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Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Being Schooled by a Twelve Year Old
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
I’ve had the opportunity to have two conversations with a delightful twelve year old in here in Rwanda named Diana. This little girl is absolutely remarkable. First of all, her English is amazing. Most adults that I talk to on a day to day basis don’t have the English level that this twelve year old girl has. This from a girl who is educated at the local primary school where teachers make approximately $60 a month and her class is 43 children in size.
She’s also wise beyond her years. She’s the oldest of five children in her family (Yay for firstborns!) and is so outgoing and sweet. She struck up a conversation with me on the road about a month ago by saying, “Excuse me, I’d like to ask you a question.” Then she launched into a mini interview, even asking me about what I do for work. When I explained what I do she remarked, “That’s very good work.” What twelve year old asks you about what you do?
Well I ran into Diana again today and I do believe it was providential. I received some difficult and angering news from home that I just wasn’t happy about. I was and still am struggling with my anger at the key player in the situation and struggling even with my attitude against God. I’ve been asking myself all day why God just doesn’t give my parents a break. They’ve had a really rough go of it the last five years and unfortunately it doesn’t ever seem to stop. I was mulling over these thoughts and other vengeful thoughts about the key player in the situation when I ran into Diana.
“Hello,” she piped up, startling me greatly since I was so lost in angry thoughts. “Do you remember me?”
“Sure ,” I said. “You’re Diana, right? How could I forget you since your English is the best I’ve heard from a girl your age?” This comment brought a smile to her face. “How is school?” I asked.
“School is good,” she said. “I have been studying very hard and have received good marks on my exams.”
“You must be first in your class,” I commented.
“Yes, I am,” she said. “I was very worried that I wasn’t going to do well on my exams but I prayed a lot to God for his help and he helped me. I always tell my friends at school that you must pray to God about the things that you worry about and He will help you.”
When she said that it resonated to my core. Here I was (and still am) worrying and stewing about a situation at home that really, I have very little control over. I’m angry, upset, tense and blaming the key player of the situation. And while all of these are legitimate emotions, I haven’t done what this beautiful twelve year old girl, in her childlike faith has learned to do. I haven’t given my worries over to God and asked for His help believing that He will help my family. I certainly am not going out and telling all my friends that, “you must pray to God about the things that you worry about and He will help you.” Because I’m not sure that I always believe that God can help. I don’t have the childlike faith of this twelve year old.
Instead I have the faith of an adult. The faith that writes contingency plans, and does internet research and thinks over every possible worst case scenario in her mind and tries to plan for it. The adult that tries to micro-manage every situation and be a “fixer.” I like fixing problems. It’s probably why I’m in the development field now. I like helping people and being involved in desperate situations. But I sometimes wonder if all this “fixing” and “helping” points the adultness, lack of faith and idolatry in my heart. I’m trying to do God’s job for Him.
I wonder what would happen when I finally let go and became as a child? What would happen when I stopped trying to do God’s job for Him and simply trusted and believed in Him? This is what Diana does.
Lord make me like this beautiful, wise child.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
My Rwandan "Family"
I'm so excited to now have been here for a year and to have built relationships and friendships here. Now while every day has its ups and downs (this morning was a down) overall I'm excited about what God is doing here in Rwanda, the amazing work that my colleagues are doing, the friendships I'm building here and how God allows me to take part in it all. I'm building a "family" even though my real family is far from here.
Take Art Club and my friend Eric for example. Becky, my former housemate started Art Club in our home in our old neighborhood. It really helped in forming relationships with the kids and their parents and was a really fun way to connect with the kids. When Becky left I kept it up with Emmanuel, my day guard who's really gifted at art. After we moved, the Art Club was forced to relocate since our new house is a half hour walk from our old neighborhood. (And we do have some two year olds that come from time to time!) So we re-located to a storefront, owned by our neighbor Eric, that had an awning to protect us from the sometimes unpredictable weather. It's amazing how fast a rainstorm can stir up here in Rwanda!
To my dismay, I returned from the States to see that Eric had followed the edict handed down by local authorities to rebuild his storefront. Now following government edicts is not a bad thing, except for the fact that his re-building left us without the lovely awning and cement floor that we used for our Art Club. So, to date, we haven't met for Art Club because of the lack of meeting space. Then last week I stopped into the old neighborhood to visit the kids and Eric hailed me into his bar for a Fanta.
There commenced the most interesting "melange" of English, French and Kinyarwanda conversation. Though I wasn't sure I understood everything Eric said I was sure that he said I should feel that at home and that his home was open and welcome to me. I also thought I understood that it was important that I still meet with the children and it would be no problem for me to meet with the children inside his small attached restaurant seating area.
Incredulous that Eric would offer his restaurant area for me to meet with the children and hold Art Club, I sent Emmanuel to talk to him this week. Indeed, Eric did say that we could meet in his restaurant area until the rest of his re-building is completed. Then once it's complete he would give me a key to the store area where the kids and I could meet inside. For Rwanda, this is really no small thing.
That Eric would offer the use of his restaurant seating area means that he could lose possible patrons for an hour or so. In a country where people are dependent upon every franc they can earn this is a big deal. Also, that Eric would be willing to trust me with a key to his store is not a small thing in Rwanda. This is a country where people aren't always prone to trust one another....for obvious historical reasons. That he would trust me enough to have access to his store....that's a big deal.
Eric's trust of me makes me realize that he really does want me to consider his home as mine. His requests for me to come and visit the children and still do Art Club with them make me realize that he cares for his community and their children. I definitely will feel at home when I'm at Eric's knowing that he is a brother who cares as much for the children I am privileged to work with as I do.
Or take Marie as another example. Marie is a lovely single mother in my old neighborhood who struggles to meet her special needs child and herself. She works hard, yet it seems that ends never meet for her. I paid her a visit after I returned from Rwanda and her son who hadn't seen me in two months was terrified of me. (It's definitely not uncommon for small children in Rwanda to be scared of white people.) She kept repeating over and over again to Jean Paul that I was his aunt. His aunt! That would make Marie and I sisters and Jean Paul my nephew. Her pronouncement to Jean Paul touched me at my core. I really do have Rwandan family! I have many children that I consider my nieces and my nephews in the US that really aren't but to have them in Rwanda.....well, that's special!
Or take the three "cherubs" as I call them at the top of my hill. Leticia, Aline, Marine and Patrick are brother and sisters who live in the most ramshackle mud bricked house in our neighborhood. There's no contest....they are the poorest family in our neighborhood. Yet, their children have touched my heart bless me from day to day like no other children. Almost every morning I am greeted my the three who in addition to wanting to be swung in the air will sing-songy greet me with, "Karine Wanjye" which in Kinyarwanda means "my Karine". Then the girls sing this little song that I made up with them which says our rhyming names together, "Aline, Marine, Karine." It's precious. God hasn't blessed me with children yet. I'm confident that He will someday. But until then, I truly believe He puts children into my life that I can consider as my own. My song to the four should be, "Leticia, Aline, Marine and Patrick Wanjye."
I may not have "real" family in Rwanda. But I am increasingly seeing how God is blessing me from day to day with those that I am growing to consider my family: Eric, a brother, Marie, a sister, Jean Paul a nephew and Leticia, Aline, Marine and Patrick, my "adopted" children. God is good!
Take Art Club and my friend Eric for example. Becky, my former housemate started Art Club in our home in our old neighborhood. It really helped in forming relationships with the kids and their parents and was a really fun way to connect with the kids. When Becky left I kept it up with Emmanuel, my day guard who's really gifted at art. After we moved, the Art Club was forced to relocate since our new house is a half hour walk from our old neighborhood. (And we do have some two year olds that come from time to time!) So we re-located to a storefront, owned by our neighbor Eric, that had an awning to protect us from the sometimes unpredictable weather. It's amazing how fast a rainstorm can stir up here in Rwanda!
To my dismay, I returned from the States to see that Eric had followed the edict handed down by local authorities to rebuild his storefront. Now following government edicts is not a bad thing, except for the fact that his re-building left us without the lovely awning and cement floor that we used for our Art Club. So, to date, we haven't met for Art Club because of the lack of meeting space. Then last week I stopped into the old neighborhood to visit the kids and Eric hailed me into his bar for a Fanta.
There commenced the most interesting "melange" of English, French and Kinyarwanda conversation. Though I wasn't sure I understood everything Eric said I was sure that he said I should feel that at home and that his home was open and welcome to me. I also thought I understood that it was important that I still meet with the children and it would be no problem for me to meet with the children inside his small attached restaurant seating area.
Incredulous that Eric would offer his restaurant area for me to meet with the children and hold Art Club, I sent Emmanuel to talk to him this week. Indeed, Eric did say that we could meet in his restaurant area until the rest of his re-building is completed. Then once it's complete he would give me a key to the store area where the kids and I could meet inside. For Rwanda, this is really no small thing.
That Eric would offer the use of his restaurant seating area means that he could lose possible patrons for an hour or so. In a country where people are dependent upon every franc they can earn this is a big deal. Also, that Eric would be willing to trust me with a key to his store is not a small thing in Rwanda. This is a country where people aren't always prone to trust one another....for obvious historical reasons. That he would trust me enough to have access to his store....that's a big deal.
Eric's trust of me makes me realize that he really does want me to consider his home as mine. His requests for me to come and visit the children and still do Art Club with them make me realize that he cares for his community and their children. I definitely will feel at home when I'm at Eric's knowing that he is a brother who cares as much for the children I am privileged to work with as I do.
Or take Marie as another example. Marie is a lovely single mother in my old neighborhood who struggles to meet her special needs child and herself. She works hard, yet it seems that ends never meet for her. I paid her a visit after I returned from Rwanda and her son who hadn't seen me in two months was terrified of me. (It's definitely not uncommon for small children in Rwanda to be scared of white people.) She kept repeating over and over again to Jean Paul that I was his aunt. His aunt! That would make Marie and I sisters and Jean Paul my nephew. Her pronouncement to Jean Paul touched me at my core. I really do have Rwandan family! I have many children that I consider my nieces and my nephews in the US that really aren't but to have them in Rwanda.....well, that's special!
Or take the three "cherubs" as I call them at the top of my hill. Leticia, Aline, Marine and Patrick are brother and sisters who live in the most ramshackle mud bricked house in our neighborhood. There's no contest....they are the poorest family in our neighborhood. Yet, their children have touched my heart bless me from day to day like no other children. Almost every morning I am greeted my the three who in addition to wanting to be swung in the air will sing-songy greet me with, "Karine Wanjye" which in Kinyarwanda means "my Karine". Then the girls sing this little song that I made up with them which says our rhyming names together, "Aline, Marine, Karine." It's precious. God hasn't blessed me with children yet. I'm confident that He will someday. But until then, I truly believe He puts children into my life that I can consider as my own. My song to the four should be, "Leticia, Aline, Marine and Patrick Wanjye."
I may not have "real" family in Rwanda. But I am increasingly seeing how God is blessing me from day to day with those that I am growing to consider my family: Eric, a brother, Marie, a sister, Jean Paul a nephew and Leticia, Aline, Marine and Patrick, my "adopted" children. God is good!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Coming Back to Life
After a seven week hiatus in the US and an even longer break from blogging, I'm finally back! I'm hoping in the second year of my term to be more faithful with blogging. I'm back in more ways than this however. This is the first time that I've ever lived overseas and come back. Before I spent several month s in a country and then left, never returning even for a visit. This time, it's entirely different. I've just spent a year in Rwanda and now I've come back from holiday for another two years.
Coming back made the most difference to the children and to me. I made sure when I left that I told all the children that I'm friendly with that I was leaving but that I would come back. And I kept my word. That has made all of the difference. Though it's inevitable that one day I will leave permanently, I did come back when I said I'd come back. To kids that's important. But I'm surprised of how important it's been to me. It's made my decision to live and minister in Rwanda much more final. Not that I would have acted on any thoughts to leave in my first year, but the first year felt much more temporary...as if there might be an escape hatch after that first year to go home and stay home. But I went home, had a great visit and came back. it's made my decision to pack up my life and make a new one in Rwanda just that much more final.... and truly, it's a positive feeling!
I had a dream last night that I was in a conversation with my boss in Randa. he was telling me that unfortunately I was going to be placed somewhere else and it was time for me to leave Rwanda. In my dream I distinctly told him, "But I'm not ready to leave Rwanda yet." my dreams match my true feelings. In the beginning of my first term everything was quite difficult. Often I fantasized about going home. I knew I'd never act on those feelings, but at times it's definitely what I wanted to do. Yet now that I've spent a full year in Rwanda, have been to the other side (home) and have come back, I'm excited about what possibilities lie ahead. There's so much that I feel I can help with and contribute to. And though a year a go I'd never thought I'd say it, but I'm really not ready to leave Rwanda yet.
So what am I ready for? I'm ready for more days like Monday.
Last Monday I went with a group of my colleagues out to the village of Mbuye. They were conducing a Cascade group training session with volunteer leaders. I went to see the lessons that I planned in action. I wanted to see how the lessons were understood and how my colleagues presented the information to the leaders. What I saw, but even more what I experienced was amazing! Remy and Clemence are fabulous teachers. They had the group laughing, talking and interacting. The volunteer leaders were so motivated an interested in the information presented.
Afterwards I was able to re-connect with a Pastor I had worked with during a Sunday school teacher training. At his suggestion we all went out to eat brochettes. It was so wonderful to just have a laid back time to connect with my colleagues. There's something about sharing food together away from the office and the demands of our ministry that is refreshing. Though I'd never willingly choose to eat three goat brochettes doused in hot sauce under any circumstances, if it meant connecting with my colleagues the way we did last Monday, I'd eat a hundred more!
I'm ready for more days like Tuesday. Tuesday after work I took a coloring book out to the kids in my neighborhood and we sat on the grass and colored together. What fun! My guard Jean Paul joined us and it was so touching to see the kids' delight and his interest in them. Like any good teacher or parent he looked at all of their pictures and complimented them. He also helped me keep the crayons where they were supposed to be. (Not back at the kids' houses!) It was a wonderful time, visited by many neighbors and friends from the neighborhood. I love making kids here smile!
I'm ready for more days like yesterday. Rwanda is full of wonderful and very motivated volunteers. I've had the opportunity since I've gotten back to get acquainted with another VSO volunteer, Vanessa. Yesterday we went to the Rwandan trade expo in Kigali, where we got to see displays and buy products from manufacturers and cooperatives all around Rwanda and other African countries. Better than the fabulous crafts was the opportunity to make another friend in Rwanda.
I've come back to life, to Rwanda, to my real life as it is right now. Coming back, I've realized that my life truly is in this tiny African country in one of the farthest corners of the world. I've built and will continue building relationships here. Though I enjoyed being home immensely and have my closest relationships and connections in the US, returning to Rwanda has made me realize that my life, my real life is here. And that's not a bad realization at all.
Coming back made the most difference to the children and to me. I made sure when I left that I told all the children that I'm friendly with that I was leaving but that I would come back. And I kept my word. That has made all of the difference. Though it's inevitable that one day I will leave permanently, I did come back when I said I'd come back. To kids that's important. But I'm surprised of how important it's been to me. It's made my decision to live and minister in Rwanda much more final. Not that I would have acted on any thoughts to leave in my first year, but the first year felt much more temporary...as if there might be an escape hatch after that first year to go home and stay home. But I went home, had a great visit and came back. it's made my decision to pack up my life and make a new one in Rwanda just that much more final.... and truly, it's a positive feeling!
I had a dream last night that I was in a conversation with my boss in Randa. he was telling me that unfortunately I was going to be placed somewhere else and it was time for me to leave Rwanda. In my dream I distinctly told him, "But I'm not ready to leave Rwanda yet." my dreams match my true feelings. In the beginning of my first term everything was quite difficult. Often I fantasized about going home. I knew I'd never act on those feelings, but at times it's definitely what I wanted to do. Yet now that I've spent a full year in Rwanda, have been to the other side (home) and have come back, I'm excited about what possibilities lie ahead. There's so much that I feel I can help with and contribute to. And though a year a go I'd never thought I'd say it, but I'm really not ready to leave Rwanda yet.
So what am I ready for? I'm ready for more days like Monday.
Last Monday I went with a group of my colleagues out to the village of Mbuye. They were conducing a Cascade group training session with volunteer leaders. I went to see the lessons that I planned in action. I wanted to see how the lessons were understood and how my colleagues presented the information to the leaders. What I saw, but even more what I experienced was amazing! Remy and Clemence are fabulous teachers. They had the group laughing, talking and interacting. The volunteer leaders were so motivated an interested in the information presented.
Afterwards I was able to re-connect with a Pastor I had worked with during a Sunday school teacher training. At his suggestion we all went out to eat brochettes. It was so wonderful to just have a laid back time to connect with my colleagues. There's something about sharing food together away from the office and the demands of our ministry that is refreshing. Though I'd never willingly choose to eat three goat brochettes doused in hot sauce under any circumstances, if it meant connecting with my colleagues the way we did last Monday, I'd eat a hundred more!
I'm ready for more days like Tuesday. Tuesday after work I took a coloring book out to the kids in my neighborhood and we sat on the grass and colored together. What fun! My guard Jean Paul joined us and it was so touching to see the kids' delight and his interest in them. Like any good teacher or parent he looked at all of their pictures and complimented them. He also helped me keep the crayons where they were supposed to be. (Not back at the kids' houses!) It was a wonderful time, visited by many neighbors and friends from the neighborhood. I love making kids here smile!
I'm ready for more days like yesterday. Rwanda is full of wonderful and very motivated volunteers. I've had the opportunity since I've gotten back to get acquainted with another VSO volunteer, Vanessa. Yesterday we went to the Rwandan trade expo in Kigali, where we got to see displays and buy products from manufacturers and cooperatives all around Rwanda and other African countries. Better than the fabulous crafts was the opportunity to make another friend in Rwanda.
I've come back to life, to Rwanda, to my real life as it is right now. Coming back, I've realized that my life truly is in this tiny African country in one of the farthest corners of the world. I've built and will continue building relationships here. Though I enjoyed being home immensely and have my closest relationships and connections in the US, returning to Rwanda has made me realize that my life, my real life is here. And that's not a bad realization at all.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Orphans, Jean Pierre Jr. and Sr.
Christmas was full of pleasant surprises. We were able to spend so much time with our Rwandan friends and adopted family here. In many ways I feel like my family has grown this year in spite of the fact that I am 7500 miles from home!
On Christmas morning we were able to go to the children’s home and spend time with the kids, watch their Christmas presentations and hand out gifts. I’m sure none of you are surprised to find out that I held a baby for a good part of the entire celebration. I’m beginning to think “Mama”, the 80 year old woman who runs the home is going to have to frisk me on my way out to make sure I’m not taking a baby with me.
The biggest blessing of Christmas was spending the afternoon eating lunch with
Jean Pierre and his dad Jean Pierre, Sr. I am almost certain that they are the poorest family in our old neighborhood. His dad is a mason, which means he is a day laborer and most likely only earns about a dollar a day. It was completely humbling to be invited to share a meal with a family who has so little. Their house is little more than a mud walled shack with almost no furniture except three chairs, a coffee table and a mattress on the floor. Yet in spite of all that, both Jean Pierre and his dad were the consummate hosts, m
aking sure that Becky and I felt welcomed and comfortable. To have this family generously share with us is humbling and a reminder of how freely I should be sharing and extending hospitality to those around me. I have never had such a special Christmas meal served in the sacrificial spirit of our Savior who sacrificed so much when he came to Earth as a tiny baby. This past Christmas, the holiday took on a new meaning for me that I won’t easily forget.
Jean Pierre and his dad Jean Pierre, Sr. I am almost certain that they are the poorest family in our old neighborhood. His dad is a mason, which means he is a day laborer and most likely only earns about a dollar a day. It was completely humbling to be invited to share a meal with a family who has so little. Their house is little more than a mud walled shack with almost no furniture except three chairs, a coffee table and a mattress on the floor. Yet in spite of all that, both Jean Pierre and his dad were the consummate hosts, m
aking sure that Becky and I felt welcomed and comfortable. To have this family generously share with us is humbling and a reminder of how freely I should be sharing and extending hospitality to those around me. I have never had such a special Christmas meal served in the sacrificial spirit of our Savior who sacrificed so much when he came to Earth as a tiny baby. This past Christmas, the holiday took on a new meaning for me that I won’t easily forget. Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Photos of My Life
My life is certainly never boring! The following are some highlights of the last five months, with photos to be added (when the internet cooperates!)
Visit out to Takwe - Being with CDP children in their homes and seeing them meet their US sponsors for the first time was priceless. It's amazing the bonds that can be formed through child sponsorship. I highly recommend it!
Sunday School Teacher Training in Gisanga/Mbuye
Being with the GPCC team in Gisanga/Mbuye was great! I was able to see the potential for a comprehensive Sunday school teacher training program in all CDP communities. I love to see excited Children's Ministry workers!
Alpha Training Course
The beginning of September saw my first trip outside of Rwanda to Bujumbura to take part in an Alpha training course. It was excellent to be with the body of Christ global and to see peoples' hearts to reach their friends and neighbors all over East Africa. I plan to use some of their principles of discussion and prayer in my trainings.
My "Funny T-Shirt" Birthday Party
I love throwing theme parties, so this year was no exception. I invited my friends here for an afternoon of fun and games and asked them to wear their funniest T-shirts from the market. We played crazy bowling with water bottles, pin the slogan on the t-shirt and Truth or Dare Jenga. Some of the gems of t-shirts from the party included:
Cranky but adorable so I'm worth it! (mine)
Hogs breath is better than no breath at all!
Be thankful I'm not your kid!
Talk, dark and Italian, what's not to love!
Umuganda
Rwanda has a very effective system of community service called Umuganda. Each last Saturday of the month, community members from each sector come and perform community service like digging drainage ditches or planting trees. Becky and I have taken part on several occasions and have really enjoyed it! Not only do I get to meet more of my neighbors, but at the end of the work time, we attend a community meeting. I learn so much about the concerns of our community and what is going on at the meetings. I really enjoy Umuganda and would love to see it introduced in the US.
Visiting Saturday Sunday School in Gikomero
I've had the privilege of getting to know the pastor of an Anglican church in Gikomero. Pastor Martin is so innovative and passionate and runs a great children's program in his community. I had the opportunity to go out and visit one Saturday and had the best time! The children dance when singing praises to God and are so enthusiastic and well behaved. (I think they could teach a thing or two to kids in America!)
Primary Teacher Training at Paroisse St. Andre
Another Saturday I had the opportunity to go and train primary teachers at a Catholic school just down the road in Gitarama. I was able to teach them many interactive games that they could put to use in their classrooms using supplies you can find easily like sticks, string and stones. We had a great time and I was excited to hear the teachers' plans of how they will use these games in their classroom.
Akagera National Park
In November, Becky and I had the opportunity to visit the game park in Rwanda. Though not as big as ones in Kenya or Uganda, it's still fabulous! We saw giraffes, water buffalo, hippos, gazelles, monkeys and baboons! The best part of it was traveling around the park in a broken down mini-bus while the rest of the tourist traveled around in beautiful 4X4 vehicles. It definitely made for a better story and proved that we weren't just tourists!
Art Club
In late October Becky also started Art Club at our house. Each Wednesday at 4pm, the children come and we do an art project together. It's a great way to practice Kinyarwanda as well as get to know the children better. I love getting to spend this time with them!
Visits
Since the children get to visit us now at least once a week, they've taken to inviting us over to their homes to meet their families. Becky and I have gotten to visit several of the children at home and it has been both an eye-opening and sweet experience. To see the way these children live on a daily basis is a reminder to me of how blessed I am. I am continually amazed at the fact that though these children don't have much their lives are filled with joy despite their lack of material possessions. I really enjoy getting to know the children and their families!
Audrey's First Birthday Party
My Kinyarwanda teacher's daughter just turned one at the end of October! Her parents threw a huge party for her and invited me. As the only Muzungu, it was a bit daunting to be surrounded by rapid fire Kinyarwanda, but it was great fun to get to meet Denise and Claude's friends and family and get insight into Rwandan celebrations.
My first Baby Naming
One of my co-workers recently had a baby and invited Christi and I to the baby naming. It's an intricate tradition where children eat certain foods and all the children and adults present give their suggestions for names. The parents then choose a name from the ones given or one they have already picked out. Names are a very big deal here and they will often tell you the meaning of the name they picked. I am so glad that I got to take part in such an important Rwandan tradition.
Sunday School Teacher Training in Gikomero
I thoroughly enjoyed doing my first teacher training in Gikomeron on November 14th! We had a great time together learning how to write lesson plans, teach Sunday school lessons and play creative and interactive review and memory verse games! I can't wait to share with other Sunday school teachers all around Rwanda how they can creatively share the love of God with children.
Gorillas
The biggest tourist attraction in Rwanda is the Silverback Mountain Gorillas. In November a group of girls and I hiked up to see them. After a two hour hike, we got to spend an hour with them. They are amazing animals. To see the children play and the mothers interact with the babies was priceless. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I won't soon forget, especially since it poured down rain on the way back and we slipped and slid through two inches of mud!
What's in a Name
I love writing Sunday school curriculum! I'm almost finished with the curriculum and I've really enjoyed writing each lesson. I can't wait to get it translated and into the hands of Rwandan Sunday school teachers!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October Blog Posts
Our Thirteen Year Old Bodyguard
One of the joys of living in my neighborhood are the children. They are phenomenal! We spend lots of time playing and chatting (or trying to) together. By far, one of my favorite kids is Jean Pierre. Whenever you see Jean Pierre he is always in the same green sweater and khacki shorts. He lives with his dad in a tiny two room house in our neighborhood. They have a tough life yet we usually hear Jean Pierre before we even see him because he’s singing…either to us or just singing in general. Sometimes he sings a little “Rebecca, Karine” song when he sees us because he’s happy to see us that day.
Jean Pierre is the consummate gentleman who always wants to take care of Rebecca and me. He had us over to visit the other day and sitting on the table in his house were two cokes. He and his dad barely eke out a living yet he bought us cokes. Pretty humbling. He also takes pleasure in being our “protector”. Tonight we met him on our road and he walked us partway back to our house.
He’s also great at crowd control. He shoos the kids from our courtyard when we want them to leave and always stays behind after art club to help clean up. When we were on our visit last week we told him in a mixture of expert French (Becky’s) and rudimentary Kinyarwanda (mine) that we really appreciate that unlike the other children he’s not always saying to us, “Ndashaka” which means I want. Most of the other children every time they see us tell us they want a balloon, or candy, or a piece of chalk or cookies (all things we’ve been known to give them from time to time.) Not Jean Pierre. He’s never asked us for anything…except to spend time with us. Last Thursday the kids were in playing in our courtyard. When it was time to leave they all were shaking our hands and Jean Pierre was staying behind making sure that they left. One little girl as she was leaving said, “Ndashaka imipiriso” which means, “I want a balloon.” Jean Pierre said in his sternest voice, “Oya ndashaka” (No, I want!) “Murakose” (say thank you.) It was absolutely priceless!
I’m sure you can understand why Jean Pierre is one of my most favorite children!
Juck, Juck, Juice and Simon Says
Last Thursday we had some of the children in to play games in our courtyard. I decided to teach them how to play Duck, Duck Goose. All was going well except for the fact that the kids couldn’t say Duck, Duck Goose very well. Instead it came out sounding like, “Juck, Juck, Juice.” Too cute!
Then when “Juck, Juck, Juice” got a little too rough I decided to teach them how to play Simon Says. I tried to explain in my best Kinyarwanda that they were only supposed to do what I told them when I said, “Simon Says.” So we began. I said, “Simon says touch your head. Simon says touch your shoulder, Simon says touch your knees. Touch your head.” And wouldn’t you know, every kid touched their head. So I explained, “No, no, don’t do the action when I don’t say “Simon Says,”.
“Ohhhh,” the kids all responded in unison.
Then we began again. “Simon says touch your ears, Simon says touch your eyes, Simon says touch your nose, touch your mouth.” Again, every single kid touched their mouth. “No, no,” I explained. “Simon didn’t say to touch your mouth.”
“Ohhh,” the kids all responded in unison. “Simon didn’t say.”
“Surely,” I thought. “They can’t get it wrong a third time.” “Simon says touch your elbows, Simon says jump up and down, Simon says hop on one foot. Turn around.” And again, every single kid turned around.
“No, no, no, Simon didn’t say,” I explained yet again.
“Ohhh,” came the kids united response.
I finally gave up!
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