Thank you for your love and support. Most importantly, thank you for your prayers... Here are a few things both myself and my community need prayers for:
COMMUNITY
-We need a biology/ science teacher asap. We had to let go of the other one.
-Pray for the KICS soccer team that will start up again in March. For my role both as a follower of Christ and their coach.
-Pray for unity. Definitely there are struggles at times with many people crossing paths and working together. Pray that we all would be united and would love each other well. This is really important!
-Pray for Kenya!
-Pray for my boys soccer team. I have been asked if I can help with some of their school fees and am trying to discern what is a need and what isn't.
-Pray for Saturday camp. They are taking the month of February to extend the field. We will start up again in March. I need prayer in terms of leadership, my role, and commitment. It is hard to give my all after a long week. I often don't have much energy come camp time.
RWANDA
-Reconciliation
-Peace on the border of Congo. Peace between governments.
-Shortages in fuel and products because of the crisis' going on in Kenya.
-Pray for missions teams, NGO's, and other workers here to be peace keepers and for their work to be fruitful.
ME
-My time with Christ.
-Transition back after month in U.S.
-Some personal struggles and pains.
-For my next year here, how I spend my time, how the Lord would have me to serve.
-To be a good steward of my time and money.
-Leadership as I oversea projects and people
-NEED of a car and better transportation.
-Training for a 1/2 Marathon in May.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Ferocious Attack Dog
I officially added another member to my family this week, taking it from one to now two :-). Her name is Colby and I pretty much found her on the street with a bunch of kids. 
She was dirty, hungry, and tired. After convincing the children to sell her to me for $2 (1,000 Rwandan Franks), I took her home. She is about a month or so old and is really tiny.
Some day she may become our big ferocious attack dog, at this point it isn't looking too promising. We are also working on the whole process of not peeing on the floor. I think that one is going to take some time...
She was dirty, hungry, and tired. After convincing the children to sell her to me for $2 (1,000 Rwandan Franks), I took her home. She is about a month or so old and is really tiny. 
Some day she may become our big ferocious attack dog, at this point it isn't looking too promising. We are also working on the whole process of not peeing on the floor. I think that one is going to take some time...
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Lets Celebrate!
Following the championship games, we held an awards ceremony! It consisted of some food, fantas, donated t-shirts and shorts, slide shows, a juggling contest, player testimonies, and a speaker. 
It was a lot of fun and I think made the players feel like they had actually earned something. Even though what they had actually earned material wise was some great donated t-shirts and shorts that some of my friends, supporters, and churches has donated.
I think the most important thing besides celebrating them and their achievements was when Kent talked about what it means to follow Christ.
He used a soccer ball as an analogy and explained how without God we are like a deflated soccer ball that does not quite fully fulfill its purpose, but with God, with life and air, it can fulfill the purpose it was created for and be used.
There was about twenty kids who walked up front after and prayed for the Lord to use them and come into their lives. For me, it was awesome to see three of my very own soccer players, Sammy, John Pierre (the one who broke his hand), and Betra walk forward and pray. Amazing.
Definitely a celebration, definitely an amazing time...
It was a lot of fun and I think made the players feel like they had actually earned something. Even though what they had actually earned material wise was some great donated t-shirts and shorts that some of my friends, supporters, and churches has donated. 
I think the most important thing besides celebrating them and their achievements was when Kent talked about what it means to follow Christ. 
He used a soccer ball as an analogy and explained how without God we are like a deflated soccer ball that does not quite fully fulfill its purpose, but with God, with life and air, it can fulfill the purpose it was created for and be used. 
There was about twenty kids who walked up front after and prayed for the Lord to use them and come into their lives. For me, it was awesome to see three of my very own soccer players, Sammy, John Pierre (the one who broke his hand), and Betra walk forward and pray. Amazing. 
Definitely a celebration, definitely an amazing time...
Championships!
It has been about two months since the beginning of the tournament with this Saturday being the Championship weekend. The players (young, middle, and older age groups is what we call them) were off from school from October until January, so as coaches we decided to do a two month long tournament that would lead all the way up to a Championship that would have an awards ceremony and celebration to follow. 
At the Championship, we lined the field and had an official ref who was actually dressed as a ref. It was a big day for the players. They were definitely really, really excited and pumped for the games. It actually made me laugh because you could tell there was a big difference between them just playing for fun and them actually playing for an award. Everyone wanted to win and they were determined.
It was kind of fun to watch and to feel their excitement. I think even some of them cried when they lost. They took it that seriously. I mean, think about it... Rwanda is nothing like America. Here we do not have rec. leagues or regular games.
You often end up just playing street ball, which consists of high kicks, no boundaries, dirty playing, and about twenty players too many. You also never play on lined, grass fields, and never have nets. You never really get to feel what a "real" season is like, nor do you get to feel what it is like to actually practice every day and be so dedicated to something that it exhausts you, especially come the end of the season.
These boys have no clue, so when they are actually playing for something or with a purpose they take it very seriously. For instance, right before I went to the U.S. for Christmas, I had two jerseys to give away, so what I did was I held a 2v2 tournament with my boys soccer team. You would not believe how much these boys wanted to win these two used jerseys. They were so determined. Well, when the winner was finally named and they were celebrating, I looked back and there sat the two boys who lost literally balling their eyes out in tears.
My heart just sank and I felt so bad for them because they had won every game up to that point and lost to the "under dog" team. It was so heart wrenching for them and I honestly think it is because there is not a lot of opportunities for them to actually work towards something like a tournament, to be apart of a team, and to actually experience the feeling of winning.
At the Championship, we lined the field and had an official ref who was actually dressed as a ref. It was a big day for the players. They were definitely really, really excited and pumped for the games. It actually made me laugh because you could tell there was a big difference between them just playing for fun and them actually playing for an award. Everyone wanted to win and they were determined. 
It was kind of fun to watch and to feel their excitement. I think even some of them cried when they lost. They took it that seriously. I mean, think about it... Rwanda is nothing like America. Here we do not have rec. leagues or regular games. 
You often end up just playing street ball, which consists of high kicks, no boundaries, dirty playing, and about twenty players too many. You also never play on lined, grass fields, and never have nets. You never really get to feel what a "real" season is like, nor do you get to feel what it is like to actually practice every day and be so dedicated to something that it exhausts you, especially come the end of the season. 
These boys have no clue, so when they are actually playing for something or with a purpose they take it very seriously. For instance, right before I went to the U.S. for Christmas, I had two jerseys to give away, so what I did was I held a 2v2 tournament with my boys soccer team. You would not believe how much these boys wanted to win these two used jerseys. They were so determined. Well, when the winner was finally named and they were celebrating, I looked back and there sat the two boys who lost literally balling their eyes out in tears. 
My heart just sank and I felt so bad for them because they had won every game up to that point and lost to the "under dog" team. It was so heart wrenching for them and I honestly think it is because there is not a lot of opportunities for them to actually work towards something like a tournament, to be apart of a team, and to actually experience the feeling of winning.
Game Day!
Today was game day! Most of the leaders from soccer camp played in a game vs. the older boys team (16-24 years old) from camp. We were suppose to play a team from the area of Kunyba, but as it is in Africa things do not always go as planned. 
So, instead we played the older boys. It was a big day and us leaders actually came out with a 2-1 win! 
I love coaching and get to do a lot of it here, but there is nothing like actually getting to play for yourself even if you are out of shape, not as good as you use to be, the sole girl on the field, and slow :-). 
I really do miss playing in games. There is always a chance to play at practice or on Saturday. There is also, a drop in night for expatriates here in Kigali on Wednesday nights, but those times are nothing like actually getting the opportunity to play in a game.
Also, kind of fun... the jerseys we wore for the game were some of the jerseys donated by my Hereford High School girls teams that I coached. The team had replaced these jerseys with new ones and had them just sitting around in a bunch of boxes. Thank you to Ferg and Megan Kennedy, those jerseys made it all the way from Hereford to Kigali, Rwanda :-).
So, instead we played the older boys. It was a big day and us leaders actually came out with a 2-1 win! 
I love coaching and get to do a lot of it here, but there is nothing like actually getting to play for yourself even if you are out of shape, not as good as you use to be, the sole girl on the field, and slow :-). 
I really do miss playing in games. There is always a chance to play at practice or on Saturday. There is also, a drop in night for expatriates here in Kigali on Wednesday nights, but those times are nothing like actually getting the opportunity to play in a game.
Also, kind of fun... the jerseys we wore for the game were some of the jerseys donated by my Hereford High School girls teams that I coached. The team had replaced these jerseys with new ones and had them just sitting around in a bunch of boxes. Thank you to Ferg and Megan Kennedy, those jerseys made it all the way from Hereford to Kigali, Rwanda :-).
Monday, January 14, 2008
Leadership.
When I worked with Young Life back in Northern Baltimore, one of the biggest needs was always volunteer leaders. It is never an easy task to find people to volunteer hours of their time let alone good, solid, Christian leaders who already have so much going on. I have always been so impressed how leaders and people just seem to show up and come out of the woodwork. 
I guess there is hope and confidence in asking for workers for the harvest. Through word of mouth, at the Saturday morning soccer camp, we will have about 5-12 adult, Rwandan, Christian leaders who come to just volunteer their time and reach out to the players. I am so thankful for these leaders and I am always so amazed at how solid, fun, and great they are. They really do love the players and they really do just want to love and serve the Lord. Since leaving Baltimore Young Life, one of the things that has stuck with me the most was what my Regional Director Gary Wilmer told me before I left. He said, Jenny no matter where you go, no matter what you do, you are doing Young Life even if it is not labeled Young Life. He was so right. I think one of the biggest things I have learned and noticed since I have been in Rwanda is exactly that.
No matter where I go and no matter what I do, I still have a calling to reach out and love people, to build relationships with them for Christ. I love that! I love that all I was taught back in Baltimore still applies to Rwanda. Yes, I am in a different country, with a different language, and a different past and heritage, but no matter what Jesus still applies here and my life still has the ability to impact here. No matter where I go the rules still apply and never change. One of my biggest prayers is to actually see YL come to Rwanda. 
YL and youth organization really do need to come to Rwanda, because even though there is many NGO's (non-governmental organizations) and money being poured into this country, there literally is no organizations specifically reaching out to the youth, the ones most impacted by the genocide and the largest of Rwanda's current population. Part of that prayer has already been answered with my friend George being brought on YL staff just last month! In the next year or so, if all goes well, he will begin to be trained through YL and learn more about how to reach out to youth for Christ. As for me, it just excites me to know that George will be getting involved in Young Life Africa. I just look forward to being apart of that no matter what my roles looks like. What is also kind of neat is that even before George was considered for staff, one thing was true about him, he was already doing Young Life without even knowing it. Kind of like what Gary said... He was already building relationships with youth and through that he was sharing his life and the life of Christ. So, maybe it is more appropriate to say it wasn't YL he was already doing, but more so he was already being Christ to the youth he was working with. He has been and will continue to be the hands and feet of Christ to those players and so will the rest of the leaders who show up each week to just hang out with, coach, and love on those players.
I guess there is hope and confidence in asking for workers for the harvest. Through word of mouth, at the Saturday morning soccer camp, we will have about 5-12 adult, Rwandan, Christian leaders who come to just volunteer their time and reach out to the players. I am so thankful for these leaders and I am always so amazed at how solid, fun, and great they are. They really do love the players and they really do just want to love and serve the Lord. Since leaving Baltimore Young Life, one of the things that has stuck with me the most was what my Regional Director Gary Wilmer told me before I left. He said, Jenny no matter where you go, no matter what you do, you are doing Young Life even if it is not labeled Young Life. He was so right. I think one of the biggest things I have learned and noticed since I have been in Rwanda is exactly that. 
No matter where I go and no matter what I do, I still have a calling to reach out and love people, to build relationships with them for Christ. I love that! I love that all I was taught back in Baltimore still applies to Rwanda. Yes, I am in a different country, with a different language, and a different past and heritage, but no matter what Jesus still applies here and my life still has the ability to impact here. No matter where I go the rules still apply and never change. One of my biggest prayers is to actually see YL come to Rwanda. 
YL and youth organization really do need to come to Rwanda, because even though there is many NGO's (non-governmental organizations) and money being poured into this country, there literally is no organizations specifically reaching out to the youth, the ones most impacted by the genocide and the largest of Rwanda's current population. Part of that prayer has already been answered with my friend George being brought on YL staff just last month! In the next year or so, if all goes well, he will begin to be trained through YL and learn more about how to reach out to youth for Christ. As for me, it just excites me to know that George will be getting involved in Young Life Africa. I just look forward to being apart of that no matter what my roles looks like. What is also kind of neat is that even before George was considered for staff, one thing was true about him, he was already doing Young Life without even knowing it. Kind of like what Gary said... He was already building relationships with youth and through that he was sharing his life and the life of Christ. So, maybe it is more appropriate to say it wasn't YL he was already doing, but more so he was already being Christ to the youth he was working with. He has been and will continue to be the hands and feet of Christ to those players and so will the rest of the leaders who show up each week to just hang out with, coach, and love on those players.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
My Sweet Friend.
Very little words are spoken, but one thing is for sure I have a sweet, little five year old friend. This little boys name is Quezada, meaning faith. I just love this little boy and if I could I would probably adopt him in a heart beat. He is my friend because ever Saturday morning when I arrive at Saturday soccer camp he is there waiting for me. He always greets me with a big smile and hug every Saturday morning. 
Even throughout the day he is my little shadow, following me everywhere I go. When I need to go into the tent for something, there he is grabbing onto my hand and walking with me. When I sit down, he sits next to me. Even when I leave the facility and head to the main road to get a taxi or moto there he is walking beside me.... but just like most children here, Quezada has a story. From what I do know and see, he is only five years old, wears the same clothes every day, every week, he stays at soccer camp all day with no parents to be seen, and rarely is washed or takes a bath. That is just the way of life for Quezada.
Even throughout the day he is my little shadow, following me everywhere I go. When I need to go into the tent for something, there he is grabbing onto my hand and walking with me. When I sit down, he sits next to me. Even when I leave the facility and head to the main road to get a taxi or moto there he is walking beside me.... but just like most children here, Quezada has a story. From what I do know and see, he is only five years old, wears the same clothes every day, every week, he stays at soccer camp all day with no parents to be seen, and rarely is washed or takes a bath. That is just the way of life for Quezada.
Clean Filter, Clean Water
One of the big projects at Saturday soccer camp this week was to clean out an old, algae infested filter so the players could actually have water to drink at camp. In order to do this, they had to shovel out all of the sand inside the large tank or filter, carry the sand to a place where it was cleaned by hand to get all of the algae and bacteria out of it, and then move and clean the tank. 
It then had to be refilled with sand by the correct layers, with the rocks on the bottom, medium grain sand, and then fine grain sand on top. Once the filter was filled back up with the sand it was then okay to use again. Pre-cleaning out the filter, Kent Smith, a missionary helping out with the camp would filter and bring enough water each week for the players. 
This was a long process for him and so with a few connections, we found this old, large, sand filled filter to use. It will be great once it and all the rocks and sand inside it is cleaned. It is kind of neat process how a sand filled filter works. 
Pretty much you just pour water into the container and as the water passes through the filter, all the levels of sand it is cleaned of most impurities. I am sure it is not 100%, but I guess water from a sand filter is better then no water or water straight from the tap. Water straight from the tap can cause many problems. 
From what I know, it can cause water borne diseases and parasites. I could be wrong about this, but I have been told you can also get what is known as an amoeba. It can also just cause simple things, such as stomach pain and diarrhea, but enough about that... It will be nice to finally have plenty of water for all the players to drink. Clean, good water is definitely not in abundance around here. 
Of course there is water, but it can some times be hard to find good, clean water because any time you want that kind of water you have to go through the process of boiling it and filtering it. One thing I will never take for granted is the luxury of drinking straight from the tap like we can in America.
It then had to be refilled with sand by the correct layers, with the rocks on the bottom, medium grain sand, and then fine grain sand on top. Once the filter was filled back up with the sand it was then okay to use again. Pre-cleaning out the filter, Kent Smith, a missionary helping out with the camp would filter and bring enough water each week for the players. 
This was a long process for him and so with a few connections, we found this old, large, sand filled filter to use. It will be great once it and all the rocks and sand inside it is cleaned. It is kind of neat process how a sand filled filter works. 
Pretty much you just pour water into the container and as the water passes through the filter, all the levels of sand it is cleaned of most impurities. I am sure it is not 100%, but I guess water from a sand filter is better then no water or water straight from the tap. Water straight from the tap can cause many problems. 
From what I know, it can cause water borne diseases and parasites. I could be wrong about this, but I have been told you can also get what is known as an amoeba. It can also just cause simple things, such as stomach pain and diarrhea, but enough about that... It will be nice to finally have plenty of water for all the players to drink. Clean, good water is definitely not in abundance around here. 
Of course there is water, but it can some times be hard to find good, clean water because any time you want that kind of water you have to go through the process of boiling it and filtering it. One thing I will never take for granted is the luxury of drinking straight from the tap like we can in America.
KICS
Its only mid-year and it feels like we just started a new school year. There are several things that have happened since we took our one month break from school in December. 
Well, for one, I went home for a month :-), also all of the secondary (6th-12th grade) classes moved up to the upper building, which is a big office looking building a few yards from the primary campus, a circular, open air building.
Also, with the start up of school many of us teachers have either dropped previous subjects and/or picked up new ones. For instance, I am no longer teaching 6th grade science and will only be teaching K-12 P.E., 6th grade History, and 4th and 5th science. Other teachers, such as Amanda have dropped other classes such as math and science and are now teaching the new Bible Class.
Even though most of us teachers LOVED teaching all different subjects, it was very nice to free ourselves up a bit. I definitely feel more relaxed and prepared this semester. We were able to drop a few classes because we have officially hired two more full time Rwandan teachers. One teacher, Javera, teaches all of the secondary science classes, while the other teaches all the secondary math classes. I am very thankful for them!
Also, there are some new faces in and around school. We had just added about 15 new students. Three of the new students are from Ghana, two from Japan, as well as some Rwandan. I think at this point we have a little over 15 nations represented.
Another new development in terms of growth is we have added 10 more preschool children. Before it was Mrs. Christine and Mrs. Laura teaching together, but now they both have their own classes! Just the other day Mrs. Christine was talking about how excited she was to have her own class now.
Some other fun and exciting things that are going on in the realm of KICS is that our principal will be going back to the U.S. in February on a teacher recruiting trip. This trip is a must because come June we will have several teachers contracts ending. 
For instance, Miss Lauren and Miss Moore, who both have been here since the start up of the school, will be seeing their two year commitment come to end as of June as well as Miss Lewis who has been here a little less then a year.
There will still be several teachers committed for another year or so, but having three great teachers leave could potentially leave a few gaps. Hopefully this recruiting trip will be helpful and we will be able to bring in several new and great ones.
I think that is all the excitement for now. Our next break will occur in April for two weeks. The break will be for the "Month of Mourning," which will take place during the month of April. 
Rwanda takes the month of April to mourn the dead and losses from the Genocide of 1994. They specifically take those two week in April, which will be off for to pray and shut may stores and entertainment down, so that people can mourn.
Well, for one, I went home for a month :-), also all of the secondary (6th-12th grade) classes moved up to the upper building, which is a big office looking building a few yards from the primary campus, a circular, open air building. 
Also, with the start up of school many of us teachers have either dropped previous subjects and/or picked up new ones. For instance, I am no longer teaching 6th grade science and will only be teaching K-12 P.E., 6th grade History, and 4th and 5th science. Other teachers, such as Amanda have dropped other classes such as math and science and are now teaching the new Bible Class. 
Even though most of us teachers LOVED teaching all different subjects, it was very nice to free ourselves up a bit. I definitely feel more relaxed and prepared this semester. We were able to drop a few classes because we have officially hired two more full time Rwandan teachers. One teacher, Javera, teaches all of the secondary science classes, while the other teaches all the secondary math classes. I am very thankful for them! 
Also, there are some new faces in and around school. We had just added about 15 new students. Three of the new students are from Ghana, two from Japan, as well as some Rwandan. I think at this point we have a little over 15 nations represented. 
Another new development in terms of growth is we have added 10 more preschool children. Before it was Mrs. Christine and Mrs. Laura teaching together, but now they both have their own classes! Just the other day Mrs. Christine was talking about how excited she was to have her own class now. 
Some other fun and exciting things that are going on in the realm of KICS is that our principal will be going back to the U.S. in February on a teacher recruiting trip. This trip is a must because come June we will have several teachers contracts ending. 
For instance, Miss Lauren and Miss Moore, who both have been here since the start up of the school, will be seeing their two year commitment come to end as of June as well as Miss Lewis who has been here a little less then a year. 
There will still be several teachers committed for another year or so, but having three great teachers leave could potentially leave a few gaps. Hopefully this recruiting trip will be helpful and we will be able to bring in several new and great ones. 
I think that is all the excitement for now. Our next break will occur in April for two weeks. The break will be for the "Month of Mourning," which will take place during the month of April. 
Rwanda takes the month of April to mourn the dead and losses from the Genocide of 1994. They specifically take those two week in April, which will be off for to pray and shut may stores and entertainment down, so that people can mourn.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
More Questions Less Answers...
I think the more I live, the more questions I have. I am finding myself asking a lot of whys to God, like why God do I have to go through this again or why God am I feeling this way? Why God do people change, feelings change, situations change? God why do I feel hurt over this? Or why did things not turn out the way I expected...? It could be because of where I am in life right now or it could just be the raw reality of life that we ask why. Some times I hate it. I hate not having answers or being able to see the bigger picture. As much as I love hindsight, I also hate it at times because it is when I am in the situation I just wish I understood. I think both hindsight and the why questions all lead us to learning. I feel like I am learning a lot right now. I even made a comment to a friend where I said I have learned more in the last three months then I think I have learned in a really long time. I think learning comes from pain, learning comes from trial, learning comes from experience, from exposure. I always pray to grow in wisdom and discernment, God only knows if I am. Yet, whether I am or I am not, one thing I do know for sure is that I am learning. I am learning that my expectations are not always God's expectations. I am learning to love and be patient. I am learning to let go of things and people. I am learning to not take things so darn personal. I am learning that good things come in time and some times good things are really, really hard at first. I am learning to rely on truth not on feeling. I am learning that true friendship is something that reveals itself in distance and time, not in commonalities. I am learning to just be confident in my skin and to know my value. I am learning to trust God and all that comes with it. Simply put, I am just learning. Sometimes it hurts to learn, like today. Today I had a really, really emotionally hard day. On the outside I looked fine, but on the inside I was a train wreck. I feel like today I felt every emotion. I was nervous, anxious, sad, happy, angry, tired, excited, etc. Today it hurt to go through my day, which i think is partially due to the fact that I have a lot going on both inside me and around me. I also think that with going from America straight back into my life here in Rwanda so quickly has also affected me a bit. Also, when I think about my friends, family, my best friend, or nephew who will not be the same little guy he is now when I return brings me to tears to think about. There are other things going on as well that have just either hurt my feelings or affected me in some way. All of these things do fall into the bigger picture, but like today I sit here and just ask why God? Why do I feel this way today? Or why do I have to go through these things and these emotions? I definitely don't have the answers and may never, but there is one thing I am confident of and that is that I don't have to know and that in time those answers may come or they may not, but frankly does it really matter? I guess what really matters is that I keep showing up each day and giving that day whether good, bad, or just plain old ugly to the Lord. Today is just one of those days, and so despite how it went or how I feel here I am giving it...
Back as back can be.
I am back in Rwanda after a long, painful sixteen hour flight. I never thought I would start to feel old because I am not, but seriously after a sixteen hour flight you start to understand what it might just feel like... your joints ache, knees ache, neck hurts, your exhausted, and you just don't feel good. I arrived Saturday around one in the afternoon. 
Some of my bestest friends, Justin and Amy, here in Rwanda picked me and my eight bags up. You should have seen their faces when they saw how much stuff I brought back with me. 
I had bags full of donated cleats, socks, t-shirts, jerseys, sports equipment, food, book bags, etc.... and I am sure you are wondering about how in the world I got through customs well.... somehow, yes somehow, I did make it through customs with no problems. I don't know how, but I did.
Since I have been home, I have had one night where I literally slept from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. (only 3 hours!) and then laid wide eyed until I had to get up at 6:30 a.m. for school. The other night, I slept literally from 7 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. Yes, I did sleep 11.5 hours.
It is definitely a joy to be back. I can distinctly remember getting off that plane and just thinking just how nice it is to be in warm, nice weather again. Especially, after leaving the bitter, cold, twelve degree weather in Maryland. Also, just getting off that plane and seeing all the houses on the hillside and seeing the Rwandan scenery again just made me feel like I was home once again.
If I am honest, for good or bad, it feels like I never left. I definitely thoroughly loved, enjoyed my time at home. It went by incredibly fast and during my time I had highs, lows, laughs, tears, aches, and joys.
I loved being home and wish I could have just spent a little while longer there hanging out with my friends, family, and specifically my fast growing nephew who continues to not only grow over night, but just make me smile and laugh like never before. What a joy he was to be with and what a precious, sweet, yet independent age he is at. I already miss everyone deeply.
So, if I can let me just say thank you for a great time home. Thank you for such a sweet welcome and send off. Thank you also to Liz and Sara for letting me not only sleep on, but break their coach in the middle of the night. Hereford YL girls, Katie M., Spark, Jess Goodie, Pat and Bets, Luttrell, Healy, Kathy and Kyle, Ben and Mel, Drew, McGregor, Joshie, Matten, Katie and Phil, Mike, Team Awesome, Mrs. Laura Smith (wink), my supporting churches :-), and everyone else who I saw, but did not mention... it was so great to see you! When ever I think of you all, I just feel myself fill up with so much joy and praise. Thanks for being my friend ;-). 
Alright, well... like I said, it is good to be back. I am alive, I am well, and I am catching up on sleep. You have to just love jet lag. I definitely don't think God created our bodies to change timezones. Lots of love to you all and thanks again for all the joy and support. Come visit me!!!
Some of my bestest friends, Justin and Amy, here in Rwanda picked me and my eight bags up. You should have seen their faces when they saw how much stuff I brought back with me. 
I had bags full of donated cleats, socks, t-shirts, jerseys, sports equipment, food, book bags, etc.... and I am sure you are wondering about how in the world I got through customs well.... somehow, yes somehow, I did make it through customs with no problems. I don't know how, but I did.
Since I have been home, I have had one night where I literally slept from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. (only 3 hours!) and then laid wide eyed until I had to get up at 6:30 a.m. for school. The other night, I slept literally from 7 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. Yes, I did sleep 11.5 hours.
It is definitely a joy to be back. I can distinctly remember getting off that plane and just thinking just how nice it is to be in warm, nice weather again. Especially, after leaving the bitter, cold, twelve degree weather in Maryland. Also, just getting off that plane and seeing all the houses on the hillside and seeing the Rwandan scenery again just made me feel like I was home once again.
If I am honest, for good or bad, it feels like I never left. I definitely thoroughly loved, enjoyed my time at home. It went by incredibly fast and during my time I had highs, lows, laughs, tears, aches, and joys.
I loved being home and wish I could have just spent a little while longer there hanging out with my friends, family, and specifically my fast growing nephew who continues to not only grow over night, but just make me smile and laugh like never before. What a joy he was to be with and what a precious, sweet, yet independent age he is at. I already miss everyone deeply. 
So, if I can let me just say thank you for a great time home. Thank you for such a sweet welcome and send off. Thank you also to Liz and Sara for letting me not only sleep on, but break their coach in the middle of the night. Hereford YL girls, Katie M., Spark, Jess Goodie, Pat and Bets, Luttrell, Healy, Kathy and Kyle, Ben and Mel, Drew, McGregor, Joshie, Matten, Katie and Phil, Mike, Team Awesome, Mrs. Laura Smith (wink), my supporting churches :-), and everyone else who I saw, but did not mention... it was so great to see you! When ever I think of you all, I just feel myself fill up with so much joy and praise. Thanks for being my friend ;-). 
Alright, well... like I said, it is good to be back. I am alive, I am well, and I am catching up on sleep. You have to just love jet lag. I definitely don't think God created our bodies to change timezones. Lots of love to you all and thanks again for all the joy and support. Come visit me!!!
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