Job satisfaction.

Dedicated to the Lord today is Favor Niyokindi, son of Roger Niyokind and Suavis Murekerisoni.  I read these words in the church bulletin.  During the dedication sponsors told the congregation some of their story.  Now they were dedicating U.S. citizen, Favor.

Their six year old daughter, Chkina also stood with mom and dad and brother during the dedication.  I had a link with all four.  In May 2010 Chkina jumped into the car as her mom was on a lesson and spoke to me in perfect six year old English. Months earlier she had been in Burundi with her mom and her mom was not sure she would be able to join her husband in Maine. Now in May shortly before Favor's birth, Suavis understood little of what I said. 

Step backward to November 2008.  Dad, Roger, had failed his road test a few times so I received a call from a lady at church. She said, "I understand you are a driving instructor. We have tried to help Roger but I think we need a professional."

I would be glad to help were my words, but my thoughts were more like, I will be in his car and there is no instructor's brake in his car.  Some things will not be in my control.  Roger and I had two lessons and he passed his road test.  Then May, August and September, 2010 the same with Suavis. She spoke and understood even less English but she had heart, respect and motivation.  We did about five lessons.  The last entire hour we practiced over fifteen parallel parking attempts.  I had placed my car on a street nearby and she used my car as the target to practice. Her eyes lit up and she said thank you thank you as she fully understood and executed the three steps we teach (break the process into three parts and do each part correct and the car ends up six inches from the curb).

My real joy was going to church last Sunday and reading the words at the top of the page.  I had sat in their living room as they ate lunch; I had waited at the drug store as mom picked up a prescription for her Favor from God. I had watched sister zoom around the apartment parking lot on her bicycle with friends. Big smile playing outside.  I had touched little Favor's hand. Now I heard Roger read his letter of dedication to his son and at the end he said (signed), dad.

We prayed for a favor from God so when he was born we named him Favor.