The pandemic is an opportunity to try all kinds of new things, isn’t it? For our middle daughter, who turned 18 recently, it was an opportunity to finally get the puppy she had been dreaming of for years. If you know Tiffany, you know she doesn’t do anything halfway, or without doing lots of research. So, after finding the perfect breed, the right breeder, and a price she could afford, she patiently waited for Sunny to be born.
She is doing a fantastic job training Sunny. And, I have to admit, Kimberly and I have kind of enjoyed having him around too. Surprisingly, even our older dog, Socks, has warmed up to the idea of a younger sibling. As I’ve watched Tiffany, and her younger siblings who still live at home, working with Sunny, it has reminded me of the importance of training.
I’ll be sharing more about this in future videos and posts, but the big idea is that puppies are full of potential! Just like all of us, they can develop skills and capabilities which are astonishing. Training is the key!
Our fantastic Education Division team is creatively training and educating our students in Rwanda—despite the restrictions. While adhering to government lockdown guidance, they are working to encourage, motivate and equip our students. What I love about Hope Haven Rwanda is not only that we are one of the highest ranked schools in the nation, based on national test scores (That is a clear testimony to God‘s hand on this amazing institution!), but that we invest in our families spiritually as well.
We are building into the lives of our students to help them develop into Christian world leaders and job creators. We want to train them “how to live.“ Fred, Emmanuel and the rest of the faculty are working diligently to prepare them for life as followers of Jesus. Chaplain Shema is investing in them every week, helping them deepen their relationship with God and their love for His Word. And, during this season, teachers like Angel are helping our P-6’ers stay on track academically. Angel is a strong woman of faith and I love to watch her teach!
Recently, after preparing take-home packets for her class, she met them on the field to give them an encouraging word. She said, “Keep your spirits up!“
Their smiles almost burst through their face masks! One of them even looked to the camera to say thanks to those of us in the US who are part of the Hope Haven Rwanda family.
Angel continued with a message that we can all cling to during these days of uncertainty: “I encourage you to keep up, and with each other, and to trust God. Soon we shall be back together!”
Who are you looking forward to being back together with? Is there a creative way that God wants to use you to help encourage them today?