They’re back! Ambrose to Africa Mission Team returns

Our team of Ambrose students, teachers, and parents returned from Rwanda after a busy and successful visit with our sister school there, the Bright Future School. Bright Future School was started by Pastor Patrick Twagirayesu, who saw a great need for the upcoming generations in Rwanda to have hope after surviving the devastating genocide over a decade ago. He knew that a school that could teach the hope of Christ could potentially heal their nation, prevent another genocide, and give the people a “bright future.” (Read this blog post by Jenny Rallens to learn more.)

The Ambrose School chose to partner with Pastor Patrick and Africa Bright Future Ministries as a school ministry and have been supporting BFS for several years now.

This year’s team visited classrooms, trained teachers, brought books and supplies, and toured the site where Pastor Patrick hopes to build a high school for students who complete Bright Future School. Currently, these students must go to government schools if they want to continue their education. Patrick wants them to be able to continue a Christian education at this critical point in their lives.

Following are pictures and commentary from Ambrose teachers, Amanda Patchin and Jenny Rallens:

The shelf of books I brought and several teachers from the school.
The shelf of books I (Amanda) brought and several teachers from the school.
Rebecca holding a stuffed puppy Luc sent with me to give away.
Rebecca holding a stuffed puppy Luc sent with me to give away.
Agnes is a teacher at Africa Bright Future School. She wants to go to the university and study English Literature. She is thrilled with the new books. Every time I saw her, she was reading or walking around with her finger holding her place in the book.
Agnes is a teacher at Africa Bright Future School. She wants to go to the university and study English Literature. She is thrilled with the new books. Every time I saw her, she was reading or walking around with her finger holding her place in the book.

 

 

Site of a proposed secondary school. Currently raising funds to purchase the two hectare parcel, then to build dormitories and classrooms for 500 impoverished rural students to live and learn in Kigali.
Site of a proposed secondary school. Currently raising funds to purchase the two hectare parcel, then to build dormitories and classrooms for 500 impoverished rural students to live and learn in Kigali.
Gertrude is a pastor's wife, mother to 5, and a working woman. Members of her church call her "Mama" and "First Lady". Her bearing is truly regal.
Gertrude is a pastor’s wife, mother to 5, and a working woman. Members of her church call her “Mama” and “First Lady”. Her bearing is truly regal.

 

amanda2

Another beautiful moment in Rwanda: holding the hands of these teachers from 3 other schools and praying together after Amanda and I gave a teacher training in Nygatari, Rwanda.
Another beautiful moment in Rwanda: holding the hands of these teachers from 3 other schools and praying together after Amanda and I (Jenny) gave a teacher training in Nygatari.
This is Frank Numuzinga and his mother (and Claude, one of our drivers, in the background). Frank is one of 9 children. Thirty five dollars a month out of my budget means Frank can go to school. Frank in school is the main hope his entire family has of a life beyond subsistence farming.
This is Frank Numuzinga and his mother (and Claude, one of our drivers, in the background). Frank is one of 9 children. Thirty five dollars a month out of my budget means Frank can go to school. Frank in school is the main hope his entire family has of a life beyond subsistence farming.
Fred was our bus driver for two weeks. He took a bus full of 20 people, 50 bags, and gallons of bottled water across Rwanda four times, on crowded highways and narrow goat tracks and everything in between. Invariably cheerful, he kept us safe even while speeding in excess of 120km an hour.
Fred was our bus driver for two weeks. He took a bus full of 20 people, 50 bags, and gallons of bottled water across Rwanda four times, on crowded highways and narrow goat tracks and everything in between. Invariably cheerful, he kept us safe even while speeding in excess of 120km an hour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joy. These girls had never seen a story book before Thursday. We read three chapters of Narnia together.
Joy. These girls had never seen a story book before Thursday. We read three chapters of Narnia together.
Two girls in one of the villages we visited who absolutely refused to let go of my hands the whole time we were there. I've heard a lot about the amount of joy and love here, but I didn't even have categories to comprehend the full extent until experiencing it.
Two girls in one of the villages we visited who absolutely refused to let go of my hands (Jenny) the whole time we were there. I’ve heard a lot about the amount of joy and love here, but I didn’t even have categories to comprehend the full extent until experiencing it.