Back to school with a purpose...

A purpose to learn. A purpose to succeed. A purpose to have a hope for their futures. Going to school for our children was a desire they all had in their hearts, they love to learn. Many of them prior to being with us didn't have that opportunity and were used as servants in homes as their "newly orphaned situation" was fully taken advantaged of. Others, having the opportunity to attend didn't have uniforms, sandals or any materials to use and were often put to the back of the class and rejected. Their experience in school these days are like night and day to what they knew before. They love to study!

Eric and Divine are in the 4th class, going to school morning and afternoons everyday. Claude and Evyone are in the 3rd class, going to school only in the mornings (a group) at this time. In 2nd class we have Anacre, Alice, Vernust, Marie and Cleria who attend in the afternoons (b group). David, Vanessa and Jimy in 1st class, and Cedria and Tonny in pre-school all in the mornings! The school system here does a a/b group rotation each week for morning and afternoon school because of the massive amount of children attending school with few schools and teachers. In some classes, there can be up to 80 children! But generally they try to keep it below 60 children; which still seems to be extremely high. We recently transitioned our cook to the tutor position as she went to school to be a teacher. Suah is amazing with the kids... creative, dynamic and is seeing that all are growing and learning in a good way.

Who knows where our children will be in 30 years... The President of Burundi, Ministers, Preachers, Teachers, Taxi Shofers and even having a family and hoeing in the field daily... influencing their community to love and fear God as we wait for the return of His son Jesus. We support and encourage them to dream, to seek God and follow His lead to do the very thing in which we were created for... to use their gifts and skills for the glory of God - in whatever path they choose. Thus, they are back to school with a purpose - a purpose driven life.

We would like to give an extra BIG thanks to Spring of Life and the children from this past summers VBS who made a way for us to get uniforms, backpacks and school materials for the children! As you can imagine, it can be costly preparing for school for 14 children, and we would just like to extend a thanks to all who made it possible! Together, we can make all the difference. All our love...