Another Family Addition!

Okay! So, I've now received three different emails wondering about the seventh person in our family pictures. :)  Apparently, some of you would like to know who in the world Claver is, and how he came to be a part of our family!!

Well, I know you won't be shocked to hear that this is probably one of the biggest God stories I've ever watched come together.

And, the coolest part is that we get to watch it get better and better and deeper and deeper every single day.

Claver is one of our favorite people on earth.  I mean, that does not even say it strongly enough!  We adore him, respect him, and would be lost without him.  (And, we're just one family of MANY who have been blessed by knowing him!)

He was the one we always relied on when we came to Gisenyi.  He cares about the children of Noel deeper than anyone I know.  He has lived their life.  He wants more for their future. And he works tirelessly (even from America) to give them the best he possibly can.

Claver grew up at Noel.  After already losing his dad, he lost his mom and brothers in the genocide of 1994.  He was eventually brought to Noel.  And from age 7, Noel was Claver's home.  He has many stories about his years there.  And, what I've told him again and again, is that God spoke TRUTH and LOVE and PEACE over him when none of that was apparent in his daily life.  It is incredibly clear that God had special plans for Claver, and kept him close to His heart even in the midst of some really hard stuff.

As he grew, he began helping at the orphanage, working as an assistant to the secretary and the director of the orphanage, and eventually leading computer training and developing a library and playroom for the children of Noel.  When he could, he attended university classes at night.  And, he had a big dream of earning a degree in information technology, to develop businesses and be able to train others in Rwanda.

He spent years serving the orphanage and working faithfully to help the children in every way possible.  Even now, the leaders of the orphanage call him almost every day for one reason or another. And, all the children talk to him as much as they possibly can.  He is a natural leader.  He is a gentle leader.  He cares so deeply for others, and is one of the most humble, serving men I've ever known.

So, how did he go from working at Noel to attending college in America?

I can't even remember the details (which, by the way, is when you KNOW you're in a God story.  He works so quickly, and sometimes so unassumingly, that you almost wonder how you even got where you are?  And, who said it first?  And, how did it come to mind?  And, when did we... And, how did we think... You get the picture.  All of a sudden you realize you are RIGHT in the middle of this confusing whirlwind of God-sized stuff.  And, you didn't even know it.  Because you didn't do any of it.  HE DID.  And it feels totally right.)

That's precisely what happened with Mr. Claver.

It was one conversation with Tara. (Yes, many things come back to a conversation with Tara.  :)

She told me Claver shared some big dreams with her.  And he wants to study in America so he can bring what he learns back to Rwanda and change the Gisenyi area with businesses and technology.  He wasn't happy with the level of teaching he was receiving, and he knew there was more for him to learn. 

So, I casually say "Well, if he wants to study here, we'd love to have him."  Or something like that.

Then, the next thing I know, he is COMING!  He has a PASSPORT!  He got his VISA!  We all got the paperwork done easily and quickly.  And, we found a SCHOOL with the perfect international program for him.

And, literally, a few months after that conversation, he was landing in Dallas.  His first time out of Rwanda, his first time on an airplane, his first time in America.  And, the first time he had been part of a family in years and years.

He actually landed the same day I arrived back home from Ghana---August 11th.  Which was one day before Carlie turned 8.  And, one week before we started our third homeschool year.  And just two days before he had to begin preparation for college! It was such a busy time (which is why it was never blogged about!).  When I look back at pictures, I kinda wonder how it all happened at the same time.  :)

 

But, I also can't imagine life without Claver coming into it.  It has changed our family so much to have him here.  To see this world through his eyes has blessed us beyond belief.  To appreciate the little blessings that we so easily overlook, and to be able to find joy in things like grapes, sidewalks, washing machines, pizza delivery, washing cars, sports games with big TVs, 3-D movies, and the list goes on and on.  But, even more important than the frivolous American luxuries, we've watched him be emotionally moved by feeding the homeless, learning every word of new worship songs, or sharing Jesus BOLDLY with his fellow classmates.

And, oh my goodness, the joy and love this guy has for family.  I can't even describe it.  He loves family get-togethers with the "big" family.  He loves playing with the girls.  He adores Gabe and teaches him gently and quietly so many wonderful things every day.  He is giddy at getting to celebrate birthdays.  Or, experience new things as a family.  Going to church together.  Eating dinner together.  Every single thing matters to him.  And, it has truly opened my eyes in new ways to see what it means to belong to one another and soak up each day's blessings like Claver does.

Claver, we are so incredibly proud of you, and we are so thankful God chose to bring us together as family.  You are forever and ever one of us, and we wait with great anticipation to see what God has planned for your life.

So, now you know!

Claver is our newest Jacobs member.  And, we will never EVER be the same.

(P.S.  These are all pics just from his first few weeks here!  As you can imagine, we have TONS more now to share!  :)  )