Over the Ocean About Now

Serge is flying home to Rwanda right now. He is getting to see family for the first time in 3 1/2 years. He was like a little child in his excitement about returning.

I was so encouraged to see him before he left. He was obviously very thrilled to be seeing his family again, but he is going with a much bigger purpose this time. He is going to check out ministry opportunities for the future. He's a young man with a purpose...and a vision.

Serge's greatest desire is to help the children of Rwanda. In helping them, he realizes he can be a part of positive change for his country.

Father, please be with Serge, his family and prepare them for the change that has occurred in their son, brother, cousin, and friend. May the people he sees be able to see the change in him and be drawn to you and your goodness and love, Father. Be with him every step of the way and keep him safe.

Thank you,
Lila

Serge is Going Home!

It's official! Serge is going to get to go to Rwanda for Christmas! I'm so happy for him. It will be great for him to see his family and friends. It's been 3 1/2 years since he's been home. But this time, he returns as a man with a mission. He's going to explore ministry opportunities for himself when he graduates . . . hopefully from grad school.

Serge desires so much to serve the children of Rwanda. He believes that education is so important in teaching the people of his country how to live in unity. I'm so thankful he has this mission in mind, but am fearful of him returning there for good. His country has a long history of turmoil. (Turmoil is such an understatement.)

I'm showing my new blog header in honor of Serge's upcoming homecoming. No worries. Lots more blog headers to come. :)

I Just Realized!

I just realized another thing I always wanted that God gave me. I used to say when asked if I wanted more children (when the girls were small) that I'd like to have a grown son.

And, I have a grown son! Thank you, Father, for Serge. All good things come from the Father.

Grateful,
Lila

Genocide in Rwanda

For some time I've been toying with the idea of giving a book review on the genocide in Rwanda for our residents of Wesley Court. Our adopted son, Serge, is from Rwanda and survived the 100 days of hell on earth in 1994. He was six years old when it began and 7 years old when it ended.

I wanted to present this horrific event in history in a way that would honor Serge and help others to understand the history leading up to the genocide and his country a little bit more. Yesterday I gave a book review at Wesley Court on the genocide in Rwanda. It was a very difficult topic to explore.

Our residents really enjoy others giving book reviews. We've had fun and informative book reviews at Wesley Court and they always walk away saying what a great time it was.

Yesterday was a bit different. I had prepared a power point presentation that had a lot of pictures and a time line leading up to the events of April 1994. Everything was prepared. We were meeting in one of the Dining Rooms at 3:30 in the afternoon. We had a good representation of residents. I lowered the room darkening blinds, turned off the lights and began the presentation.

After about ten minutes into the presentation I noticed that two of our residents were sound asleep! I tentatively looked around to see if I had drugged any others. Nope, just those two! (But to be honest, if I had been sitting in a dark, cool room at 3:30 p.m., I'd have done the same thing...and I'm not 90 years old!)

I hurriedly went through the presentation so as not to lose any others to slumber and quickly turned on the lights and called Serge to the microphone. We had a wonderful time of question/answer for him and he was his usual calm, charming and graceful self. All I really needed was Serge, not a powerpoint presentation!!

I told the residents that I wanted to be like Serge when I grew up, but I didn't want to have to go through what he had to get to be like him. It seems that is the way it works, isn't it?

There is someone you really admire and want their qualities, but then learn some of their story. You tell God, "Oh, I want to be like them, but..." There is always the qualifier, isn't there?

Serge brought a new friend with him yesterday. Her name is Shannon Lair and she just graduated from ACU. Next month she is heading to Rwanda for two years. What a precious soul.

God blessed us yesterday with Serge and Shannon's presence. But, sometimes overpreparation is just that. Too much. Keep it simple, Susie. :) KISS

Perfectly imperfect,
Lila