On Friday, our team ate our normal breakfast, loaded onto our usual bus, said hello to our regular bus driver, Theo, and started our familiar trek to Kagarama Secondary School for the last day of camp. And, that was the end of any "usual-ness" to our day. We knew that we would only have a brief time with the kids before they loaded up on their buses to go home, we just didn't expect how hard it would be to say goodbye.
Melanie, Stephen, Nate & Michele had an opportunity to share their testimonies and they did a fantastic job. I have to admit that it was wonderful this week to hear the stories from each team member of what God has done in their lives. Then, before we knew it, we were picking up gift bags and handing them into excited little hands. We'd try to squeeze in a hug, farewell high five, and a picture before they jumped onto the bus but it was challenging with over 200 kids. And, I think all of the team would agree, it simply went too quickly. There were lots and lots of tears as we said goodbye. Somehow, in the course of just a few short days, these precious (and some precocious) kids wormed their way into our hearts.
I think what made it easier for me was just seeing how happy they were. They LOVED the gift bags and like all kids opening presents, rooted through the entire bag to examine every treat. They left us with huge smiles on their faces. We know that many accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior for the first time. We know that many were filled with the Holy Spirit. The missionaries tell us that the special treatment lavished on them at the camp was such a blessing. Our prayer is that the love we poured into them will continually remind them of God's love and help them through whatever comes next in their young lives.
On Saturday, we will stop by a nursery school in a village on the outskirts of Kigali. This is located in a predominantly Muslim area and is led by a pastor who fought in the RPF during the genocide. We're excited to see his school and love on a few more kids. Then, we are off to the genocide museum. We know this will be difficult but important to understanding the people and history of this beautiful country. In the afternoon, we'll be doing some shopping in a local market; tonight, our missionaries (who have been absolutely fabulous) will host us in their home for dinner.
On Sunday, we attend church one more time and then pack up to begin our journey home. You won't want to miss service on 11/28. We'll have stories that will touch your heart, pictures that will move you to tears, and testimonies that remind us of how much God desires to make a difference in our world using each of us. Since I won't see you before then, hope you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!
Love to all! Thanks SO, SO much for praying! Blessings,
Pastor Arlena
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