Dougall in Rwanda

Sweet emails I've been getting lately

2010-11-08T14:53:00.000-08:00

Hi those of you who still read this page......thanks! I have such happy news! Here are two emails I received ...............

Dearest Debbie!
I would like to send this E-mail in order to greet you But the great reason is to tell you that Adelyne NKUNDIZANYE who was my classmate in BIBLE study from ERM.She requested me that i must send this message to you, Because she can't be used the Enternet.this the message she wrote to you
Hi Debbie my name is NKUNDIZANYE Adelyne i live at KICUKIRO DISTRICT kagarama Sector nearest Perpetue.
I GREET YOU in the name of Jesus HOW ARE YOU? me also with my kids we are well, I request you to give my greetings to that woman who you told me that she pray for me her name is Lianne YARBRONGH.So tell her she continue praying for me with my family.I believe that God will award her. I wont also tell you that those rabbits you offered me its produced an others smalls rabbits its number are 6.Thank youof that GOD Bless you ever so much
his love
NKUNDIZANYE Adelyne.

The above email was sent by Ernest for Adelyne. I have included her picture.
Then this email from Tabitha.......
my dear debbie how do you do am very happy to write you,you are my mother I love you so very much my children teach bible greet you and they love you,God bless you my dear,mother I wont to tell you one thing if is possible can you send me the bible of english,mum greet my dady you know his,is your husband ,God bless you for send me the picture , is your child Tabita.
ived today.......

The Habit DID Die (blogging a lot) However......

2010-10-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

One month of thinking is over and now I just must write out a few things that have been on my heart! Just now I got an email from Tabitha. She was one of my 19 students and she was the one that still had a mother! She is now a true orphan as her mother died of AIDS as her father did earlier. Her email was such an encouragement however......for this reason......she has a Bible class of 14 students! Praise the Lord!!!
Here's how she "put it."
I'm going to try to paste....be right back.....

I am happy to write this letter becouse i miss so very much,do you remember me my name is Tabitha you tought me bible and english in ERM Dear God bless you so very much becouse you tought me,I have fourteen chidren and Iteach bible for children anather thing I believed God and Iknow English my Dear pray me I stoped my study becouse Ihave not parents my mather and father died becouse they sick AIDS BUT GOD HAS POWER

She is saying she had to stop her studies... she was done with HS-6 I believe, but will not be going on to do the "Nationals" for continuing her education. (If I remembered correctly!) This is such a common problem there.
Anyway, just thought I might share some of the emails I have been getting from our dear brothers/sisters in the Lord there in Rwanda.....

Habits die hard.....

2010-08-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-08-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

more grad day

2010-08-21T04:47:00.000-07:00

More grad day

2010-08-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

More grad day

2010-08-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

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!

More grad day

2010-08-21T03:51:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-21T03:30:00.001-07:00

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.

More grad day

2010-08-21T03:21:00.001-07:00

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!

More grad day

2010-08-21T03:15:00.001-07:00

More grad day

2010-08-21T03:09:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-21T03:03:00.001-07:00

The graduates got a gift book.

More grad day

2010-08-21T02:56:00.001-07:00

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!!!!

more grad day

2010-08-20T10:01:00.002-07:00

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!

more grad day

2010-08-20T10:01:00.001-07:00

The RABBITS ARRIVE in style!!

More grad day

2010-08-20T09:53:00.001-07:00

Pastor Kamanzi and Alfred officiating the event.

Grad cont.

2010-08-20T09:43:00.001-07:00

Olivia dresses me up for the occasion!

Graduation Day!

2010-08-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

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

Just a few prayer requests.....

2010-08-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-08-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-08-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-16T04:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-16T04:27:00.000-07:00

School Fees for Ernest's siblings

2010-08-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

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"

2010-08-15T01:53:00.000-07:00

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

Tabitha and Silivine

2010-08-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-15T00:57:00.001-07:00

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...

2010-08-15T00:26:00.002-07:00

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

2010-08-14T23:31:00.001-07:00

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!!!!!!!

2010-08-13T11:05:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-08-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-08-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

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

With their sisters

2010-08-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

Two sponsored children at home

2010-08-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

the rabbit watcher's house

2010-08-12T19:37:00.001-07:00

Eric knows about rabbits!

2010-08-12T19:30:00.001-07:00

Eric lives with his auntie

2010-08-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

her children

2010-08-12T13:01:00.002-07:00

her children

2010-08-12T13:01:00.001-07:00

Peter, another boy who wants to be a pastor

2010-08-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

Mother-in-law

2010-08-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

This lady is 84!

The oldest man I've met in Rwanda

2010-08-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-12T12:12:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

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

Great with child Solange

2010-08-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-11T10:01:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2010-08-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

Inyoni tree

2010-08-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

The birds in this are huge.....I wish the picture did it justice......It's funny how they all decided to build nests in the same tree.....they are so big! It's so cool, we drive by it on the way to church and to the radio.
I've been learning a song in Ikinyrwanda! It says something like the birds singing remind us that God loves you! I loved that song when I first heard Olivia "break out" with it after class one day....And I am reminded daily, by the birds singing just how good God is to me/us!

Green Bananas

2010-08-09T05:58:00.001-07:00

Green banana grove along the way home. Those things are good!

Cecilie's house across the valley

2010-08-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

I took this picture from where she saw me walking and called out, "Debbie, Debbie" when John Bosco and I were walking one late afternoon. I thought I heard my name but just not sure. It was fun to look over to her house from this distance. She was looking "at our going" with some of her children.....off there in the distance. Can you see them? If you follow the wall in the forefront straight back you will "be" at her house. She has such a big responsibility with all her children, plus grandkids. Remember to pray for her as she teaches them about God, sin, our need for the Deliverer.

Cecilie's children singing

2010-08-09T05:37:00.000-07:00

God is Holy, God is Holy, Sinless, Pure, Sinless, Pure.......
What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus!

some of the 10

2010-08-09T05:33:00.001-07:00

2010-08-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

We are there!

2010-08-09T05:24:00.000-07:00

Walking to Cecilie's

2010-08-09T05:19:00.001-07:00

My walking date with Cecilie

2010-08-09T05:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture on the way to Cecilie's house! OH! How much fun we had! I met her 10 children. She's my same age! (52)

Road pictures

2010-08-09T05:05:00.000-07:00

Christian

2010-08-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Washed Away!

2010-08-09T04:42:00.000-07:00

Washed away! Washed away in the blood, washed away! Mercy poured out on me that day when all my sin was washed away......I've been listening to our choir sing this song today and am so grateful for my dear husband who thought to record it with others on my little "set thingy"(I always call it an ipod but I have been informed that's not what it is!!)
I've been teaching the children to sing What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! and that song is in the song the choir is singing also! How much we have to be grateful for!!!
I've decided to give my Bible to Ernest...not the study one that's all marked up but my little one. It's NIV and that's what he heard was good. It doesn't have cross references but it will do for him until the next group comes back in November. I'm sending him a study Bible then. I had a whole stack of English Bibles at home that at the last minute didn't have room for......WHAT WAS I thinking!!! ....English ones! I noticed the Pastors using the easy English versions during the French/English service. They are heavy to ship and expensive but if someone is coming over here it is cheaper to pay for extra baggage then to ship alone.
A boy in my English class has been asking too......Christian is his name. I'll post him picture.

The widened road to the main city is paved

2010-08-09T04:35:00.000-07:00

Some road pictures

2010-08-09T04:29:00.000-07:00

The land of a thousand hills

2010-08-09T03:37:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken while awaiting the second service to end outside the church where Pastor Emmanuel belongs and where I go with Jeanne DArc every week. J.B. called this hill, My Kigali or something like that...I might be wrong. Anyway I was thinking of how many people must live on JUST THIS ONE HILL! LOTS! It's overwhelming to think of the souls "just there"
and then the thought the "thousand other hills" too!
Oh! that the Lord would send out laborers into this land.....
I'm so grateful for the task that I believe God had for me to do here this summer! What great joy I have known seeing His hand of blessing this thing, serving the King of Kings, Jesus, sharing His Word with people so appreciative of any little thing done in Jesus name. It has been such a wonderful adventure for this "over the hill" woman!!
Honey! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your sacrifices back on the home front!! I love you and miss you so much!

Tom

2010-08-09T03:20:00.000-07:00

Tom enjoys going to radio mucuyo, as you can see for this posed picture.
He has been coming on Saturdays with Olivia and I, but he takes her place if she is unable to be there with me. She has 4 boys at home and I hate for her to have to be gone from them so much.....every day and week-ends. Tom is more than happy to accompany "mom." He still asks me if I have recharged my phone, if I am needing anything......He acts every part "the son" making sure I am ok so he can report to "dad" that all is well!

When the students take the test......

2010-08-09T03:10:00.000-07:00

Look what I get to do! when Momma is taking the test, Benson and I do things together. Here we are getting a new view of the world from on top of the table. Benson has learned to walk in our class and he continues to be such a joy!
I sure miss my grandbaby who is no longer looking like a baby back home! Evey is growing before my eyes....I'm so grateful when her Mommy and Daddy put pics up on Facebook!!!!

Test Six

2010-08-09T02:47:00.000-07:00

The students are taking their tests in this picture. One of the questions was "What attributes do you remember that help us understand what God the Creator is like?"
I looked at their papers and some had written them in English too. But what I saw made me so pleased.....we actually haven't talked about them, as a list these past few days, I mention the character quality as it is seen in what we are studying at the moment......the fact that Jesus could "know/ read the minds of His enemies" shows He is Omnipotent.....just like God.....Yes! because He is God Himself, remember Triune God that He is.....Oh! The lists I saw on the papers!!! So wonderful! I told someone I'm not a teacher.......but I'm so grateful I know THE Master Teacher! AND He has taught us all well this summer!!!!! Praise HIM!!!
My "view" of God has expanded too.......One specific way.....Sons of Adam that we are......well, Jesus was Son of God because of His virgin birth.....When I see written "Son of God" I just "see" it so much more now!!! He couldn't be a son of Adam or our salvation would not be possible!! He was the Perfect sinless Savior! Not born of Adam's seed, but God Himself came to Redeem us!

election campaigning

2010-08-09T02:32:00.000-07:00

We had many campaign marches this past week. You could hear them coming and if you didn't hurry out the gate they would already be around the corner......fast marching!!!
Most all I saw were for the current President Paul Kagame.
We had to stop for his motor cade on Saturday on our way to the markets/shops. He has quite the entourage with many decoy vehicles too. They go very fast and the streets are lined with the military police along the route where he is to be passing. J.B. (John Baptist) knows things! He warned us that "Kagame is coming" just by watching the "signs" along the roadways.
Are we watching the "signs" these days about the return of Jesus? I really think He is coming soon! We must bring others with us to our Heavenly Home! Don't be afraid, just tell what you know about Jesus! The alternative "home" for those we love who do not believe is everlasting fire with demons, and that great enemy, SATAN.

Rwanda's Election Day has come!

2010-08-09T01:41:00.001-07:00

With all the campaigning going on this week (lots of noise making!) it's so very, very quiet today!
It is quite a contrast! It's also quiet in that no one is coming into the office today except Sandre, my cook for the day! She was locked out at the gate for a bit as I was out back starting the charcoal fire and doing some laundry. Opps!
A child was here at 6:45am for English but John Bosco told him it's canceled today because of Election Day! Well, I had a terrible headache and then when the others came at 8 I went out to tell them we would have class tomorrow. I used Election Day as an excuse to take a break from the routine!
So, I perfected the recipe for the cake class we are going to have with the ladies who want to learn how to steam bake. They won't be using a mix like I did from the "muzungo store," if they are wanting to do this as a business on the side it's got to be from the neighborhood shops!

The rabbits are slow in coming along. It's been a little troubling because time is so short. We have designed a plan now. There are those who don't want the work of the rabbits. There are those who just can't have them because they are renting and the landlords have said no for some unknown reason. And there are those who want rabbits and actually are going together to form a co-op because several of the young people are concerned about school interfering with the rabbit production process......SO, We have 8 cages going out for graduation and 24 rabbits. The others will be getting help with school supplies for their children when they go back to school in September, from this present holiday time. We decided that to encourage the "entrepreneurial" spirit of our students we are not giving any the cash equivalent. The equipment for making cakes maybe in the recent developments....especially a bundt pan, Oh, not sure what all just at this moment....but with all the weddings taking place in this country there is a huge job opportunity for this right now!
It's hard to think "earn money yourself"......there are opportunities here! But with limited resources available to begin something many are hesitant to take the "plunge!" It does cost to "start up" something, and to be responsible for it, to do the work of it.....to not pay someone else to "do for you." Labor is cheap here but what it takes to make a go of a business is a personal interest in it, investment of yourself! Others may not share your goals. This is a reason I wondered if the co op would work out.
All this is important, but just not high priority for me right now as I long to finish well the Bible study materials. We are on Lesson 60 of the 70! So many important truths are supposed to be taught and I long to do a good job of it! For His Glory, for more to come with me to that perfect home where there is NO, sickness, pain, suffering, sadness, hunger.........And where we will behold the Savior, our GREAT God and Heavenly Father ABBA FATHER ! who has come Himself to be OUR DELIVERER. I'm so grateful to Him for His showing us THE WAY! And I long for these dear friends to be trusting in Him alone, NOT any good thing that they think can commend them to Him. WILL YOU PLEASE BE PRAYING these next two weeks, actually 7 days for 10 lessons. Pray for His wisdom, strength to finish strong for Him these last remaining days!

2010-08-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

I'll try to do better...
Yesterday was Radio Mucuyo once again and I continue to use THE LAMB book with some commentary! All the Bible verses are read, some both in English and in Ikinyarwanda, The wording is so wonderful, simple for translation.....Tom did it for me last evening once again and we also had a time of the children calling in to answer two questions. If they answered correctly, two participants were invited to go to a certain stationary store and receive a prize for their correct answers! This was new and resulted in a lot of children calling in with the answers! One question was very easy and the other one a bit harder. Who is The Deliverer? Jesus, and Why can't people who are sinners go to heaven? Because it's where God who is Holy lives.....or something like that for the question. Sorry to be so tired!
It's been such great fun to walk around the neighborhood too these days....I hear...."teacher" and "Debbie" called out.....and several run up to me for a hug.....they must be listening!! I'm trying not to let it go to my head that I'm a celebrity....ah, not sure I can even spell that word...it's so foreign!...And I know I take none of the "credit" It has been such a joy to be able to speak to the children though! And the parents too....at church this am....a young man asked when I told him my name if I was the same Debbie on radio Mucuyo....he recognized my voice..... But!!!! what the kids/people who are listening are getting is such wonderful, basic teaching right out of Genesis!!! God's character, sin, Satan, Coming soon.....OUR DELIVERER! Jesus the perfect man/God with us! Oh, what a joy to be able to do this!!!! I can't thank the Good Seed , John Cross/people enough for their work in making these resources available......the language, simple English has proven invaluable to me! so, very helpful for ease of translation and clarity! Praise God for this wonderful help!

I'm Back online!

2010-08-08T11:00:00.002-07:00

At least I hope to make this post! It's (internet) been troubling this whole week so, sorry I've been quiet!
I'm not sure even how to begin a week's worth of blogging today! Plus, I'm a bit tired and will probably misspell and all sorts of things......
I'm also sorry upfront here if I repeat what I've already said.....I'm not sure where I left-off! And was so thankful to be one that I don't want to take the time to look back....
Thanks John for Western Union.
Today, Sunday is the day before Election Day. There was a time of prayer for believers to gather at the stadium this afternoon. I didn't go as I had a walking "date"with Cecelie one of my Bible ladies, a widow with 10 children under her care. She saw me walking with John Bosco one evening and got the idea that I should come to her house. I've been wanting to see where "people live." so was excited for the visit. She came with her youngest son, Benjamin, and John B and I went to her house for the late afternoon visit. I was surprised to see that some of her kids were my ESL students in the am too! And they surprised me with a song! " God is Holy, Sinless, Pure" sung to Are you sleeping, brother John.....SWEET!
I'm going to try to post this just to see......hope to get back with more too....

more of the students

2010-08-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

I thought this would be a better picture of Jeanne Peirre. I was wrong.

Cecile

2010-08-01T09:10:00.001-07:00

"See See lay" is the dear lady who said in response to a question I had given after talking about sin....how thinking about murder is same as and she stated, "...what else can I say, I've been murdering people all week!" it wasn't a statement minimizing sin either! The weight of our sin came crashing down that day as we saw how we are utterly hopeless before a Holy Perfect God. Oh, how I love this lady!! She stays for classes in English too.

OK, ANOTHER PRAYER REQUEST

2010-08-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to speak for 45 minutes at church in two Sundays. Pray for wisdom about what topic! and then the delivery of it for HIS glory! I accepted it, graciously, and stated it would be an honor to teach the Bible. What I know about the Lord is that He is able.

Pepetue and Catherine

2010-08-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here are two Bible study ladies who also stay for English lessons. Their children are fast learning English...that was one reason why they wanted to learn it too! I think Pepetue will be a wonderful Bible teacher both at church and in her home! She is such a sweet woman!
Catherine is our oldest student I'm thinking. She is so quick with the right answers and smiles of encouragement. They are both patient teachers for me.....I'm trying to remember those Ikinyrwandan words!!

Ernest

2010-08-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

This fine young man is head of household to siblings and was not able to get his "school report" to advance because he was not able to pay all the fees. He is the one who wants to be a pastor and I have so grown to love his heart for God and His Word!

The Chronological Bible Study

2010-08-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

This is what the wall is looking like these days. We are on three sides of the room and just now got to the Deliverer! Can you tell what events are covered by these pictures?

Eric and Benson

2010-08-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

Orphans

2010-08-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

In this land of many orphaned young people, the stories are just heart-wrenching to think about. When we were talking about the 10 Commandments and the one about honoring your father and mother some of these kids laughed, and one girl had to leave the room. I had them go around the room to say if they had a mother or father. If I remember only two of 20 had mothers, and one of them also had father-in-law and elderly mother-in law too!
Jean Peirre in orange is shy. Eric is not at 22. Ernest lives up to his name.....
Placidia is so loved by baby Benson that it's like she is a magnet for that baby! She lives with a "christian family" as their maid and takes care of most everything for the mother who works. She has no family and is such a sweetie! She read the scriptures for radio Mucuyo the first time we went. I don't think she was able to finish high school due to lack of resources.

Three orphans

2010-08-01T01:21:00.000-07:00

Meet three wonderful, young women. Edith is 20, Adeline is 18, and Tabitha is 19. Adeline is the one attending a Muslim school until November. The other two are awaiting funds to continue their education. Tabitha is also in advanced English class with Jeanne DArc in the afternoons. She is doing very well!
All are wanting to raise rabbits!

The weather

2010-08-01T01:10:00.001-07:00

African weather has been somewhat of a surprise to me. I didn't know you could feel cool in Rwanda! It is usual for me to work up a sweat just putting the mosquito net down and tucking it in in the evening.
However, last week I did feel a chill in the air especially in the morning hours. The kids wore sweaters/jackets all day even as it was cloudy too. Interesting, huh! I still kept my windows open all night long and shut in the cooler air to see if it would last all day in my room......
Then yesterday came, suddenly! My dear Solange, great with child due on September 15, was so warm! She looked hot too! It was sweaty even in the morning hours!
Then there is today! Nice! just nice! There is a wind blowing doors shut and I wonder if we will have another whirlwind like that one Sunday during the church service.....We were singing (in English) Our God is a mighty God.......

I'm feeling Rwandan womanish

2010-08-01T00:33:00.002-07:00

I "cooked" water on the charcoal today! It was because there was no electricity and I wanted tea and warm water to wash my hair! So, before John Bosco left for church, he and I made a charcoal fire. It's all so very interesting how the charcoal is quick to get hot and it was ready in no time at all!
We have a lot of water as the pots were filled to the brim by John Bosco after I got home from the radio last night. He is very responsible to do things as he sees the need. I'm so glad he did this last night instead of waiting until this morning! That's because there is no water now.

I found out today that John Bosco's mother died in 1994 and his father in 1987. He is 24 and has had 1 year secondary school. He would've been 1 when his dad died and 8 when his mother died.
Because he listened to me last night radio mucuyo he wanted to "talk" Bible. I got out my English Bible and a Ikinyarwanda Bible and we tried communicating. I so want to "see" if he is trusting in God provision for his salvation or if he is trying (the greatest lie from the pit of hell!) to be "good enough" and still be working to make himself acceptable to Him. Oh! to strive to make oneself acceptable instead of resting in the fact that it's Jesus's righteousness that is our only hope! AND THEN love Him with our whole heart and serve out of that love for the Savior is a matter of LIFE ETERNAL OR HELL!! It is all about a relationship not a religion!
So many times I wish for the gift of tongues! specifically Ikinyarwandan.
I tried to skype John this am for 45minutes but it didn't work. I wonder......does the electricity have to work in order for my computer to work on that? I thought not until just now....it's a mystery to me ...even when it works even! It boggles my mind!

Neighborhood noises

2010-07-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

This week-end has been very interesting.....all in the neighborhood! Right now there is a wedding "dowry" celebration taking place right across from the ERM compound. It's so interesting to listen in. They have erected two big tents in the front yard and there is much singing and drums! The women are all dressed so beautifully in their traditional Rwandan dresses....so very colorful, fun, festive!
Last night the noises were the exact opposite! Around 10pm I heard the most frightful sounds of vicious dogs barking and a child screaming! OH! it was horrid! All I could do was stand at the window and pray and cry out to God PLEASE HELP!! The voice of a man was in the mix too.....but those dogs sounded so vicious, angry, mean.......so scary! but with the child's voice in the mix....HORRIFIC! My thought is this child is permanently "scarred" at least emotionally from this encounter with dogs! Dogs are not looked upon with much favor here already. They are mostly used as watchers.
I'm so grateful for John Bosco, my watcher! He is a wonderful believer and very responsible! He is always sitting reading his Bible. He opens the gate for me when it's so dark and locks me in nightly. He's also still the singing watchman! We practice English and he wants me to learn French and Ikinyarwanda. I don't think there is any hope for that. I love feeding him half my dinner because he is just so grateful. He offers me peanuts and gave me a papaya. I worried over him when he had a headache and we couldn't walk. I told Jeanne Darc to tell him to listen to his mother....me....and drink more water! He has no mother or father, just an unmarried sister age 29 and another sister I forget the age. He met John Lewis, (that's my husband,) over skype just this morning! He was leaving when I had John on my computer screen! So John Lewis was able to tell John Bosco in person THANK YOU for "walking me" and taking care of so many things here at the house. He also replaced the lock on the back door! and jumped right in to direct traffic around a sink hole in the road on one of our walks. He doesn't seem to mind when we use him as an example of "he" for our afternoon English class either......and "shirt"/"pants," when all of us are wearing "skirts"/ "dresses."... Pray for John Bosco.

Radio 7-31

2010-07-31T11:17:00.002-07:00

Tonight I had TWO wonderful translators accompany me to the radio station. Tom joined Olivia and it went very well. Thank you all for praying for us! I love these two people!
I preached! Ask me about it sometime. I'm still using the book by Good Seed people called THE LAMB mainly for the language that is simple for Olivia to translate into Rwandan! And it's simple English for those children who are at a certain level to understand most of the words.

Tom had an incident with his cell phone this week that means he now has NO phone! A child of a man he was tutoring got a hold of it and dropped it! It's broken. His attitude was so wonderful. He stated something like. .....well, it belonged to God and I just say, He is the One who got it for me so He knows what about it and ........Well, the facts are he needs a cell phone! He is taking the place of Pastor Augustine a lot and very busy. He hasn't spoken about his thesis much either. I think it is because he is lacking the funds to get the resources on line.....to finish it and then he will need to print it up too. I know Jeanne Darc copied some of it for him at the office one day. Oh, the needs are many! He volunteered his time tonight so he could be with "Mom." And check up on me saying "Are you fine Mom?" but also to make sure I called "Dad" recently! He always asks me when I talked to Dad last and if my cell phone is charged now too! He says he is looking forward to the day when he has a home in Rwanda where Dad and I can stay with him when we come back so he can take care of us properly like a son would do in Rwanda. He is 28 and no cows yet for his dowry price. I've been praying for his wife-to-be (that she is a godly woman) now for two years.
He has the goal of getting his Masters so he can get teaching jobs in the university. I think he told me awhile back that that is like $6,000!us
Olivia and Tom both have birthdays in October and have never celebrated their birthday! I think it's about time for cake!

Rebellion

2010-07-31T02:27:00.000-07:00

I woke up last night thinking about how Satan rebelled against God and thought about the "childrens' rebellion" yesterday. I won't be using it as an example tonight (at least not planning on using it at the moment....) but I thought about the connection! That rebel, liar, murderer, deceiver.....is who those in Christ Jesus have for an ENEMY! But many are still in his family of despair headed for eternal separation from God!
Tonight I have a wonderful opportunity to share with the children how important to understand about their sin, their need for a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ....the perfect Lamb of God. AND leave the enemies camp to be a son or daughter of the Most High God....Their Creator! Please pray about this!!
How often I want MY WAY too! and think I know better than God! Oh, how it just comes so naturally to SIN!
I noticed the two "ring leaders" were put to work in the kitchen washing dishes, after they swept the floor today! Hum! Not sure if this was the out-come of the "supplementation" (long good talking to) Olivia gave yesterday or their idea for penitence..... smiling.....but things were very much back to normal today!
I will be missing these early morning times. I made recordings today of the kids reading and singing! I told them I will be listening to them at home and I will have such good memories of our times together.
Thank you again for praying about all these things.

Something I just have to share!!

2010-07-30T11:59:00.001-07:00

Today was the deadline to find out which of the students are really interested in raising rabbits.....
I have three made already for the bunnies and the money for 10 more has been given by my church for the cage/condos. Just guess how many of students wanted them? thirteen!! I had assumed all would want it but there are some who live in situations where they just can't have them. One lives in a rented small room, another a house with no secure place (they would be stolen...cage and all as the yard is not fenced), among other reasons.....

I had started to agonize over this "project" but now I understand! The other students will be getting a different graduation gift. One is Ernest (he wants to be a pastor) and I already know what I'm getting him! A study Bible like the one I have. He has poured over mine and I've been agonizing over the thought that maybe I should just leave mine here with him. But, I think unless, I get instructions from God, he needs a new, unmarked one to "make him own." I heard just today that there will be a group coming here in September too! What wonderful news as I will be able to get it here sooner than November when another group was coming! Praise the Lord for how He in His Sovereign will is leading things! I'm so very grateful for His direction! I do need prayer, wisdom about the other students' gifts however......
I also found out today that this graduation celebration will be "An Event" with media too.

How grateful I am to the Lord for this summer in Rwanda! It has really been such a marvelous blessing in so many ways......sob-crying.......God is so good!! Never would I have thought His ways for me would include Africa! But it did/does and I have learned so very much, been so very blessed.......ah what joy in serving Jesus! Thank you to all who got me here! I'm so very grateful for your part in all this!!! I wish you God's blessing this day!!!

Blog pasting

2010-07-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Blog to paste Friday July 30

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas in July!!! We even had Christmas carols! I asked if they could sing some of their Christmas songs for me and I found myself singing with them in English to the very same songs! OH !! So very wonderful ! We are so grateful to the Creator God of Heaven who came down to earth to make the way for our redemption! And show us how to live following God the Son, not a son of Adam follower of Satan, His enemy! We have finally made it to The Reason to celebrate ….. Jesus, the Deliverer has come!

We got water in the night hours! This is a huge blessing! So John Bosco was up at dawn busily filling our containers. He must have heard what I heard…..the neighbors doing the same thing about 3am. So we have water and I even got a pot of boiled water to fill the “drinking water jug” that I have been using to give people water with. I’ve had to be a good steward of “my water” which is the bottled stuff in sealed lids from the store. It didn’t dawn on my that I could keep a “source” for others by just keeping boiled water going!! (I know I’m slow to be a Rwandan “real” woman!) So this am I was able to boil a pot for the three minutes JUST BEFORE the electricity went out ! The timing of this was a huge blessing from the Lord God Almighty who is in charge of Rwandan infrastructure! The reason is John Bosco, my walker, needed water to drink from last night….I fear kidney problems as his side was bothering him! Also, Olivia NEEDS water to keep talking!!! All the ladies and young people walk at least part of the way to get here in the African heat of mid day……ah! It’s on…electricity!

Friday Morning Kids

2010-07-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Something happened that was different this morining for English class with the kids. I didn't open the gate until 8am and made some of them mad at me. So when I opened the gate to greet them there was a group who had decided to not come in but continue to play with a "ball" outside the gate. I started in with those who came in right away and tried not to notice the other group when they decided to come on in.....but it was obvious that they had "conspired together" to make sure I knew they were upset. They decided to "not participate!" to "get back" at me for not opening the gate early! When I saw what was happening I asked if they were mad at me. Yes, (and their faces showed it too!) Well, I told them that they were told we start at 8am and I was doing washing (as we had water this am.) I had heard them banging at the gate even with my music IPod thing playing music in my ears!
I told them as best as I could communicate with them in limited English that they had to make a choice in their hearts to either hold on to a grudge or let it go, but it was sin to do what they were doing!
After our 2 hours was over I asked Olivia to come in and help me talk to them again. I asked if it was true what I thought happened. Yes, they were mad at me and wanted to make me pay for it! So, we talked it out....... I'm partly at fault here! I have opened the gate at 6:45am before!
The mother of one of the kids came today to learn a bit later too and a whole new group of older boys. John Bosco has been advertising the classes while he walks me along with passing out "Steps to Peace with God" People are very interested in reading English.......we also give them a tract that is written in Ikinyarwandan too. I had many, many ask about starting more English classes!

A disappointment

2010-07-30T04:29:00.000-07:00

Today was the day I wanted to show the ladies here how to use the "things" that were in the bin from Arlene. There are these Swedish metal things that are coated with batter, fried and then dipped in sugar and WALAH! an intricate cookie! Well, the recipe I made up didn't work! So we are back to the "drawing board" Does anyone have a recipe for this and do you know what I'm taking about......? I had wanted Solange to learn how to do this so she could stay home with a baby and make these on the side...hummmm?

The Work of Art

2010-07-29T03:03:00.000-07:00

I wish you could see this, touch it even! The pods on it were so interesting! And there were SO MANY!
I am thinking that if it had not been picked, it would continue to bloom even long after I am back home the end of August! God truly is a Master of Creativity and beauty!