More Training Today

Only 40 days to go and our training is starting to focus on the specifics of our Rwanda trip. Today we met a student from Rwanda that helped us with the pronunciation of certain phrases... how do you say "Where is the bathroom?" answer Ndshaka Toilette? Important question don't you think? Taylor and Sammie both enjoyed the training today and had NO trouble speaking up in front of the 60+ people in attendance too! We also learned how to pace our speech for an interpreter, and the kinds of greetings we can expect (ask me about the triple hug.)

Before training we had lunch with John & Amanda Lim (and their 3 girls) whom we'll be traveling to Rwanda with in April. Each time we get together our visits get longer and deeper in our discussions. We think we've found new permanent friends, and so have our girls since all you can hear from all 5 of them is constant giggles!

Lastly, we got a very concerned phone call today from family. They just wanted to make sure that we're going to be safe in Rwanda and not in danger of losing our lives. Honestly, I expected these phone calls earlier, but they are just fine and really demonstrate to us just how much we are loved by our family. Please rest assured that we would never knowingly put our family in harms way - in any place in the world. We are confident that this trip is for the right reasons and at the right time (God's timing), and with the right people. While we're in Rwanda there will be a week long remembrance of the genocide that occurred in 1994, and the kick-off of their country learning about being"Purpose Driven." We will help church leaders learn and or teach Purpose Driven life to their parishioners, be available to give our testimony (why we believe in God), help run a mini-camp for their kids, and help them strategize ways to overcome obstacles in their way towards success in this endeavor. The goal is sustaining this program long after we're gone. Members of our church will be coming into and out of Rwanda for the entire 6 weeks it will take to provide education of being "Purpose Driven," so we are not doing this alone!

We look forward to answering any questions you may have about our trip, and hope that we do get some questions posted about it.
Love, Kelly

Yego! (Rhymes with Lego)

In Kinyarwandan that means "Yes!" And to all of you who emailed me back this morning after finding out about our webpage or our Rwanda trip I say "Murakoze" (which means thank you.) I'm never surprised at the love of our friends and family, but I'm always happy when I see it so overtly given.

This upcoming Sunday we'll be learning more about our mission trip to Rwanda and a few more words as well. The conversations in the Burton house are getting funny as we learn bits and pieces of the language. And although we'll have an interpreter with our group, it's fun to try out these words on each other. Here's a few more for you...

• Muraho - Hello
• Mwaramutse - Good Morning
• Mwiriwe - Good Afternoon
• Amakuru - How are you?
• Nimeza - I'm well.
• Nikeza - Beautiful
• Imana Ishimwe - God be praised (Sammie likes to Say this one)
• Nibyiza - It's cool
• Ubwiherero Burihe - Where is the bathroom
• Eeky-Neeky? - How do you say...?

Have a great day & Mwiriwe! Off to softball practice we go for Sammie's team.
Nikeza,
Kelly

Shots!

Yesterday was the BIG day... "Shot Day!" We lined up and all got our vaccinations against Yellow Fever (which had to be special ordered by the CBC). We also made sure our Hepatitis A, B and Tetanus were up to date as well. The nurses who did Taylor's and Sammie's shots were very kind and got it over with quickly! Sammie squealed with each of her 2 shots and the room fell silent each time. But now it's done & we're really looking forward to our trip in April!

Travel Plans Completed!

Today we officially found our London "family" hotel, and this completes the LAST thing we needed to do for our Travel Itinerary in April. We're excited to stay in London for a few days (Sunday - Thurs. am) before we continue on our way to Rwanda for the Missions Trip. After London we fly to Brussels, Belgium and stay overnight, then we fly direct to Kilgali. We'll stay in Kilgali until April 17th before we begin the long journey home. We'll be home by April 18th at night, with no stops along the way.

Sammie is 7!

We blinked our eyes and our little baby turned 7 years old! She celebrated with only 2 friends this past weekend by going to Build-A-Bear and the Rainforest Cafe, both at Downtown Disney. You cannot believe how happy she's been, especially since she talks about her birthday every day of the year. I'm sure that tomorrow she'll begin making plans for her eighth year!