Here We Are

On Monday Kelly left for Rwanda.  Right after Christmas a team from All God's Children International will be arriving in Rwanda.  Kelly will be working with them and all the Christmas parties they will be throwing for our ministry and other local ministries.  She made her plans to go to Rwanda early because she had the time off school and she wanted to be able to make the most of her trip by spending time with her family and friends before the team activities start.  It was a long journey, including an overnight in Washington DC, but she made it (and all her luggage too)!  Next, this coming Monday Mike will be leaving to join her in Rwanda and prepare for the team's arrival (the team heads to Rwanda on December 26th).

It is going to be strange to have the two of them missing on Christmas Day.  We prepared for this by having our own "Mini Christmas" with them on December 16th.  But I have still resolved in my mind that next year we will ALL be together on December 25th!

Last month we had the wonderful blessing of being able to take a family vacation to Orlando, Florida.  (Thanks to frequent flier miles and my mom's timeshare.)  It was cold and busy (only 4 days to spend in 4 parks of Walt Disney World) but we had a lot of good times!  Nice that my mom could join us too!

All this talk about traveling, but there is one thing that has been on my mind for a long time now.  I want to be able to go back and be in Rwanda again.  Not to move there, but to have a long visit.  Like a month or two.  The kids do too.  Mike and Kelly have both been back for the annual Christmas parties, but the rest of us have not. The problem: finances are an obstacle.  $2000 plane tickets x 6 people = a lot of money.

A few weeks ago Nate was telling us that he had been talking to his teacher about when they come back from Christmas break.  He told her he would not be there because he was going to be in Rwanda.  Nate is just sure that if he wants to go he should be able to go!  He got teary eyed when we told him that he just couldn't go right now.

I wish that I could figure out a way to raise enough money for all of us to go to Rwanda next summer.  I'm just not good at that kind of thing, neither is Mike, and I'm not sure what to do.  Please be praying for us.  In addition to the strong desire we have to be back in Rwanda, there is also the possibility that a US family will be moving to Rwanda this May specifically to work with Ten Talents International.  It would be great if we could be there to help this family get their new life and work in Rwanda established.  Again, please pray!

As an aside, all the kids are doing well in school and working hard.  Mike's (project manager) job is busy and sometimes stressful but we thank God for it.  My job (part time office manager) is going well and sometimes I pick up some full time work on the side (which makes life extra busy but always help with the expenses of a large family).  We have all been pretty healthy and we have so much to be thankful for.

I hope your Christmas is full of the peace and wonder of Emmanuel, God with us.

May God Bless You,

Lisa