I woke up this morning before my alarm to the sounds of birds singing, children laughing, and sunlight pouring through my window. It felt like the campus itself was already awake and moving before I even sat up. Today was my first full day at Rwanda Children Christian School, and from the start it carried that particular mix of familiarity and newness that comes when you return to a place that has grown since you last saw it.
Breakfast, Worship, and a Changed Campus
We started with breakfast in the guest dining room. John continues to do an extraordinary job — the kind of meal that is clearly prepared with care. After breakfast, we joined the teachers and staff for worship and teaching. Francois brought the message today, and he did not hold back. His teaching was full of Scripture, challenge, and encouragement, and you could feel the room leaning in as he spoke.
After worship, we set out on a campus tour. I knew there had been development since my last visit, but seeing it in person was something else entirely. They have added an entire secondary school, complete with boarding houses. The campus has expanded significantly, but nothing feels accidental. Every building, every path, every space seems to have been designed with the students and mission in mind. At one point I found myself unexpectedly emotional, overwhelmed by the thought that they are now able to serve nearly 900 children. That number is not abstract when you walk these grounds; it is classrooms and bunks and playgrounds and futures.
When the tour concluded, we returned to our rooms to freshen up and then headed back to the dining hall for lunch. Josiane joined us. She is fairly new to RCCS, having served as the librarian here for about six months after previously teaching at a school in Kigali. As we talked, we asked about her former school — 3,000 students, she said, with up to 50 in a classroom. The contrast made us all pause for a moment. Josiane will be helping with interpretation during the sessions with community members, and it was a gift to get to know her better over a meal rather than just in passing.
I was filled with emotion as we walked in and out of these beautiful multi-story buildings that existed only as dreams the last time I was here."
Orientation and the Shape of the Work
After lunch, I had a long, welcome break. I answered a few emails, worked on my computer for a bit, and then took a short, much-needed nap. In the afternoon, I headed to the boardroom for an orientation with members of the leadership team. They walked me through the programs Rwanda Children offers and gave updates on how things have grown and shifted. I was amazed at how much psychological safety is already woven into their programs. Then we talked about the program I’ll be joining each weeknight: Conversation Corner.
Conversation Corner is a structured space where guests and partners engage with students to help build communication, confidence, public speaking, critical thinking, social and leadership skills, all within a context of spiritual guidance. The sessions are student-led. My role is to come alongside, not to take over. We reviewed my itinerary and made sure everything was in order. By the time orientation ended, I had about fifteen minutes before the evening session began.
Conversation Corner with 10th Graders
Josiane waited while I dropped something off in my room, then walked with me to the Conversation Corner meeting space. The group I had tonight was made up of 10th grade students. We began by having them introduce one another rather than themselves. I modeled what that might sound like by pretending someone was introducing me — sharing basic information and one or two character traits. Then each pair took a turn. It was a simple activity, but it opened the door for them to really see one another.
From there, we moved into a discussion about respect. What is it? How do you demonstrate it? Who taught you what respect looks like? Their answers were thoughtful and specific. We then played “Two Truths and a Lie.” Only one student had played it before. I went first and gave them my two truths and a lie. They immediately asked to see pictures related to my “truths,” which made all of us laugh and helped break any remaining tension. Then each student took a turn sharing their own. By the end, we had learned small but meaningful details about one another — siblings, favorite activities, surprising talents.
I wrapped up by asking for feedback on the session, and then it was time to dismiss for the evening.
An Invitation to Evening Worship
Now I am back in my room, wrapping up the day and preparing for tomorrow. My first session in this new phase of the trip begins in the morning. Josiane and I will be spending three hours with parents in the Child Malnutrition Program — another opportunity to sit in a room with caregivers who are doing the best they can with what they have, and to talk about safety, connection, and hope.
Today was full of growth — in buildings, in relationships, in understanding. It was a good first full day at Rwanda Children.