk big" she needs to go to a hospital.....many do deliver at home with someone who "knows things." I'm afraid I'm not one of them!! Pray that the baby turns.....it's still UP position so is a concern. Her due date is Sept. 15.

Another needy orphan

This young man's name is David and his last name in Ikinyrwanda means "trusting in God." How's that for a last name!! He is 17 and ERM has been paying for his schooling. He is in Secondary 2. What I noticed about this young man is how needy he looked! He was a walking skeleton......SO VERY THIN!
His mother and father were murdered in the Genocide and his father's sister took over his care at the age of one along with his one sister. The three of them are all that is left of his relatives.....

A story to tell

Meet Steven. This young man came to the office today and I was able to communicate pretty well with him as he is in Secondary 6 school. This is 6th year High school level. He has quite a story to tell as he has had open heart surgery! He had to have a valve replaced in 2006. He is an orphan that ERM has sponsored. His medical condition is quite precarious! He must have the medications needed to prevent his blood thickening and causing troubles. Would you be interested in helping him with his medication costs?
He loved practicing English with me this morning and because Olivia was gone we were able to work at it very well with NO HELP! He really is good! Another orphan came in and Steven was my translator for his story too!
There really is a wonderful opportunity for people to serve here by just "talking!" I know this sounds funny! But book learning, reading, writing is one thing.....it's the speaking that most young people want. And to practice with someone from the US is their first choice!!! Americans are loved as a whole, especially if they don't separate themselves in a lofty position apart from their hosts! Do you know what I mean?
Oh, it's fun too.

English class with kids

Our days are numbered! I wish I could send a tape recording of them sing for you!!!!
They have really come along way too! Just look at those smiles!
OH how I will miss those morning meetings!!!

I think I already posted this picture....sorry!
I wanted to let you know that the election is over and things went very smoothly from where I live and how I see things. The people that came to the house these last few days were quick to show me their "painted nails" to prove they had voted once.
This is a huge blessing! And a very peaceful process it seems to me. They had fireworks at the stadium the night before last in celebration of re-electing President Paul Kagame.

Lesson 60

When we did lesson 60 I used an illustration to explain how it was with the religious leaders (those Pharisees) of the day by using a cup. I made a big deal about "cleaning it up" on the outside. It really looked so good! But then I showed them in the inside and asked if they wished to have a drink from it. It had a bit of mud inside and just wouldn't be good to drink from! But it made the point about how the were keeping man-made up rules so pridefully, but their hearts were far, far from God. We talked about how all man's attempts at "right living" are really only an attempt to wash up with dirty rags and will not make a person acceptable to God. It's Christ's righteousness we must have appropriated by faith!!! Nothing else will do! How wonderful that God Himself came down to earth to explain all this to us, sons of Adam ...so that we can become sons of God!!
It's been so very wonderful to be talking about the Deliverer!!!
It has been such a joy to serve Him here!
There are only 5 days of class time left. OH! Please be praying about all this. And thank you so much!!
I leave for home August 23. Could you be praying about that also. I'm alone this time and that's a bit different from all the other times of coming and going.........Thanks!

Some of those hills