time flies!

It’s a pretty rainy day here in Minnesota…and I’ve been making lists, reading, and organizing in preparation for the upcoming year. (and drinking Rwanda coffee from Starbucks!) Before leaving Rwanda for the summer, I decided to take a new job at Green Hills Academy.
Green Hills is a school that was started by the First Lady just after the genocide. It is a Rwandan school that hosts nursery through senior 6 (high school) and has around 1500 students. Although GHA is a leading school in terms of the educational options for Rwandans, I will also say that there is room for improvement in educational instruction and, of course, resources. The faculty at GHA recognizes their influence and actively seeks ways to improve what they offer, which is why I am so excited to be a part of beginning a new special program at Green Hills-something that Rwanda hasn’t seen before! (I’ve been told that this will be a first for the country.)

My position at Green Hills is Early Intervention Teacher. My job will be very challenging, but there is strong and positive purpose behind it that will keep me going through difficulties. When talking many many months ago about how to put our passions to use in Rwanda, I shared with a few close friends that I wish I knew how to get involved somewhere to just help kids learn to read because that is something that I care about. Well, now I have the opportunity! When I return to Kigali in September, I will be setting up an intervention program for struggling readers in the early primary grades.

I want to thank all those who have supported me as I’ve been teaching in Rwanda. Your prayers and encouragement have meant so much to me. Also, you know how God has a funny way of reminding us that He is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine? Well, my excuse in telling Him “no” last Spring about going to Rwanda (which I did for a few months) was that I was worried about finances. But, as you older and wiser friends could have told me before- when God calls, He also provides. So, it is almost humorous to me that as I start this new endeavor, with a year and a half ahead of me, I will continue to be supported through the gifts He provided last year. (this year is similar to last year in that I am working a paid position that covers the majority of my living expenses-just to clarify).

I will be heading back to Kigali in mid-September, and here are a few special prayer requests:
-pray for my great friend Cady who is awaiting treatment of a rare tumor here in the States before she can return to teach in Rwanda
-pray for the people I will hire and train to be the reading tutors because they will be the most influential part of the success of the program
-pray for my own spiritual development in Rwanda and that I will pursue Christ and His presence…and that I would listen to Him better.