A Brief Update...and A Look to the Future

Well, the past several weeks of our lives have been very hectic, and it doesn't look like things will be calming down any time soon!  Just to give you a feel for what's been happening, some of the highlights (and maybe lowlights?) of the past month include the following:  we had a visit from the Godwin's and Kenny's (the Godwin's last time); I studied for and completed my last tests of high school; Caleb had his final Band concert; we got a cat--Messi; we had a "grad supper" out with the Gaskill's (in lieu of my graduation); Caleb had a week of tests, projects, and an exam; we had some responsibilities with a short term missions team (STM), including having one lady stay at our house for a week; we attended, and Caleb played at, KICS' graduation ceremony; we have said good-bye to most of the expat families we have become good friends with this year (there are many expat families moving away this summer); we had a wonderful final family fling of vacation in Butare and Nyungwe Forest, including going on a Canopy Walk in the trees and seeing a total of six different types of monkeys as well as the Great Blue Turaco bird; we said good-bye to some more friends; and then finally, this week, we've had several more meals out, and Mom & Dad have had meetings, with some more STMs; Mom and Dad celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary; we've been starting to fit in some of my lasts, both Kigali lasts as well as family lasts; Caleb got his first pair of glasses; and I've started packing!

On Thursday evening, Dad & I fly out of Kigali and head to Moncton, New Brunswick, while Mom & Caleb remain here and hold down the fort!  We appreciate your prayers for all of us as we each feel the effects of this major transition.  Dad will be in Canada with me for 3 1/2 weeks, helping me get settled and set up in New Brunswick before returning to Rwanda.  As the clock ticks down and we spend our last few days together, I'm going to be spending as much time as possible with my family, so you probably won't be seeing much of me over the next week.  And maybe over the next few weeks, as I have a feeling that life is going to be pretty crazy once I touch down in Canada.  Or maybe you'll get tons of photo dumps as I have time...I'm not sure.  I do know that eventually you'll get some written and photo updates of what's been going on and what will be going on.  Until then, please keep us in your prayers as we go through this huge transition!  Thank-you!

KICS Band Tour 2013!

From May 2nd to 5th, the KICS band went on Band Tour!  On Wednesday they had a dress rehearsal and then they kicked off the tour on Thursday with two performances at Green Hills Academy in Kigali.  They finished off the day with a practice for Sunday at CLA.  On Friday morning, they performed at an elementary school in Kigali.  After lunch, they drove to Musanze--around 2 hours away--and performed at Sonrise High School.  Finally, on Sunday, they participated in the morning church service at Christian Life Assembly (CLA).

Mom and I went to the dress rehearsal on Wednesday to get our first taste of the songs (other than hearing the trombone part every morning for many weeks)!

From our side view  |  "Blazing Clarinets"

Since it was a practice, it also gave me some good opportunities to try out what I've been learning about framing and background in my Photography course!

The 5 trombonists--one of my favourites!

Eyes on Mr. Gaskill!

Jazz band!

Another one of my favourites!

The band has memorized their final song, "Salvation Is Created," and are able to spread out when playing it to create some surround sound!

Mr. Gaskill giving a short devotion and tour pep talk...

...which included some good expression...and acting!

To give a bit of explanation, the second picture is him enacting the "step of faith" in Indiana Jones!  Who knew it would come in handy in band practice?!

One of the band members lost his Dad last year, and the day of the rehearsal was on the one-year anniversary.

Mr. Gaskill leading a prayer of blessing over this band member, and the upcoming tour.

Dad helped out with some driving on Thursday, but we weren't able to attend any of the performances that day.  On Friday, however, all three of us travelled to Musanze with the band and a few other parents.

Our "convoy" of 6 vehicles starting out from Kigali

A couple of hours later, arriving at Sonrise High School.

The place was packed!  And required some quick-thinking innovation in terms of band seating! :-)

After playing a few songs, there was an opportunity for a couple of students to try out an instrument.  Here's Mr. Gaskill showing how to play the trumpet.

And how to conduct!

The jazz band!

One of the KICS students giving their testimony.

What it looks like outside when not everyone is playing...

...and receiving instructions about how to position themselves for the final song.

"Salvation Is Created"

We were just slightly later leaving than we hoped to, but it looked like we should still make it back shortly after dark.

However, one of the keys to being a missionary is being flexible and enjoying an adventure!  After driving for 50 minutes, we came across a landslide caused by the heavy rain we were experiencing.  Cars were being rerouted on the side of the road, and the first 3 vehicles in our convoy got through fine.  The bus, however, was a different story! 

As it was trying to drive along the side of the road, it got stuck.  Then it tried to back up, and started sliding and got more stuck.  After one more attempt at moving--and tilting even more--we were very relieved to see Mr. Gaskill leading the students off the bus!  Thankfully, it wasn't a sheer drop-off at this point along the road, but the bus still could have tipped onto its side.

The Dad driving the vehicle in front of us got out of his small truck, dug around in the backseat, and pulled out a cable! [Dad's wondering if a cable would appear if he tried digging around in our back seat!!]  He was able to attach it to a huge stump blocking part of the road and pull it back a ways.  Machetes and axes sent branches flying, and after several minutes, the stump was rolled off the side of the road.  Shovels then appeared and men got to work moving some of the mud covering the road.  Finally, David [with the cable] was able to attach his cable to the rear of the bus and, as the bus reversed, directed it back onto the road!  While this only took a moment to read, it took an hour to actually happen--an hour of standing in drizzling rain for the band students!  But--it's all part of the adventure...and makes for some great stories.

On Sunday morning, the Tour closed off by participating in the service at CLA.

By this point, the band members were pros and setting up and tearing down!

In addition to performing 3 of their own songs, the band also played with the worship team on "Everlasting God (Strength Will Rise)."

Practicing beforehand with the worship team

It sounded amazing!!!

It was a very busy and tiring four days--especially for the band--but it was also an incredible experience!  There were lots of opportunities and the students seemed very receptive.  Mr. Gaskill did an amazing job planning and coordinating the schedule and school visits as well as preparing and leading the band members.  The students, of course, also played a huge part in the success of the tour.  They played all of their pieces with confidence--and sounded great!--were very efficient at setting up and packing up, and gave all the glory to God!