Road to Rwanda---Grandbabies

 We deeply love and are so very proud of all five of our grandkids.  They are each unique kids with so many gifts.....just as their parents and aunties (our 4 children) are. Because we live the life that we do, our time with them is limited, but we do see them for an intense week or more at least once a year, when we live in their houses.  None of them have ever been to our house, unless you count our RV's. I soothe myself with the knowledge that there are grandparents who don't get even as much time as we do with their grandkids.  The Lord's words promise us that there will be rewards that we don't understand for the time we have sacrificed away from family. Not to single out one grandbaby, but Sophie's mommy posted this on FB, and I decided I wanted to share it. THIS is what being a missionary is all about:  As a Christian mom raising teenagers... I just want to share how proud I am of Sophie being a light to her classroom. She has connected with the girls in her

Road to Rwanda---Church, Mpox, Forests

  So many things to pray about. The church situation here has not been resolved.   On the one hand, people are being encouraged/forced to speak directly to and learn from our Father, rather than having a “go between” that many are too dependent on.   But there are pastors who are suffering financially, but also because their God imbued mandate to preach, and shepherd is being stifled.   There are also congregants who really are lost without the guidance provided by the weekly church meetings. There are only 4 known cases of mpox (formerly monkeypox) in Rwanda, but not so in neighboring countries.   Rwanda’s government is very proactive.   Last Monday a health official visited VVA and told us that handwashing, such as was directed during covid, was being re-implemented.   I was impressed how the students so very joyfully (and I mean joyfully) complied with handwashing dictates.   My older students smiled and said, “I would sure rather do this than go into lock down.”   They remember