This had been a month full of kids! Rwanda is full to the brim of the most kind, generous and loving children around. I have started and ended most days here in the village with endless hugs, smiles and pure joy from these babies. We’ve been teaching little 4 and 5 year olds English in the morning and older kids in the afternoon. They all have such an eagerness to learn and practice their English.
We’ve been teaching the little ones everything from days of the week, to how to write and sing the alphabet. We sing morning bible songs with them, teach them memory verses, play silly games and have meditation/quiet time. While they’re outside having their snack break, we ‘teachers’ are usually regrouping for round two. Some days are more chill and manageable than others. Most days seem a little chaotic and honestly unproductive. Their primary language is not English, so you can image trying to communicate with them is difficult and borderline impossible for them to communicate with us. We have a translator some days that knows and speaks a fair bit of English. Most days it’s the 5 of us with about 20-25 little rascals full of energy.
And I love it.
I’ve definitely grown in my patience through the Lord by being able to say that. I’ve loved depending on Him to be able to supply something in me that is completely needed but lacking in that moment. Let me paint a picture of the classroom at the beginning of the month. And by classroom I mean 1 room, 2 benches and 2 tables and 1 chalkboard.
I was sitting on one of the benches in the classroom with two kids on either side of me, a little one on my lap and all the others surrounding me. One of my teammates was head teacher for the day teaching them John 3:16. It was right before snack time. Two kids were in the middle of a fight over an old notebook one brought from home. They were slapping each other and screaming. Another little girl was in a back corner crying. The littlest one had just peed through his pants onto the dirt floor which proceeded to trickle into the middle of the classroom. One behind me was pulling my hair while I was comforting the one on my lap overwhelmed by all of it. My favorite part happened when one of the disruptive kids pulled out a corn cob from his pocket, chewed on it a bit then proceeded to throw it at the head teachers head. It missed. She didn’t get whacked by a corn cob. Praise God!
That might seem crazy, stressful and a little bit funny. It was honestly like a scene out of a movie. All of us were of course trying to do all the things.. break up the fight, console the cryer, discipline the misbehaviors and take the corn cob weapon away. We were overwhelmed and pretty irritated. Thankfully Jesus was working in and through us, again, Praise God! I paused, took a deep breath and asked God to take over. I found that operating out of His Spirit was the only way to make it through that day in the classroom and all the others. Since then it’s been an actual dream. Granted the corn cob never made another appearance again but the days after that were so enjoyable. I saw things through a different lens. A lens that I don’t have to do this on my own out of obligation. God truly changed my desire and love for teaching these kids.
Today is actually our last day with the kids. I’ve learned their names, how they write them, their favorite outfit to wear to school and which ones need the hugs and which ones just want them. Wow I’m so sad to say goodbye to them. They are the reason this month has been an amazing one. All the hugs. All the laughs. All the smiles have made up one of my favorite months of life. Thanks God. Here’s a little glimpse into my life here!
I had to smile through the whole story. So thankful for Holy Spirit showing you His ways. Blessings-
The world is a better place with you in it. Love to read your blogs and what a difference you are making in all there lives. God bless you. Safe travels.