Day 6- a full one

After a restful weekend we hit the ground running on Monday. Last winter we had heard of an Early Childhood Development center in Rwanda that Charlotte came across. It is for the parents of a poor section of Kigali. The government has recently mandated early childhood education, however, many have obstacles to being able to afford it. Some members of a church came together to volunteer their time to care for these children. We were able to visit the school, pray for them, and encourage the teachers. It was a blessing.

They were learning things such as body care and parts and how to draw shapes and lines (age 3), the middle class (age 4) were practicing their upper and lowercase letters and reading left to right. The upper class (ages 5-6) were working on their numbers the day that we visited. My main takeaway here is knowing that every parent wants opportunities for their children- How amazing that these teachers saw the need and used the little they had to set them up for success as best they can. Generosity shown times 1000. I pray their efforts are multiplied.

We left the school and drove out to the Eastern Province, Rwamagana. On the way, we saw a monkey in the road! I didn't get a picture of the monkey. But I did get one of Tessa's joy at seeing her first live monkey.

We drove out to meet the beneficiaries of a Chicken Project. Around 60 chickens were distributed to 30 vulnerable women. They met back for encouragement, discipleship and a savings program. They contribute money and can apply to draw a loan from the savings.

The good news was that all of their chickens were alive, and had recently begun laying. They celebrated this. The group met at a church they had rented for the meeting. The pastor identified women without electricity that we were able to gift solar lanterns to.

My main takeaway here was the strength in community and accountability. These women want to succeed, and they want to help each other succeed. They are hard workers and making good choices and programs to give their families greater health and stability.

On the way home it was beautiful...

We drove through Adele's area (about an hour and 20 minutes from the city where we are staying) so we were able to meet her for a quick hug and hello. Next to our family- I guarantee this woman is our greatest prayer warrior. A true angel.

It was a full day with lots to process and consider. What a great big world we live in. What an amazing Savior we have.