Day 6

Today was our first day at the school at gakagati. It took us a Long time to get there and get going this morning as we had to wait for pastor Paul and his friends to join us before we could set off properly. They were meeting us at the entrance to the town we are staying in - nagakati - and we were all going from there. While we were waiting we started a game of football with some of the kids from nagakati. It was a nice was to fill up 20 minutes or so... Although graeme fell over twice! When pastor Paul arrived, we stopped playing and continued on our way to gakagati.

It was quite a long drive to gakagati On the way we passed several fields containing Rwandan cows with large horns in their heads. About 4 km from the school we passed by a reservoir where people were filling large water canisters.

When we got to gakagati it was around 12:30 / 1 pm. The bus was cheered into the town as the school kids had all gathered to welcome us. As soon as we stepped off the bus we were surrounded by kids wanting to hug us, touch us, shake our hands or even just ask us our names. They considered us such a blessing and we hadn't even done anything yet! As soon as got off the bus we were also hit with the phenominal heat of the place.

The first thing we did was hold an assembly for the whole school. We sang some songs with the kids and then did a puppet show in which there was a lost sheep! The kids really enjoyed it. We then all went off to a house for something to eat and drink. The owners of the house had cooked some veg and made some gingery tasting tea (which was really nice, but wasn't the best as it was scorching hot weather outside and the tea was boiling!). In preparation to eat we all washed our hands with muddy water taken out of one of the large water canisters that had been filled at the reservior. During the meal pastor Paul explained that the reservior (4km away) was the closest source of water for the village and that it wasn't a clean water supply. The water had to be boiled to make it drinkable. He explained that a source of clean water was probably the biggest need for the village. It was such a cry of sorrow for me because we take clean, running water for granted back home, whereas the people of gakagati have to walk 4km just to get water that needs to be boiled before it can be used! It also reminded me of the words of Christ "if anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink" I felt challenged that, as a people of Christ, we should be quenching the thirst of his people, both in the form of water, but also in the form of his word. It also hurt to think that while we were inside eating, the kids were outside, probably having nothing to eat.

After the meal, we returned to the school and started our classes. The classes we were dealing with were very large - at least 50 pupils per class. While the kids were in the classes the adults all gathered outside to see what was happening, and join in if at all possible. The classes seemed to go well, with the slight problem of people getting involved who were not part of the school. All in all it worked out well though. I was in the sports group which served as a reminder that people of all colours and ages all enjoy taking part in various sports.

After school was over we returned to the house and had another drink. We then went and participated in an outreach service being held by the school. At the service callum preached very powerfully about how we are all sinners, that we all need Christ and how christ bore our sins on the cross. Amazingly we saw the power of Christ moving in that place as 4 people went forward to repent of their sins and become followers of Christ. It is truly amazing that, though we are so different, we worship the same God.

After that we returned to the guest house with a renewed appreciation of it.

Can you please pray that the next two days here go well, that we are all protected from dehydration and other illnesses and that we would be a blessing to these people, not just thought to be one!

Can you also pray for Paul, one of the boys from Arbroath. He seems to be really engaging with the Christian aspects of the trip and it would be really great if he would chat to one of the team about what it means to be a Christian. Please pray that he would seek Christ and find him
Amen
Comfort Rwanda team