Four Month Update

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and prayers. It has now been nearly 4 months that we have been in Rwanda. On one hand it seems like we have been here only a few days. On another hand it feels like we have been here for years. On one hand we feel very at home. On the other hand we feel completely lost. I guess these are the paradoxes of cultural adjustment. We are very thankful to be here. The opportunity to be in Rwanda is an answer to years of prayers. We ponder what each new opportunity may bring. The simplicity of our lives seems to call us to deeper cravings and simpler joys.

This month we ask your prayers for the following matters:

1. Thanksgiving for new friends: After our interns left in August we spent several weeks struggling with loneliness in September. Then I remembered my dad’s words that I could make friends where ever I went. It boiled down to a choice. Over the last few weeks we have been developing a surprising number of friendships not only with Rwandans, but also with American families living in Rwanda with children a similar age as our own. Holly Hixson, one of our friends at Quail Springs remarked before we left that maybe our family would be the answer to other family’s prayers for friendships. It seems that the Lord is bringing us to other families, and hopefully we are the blessing to them that they are to us.

2. School: Our 4 oldest children have started school at Green Hills Academy. It is Rwanda’s “Premier English School.” It is a British style school with uniforms, and chalk and talk teaching style. Caleb thrives in the environment of fact memorization. Our more creative children struggle. Most of the other students are the children of Rwanda’s leaders in government, education, and business. Also, the children of diplomats stationed in Kigali attend here. Our children are making many friends. In fact, they are probably the best connected Jenkins’ family members. However, this is a completely different world from attending a private Christian school in Oklahoma. Most days require a “debriefing.” Please continue to keep their adjustment to Rwanda in your prayers.

3. Our Shipment: All of our possessions from Uganda arrived yesterday in Kigali. We have been without everything for 16 months. Our lifestyle has been very simple. There are a number of documents that will need to be processed before it can be released from customs. We are eager to become more settled in Rwanda. Also, we are eager to have our furniture so that we can feel more comfortable practicing the grace of hospitality. Though it seems self-absorbed we ask your prayers for our shipment to soon be cleared with minimum expenses.

4. Wisdom: We continue to be in need of great wisdom. There are many opportunities before us. We desire to make the most of each one for the glory of God. There are also many pitfalls to avoid. May our Rwandan learning curve not be too severe. May our early choices be ones that will bear spiritual fruit generations later. May we hear God’s voice, have His heart, see with His eyes, and our words and deeds be the expression of His character.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Imana ikurinde (May the Lord keep all of you),

Dave Jenkins

P.S. This year’s Oklahoma Christian Lectureship will feature a Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, January 25 that will focus on Rwanda. If you will be in Oklahoma City on those dates please make plans to attend. (Thank you Bob Young, OC Lectureship Director for organizing this prayer breakfast.)