Before I left Pittsburgh, everyone was asking me,
"What are you going to do
in Africa?
Everyone knew that Bruce would be quite busy in his job as
Director of CMU/Rwanda but they wondered what in the world
I would do here!!
I believe the answer I gave to most everyone was...
"I don't know... but the Lord will show me."
Since arriving here many opportunities have shown themselves! Everything from
teaching a study skills course at a local organization, teaching Sunday School, teaching
piano lessons, being secretary of the AIC, tutoring our South Korean neighbors in
English, baking with them, helping the village kids with English, the women's Bible study and on and on.
There is also just having the time to visit with people, since "people" is what folks do
here. Entertaining, dinners and just having folks over for coffee have already been a part of our time here.
But this last week on Thursday evening I believe i got a glimpse of
what He wants me to do here in Africa!
When William Koffe.. (whom we now call Koffe)... knocked on the gate i went out and said, "What are you doing here? You and Patrick were supposed to come on Wed."
"OH, he said, I'm sorry. We couldn't remember if you said Wed or Thurs."
The reason this was a problem was because Pillip comes at 4:30 on Thurs.. usually... except on this Thurs-- he was late. Koffe had brought his books and so i said, "Come in and we'll work at least until Pillip comes over." ( Patrick hadn't come along this day)
On the way into the house we looked up and this is what we saw.
 |
So after we took pictures we came into the house and started reviewing Koffe's lessons. He actually came with his written notes, and a text book on the history of Rwanda. This was the first book i've seen from a public school. He told me that in order for Patrick and him to be able to go to boarding school they will have to improve their English. So, we spent the next hour and 1/2 on sentence structure and correct usage of pronouns. Then there was a bang on the gate. It was time for Pillip's lesson.
|
 |
| No, that isn't Koffe's computer.. it is mine. |
continuing his drawing of the computer keyboard. His teacher told him to do
that if he could find a computer. In the beginning and in between all of this activity,
the boys slowly and carefully began to ask each other questions. I left the room to
see what would happen. They continued to speak in English. So, throughout the evening
they continued speaking and i would just correct their English now and then. It was wonderful & they both said they liked speaking to one another. Koffe is 14 & Pillip is 12.
Older brother Juan/John arrived around 8 and we were still doing work.
After John joined us in the dining room they all still kept talking.
Koffe took off for home shortly after because by now it was really dark and not good for him to be out walking---gramma's rules... His gramma's rules. Koffe is an AIDs orphan but his grandparents are raising him and doing a great job.
last two tests... even the one where i had to teach him the Human Body and the Reproductive System...That was a bit awkward... but at least now he knows all about everything! His response was "you mean a baby can come from just that little tiny zygote"? I said yes, and he said "it must be is a miracle"! He's also asked what it means to pray and who Jewish people are. You never know what kids know or don't know until you start dialoging with them. I'm learning a lot!
You are probably wondering why i am telling you all this. Well, today at Umaganda day
I met 2 more kids.... Rwanda's who live in and own one of the big houses just 2 doors down from us. Eunice is 12 and her brother Aimee, 10- speak English very well and are very personable. We all walked home together and it occurred to me that it would be great to have ALL of these kids once a week just come to the house and speak English together. Might have to have some fun conversation starters but I think it would be very enriching for all of them and me, too! It would give their English speaking a context and be fun, too.
So, why were these clouds right above us the night Koffe showed up on the wrong day?
I don't know --but i felt like they were opening up something new.... Shedding light on what i should be doing in Africa.....and then i read Oswald Chambers reading the next day on Friday.
Based on the text-- Gen. 13...of Abraham having been given so much... but allowing Lot to choose the land he wanted so there would be no quarreling, I quote:
"As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and luxurious prospects will open up before you, and these things are yours by right; BUT if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God choose for you....
Whenever right is made the guidance in the life, it will blunt the spiritual insight.
Many of us do not go on spiritually because we prefer to choose what is right instead of relying on God to choose for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has its eye on God."
This is a high calling... and one i don't always "choose". But right now in this place, at this time, I feel like the Lord is letting me in on a secret of what i should be doing in Africa.
Time is an issue in the States and here... and i know that this will take lots of time... since it already has been taking a lot of time. So, it will be a bit of a sacrifice to spend time with these kids. But I do trust that in the process there will not just be English being taught but that discipling will happen in a very natural way with all these kids! After all.... they are His! I wonder what He has planned for all of us? And if this isn't what God has for me to do in Africa, I'll let you know. In the meantime....I'm willing to let Him choose and I pray that I will carry out His choice the way He wants me to.
love,
margie
No comments:
Post a Comment