Mid trip update!

Our second day at the nursery school went much better than the first. We were very prepared. Yesterday was very full. After the nursery school, we went to Kabuga to see and new ministry that is being started to help the women of the church and the community. We both cried. The women sat in their church made of mud and made traditional Rwandan baskets out of feed sacks and straw. And they sang praises to the Lord the whole time they were working. It blessed us sooooo much. There were also a couple guys making a hat out of banana leaves. We wanted to buy it, but it wasn't finished.
Then last evening we took Esron and Immanuel out to pizza and talked about the problems of hazing in colleges today. We had many laughs and enjoyed good pizza and fellowship.
Today is a National holiday in Rwanda so everything is closed down, so we are taking the day off to catch up on some much needed rest. We hope that you all are enjoying the 4th at home! Happy Independance Day! Love you all, Mel and Kristina

BTW...changing the pronuciation and emphasis on the syllables of an English word does not make it French!!!

Nursery School...African Style!

Muraho! Amakuru? We hope everyone is doing great today! We had a wonderful morning at the Remera Nursery School. We sang, we danced, we taught a Bible lesson, English alphabet, shapes and basically made them laugh at us! It was in my opinion the most exciting morning so far. (Kristina agrees) We again learned the art of "winging it". Good times all around! We look forward to the same tomorrow and a visit with 2 Precious Paidion boys and another trip to Kabuga to visit Pastor Thomas' church.
We have new Muzugu neighbors at the Ligue from the UK, they are very nice and have fun accents. We feel as if we make new friends around every corner. Something about Africa does that to you! Please continue to pray for the week Kristen and I have ahead. We feel as if we have A LOT of work to do and not enough time to do it! But we also know it is all in the Creator's hands! Also..a praise...Kristen and I have stayed remarkably healthy so far...everything is working properly. You vets know what we mean! Thank you for all the prayers, we love you all!
:) Kristina and Melissa

Day 4 Rwanda

Hey guys! We are doing great and loving being here in Kigali. We have finally caught up on our rest and actually slept through the night last night! Here a few highlights of our days so far in Rwanda:

Thursday Kristen and I visited the church in Kabuga. It was incredible! It was such a blessing and a joy to see how the church has grown since we were there last. Pastor Thomas is well and we were able to interview him with the help of Esron.

Friday morning we helped with the DORCAS project. We worked a little and made them laugh a lot! We also met a new friend named Michele' who has a HUGE heart for the street kids and orphans here. We also met some more Canadian Muzungus and some Mennonites from Pennsylvania. Then, Esron took us to Butare, the Educational capital of Rwanda. We visited the history museum, got to sit in the hut of a former king, and see the campus of University of Rwanda. It was great!

Today, we had the pleasure of returning to Esron's church in Remera. We saw many familiar faces and it felt like coming home! We also had the experience of winging a few bible lessons and songs. Kristen was a sheep and I played Daniel. It was quite a rush!

So you can see in the few days we have been here we have been busy! We know that the Lord has has us in his hands and is orchestrating all of these experiences! Thank you all for the continued prayers! We love you!

Mel and Kristina

We are here!!

Muraho! We are finally here! Jet lag is definitely a factor...other than being a tad sleepy and dirty, everything is great! We love being here and feel as if we have come home (to our home away from home)! We have only made a few minor mistakes..nothing the grace of God cannot cover! Just wanted to give a quick update. Thank you for all the prayers! We love you all!

On Our Way!

Hey there everyone! Kristen and I are in London! In honor of our dear friend Nicole...here is the first funny story of the trip. It happened as follows:

Kristen and I were standing in line at Gatwick Airport waiting to get a bus ticket to Heathrow Airport.

British Woman (speaking to Kristen): Exuse me...are you in the queue (Q)?

Kristen (bewildered look on her face): I'm sorry?

British Woman (a tad annoyed): Are you in the queue (Q)?

Kristen (really confused now): Uh...um...I have no idea.

Man in front of us (annoyed): The line!

Kristen (feeling sheepish): Oh, yea. Sorry!

Mel: Uncontrolable laughter...almost wet her pants!

Kristen: Big goofy smile at British woman.

British Woman: annoyed "stupid American" half smile at Kristen

Other news, we are doing great and really excited to get there. Please keep us in your prayers. We depart for Nairobi, Kenya at 2:20 U.S. time! We love you!

Count Down to Rwanda

Hey there everyone! We hope you all are doing well! Kristen has had a fun and restful week at Camp 220 and I have had an exciting week in Arizona at the Grand Canyon! I know we both are ready to be in Rwanda. I wanted to thank those of you who have so graciously donated funds for Bibles and school supplies. You are blessing the kids there more than you can know! I look forward to returning with pictures and stories to share with everyone about the trip. Keep praying! We love you all!!
~Melissa & Kristen

'Bout That Time!!

Agggg! We leave for Rwanda in two weeks! I know I speak for Kristen too when I say...we are BEYOND excited! Seeing our dear friend Esron in the States this afternoon only made me more thrilled to be going back to my home away from home, The Land of A Thousand Hills! So things you can pray for...

Travel mercies!
That all our luggage makes it!
That Kristen and I will be spiritually strong as we prepare for the journey ahead.
For our physical health!
and for the beautiful children of God we will be serving, that their hearts and minds will be open and accepting to the gospel!

Thank you all so much for your prayers of support, you are the true missionaries... Kristen and I are merely the hands and feet. You will be in our hearts and on our minds as we travel. We love you!

:) With the peace of God,
Mel