The morning started with breakfast as usual, but it felt anything but ordinary. As I walked into the dining room, I was struck by how full it had become. Just days ago, I often found myself sitting alone at a table. Now the room was buzzing—full of life, conversation, and the overlapping energy of visitors from many places.
It didn’t take long to realize that we were almost too many for the space. Chairs filled quickly, voices rose and fell, and there was a sense that today was going to be a big day. After finishing our meal, we headed to the fellowship hall for one of the events I had most been looking forward to: the baptism ceremony.
The Jordan and Fifty-Nine Stories
François has been working tirelessly to coordinate all the logistics for this day. Fifty-nine students had made the decision to be baptized, and he carried the responsibility of making sure every detail was in place—from transportation to schedules to the flow of the program. His care for them and his joy in their decision were evident.
The service began with worship and music. Bruce Choir sang, the staff choir sang, and several speakers shared words of encouragement and teaching. The room was filled with singing, clapping, and the sound of many voices lifted together.
As the service portion concluded, those to be baptized, along with their families and visitors, were invited to move down to the pool. François has cleverly named this pool “the Jordan.”
I found a seat on the second row, and Jenny, the chairman of the board, came to sit beside me. Around the pool, cameras and video cameras clustered along the edges as people tried to capture the moment. It was striking to see how many lenses were focused on this one small body of water, each student carrying their own story, their own reasons for stepping into it.
Baptized in Sunlight and Song
As the baptisms began, the staff choir started to sing. Two pastors stood in the water, ready to receive each student. In Rwanda, an ordained minister must perform the baptisms, and there was a sense of reverence in the way each one stepped down into the pool.
One of the boys I sponsor, Ivan, was among those being baptized. I was delighted to see that he was third in line. After the first two students, I got up from my seat and quickly made my way to the edge of the pool so I could take a video of Ivan. The baptisms moved quickly but never felt rushed. The students had been divided into two groups, and one by one, they were lowered into the water and raised again, greeted by music, clapping, and rejoicing.
The weather was phenomenal—bright, warm, and clear. The entire morning felt almost cinematic: blue sky overhead, joyful singing, and the sparkling water of “the Jordan” holding fifty-nine sacred moments.
Some days feel like standing on holy ground, even when your feet are just on concrete beside a pool.
When both groups had finished, we were invited back into the worship hall for the conclusion of the ceremony. As everyone re-entered and found their seats, three students came forward to share their testimonies. Listening to them speak about their journeys, their faith, and their hope for the future added another layer of depth to what we had just witnessed.
Deborah was sitting next to me and, with such kindness, explained what was being sung in each song. She also leaned over at one point and told me I am in for a surprise tomorrow. She smiled and said that at some point I will ask myself, “Is that Deborah?” I have no idea what she has part she will play, but I am very much looking forward to it.
Every ceremony today felt like a thread, stitching together stories of faith, courage, and new beginnings.
After the baptism ceremony ended, we headed to the S3 balcony for the sewing program graduation. I have spent a lot of time with these ladies, so this ceremony felt particularly dear to me.
Technically, I was early, though according to the original agenda, I was right on time. The ceremony had originally been scheduled for 11:00 but was bumped to noon because the baptism service went long. When I arrived, I greeted each of the girls with a hug before finding my seat.
Some parts of the ceremony felt familiar from the graduation I attended in 2022: the spoken words of blessing, the gratitude, the mixture of laughter and tears. But there were also new elements and differences this time.
All of the students wore graduation robes, and two high school students served as MC and interpreter. They were incredible—confident, clear, and poised. The program began with words from Serge and the headmistress, both speaking into the significance of this achievement.
At one point, the ladies in the sewing program modeled outfits they had sewn for themselves. They looked fantastic—radiant and proud. After walking the “runway,” they quickly slipped away to put their graduation robes back on and returned to their seats so the ceremony could continue.
Alice, their trainer, spoke directly to them, offering encouragement and challenge. The students then rose to sing a song, filling the space with their voices—another small act of courage and joy.
Two of the program supporters were invited forward to receive gifts that the students had made for them. Then, representatives from each of the organizations present took turns handing out certificates to the graduates.
The ceremony ended with a beautiful cake being brought out, which the headmistress cut as part of the celebration.
All in all, it was fantastic. I congratulated each of the girls, told them how proud I am of them, gave Fanny an extra hug, and then it was time to head off to lunch.
Lunch Among the Trees
Because the dining hall was being used for a meeting today, we ate lunch at the restaurant in the woods. As always, the food was delicious. This location seems to work better for our group—it offers more space, fresher air, and a slightly slower pace. Moving forward, our meals will be taken there, and I think that’s a very good decision.
In the afternoon, some visitors went to the memorial, and others met with their sponsored children. Having already done both on previous days, I headed back to my room to work again on the resource page I am preparing for Rwanda Children. It is important to me that I leave something practical and meaningful behind.
Quiet Work and a Call from Home
I worked steadily for a while, until I decided to rest my eyes. At the same time, I could hear the students outside my guesthouse practicing for tomorrow’s ceremony. Drums, band music, and voices floated through the air. Even in the quiet moments alone, the sounds of preparation wrapped around me like a promise of what is still to come.
Then my phone rang. It was a coworker from back home, and we had a good conversation—two worlds touching briefly across the miles. Hearing a familiar voice from my everyday life was both comforting and slightly disorienting, a reminder that while I am fully here, another life is still waiting for me there.
After we finished talking, I gathered my things and headed back to the restaurant in the woods for dinner.
A Simple Evening and a Full Heart
For dinner, I sat across from Vann, at a table with Nathaniel, Naomi, London, and Steven. The conversation was warm and easy, the kind that doesn’t demand much but fills you up in quiet ways. After a full day of ceremony, celebration, and emotion, it was good to simply sit and talk.
Following dinner, we all admitted what we were thinking: we were very tired. One by one, we agreed that the best next step was to return to our rooms and rest.
Tomorrow is my last full day on campus. That reality sits heavily and gently on my heart all at once. It is very bittersweet. I am deeply grateful for all of the opportunities I have had here, the people I have met, and the work I’ve been able to do. At the same time, I am ready to go home. I miss my family, my pets, my team at work, and the rhythms of my daily life.
For one more day, though, I will soak in every detail I can—the beautiful weather, the drums, the dance, the smiles, and the beauty that is Rwanda.
Holding Celebration and Goodbye Together
As this trip nears its end, today felt like a picture of what my heart is holding—new life, new beginnings, and quiet goodbyes all woven together. Baptisms and graduations, laughter over meals, and one last full day to stand in the middle of it all.
Some days mark you in ways you don’t fully understand until later.
This was one of those days.