Monday, May 30

Happy Memorial Day! We are so thankful for all the men and women who have served and do serve America.

I look around at this beautiful country, full of volcanoes and banana trees and eucalyptus trees and big smiles and monkeys and bright fabric, and it's hard for me to believe I'm actually here! 

We've had a full day here in Rwanda. After breakfast, we headed to the village of Cyankia. We met with the Arch-Deacon, Jean Baptiste, and his wife, Jacqueline. His words humbled me. He spoke of how he knew God had brought us there and was going to do wonderful things through us. He told us that he is responsible for ministering to almost 40,000 Christians in all of his districts. One of his main priorities has been starting an education program for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5). Prior to this program, these children were left to fend for themselves while their mothers went to work, which left them in a position for any number of abuses from both nature and other people. Now that there is preschool, the mothers can go to work without worrying about their children.

After our meeting with the Arch-Deacon, the men left to go to Sonrise School and we women began our Bible studies.

The Arch-Deacon explained to us that these women are pastors' wives and in charge of leading small group Bible studies. His hope was that our words would be encouraging to them and they could use those words to encourage women in their villages. Things were a little quiet at the beginning, but the ladies began to earn up to us by the end of the day. We did lessons on Sarah and Hagar, Rachel, and Rahab today. We also had a time of sharing personal testimonies - a few of ours and a few of theirs. The women loved inviting us to dance with them while they sang. It is inspiring to see their joyous, full-bodied, full-voiced worship.

The men got their bearings at the school and got supplies ready to begin doing some repairs and painting tomorrow. They got to spend some time entertaining the children at the primary school. Apparently, Kelly has an amazing coin trick!

Our driver, Mambo, thought it was so funny that Phillip wanted to drive home from Sonrise!

We shared stories of our days over a fantastic meal here at our hotel. Now we're settled in, ready for a good night's rest.

Pray for our health, that more relationships would be formed, and that God would use each of us to his glory.