What's the Plan?

Yes, we're moving to Rwanda! It's going to be a fast summer because we fly out for Africa on August 18! We have decided to join the team at Kigali International Community School (KICS) for the 2009-2010 school year. As you may know, Levi just completed the program for his teaching credential and he will be using all his skills there teaching junior high and high schoool math and possibly science. I (Erin) had a year full of decisions, substitute teaching and teaching for The Princeton Review as I completed prerequisites for grad school. At the end of the semester, I decided not to continue on the graduate school path, which really freed us up to leave the country. I am very excited about my teaching assignment at KICS - High school Bible and English! I went to Christian school for eight years and have been leading Bible studies for the past six years, but most importantly, studying the Bible is a huge joy and passion of mine. KICS is a Christian school for both Rwandan children and children of international workers. They provide the cost of our plane tickets and visas, which is very helpful. We will earn a small salary from the school, but are also praying about raising further funding. The school recommends coming as missionaries and raising additional support. Our hope would be to also bring in donations for opportunities we will encounter to provide for the community we serve, either as school supplies, shoes, or whatever.

Why Rwanda?

Well, numerous factors have come together to bring us to that particular. I've thought it would be neat to live abroad (on a short-term basis) ever since coming back from a wonderful semester abroad in Paris, France. Levi attended language school in Guatemala for a few months and has had a heart for Rwanda ever since becoming friends with a Rwandan missionary. Then, we found out that one of the members of my family will be moving to Kigali (the capitol of Rwanda) and invited us to go with them. We applied to KICS, had a great interview with the Headmaster, and now we're off!

Is it safe?

The genocide you're thinking of happened fifteen years ago. It's currently "safe, clean and well-organized," courtesy of the US Department of State.

How long are you going to be there?

As of right now, we're just taking it one year at a time, so we plan to be back in California in about one year from today.

Are you excited?

Yes. A little overwhelmed with all the details of the logistics in getting us over there, but excited for the opportunity to go and see what God has in store for us in this next year.