Volcanoes, Volcanoes, Volcanoes

November 2018

It is now a little over 2 months into my stay in Rwanda and Musanze is starting to feel like home. It has been a joy getting to know students and staff at VVA and there have been some very special conversations in the classroom. At VVA students and staff are learning about Habits of Mind. Every two weeks students focus on a different habit of mind which is blended into lessons and learning. It has been exciting to see how the students are embracing and interacting with these Habits of Mind. In one of the art lessons recently (ages 8-9yrs) the students have been painting the different days of creation and one child asked if he could put the stars and moon into his painting, however his painting was for the first day of creation where God created light and dark and the moon and stars were not yet created. When I explained this he asked - how can there be light and day without the sun, moon and stars? So I asked the class to see if they could work how this might be possible. I asked them, 'Where did the light come from?' We looked back at Genesis 1: 3 'And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.' Then suddenly another student exclaimed 'It came from God's mouth!' and we all sat there in awe.

One of the highlights since joining VVA was the planting of a community garden at the new school site (which is still under construction). Students, parents and staff came together to prepare the land and plant the seeds. It was very special to join together as one, collecting and moving volcanic stones out of the way, the children finding earth worms and learning that they actually help enrich the soil with oxygen. There was a tangible presence of God with us that morning as the land was reclaimed.

Another highlight was the hospital visit that students make once a month to a children's ward. Students collaboratively collect items for gift packets such as soap, food, drink and fruit. Classes take it in turns to visit the wards and hand them out to sick children. The students then prayed for the children on the wards. It was very moving to see the students mobilized and praying so confidently.

Ned is a very social dog and he loves to be around people and other dogs. During the first few weeks of my time in Musanze, I went searching for a doggy friend that he could visit. Eventually I stumbled across a very cute puppy named 'Doggy' at Inshuti Arts Center. The arts center is not far from where I live and is a very peaceful place. They have an art gallery where local artists make and sell both traditional and contemporary works of art. Ned and I visit whenever we can, so he can have a doggy play date with the puppy.