I'm going to Rwanda!

I can't believe that in a few short months, I'll be boarding a plane, headed for Rwanda, Africa. The thought is exciting and terrifying at the same time. Today, we had a planning meeting and I finally feel like some of our plans have started to really come together. 

This is the first mission trip I have been on where I had any control over what we would be doing. Before this, everything was planned and I was along to do what needed to be done. With this trip, the team members decide what to do and how we want to do it, with input from the Africa New Life Staff. At first I was a little scared; I just wanted to play with the kids and meet my sponsored child. Now, as things have progressed, I am excited to get to put our plan into action. 

I believe that God has put this team together for a reason. Their are three full time teachers in our group, which is giving us a wonderful opportunity to help the teachers in Rwanda. Many of them have little training and we will be able to give them some strategies and ideas for working in their classrooms. We are going to focus on God's love for children and how each child is valuable and needs to be loved and cared for. Through community building activities, classroom management strategies, and cooperative activities, we hope to give the teachers at the school a bag of tricks to draw from. 

It is going to be a busy few months as we prepare to depart for Africa. I am excited to get to know the team better and to get to Rwanda to see what God has in store for us there.