Long term goal - what brought us here — My journey to Rwanda began when I least expected the calling: in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic at my home church, on my family’s first Sunday face-to-face service since the world seemed to change for everyone.  It was the summer of 2020, and a new project through Rwanda Challenge was announced on this date, and volunteers were needed.  The mission would be to travel to Rwanda in November 2020 to teach a group of pastors both English and computer skills, so that they could hopefully pass an English competency examination to be enrolled in a college degree program in Bible Theology through a partnership with Mid-Atlantic Christian University.  Due to changes in requirements for pastor education, an Associate’s degree will soon be required for local pastors to be leaders of their church bodies.  Immediately, I looked over at my husband and my two children and confirmed with my excited eyes that this was for me!  As a Speech-Language Pathologist with the public school system, it was almost as if the words were spoken to my ears alone.  I knew I could do this!  Despite never leaving the United States previously, I agreed to take part in the project, and started counting down the days until my first mission trip.  After several months of planning and despite many unknowns during the pandemic last fall, our team successfully impacted our wonderful group of Kinyarwanda speakers in Rwanda, and our experience was unforgettable.  We enjoyed amazing foods, experienced a safari adventure, felt the immense horror from the 1994 Genocide, and we even took part in the most special wedding ceremony.  I shed tears nearly every day I was in Kigali, Rwanda, and  I cried for two weeks when I returned to US soil.  This trip changed my life in so many ways.  I learned the meaning of love, gratitude, and what really matters in this life.  I literally felt like I had left half of my heart in Africa, and I knew I’d be back.  In fact, I was planning my return trip before I departed.

Fast forward to Summer 2021…. COVID-19 remained ever present, and the team in place to travel with me in July made final preparations to make the trip at the beginning of the month.  A few days before our departure flight, the remainder of the Rwanda Challenge team decided on a Zoom meeting that they would not be travelling this time due to significant concerns regarding a spike in COVID cases in Rwanda.  I prayed and I prayed and I prayed, and I felt such a strong desire to still go, at this time, solo.  So, with no fear in sight, I flew to Africa by myself.  I was never alone; God was with me every step.  Looking back on that day, I cannot believe I boarded that plane alone.  I now, though, can honestly say that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The country of Rwanda experienced a huge increase in cases, and tight restrictions made it impossible for me to teach the group of students I had envisioned.  However, with some creativity, I was still able to teach English and typing to my brother and best friend in Africa, Pastor Eric.  My time in Kigali in July was fulfilling in a way that words cannot describe.  Being fully immersed in African culture all day and night was beautiful.  I stayed for twenty-five days on this journey.  The quality time I was able to spend with these friends who immediately felt like close family was refreshing, healing, and so inspiring.  Pastor Theophile Rugubira, Director of Africa Hope Initiatives (Africa) opened his home to me during my stay, and one day, he asked me about becoming the US Director for Africa Hope Initiatives.  I agreed, and here we are.

God is using me.  It is real, and it is powerful, and I am thankful.  I am just a normal Southern girl from North Carolina, who married my high school sweetheart, and together we are navigating life with two teenagers.  As I look back at the moments that have shaped me the most, following the calling to this tiny African nation is the one that has molded me into the creation I am at this moment.  This place is my passion, my purpose, and my mission.  Will you join me in changing lives in Rwanda and Eastern Africa?