Settling and Organizing

The last few days have been filled with moving into my new home for the year and getting ready for school to begin (next Tuesday!). I love my house and roommates, and am quickly getting used to a new way of life. There are some comforts like a big bed, a westernized bathroom, a kitchen with modern appliances. Some new chores to get used to are turning on the water heater and water pump (outside) to take a warm shower upstairs (can't leave them on because the electricity would be $$), boiling and filtering water for drinking (which is a slow process, and the three of us girls drink a lot!), and having a large security gate to run out an unlock or lock when people come and go. Not hard chores, just different!

At school today we had a lesson about Rwanda's history, land, and culture. One of the dad's at our school teaches pastors at a seminary here. He and his family have been here for about six years. He was able to give us a lot of good information, very helpful to all of us as we are adjusting here, related to how Rwandan people interact, expectations, and some cautions for us as well. We were scheduled to visit the Genocide Memorial in the afternoon, but as we are all so busy getting ready for school, the trip has been postponed a few weeks.

Tonight the guys came over to cook dinner at our house because they do not have gas for their stove yet. They were gracious to share some of what they made (spaghetti - which I've been craving the last few days), and it was fun just to have company. I learned that Douglas has a Whirley Pop (decided he couldn't live without it last year - somehow managed to bring it - I wish I could have figured out how to bring mine!) - and so he is invited to come over and use our free internet whenever he wants - as long as he brings the Whirley Pop - ha! Having a house full of friends reminds me of life in Lakewood - 'tis so sweet :)

My classroom is coming along. It's very different planning, organizing, and preparing for a contained classroom environment. My biggest challenge this week has been scheduling. I am teaching one high school class in the middle of the day which makes things hard as I have to plan for what my 6th grade students will do during that time - and plan all the 'specials' around that time as well. Craziness, but it all seems to be working out. I was able to start putting posters on the wall today, so it's looking more like a classroom. I plan on spending all day Saturday in my room to have it ready for next week.

Tomorrow (Friday) all the teachers are going on retreat to Lake Muhazi, an hour or so away from Kigali. We will spend the day there relaxing and getting to know each other better. Sounds exciting - I plan to bring my camera - hopefully the air will be clear and I can take some nice pictures!

Thanks for all the prayers, comments, and emails! I appreciate y'all so much! I have been sleeping much better (I got a fan yesterday!), and just have an overall sense of peace here.

Love to you all and Good night :)