A bit from us...

Life in Rwanda has, for the most part, fallen right back into place. We have been back home now for 5 weeks but it almost feels like we never left.

Not too much out of the ordinary has happened. I did have the opportunity to be part of a wedding of one of the Victory Pastors. Pastor Veronique is the only female pastor out of the 14 or so that Victory has in Rwanda. She asked me to be her maid of honor before we left for Canada to which I happily accepted. I did explain to her though that because I was leaving shortly after she asked me and then not returning until just one week prior the wedding that I was not really going to be much help. She assured me that it would be naki bazo (no problem) so her maid of honor I was to be!

On the big day my duties included holding the flashlight in the dark room so that make-up could be applied, feeding both the bride and groom the ceremonious “first drink together” of milk. I expected there to be a straw in the container but after many stares and hushed mutterings I quickly realized that I actually had to tip the contents of milk into their mouths as they cannot put their hands on the containers themselves. My other duties included keeping debris from sticking to her dress as she walked around and wearing the funniest hat and stickiest taffeta dress for an entire day! It was actually a lot of fun! Everyone enjoyed themselves and Baylee found her way to the make shift kitchen where she quickly made herself useful entertaining the locals and helping to serve food to the guests.

Baylee and Julia have had a much better start to school this year. They are both on track and doing well. They have however, learned that home schooling is maybe not as great as they thought it would be. They really do miss the classroom interaction, but I think that they do enjoy having laid back mornings where they don’t have to get up super early.

All of the other children are just winding down their school year. Their last day is October 31. The kids are looking forward to the break but I think that the mamas are a bit concerned about what the next 2 months are going to be like with 60 kids home all day!? This place is big enough though and there is always something to do, I am sure that we will be able to keep them busy.

We were hoping to have a mission team here in November but unfortunately it got postponed so our next visitor is actually my mom. She is coming at the beginning of December and staying for 2 months. Everyone here is very excited; the kids are really looking forward to having another Bebe (grandma) here. My mom is looking forward to learning how to do the traditional crafts and I know that the kids and mamas are excited to teach her how to weave grass for bags and purses and also to make grass bowls. I myself would like to see her hopping around doing the traditional Rwandese dancing!

With proceeds from the grass bags that we sold over the summer we have hired a very talented local woman to come and teach the kids and mamas (and me!) to make ornate grass bowls and peace baskets. Just about all of them have given it a try and many, more than I thought would, have really grasped it and taken and interest. I can’t wait to see them finished as the African bowls are one of my more favorite decoration pieces.

Thank you to everyone who snapped up the bags made by the kids, when we return we will have many more. The kids and mamas have learned a new design and the bags that they make now are much more decorative. I think that their bowls will be beautiful too!

Our cow “Dolly” is due to have her calf sometime in November. This is a cause to celebrate because we will have more than enough fresh milk for the kid’s everyday. I am a bit perplexed though as to how exactly we are going to milk her because every time we try to get near her he snorts at us and tries to ram us with her head. Dolly is such a cow!

We are just entering into the long rainy season; we usually have one really good downpour everyday which is nice for cooling down after the hot morning and afternoon. It was 26 degrees this morning at 8:30 and is currently 30 degrees at 5pm…how is your October going?! (Sorry, had to throw that in there!!)

Every available spot of land is either prepared for planting or already planted. This place is turning into a beautiful Eden.

We really want to say thank you to everyone for the hospitality and generosity that was shown to our family over the summer when we were home on furlough.

All of the visits were very special to us whether it was a five minute visit at church or a 3 hour visit over coffee and amazing apple pie! We would have liked to have been able to see each and every one of our sponsors but time just never permits.

Thank you for your faithfulness to our family. Thank you for your obedience and faithfulness to our Lord, Jesus Christ for your continued prayer and financial blessing of our family here in Rwanda. We could not possibly do this without you.

Until next time,

The Torgersons

Ps, ever thought of coming to Rwanda for a visit?!