The Rainy Season

WIth the advent of the rainy season at the beginning of April, not only are the residential and outlying areas muddy and more washed out than before, we are BUSY!

Those two things might seem unrelated, but they're not completely. Since the majority of people walk everywhere and those with a little more money ride motorcycle taxis, they don't come to classes during driving rainstorms and the motos don't run either. Add to that, some of our meetings in the more remote areas are outside and if the wind is blowing, we would be very wet anyway, so they get canceled or are poorly attended.

We finished another round of Temple Preparation classes in Kinyinya this week. We will try to fill that time slot with Temple Preparation for another branch.

Four of my music students have moved into the keyboarding phase (piano lessons). They are doing well. They are from two different branches.

We are meeting with the missionary zones weekly to help them develop their English skills. Those who are already competent English speakers (as determined by a test) are mentors. We also go to visit one of the outlying groups each week to give them the support, too. I took this photo from the Ruyenzi Elders' Balcony. We have LOVED the opportunity to be more involved with the missionaries by meeting with them weekly, either in person or on zoom.

We finished all of our "Teaching the Savior's Way" classes for all branches, so that freed up some time.

We have also been assigned to work with the Young Single Adults. We have a married couple (Boaz and Christine) recently called to be their mentors, so we hope to transition that responsibility to them completely in the next few months. This month, we showed The Testaments, had a choir rehearsal for District Conference and served these tasty little "donuts" The dough is sweeter than other breads but they have no topping. We are so grateful to the Cravens and Ensigns for helping us with the YSA.

We also give them a juice drink or a soda. Since this "refreshment" idea is not something they are culturally used to, we continue to work on the protocol (lining up, taking only one serving,) for such occasions. There is improvement!

Funny thing about The Testaments. Most had not seen it, but when the little romantic elements were shown they had a vocal response (surprise? pleasure? scandal?) A public show of affection is NOT something they're used to. When there is a little kiss in the movie, the room erupted in expressions. . .I suppose of glee. We definitely want to give them ideas!! THe YSA don't seem to know how to "go a-courtin."

The raging rainstorms have caused some flooding in the city and also out in the provinces. This river is usually about 1/4 this size.

Some houses were washed out and streets were closed by flooding last week.

Today is a beautiful Easter Sunday and we are enjoying celebrating the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ with our African (and missionary) friends!

We saw this west of Kigali. Note that the two nannies are on a leash but the kids follow them without a leash. They're so cute! We see goats and chickens strapped on the backs of bicycles all the time.

The war in the east has caused the economy here to continue to decline. Our American dollars go farther and farther. When we got here, the exchange rate was 1300 Rwanda Francs to the dollar. Now its about 1430 RWF to the dollar.

We went to the Kimironko market earlier this week to get Jeff's shoes repaired and to buy some souvenirs/gifts for family. With politics uncertain, we want to have all we want in case something changes unexpectedly.

But today is Easter no matter where you are on the Earth. How can we rejoice enough for being free from the chains of death and Hell? How can we be sufficiently grateful? I suppose Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." He made it simple! He made it easy! I hope we all rejoice in Christ today and every day!