Am I Safe?

So, yesterday the guard at my compound informed Vickie and I about the tightening of security.

Apparently a few weeks ago two very suspicious women came by our compound "looking for their friend". They then began asking where the Mzungu's stay. Our guard made them leave of course.

Also, a few days ago three men came by. Two stayed outside and watched while the other one came in and was asking very silly questions to our guard and clearly lying about everything. Our guard told me people have been spying. So now our compound will be locked at all times with only our guard having a key. He and our landlord our worried for our safety and their own. He told my they are trying to get some "killer" dogs here to help keep us safe. I told him I want to buy a gun. 

We have thick cement walls around our compound with coils of sharp wire on top, a giant metal gate that is all locked up, my own apartment having bars like a jail cell on the doors and windows, comforting I know.. I definitely get the "homey" feel when I am in here. At night I lock my outside door with a padlock, where my kitchen is, made of bars. Then the big metal door, which goes into my house.

I am not sure if I should laugh at this crazy situation or be worried. I choose laugh, but be cautious. I do have a bow and arrow that seems pretty lethal. Hopefully I will never have to use it though.


Do not be afraid for I am with you. -Isaiah 41:10

THEY ARE BACK!

Most of the children are back at school and I couldn't be happier! The past month was boring without them..

Words cannot express how thankful I am to all of my donors and supports for allowing me to come here. I would not be here without you. I have now been here for a little over three months and I have three more to go! Also, thank you from BDI for all you have done with your donations and support.

I am so excited for what is to come! There is so much that needs to be said but I think for now I will just show you some pictures of our beautiful children.

 The empty school over the holiday..

This is Davis, he is new!! By his second day he had already picked up so much sign language. Will you pray for him? 

Bath time for Saul! 

Frank plays to hard and got hurt!

This is Saul. He need your prayers so much.  

We need prayers right now more than anything! Thank you.

God bless.

Rwanda and the Beck family :)

Rwanda was great, absolutely great. It is such a beautiful country! I stayed with a wonderful God loving family. Jenny, Caleb, and their children Adin and Caris, were able to bless me in so many ways in such a short time.

I was amazed at how many of my prayers God has answered. His timing is so perfect. 

The long spiritual talks with Jenny were so great! She is a fantastic person, Christian, role model, and mother. Caleb took me on a little adventurous 2.7 mile run and hike. I have not ran but a handful of times in the past three months so it was awesome! I got to play with Adin and Caris everyday which was an absolute joy! And I "babysit" for a short time one afternoon which is only like the best thing ever! Thank you Adin and Caris for all of you princess dresses, Lego's, and joyful hearts. Getting to be apart of a family was also a huge blessing, just to be with them in their life routine and feel so welcomed. One afternoon I got to play with the Beck kids and the three kids next door who's parents are also missionaries from the States. We played red light green light, mother may I, soccer, and freeze tag. Such a joy!!

One thing that I have been fervently praying for is someone to help fix my shoulders. God answered my prayers through Caleb. He gave me workouts while I was there and we video taped them. It was great. I was amazed by the things I could and couldn't do. With his confidence, my ability to do these workouts, and God, I have faith that I will start to grow stronger and the pain will decrease. 

I pretty much felt like I was in America when I was there, until I left the house of course. They have a wonderful routine of eating dinner early, going to bed at early, and waking up early and running! A very nice routine that I had well developed in the States and then completely lost here. Also it felt like home because of the food. I believe among all of the prayers God answered for me He also threw in the simple things that I missed; home made pizza, burritos, chips and salsa, big waffles, raw milk, lasagna, lettuce, and sandwiches. I am so grateful for the little things. 

Some really great conversations happened between Jenny and I. Because Caleb grew up as a missionary kid in Kenya, Jenny has worked in Uganda, TZ, and they both have now been living and working in Rwanda for 7 years, they have experience and know how to go about things. I am new and learning. Jenny helped my SO much! I feel a lot more confident in doing whatever God calls me to do each day. I have been feeling lost here at BDI and I feel I am not and have not done enough. Not knowing what to do, or how to go about something has been a big struggle for me. With so many needs here it is very hard sometimes to pick one problem to solve or even how to solve it. My lack of confidence in my overall self doesn't help either. Jenny talked to me about everything (to much to write about) and answered many of my questions! She also brought to my attention many things that I have not thought about but need to. I feel "refueled" and ready for school to start on Monday. 

It was great to see the Beck family and four other American families who are living and working in Africa. It just made everything seem more real to me and possible for me to be here long term, God willing. 

They have invited me to spend Thanksgiving with them so I hope to be back then. I know I will greatly need and appreciate being with a family at that time. The 12 hour ride is definitely worth it! :) 

They have the most beautiful view from their back yard! 

Caris!

Adin!

Oliviay(sp?), next to me, took me to the Genocide Memorial. We then met up with Caleb and Adin after school and went home. :)

You have to wear a helmet here in Rwanda!