A Rewarding Last Week – on our way home Sunday

Computer Lesson

This last week we continued our English classes for two hours each day and then offered teachers the opportunity to learn more about computers in the KICS computer lab. But now our English classes have ended and we have had our last one-to-one sessions. The last four weeks have been the busiest we have ever had in all of our LST experience, but they have also been among our most fulfilling. We have seen our teachers grow significantly in their English ability and we have seen their faith in our conversations. At first when val and I were mostly teaching English rather than reading one to one, we wished that we could get to know our students better. After our last two weeks of each of us meeting one-to-one with four students we have gotten to know them much better. What a blessing. They are very dedicated teachers, they have a strong faith in God and they sincerely appreciate our efforts in teaching them. Most never missed a single session and were usually on time.

Last weekend, we travelled deep into Rwanda to visit the home of Mary, one of our teachers.

Mary in her family tea field.

Rwanda is referred to as ‘The land of a Thousand Hills’ and it seemed like we drove over most of them. We learned how tea is grown, how good African food is and how bad their roads can be. We also learned that a ‘muzungu’ (their term for white people) is a magnet for children. After driving into the countryside for a couple of hours, visiting Mary’s uncle’s wedding, and driving down a road

Mary, her cousin and mother

that may have never seen a car, we finally had to go on foot only to find ourselves surrounded by about 30 kids.  Where they came from, we have no idea.  But it was fun; we know how the Pied Piper feels.  Mary’s mother had prepared a full meal for us.  Between arriving and leaving, three prayers were offered.  At the close of out trip to Mary’s, when we returned to Kigali, we also

Where do they all come from?

learned that 5000 Rwandan francs (~$10) will get enough able-bodied African men to pick up the front end of a Toyota Corolla to get it out of a ditch. It made a fitting and

Money will get you all the help you need, and we are thankful.

exciting end to our oddysey.

Yesterday we were blessed to visit the homes of two of our teachers. They were gracious hosts, feeding us once again some excellent African food. They probably prepared what would be at least a week’s worth of food for us. Like most Africans, their homes had no running water. Water must be hauled by hand from one of the many public water spigots. They do have electricity, but their cooking is done in a small room outside the house on a wood fire. We are truly blessed to live as we do.

Possibly a new site. Would you like to come?

This morning I (Steve) visited a small(~500 students) private school near Christ’s Church to discuss the possiblility of conducting another series of English classes for their teachers. Not surprisingly they are very interested. Their next school break is November-December. Val has a couple of commitments with her felting activities so she is not available to return then, but I am interested in going back. If you would like to join me let me know! I guarantee you will be blessed. We leave here Sunday the 9th and will arrive home Monday afternoon. Please pray for all we are leaving behind and for safe travel.

Advertisement