What We Do All Day

We are now in our fourth week of being in Rwanda.  It's been a process of adjustment and while we are still waiting on visas,  we are are finding that we don't need to be in the city as often, so we can focus more on what is to be done here.

It's been a time of learning as we balance working with and caring for the orphanage as well as helping with and being available to the newly established bible school.  New routines are coming into place as we each grow and stretch.  

Mornings start early.  We are up by 6 am, though the chorus of birds outside our window begins at 5.  This rivals the loudest of alarm clocks.  Breakfast consists of fresh fruit, plus either eggs, flatbread, oatmeal or yogurt.  If we want to join the kids as they walk to school, we need to be out the door by 6:40.  So far, only Kim has braved the walk that is literally uphill both ways!  Laundry is set out early and everyone is starting their morning's work by 7:30 or 8 am.  Soaked beans are set to simmer & bread is started.  Kim will check on the needs of the day, while Renae will check emails & have staff meetings as needed.  

When Bible school starts, Kim will usually head up to the office to be available to the students and staff.  Renae will help with school & make sure the orphanage books are current.  Depending on the internet, the kids will work on as much school as possible.   Lessons for ESL are planned & classes will begin in a week.  Lunch will be prepped and if there's maintainence, Kim will be invloved. He's already tackled wood cutting, pig pen repairing, vehicle repairs and more.  Everyone will help plan and write the children's ministry class.  In the afternoon, Renae heads up to the office to work on lesson plans & teach the mamas English.  Play time and homework with the orphans take place in the afternoon, with all the kids involved.  There's household chores, baking and meal prep to finish off the day.  

It's getting dark by 5:30 and if it's our family night, we meet with the kids at 7, after a quick supper. This includes a story, game and talk time.  Renae will catch up on correspondence and updates and the kids will squeeze in a bit of internet before bed by 8 or 8:30.  

There's always exceptions to these days, depending on what comes up.  We have market day on Wednesdays, where we are out of the house by 7 am, plus staff meetings with the orphanage and bible school. Trips to the city are once a week, usually Thursday or Friday mornings.  We try to carve out our own family time, so that we can remain a strong family unit.  Saturday afternoons are our fun days with the kids with games.  The teens want to start a youth mentorship with the teens here, to pour into developing them as leaders.  This will also be on Saturday.  Sundays include morning worship and a relaxing afternoon for all.

We are adjusting to life here.  The weather is incredible, the scenery, beautiful and the people are so friendly.  Each week, we are finding that connections are building and we are settling in.  Eventually, we would like to connect to the missionary community in Kigali, but for now, we are slowly getting to know the local community.  The atmosphere is laid back, but the days remain full and the weeks are flying by.  We hope to make the most of the time we have here.