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.