Kayonza

Today (Tuesday) we traveled to the village of Kayonza. About an hour outside of Kigali, it was a bigger community than I anticipated. We were continually amazed by the countryside on the drive out – and I have heard that tomorrow’s drive to Kageyo is just as stunning.

Kayonza is the birthplace of ANLM. Upon return from Uganda, it was there that Pastor Charles was overcome with grief over the plight of the children there. Using money that had been given to him for his own schooling, he and his wife instead sponsored 9 children to go to school…thus the first sponsorships of ANLM.

We started the day with a tour of the ANLM property. Currently there is a primary school (grades 1-6) and the first 2 levels of secondary school (American equivalent of 7-8). There are also children’s homes for orphans. There are plans for a full secondary school that will have boarding available (most kids in Rwanda who go to secondary school – 7-12 – board because there are few and the distance is far). ANLM’s school is NUMBER 5 in the nation! This is nothing short of the hand of God. Because of the amazing work the staff accomplished, the government recruited several of their teachers to help write the NATIONAL curriculum that will go into effect 2011. Unlike America, this curriculum is not optional – all schools use the same guides.

This morning, Clay and I made the decision to sponsor an 8 year old girl named Sarah. We were blessed by God to have the opportunity to meet her and her family today. She lives with her mother, grandmother, and younger brother. Sarah is sweet and has a beautiful smile. She loves to play hide and seek, and her favorite subject is English. I can’t wait to see how she grows over the years to come.