Another Peek Into Our Lives

Some very long over due updates…
Sabe Village… that awful, wonderful place.
Part of our hearts are here - how can they not be when we’ve seen them so vulnerable, desperate, destitute!?
Life is back to “normal” here; the flood waters have long receded, and it’s back to survival mode. Some hire themselves out for whatever they can find for what ever amount of time, just to fill their tummies; others are back to prostitution, still others are thieving again.
It’s a hard place; the hopelessness, despair… the empty look in some of the eyes…
It’s a wonderful place… the resiliency of children and their delight in the tiniest of things, their sheer delight in a little ‘extra”, their inquisitive looks at these muzungus and the enthrallment of the white skin that they touch very gingerly, as if they might wipe it off if they touch it too hard.
Thank you so much for all you who have and are praying; please don’t stop. And thank you so much to everyone of you who put wings on your prayers and physically made an immediate difference in the lives of these people by responding to previous blogs asking you to consider making donations. May God richly bless you.
On that note, we just want to again say a very sincere thank you to every one of you that support us with your prayers and with finances. Without your help, without your response to God’s prompting to support us, we would not be here. You are in our regular prayers as we partner to advance the kingdom of God.
I was helping at Pastor Ray and MaryAnne’s school for one week. MaryAnne is in Canada for about one month to visit their two grown daughters and their families, so I had the opportunity to get to know the Nyakabaga kids much better. The school is at Pastor Ray’s house, and they have 16 kids ranging in age from 3 - 10, all refugees from the Congo. They are able to understand some English and they have an interpreter. This was a huge blessing to be able to teach these kids; you see the vibrant faith and their deep love for Jesus they have when we go to Nyakabaga, and so to get to know them more was wonderful.
Yesterday when we went (after not having gone for some time), I was told by one of the older teens that I am “mama Florence.” Her name is Florence, and in this culture the mom and dad are called by their firstborn childs’ name. In other words, Isaac is papa Colton, I’m mama Colton.
We love this place dearly; Pastor Rueben asked Isaac and myself to preach here in a few weeks, so please pray for us that the Lord will give us a fresh Word for them.
Pastor Dave and Lynn came out from Canada last week Tuesday, and are staying with us. They leave on Sunday. It’s been great having them; they are a blessing.
Isaac is continuing to work with Gentile. This young man is very likable and pleasant, but really lacks a desire to work.
Colton wrote 10 exams a few weeks ago - there is no such thing as exempting anything here. His report card was phenomenal - his highest mark was 98%. So now we are in the middle of a two week Easter break - no school, hooray!
I was at a women’s conference in Gitega a few weeks ago. What an experience - the only muzungu among hundreds of women; funny thing is, I don’t think I’m nearly as much aware of this than what it seems the African’s are. To me it’s just skin color, to them it seems so often to mean that I’m better, or more important some how. They tried to wait on me almost hand and foot, and I very, very humbly accepted a fair bit, but at one point I just said, “You know, I don’t want to be rude or ungrateful or anything culturally inappropriate, but I can’t accept that.” I think they understood where I was coming from. My desire is to be one of them, and to be elevated like that is not right. Please understand, they want to do nothing but bless me, they have only good intentions. Call me a wannabe African!! : )
We love you, our praying family and friends.  Walk, breathe, be, live in the finished work of the Cross, that ultimate sacrifice we just celebrated yesterday. May it govern your life.
Papa Colton, Mama Colton and Colton