Newsletter for November 2020

Giving thanks

November is a time for giving thanks. I share with you this poem by Joanna Fuchs. It says it all so much better than I.

Thanksgiving is the appointed time

for focusing on the good in our lives.

In each of our days,

we can find small blessings,

but too often we overlook them,

choosing instead to spend our time

paying attention to problems.

We give our energy

to those who cause us trouble

instead of those who bring peace.

Starting now,

let's be on the lookout

for the bits of pleasure in each hour,

and appreciate the people who

bring love and light to everyone

who is blessed to know them.

You are one of those people.

On Thanksgiving,

I'm thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Rwanda. It is just another day. School as usual and so I remember past Thanksgivings. I will share the story with you of one Thanksgiving I remember.

I do not like candied sweet potatoes. My candied sweet potatoes are the best and traditionally I make them for my family. The kids wanted to give me a break, so it was decided that I would travel to Harrisburg on that past Thanksgiving and my daughter Patricia would have the feast instead of having me cook. I asked if I should bring the sweet potatoes and was told no. Patricia had a new recipe and she wanted to try it. That was OK by me as I don’t eat them anyway.

The meal was prepared. The food was delicious. Nothing would satisfy my daughter until I agreed to try the sweet potatoes. She was so insistent, and I felt it necessary to at least try her new recipe. Well, to my surprise the potatoes were delicious. The flavor was different. Not only did I try them but had a helping and then a second helping. They were very tasty. The kids were tickled about something. Seemed they had pulled a joke on Mom. After the meal was over, I commented on the fact that those were the best sweet potatoes ever. Tricia started to laugh and informed me the recipe called for rum and she doubled the amount called for. I was a bit of a prude and so not used to alcohol. My kids had a good laugh at my expense. Yes, the joke was on me. Love those kids. Do not eat candied sweet potatoes no matter what the occasion.

Everyone should have memories that make them laugh.

This year on Thanksgiving, I was able to talk to all five of my kids in the USA at the same time on Zoom. The sharing was great. I am thankful for Zoom along with my many other blessings.

Almost ready

The dining room is taking shape. Yes, it will have windows and doors. Front view. Because of a much appreciated donation made in November, we hope to have a finished dining room to show you in December's newsletter.

Coronavirus update

The pandemic is still with us in Rwanda as it is in the rest of the world, but things are looking better. We were notified our 10 university kids would return to classes on Oct. 21. That happened. The Primary 5 and 6 levels will start school on Nov. 2. Primary 4 classes will start on Nov. 23. This is, I hope, good news. No word yet on Preschool and Primary 1 through 3. Maybe January 2021.

Covid-19 restrictions are still in place. Masks, distancing and washing hands will be maintained in our school. We do not want to invite the coronavirus to our school. Keeping children and teachers safe has to be a priority. Transporting the children to and from school by bus and providing the school lunch program will be challenging. We had hoped to have the new bigger dining room constructed and ready. Work in progress.

October newsletter

In my other life -- it seems like so long ago -- October was the beginning of thoughts of winter. I do not miss winter in Pennsylvania. What do I miss? Believe it or not, I miss trick or treat. This holiday is not celebrated in Rwanda. I miss the trip to the pumpkin patch with my family. It was a family tradition. Visiting a farm, climbing aboard a wagon pulled by a tractor and finding just the right pumpkin to make the best jack-o-lantern was a special family time. Yep, fall is a special time of the year in Pennsylvania, USA.

Worship

We miss the children’s choir at worship, so Pastor Yves paid them a visit.

It is important they know they are loved.

They sang for him, and he did a video for me. Check the videos. https://youtu.be/G1f9gWa_aOc

Sisters come home

University students Giselle and Cecelia came home for a visit before starting back to university on Oct. 21. It was good to see them. This was the first visit in some time because the coronavirus shutdown had stopped all public transportation from Kigali, where they live, to Urukundo Village in Muhanga, South Province. It is surely too far to walk.

Appreciation

The theft last month of three computers -- an older one that still played DVDs, the office computer and my Mac Air (can’t live without) -- was a devastating blow. Guess what? You recover and move on. I met the challenge by doing my best to learn to use a PC. Well, at least for sending emails. You can teach an old woman new tricks. Original saying indicates “an old dog.” However an old woman does not change from a Mac to a PC easily.

I want to thank my international board for coming to my rescue and funding a new Mac Air. It was a bit expensive being shipped from Miami, Florida, USA. It was to arrive in Kigali at the Apple Center on Oct. 9. It arrived Oct. 22. I am grateful it arrived.

Thank you to everyone who kept me in thoughts and prayers during this traumatic time.

Closing thoughts

This morning as I sat at my desk looking down the hall toward the kitchen, lo and behold, a little bird came walking out of the kitchen and turned toward my office. I laughed and said, "Hello, little bird." Now I did not expect the bird to respond. The bird took a few more steps toward me, turned, flipped his tail, walked sedately back into the kitchen and was gone. Hmm. That tail flip could have been a response.

Mama

September newsletter

Dear Support Person,

Our need is great.

The virus has not erased the need for support for the children we care for. Have you sent your support check for your child in 2020? This includes university students. Check your files. Your yearly support is so needed. Even though our kids are in families and foster families and universities are closed, there is still a need to care for them. Many have outgrown their clothes as kids do. Food is essential to all ages. When your pants are way above your ankles and your shirt and other clothes are too tight or your dress is too short and your panties don’t fit anymore, it is not so good.

Would you like to do something special for your Rwandan child? I urge all sponsors to remember their child is special and help us care for them physically, medically and emotionally.

Here’s what one sponsor did: Claude’s sponsor sent funding to Hope Made Real in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA, designating it for Claude’s birthday. Birthdays are not noticed much in families in Rwanda where just feeding your family is a struggle. Olive, our child advocate, took little Claude to the local shop to buy some new clothes.

This is what the gift purchased.

His smile says it all. He is one happy boy. I am also happy. Thank you, Support Person. Your gift is so appreciated. A gift to make one little boy feel loved.