Playing for Change!

One of my favorite parts about living in Rwanda is being exposed to amazing people and their dreams. I also love being able to share them with you.

Saturday, Matt and I had the pleasure of attending a benefit for our friend Kelly's boys. It doesn't take long after meeting her to learn about "her boys". She works with a group of genocide orphans who are now young men. They spent the first 9 years after the genocide living on the street together trying to survive. Kelly spends her time teaching them English, giving financial advice, and basically being mother and sister. The young men have formed an Intore Dance and Drumming Troupe in Kigali and are now living in a home together as a family. Their hope is to help other street kids in Kigali by teaching them to dance and drum so that they can support themselves as well.

If you are interested in making a one time or monthly donation to help Kelly's boys, check out the Playing for Change website!

Opportunity in Kenya!

In October, there will be a conference in Nairobi, Kenya that our school would like us to attend. It is put on by the Association of International Schools in Africa and there will be three days of sessions and workshops for Matt and two days of Guidance Counseling sessions that would be incredibly helpful for me.

Our school is covering our flights to Kenya, but we need to cover the costs of the conference, transportation in Nairobi, and food while we are in Kenya. We need to raise $1000 to cover our costs.

If you would like to give to this opportunity for us, we would really appreciate it. You can mail a tax deductible gift to GENERATION CHURCH 1106 Whaley Street, Oceanside, CA 92054 (write Nash-Rwanda on the back of the envelope not on the check itself) or you can click the paypal button on the right and make a donation that way.

Any gift you can give will help get us to Kenya for this conference in October. And as always, we are so grateful for your prayers and support of our ministry here in Rwanda.

Rwanda Ballet

Last week Emma had her first ballet class. She loves it! She just grinned from ear to ear the entire time. When they had a break, she ran over and gave me a huge hug and a kiss. I asked her what it was for and she said because she was so happy to be in ballet. Perfect!

They will be performing The Nutcracker in December. Should be a riot!

Praises and Prayers

We have been back in Rwanda for 3 weeks now. It has been quite the whirlwind so far. As soon as we landed, we were busy helping new staff get settled into life in Rwanda. It is something that I love to do. We really do feel like this is our home and I love sharing that home with those starting the adventure.

I have several things to give praise for and some prayer requests as well.

First of all, some of you might remember me sharing a story about one of the little guys in the orphanage that I taught how to give a high five to. His name is Shayka. I just found out that he was adopted! He has a wonderful forever family and is living in the US. Praise God!

Emma is loving her new preschool and we are excited to be back with our students at KICS.

I am also praising God for safe travels, our supporters and rain.

Prayer Requests:

1. My dear friend, Jenn, was in a car accident on Tuesday. Her two children where in the car with her. She and her son suffered broken bones, scrapes and bruises. Her 19 year old daughter, Alix, has suffered serious injuries. She has undergone 4 surgeries to stop internal bleeding. The most serious of the injuries however is head trauma. The doctors have told her that she will have no right side brain function when she wakes up. Please pray for miraculous healing.

2. Several of my graduates are starting their first year of college in the US. Please be praying for Sophia at Wheaton, Diane at Cal Baptist, Nicole at Tyler in TX, and Christelle at Oklahoma Christian. Boris is heading to China to study engineering and Stephanie is in Belgium to study culinary arts. Please be praying for a smooth transition to new cultures, a great bond with roommates and an increased reliance on God.

3. One student, Doreen, has had to postpone her education in the US due to her mother becoming ill. Her mother is in a coma. They are unsure what is wrong with her and because of her critical condition they are unable to transport her out of the country for further treatment. Please pray for her to be healed.

4. Our helper Emmanuel's mom has malaria. Again, I ask that you pray for healing.

Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings flow!

The Story Continues...

So about a year ago our world was turned upside down. We were offered the incredible opportunity to move to Rwanda and serve at KICS. In a period of 4 weeks, we sold everything, started raising support and got on a plane for Africa. Part of the draw to Rwanda was the fact that we were planning to adopt from there. God had other plans all along. Rwanda closed their adoption program a month after we arrived in Kigali. It is still closed with no real end in site. We have spent the last year praying and researching and trying to understand what God has for our family.

We finally know. We have started the process to adopt a baby boy from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I have been a bit hesitant to mention it here because it seems that every time things seem to start moving with Jack’s adoption and we start to get excited something happens to slow it down again. I guess I have not been able to really allow myself to grab hold of it. Until now. I know how hard it was to wait for Emma and I think that it is my heart’s built in defense. God is in control and knows our baby. I am embracing His providence and love for us.

We have been working with an attorney in Kinshasa, DRC and feel very confident that this is the direction we are supposed to take. We will be flying in a social worker from Germany this fall to do our home study so that we can move forward with our USCIS requirements. While on furlough this summer, we have been requesting and gathering our dossier documents. So much easier than China by the way!

Please keep us in your prayers as we return to our life in Rwanda and add to our family!

the summer is almost over already!

So I just realized that my last post was at the end of April! The month of May was crazy busy with graduation preparations. I had 9 graduates this year which doesn't sound like a lot but this is the largest KICS graduating class so far. I had to track down a place to get new caps and gowns (ended up getting them from Uganda!) plan the ceremony, take pictures, finish all the final transcripts, etc. and prepare to be gone for 2 months. It was very hectic but fun.

We just spent the month of June in California with Matt's family. It was a really fun time. We were able to speak at a few churches and meet many new people. We spent a day at Disneyland and lots of time with family and friends. We are now in MI for the month of July visiting my family. We are booked to speak at a few churches here as well. We will be attending our friends (2 KICS teachers!) wedding in Indiana. Emma is going to be the flower girl and I am the photographer. Several of the teachers are flying in for the wedding. One all the way from England! We just love our KICS family and we are so blessed to be a part of Douglas and Kerry's day. My brother is also coming to visit from NY so we will be able to spend an entire week with them.

In other news...Emma is reading like crazy! She is 4 1/2 and is reading at a 2nd-3rd grade level. Insane! I am so glad that we are switching her to a new preschool this year. I think she would be completely bored at the old one. She is having so much fun with family and friends. We had root beer floats out on the boat tonight and Emma caught a fish. I just love it here. So relaxing!

The Royal Wedding!

Today was finally the Royal Wedding! Emma and her friends (and who am I kidding...all of us mommies, too) have been waiting and waiting to celebrate. One of my earliest childhood memories is getting up at 5am with my mom to watch the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. I was 5.

It was so exciting today to watch Prince William's wedding with Emma. Emma's British friends came over to join us for a Royal Tea Party. It was so fun!

I admit that I am very jealous that our British friends were all invited to a Royal Wedding Party at the British Embassy tonight. I can't wait to hear all about it!

Emma and Emily all princessed up

Here comes the bride!

Tea, Scones, and wedding cake.

Easter in Africa

Each Sunday during the month of April we have been lighting 17 candles to remember the 17 year since the genocide. It has been so moving because members of the congregation are asked to come up and light the candle in memory of a loved one.

Easter Sunday was such a time of celebration. We celebrated the resurrection of our Lord. While lighting the candles we celebrated that Jesus is in all things and that through Him there is healing and peace. Even when we don't understand and our world seems to be falling apart around us, Jesus is there to rescue us from the darkness.

Emma and Monkey Funky with there matching Easter dresses.

I need a favor...

I really hate to do this but I am in desperate need of a favor. I am planning graduation for our school and I need more caps and gowns.

I am wondering if anyone is coming to Rwanda by May 24? I have 20 caps and gowns that I need to have brought over. They weigh about 25lbs total. If you have room in your luggage and are willing to help, please let me know as soon as possible.

Thanks!

Jeana

Lovely...

I am in love with this tiny baby...

My Birthday Gift...

Friday was my birthday so we headed to the market in Ruhango to buy my present. I have been waiting for several weeks now to pick out this gift...a goat for Leia! Ruhango is the 2nd largest market in Rwanda and has the largest animal market. It was fantastic! As soon as we stepped out of the truck we were mobbed. We bought 4 goats for people in Todd and Andria's neighborhood by mine was going to Leia.

Matt and Emma at the market.

This picture pretty much sums up what happens any time we take Emma to the market.

Love this! Emma shaking hands with one of the kids.

I just think this couple is adorable!

Matt and Emma hanging with the kids.

Andria, Emie and I sat in the back of the truck with goats.

Emma delivering a goat to one of the neighbors.

This woman was collecting the goat for a handicapped woman in the village.

Matt passing off a goat.

Me giving Leia her goat. Notice Emma in the background making more gumbo!

She was so happy. She kept saying "Thank You" and "God Bless You."

The goat is officially hers! They used a pen to write on her thumb and take a finger print.

What an amazing way to celebrate my birthday!

The Road to Kibeho...

Mine in the side of the mountain.

Tea Plantation!

Creepy storm clouds rolling in...

I guess it's okay to let your child ride the camel in the giant nativity as long as the Catholic Priest is the one who puts her on it?

Love these ladies!

Genocide Memorial Service in Gatagara

Thursday, April 7 marked the 17 year anniversary of the start of the Genocide here in Rwanda. There was an official week of mourning throughout the nation. Everyday services were held so that people could share their stories and remember the lost.

On Wednesday, Matt, Todd and Andria went down the road to attend the closing memorial service in Gatagara. We decided that it would be best for Emma and I to stay at the house since Emma tends to draw a crowd and we didn't want to cause a distraction.

It is estimated that there were about 2,000 people living in Gatagara before the genocide began. 415 were killed. That's about 1 in every 4 people!

During the service, several people shared their stories. One was a widow. She told of the day her husband and children were killed. The men came and led her husband and children away. It was a miracle that she was left behind. The children were told that they were going to be given food. Instead, they were killed. She said that she knows the people who did it. They are her neighbors to this day. They have never asked for forgiveness but she has forgiven them. She said, "I am free."

Creation Enjoyed...