Our first two weeks in Rwanda have flown-by and yet it feels
like it has been longer than two weeks that we have been here. Our parents
dropped us off at Heathrow airport on Friday 4th August and after
some emotional farewell’s and a very pleasant family meal, we boarded our
Rwandair plane bound for Kigali. The night flight took eight and a half hours
and after some restless sleep and movie watching we landed at Kigali airport on
the morning of Saturday 5th August. The staff there were very
pleasant and helpful and we proceeded through the various checks and
form-filling stations smoothly. As promised outside of the airport a member of
staff from Kigali International Community School (KICS) awaited our arrival
with a minibus to transport us and our
luggage to our new home near the school in the Gacuriro district of the city.
Within two hours, Gareth was off to the MTN Centre to
purchase a phone and exchange some of our pounds into Rwandan Francs. After a
little unpacking, we were off to the Director’s house for a gathering of new
staff (there are a lot of us). At the gathering we were informed that we would
be eating our meals on Sunday with two staff families. These occasions were
very welcome, as it provided the opportunity for us to get to know some of the
people we will be working with and presented a chance to ask questions – you
can imagine we had lots!
On Monday and Tuesday we received our ‘new staff’
orientation and from Wednesday to Friday we were taken as a family on staff
retreat to lake Kivu – a truly beautiful place! At the retreat, Corinna, Lillia
and Anabelle were able to participate in a children’s program whilst we engaged
with team building material and sessions to encourage us to reflect on our
Rwandan school context. A highlight was our boat trip and hike on ‘Bat Island’.
We all left lake Kivu happily, but glad to be looking forward to some down-time
over the weekend.
After a weekend of exploring some of the city by foot walking
up and down the hills that make up the city, we re-entered school on the Monday
to engage with more training and to prepare our classrooms and materials for
the academic year which begins on 21st August. This second week has
been challenging, with trying to learn and adapt to existing school procedures,
learn the many new procedures that are being introduced for the school year on
top of trying to work out the school curriculum and ensure our classes resemble
an environment conducive for learning. On top of this has been the challenge of
helping our children to adapt.
The highlight of the week was on Thursday 17th
August, when we had the school ‘Meet and Greet’, when we welcomed all of the
children and parents to the school and had a ceremony of prayer and blessing
for the school and the year ahead. The occasion was a good reminder of why we
are here.
We will initially be worshipping at the Anglican Cathedral
in Kibagabaga. The fellowship is small and international and engaged in the
wider-life of Rwanda. There is a growing Sunday School for the children and a
familiar structure to the services. There do not seem to be any English
speaking Baptist congregations in Kigali.
Prayer points
Please pray for…
Corinna and Lillia as they start school.
Anabelle as she adapts to being with her nanny (we have seen
positive signs here already).
Rachel and Gareth as they begin the academic year.
The girls at the airport before boarding the plane.
A boat trip to 'Bat Island' on Lake Kivu
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