June 2010 Newsletter
UNEXPECTED CHANGES
The second term is almost over, and since school started in February there have been several unexpected changes. The first is that mid-way through the second term one of the teachers at George Fox School of Butaro decided that he would rather go to university in Uganda than teach. As a result, I agreed to take on two of his English classes and a biology class until a replacement could be found.
Also during this second term the Denhams and I traveled to the Friends school in Kemembe near the southwestern border. We assessed the teachers and talked with the headmaster about the possibility of sending teachers to their school. After looking at various possibilities, we decided to suggest to the church that the Denhams finish this school year at ESK in Kidaho and then move to Kamembe to work with the teachers there during the next school year. In June this decision was approved by the church’s executive counsel.
The third change is that Molly Black will be joining the English teaching team in August. After much deliberation, the parents of the African Jungle Christian School decided to lat down the school in June. Molly decided to finish serving her two-year term by working with teachers in the Friends primary schools in the Kigali area. At the end of this term, I will be moving back to Kigali to work with Molly. The Denhams will cover the three schools of Kidaho, Rugarama and Butaro during the last term of this school year. I am sad to be leaving Butaro where I have been so warmly welcomed, but glad that our efforts can be multiplied and spread to other schools.
TEACHING IN BUTARO
For the last seven weeks of the second term I have had the pleasure of teaching Biology three times a week to the freshman class. It has given me a better understanding of the challenges and difficulties faced by teachers here, especially in the areas of class management and lack of supplies and materials. In teaching, I have also become an expert on the endocrine system and on reproduction of plants and animals.
TEAM RETREAT
In April the whole team was able to spend a long weekend together on the shore of Lake Kivu. It was the last time that we were able to be together as a whole team. We did a shortened version of the Discipleship for Development foundations workshop. It was a fun, relaxing time of being together, and we all came away with a better understanding of the Discipleship for Development methods and philosophy.
THE TEAM IS GETTING SMALLER
In May we said goodbye to Drew Miller and Johnny Kaye. They returned to Oregon to prepare for University in the fall. Then in June, with the closing of the African Jungle Christian school, we said goodbye to Liz Wine. She returned to Kansas where she will take a position as a resident director at a Mennonite university. Now the Thomases are making their final preparations for departure at the end of July. They will return to Oregon for a year-long furlough. During this time their children will have their first experience of American schooling. Pray for them.
CLOSING THE AFRICAN CHRISTIAN JUNGLE SCHOOL
In June I was able to return to Kigali for several days in order to help close down the African Jungle Christian School. It was a bittersweet time working side-by-side with many of the parents and students whom I served during my first two years in Rwanda. Next year the students will be in many different places. Some will be home
on furlough, others will attend the Kigali International School, and some will be homeschooled. Molly Black, one of this year’s teachers, will join the English Teaching Team working with teachers in Kigali.
The second term is almost over, and since school started in February there have been several unexpected changes. The first is that mid-way through the second term one of the teachers at George Fox School of Butaro decided that he would rather go to university in Uganda than teach. As a result, I agreed to take on two of his English classes and a biology class until a replacement could be found.
Also during this second term the Denhams and I traveled to the Friends school in Kemembe near the southwestern border. We assessed the teachers and talked with the headmaster about the possibility of sending teachers to their school. After looking at various possibilities, we decided to suggest to the church that the Denhams finish this school year at ESK in Kidaho and then move to Kamembe to work with the teachers there during the next school year. In June this decision was approved by the church’s executive counsel.
The third change is that Molly Black will be joining the English teaching team in August. After much deliberation, the parents of the African Jungle Christian School decided to lat down the school in June. Molly decided to finish serving her two-year term by working with teachers in the Friends primary schools in the Kigali area. At the end of this term, I will be moving back to Kigali to work with Molly. The Denhams will cover the three schools of Kidaho, Rugarama and Butaro during the last term of this school year. I am sad to be leaving Butaro where I have been so warmly welcomed, but glad that our efforts can be multiplied and spread to other schools.
TEACHING IN BUTARO
For the last seven weeks of the second term I have had the pleasure of teaching Biology three times a week to the freshman class. It has given me a better understanding of the challenges and difficulties faced by teachers here, especially in the areas of class management and lack of supplies and materials. In teaching, I have also become an expert on the endocrine system and on reproduction of plants and animals.
TEAM RETREATIn April the whole team was able to spend a long weekend together on the shore of Lake Kivu. It was the last time that we were able to be together as a whole team. We did a shortened version of the Discipleship for Development foundations workshop. It was a fun, relaxing time of being together, and we all came away with a better understanding of the Discipleship for Development methods and philosophy.
THE TEAM IS GETTING SMALLER
In May we said goodbye to Drew Miller and Johnny Kaye. They returned to Oregon to prepare for University in the fall. Then in June, with the closing of the African Jungle Christian school, we said goodbye to Liz Wine. She returned to Kansas where she will take a position as a resident director at a Mennonite university. Now the Thomases are making their final preparations for departure at the end of July. They will return to Oregon for a year-long furlough. During this time their children will have their first experience of American schooling. Pray for them.
CLOSING THE AFRICAN CHRISTIAN JUNGLE SCHOOL
In June I was able to return to Kigali for several days in order to help close down the African Jungle Christian School. It was a bittersweet time working side-by-side with many of the parents and students whom I served during my first two years in Rwanda. Next year the students will be in many different places. Some will be home
on furlough, others will attend the Kigali International School, and some will be homeschooled. Molly Black, one of this year’s teachers, will join the English Teaching Team working with teachers in Kigali.
posted by Chrissy at 8:27 AM
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