More later...

Dear family and friends,


More later, but click below to see some of my pictures from my beautifully amazing weekend in Uganda....


Lake Binyonyi Pictures!


Love, hugs, smiles, and prayers,
Kerry :)

Just a quick note...

I was feeling very anxious about parent/teacher conferences.  Very.  Not only was this my first time, but I was going to have conferences with parents who are from a completely different culture (and not just ONE different culture, many!), some who have English as their second language, and some who don't even speak English (one parent from Belgium brought an interpreter).  Before they began on Tuesday, I walked into my friend Hannah's classroom (second grade teacher) and she said "Okay, well shall we pray then?" (Picture this with a British accent.)  This is precisely the reason I was going into her classroom, and she just knew.  I'm constantly overwhelmed with the supportive people God works through to reach me here.  Praying with her put me at such peace with the conferences and her kind, encouraging words gave me confidence to face the parents.  So, 2 long afternoons and seventeen conferences later, I can say that I've successfully completed my first round of parent teacher conferences! Ah, the relief! :)

As a reward, and much needed break, I am traveling north to Uganda this weekend.  We'll be going to an island by way of dug-out canoes, to soak up the African sun at the beach and enjoy a quiet, serene environment for two nights in a geodome!  Stay tuned for pictures!

So, Praise God for an awesome week of conferences (not easy, but they're over!) and the amazing friendships I have here.  Prayers for our adventure to Uganda via bus, which will probably be anything but comfortable.

As always, thanks so much for the constant support in all ways:  prayers, love, hugs through the moon, e-mails, letters, and packages.

Love and blessings,

Kerry :)

This is where I live... sunset from school.
Don't you just love God's beauty?

Some of my kids during reading group giving an
attitude face.  I love them!

Life in Africa

They tried to teach me to dance... :)

My roommate Kelly took me to this place called Ivuka... an artist colony where people create and sell beautiful African art!  She teaches some street boys English, and on Friday they practiced with their dance team after school.

  

Some more of the overwhelmingly beautiful art with bright, bold colors that scream out to any viewers!  It was all so incredible, I wanted to buy everything!

This baby belonged to one of the women who was making beaded necklaces.  Her name is Princess.  Note how I tied her to me with my scarf... just like an African. :)

Of course their gate is painted!

Amahoro

Delicious ice cream! :)

 This weekend we adventured to Butare (Huye) for a bit of a cultural experience.  First, we had a fairly smooth bus ride for a couple hours that led us to the place where the kings and leaders of Rwanda long ago rested their heads.  From the grass huts to the European-inspired homes, we gazed upon history.  Can you imagine touching the same artifacts as an African king or treading softly through the home of an entrusted milk maiden?  We continued our journeys onward to the well crafted 1959 home of the late King Mutara III.  In the spirit of artistic expression, we roamed through the halls of Rwandan artists pouring their lives onto canvases.  I recall one particular unique sculpture where a motorcycle was covered with plaster. Ah, the purposeful design of the helmet, shoes and license plate, revealed the craftsmanship of the artist.  In fact, the license plate proclaimed the motto of transportation personnel across the nation... Taxi For Peace.  (Amahoro means peace in Kinyarwanda.)  In desire to keep to our itinerary, we again crowded onto the bus with perspective in our minds and a deep love for Rwanda in our hearts.  After indulging in a packed lunch we strolled through the Rwandan National Museum.  On the left and right displayed images of this country's history such as the firing of clay pots in a homemade kiln and the process of extracting the metal from the Earth to ultimately form simple tools for everyday use.  The two hours flew by amongst the vast array of cultural heritage.  Our final destination was cool, sweet, and full of dreams.  For a little over a dollar I devoured a large bowl of coffee ice cream sprinkled with biscuits (cookies).  As you can well imagine, I was enthralled at the idea of having this delectable dessert in a tropical climate.  The three hour bus ride home, politely interrupted by goat brochettes from a roadside duka, proved not to be boring, but rather a time to remember the kings of long ago, colorful artwork,  scrumptious packed lunches, and glimpse of the country I am proud to call home.

In my classroom, this week has been full of humor, progress, and many frustrations.  As soon as I'm beginning to believe that my students are really understanding, they tear my confidence out from under me.  It sometimes makes me want to scream, but the love they pour out onto me always makes it better.  Next week reports go out and I'll have conferences with all of the parents on Tuesday and Wednesdays.  Thankfully, had the opportunity to run many parent/teacher conferences during student teaching, so I feel much more comfortable than I would have otherwise.  I would really appreciate all prayers for preparing and leading all of this.  Eeeek!

This week I lead devotions for the teachers on Tuesday mornings.  I used one of my favorite hymns, which is overwhelmingly applicable to being called to serve to teach here in Rwanda.  

The Summons

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,

will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,

and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?

Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,

through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.

Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Back by popular demand... :)

Down our hill looking into Kigali. 

Dear friends,

Hello!  As per request by my little sister, I am back!  My apologies for not posting for such an extended period of time!

Yesterday after our Bible lesson, I asked a student in my class to pray.  Part of her prayer was this, "We are sorry for all of our sins.  We hope you can come into all of our hearts--even the bad guys." I am constantly amazed at how profound my first graders are!  They ask for exactly for exactly the right things!  Often in class, they ask if we can stop to pray if they're having trouble listening, or if they're preparing for P.E., anytime, really!  I do explain to them that if we ask God for strength, He will provide, and then we need to use the strength He is giving us!  

This weekend was the third time that I sang with the worship band at church.  The lady who is usually in charge this week (a singer) was sick, as well as the other experienced female singer.  This left me with a very talented high schooler from KICS, but neither of us are really used to leading.  We rehearsed on Saturday, upstairs in a small youth room because they had set up for a wedding that was taking place downstairs.  It was hard to hear our voices over the instruments (drums, 2 guitars, bass, and keyboard), it was hot, and slightly disorganized.  I left just praying that practice would be more productive in the morning.  Sunday morning came quickly and although we arrived at 8:30, we didn't begin with music until about 9:00 (standard African time).  We finished running through the songs by 9:50, and put all of our faith in God, because none of us were exactly pleased with how they sounded.  But oh, how God surprised us!  Our first few songs went smoothly (we came in at the right time and everything!) and then we played the African songs.  I have never felt MORE like I was in an African church.  Christ's Church in Rwanda is VERY international, but on Sunday the entire congregation was rocking and dancing and it was just an awesome thing to help lead and watch from the stage!  What a blessing it was to be apart of it!  

Also, during the communion part of the service I looked up (I sit in the front row, since I sing), and there was a man named Shawn there holding his newly adopted Rwandan daughter!  He had gone on the safari in Akagera several weeks ago, and told us the stories and struggles (LOTS of struggles) of trying to adopt this little girl in this country.  After having no success in the U.S., he left his wife and sons at home for a few weeks, and set off to get his daughter!  God worked his miracles and after only a month (this is quick!) he was holding her at church!  Things weren't looking very positive last time we talked to him, and so when I looked up and saw him holding little Grace, I immediately started crying, and was overwhelmed with how awesome God is.  Through Him, all things are truly possible!  She is precious, a miracle, and he even let me hold her!

Here I am taking a picture of myself on the moto!

After church I went to the orphanage that I go to every week (same place from which Grace was adopted).  Some Sunday afternoons I feel tired, and it takes a little motivation to walk down the hill, catch a moto, and go the orphanage.  Immediately when I walk through the gate I am bombarded with the reason that I continually go back.  They need so much love and that is all they want!!  I am so glad that I started going there right from the beginning.  

School is going well.  Progress reports went out last week, which seemed VERY overwhelming, but I managed to get through it.  It is nice to see that my students are indeed improving!  A few parents requested conferences with me and those are going well.  I am blessed with supportive parents who are concerned for their children.  

Thank you so much to those who are continuing to support me financially.  If you are interested, and don't feel comfortable donating online, or just have questions in general, please email me at kerrydembowski@gmail.com.  Also, please e-mail me anytime, as I choose not to post everything on this blog for the world to see!  It is nice to know who is reading and I'm always thrilled to answer questions or just to connect with people in the United States!

Thanks for all the prayers-- I can feel their power!  Prayer works and miracles happen.  Please continue to pray for me as a first year teacher.  Also, I am leading staff devotions on Tuesday morning, so I would appreciate prayers for wisdom in that.  Praise God that I have an incredible life here, amazing friends, and that I can feel peace about being so far away from home.

Peace, love, and fried chicken (I had fried chicken on Friday!!),

Kerry :)