The Face of Rwanda

Long time no post...

So its been a while since my last post, which I will blame on work. First, there was no work to do, life was pretty slow, so not much to blog about. Then, the last few days, I've spent 20+ hours trying to get this website up and running, finally getting FTP access. You can see it here: www.moucecore.org.rw. For some reason the header, and some of the images don't show up correctly. If anyone has any thoughts on the matter, please let me know.

There have been a few times over the past week that I have thought of things to blog about, but rather than remember them, I'll just share some thoughts from last night.

7 days from now we will be on the long bus ride to Uganda. It will be so good to be back home, but I'm starting to realize how much I will miss Rwanda. Rwanda, to me, is not the weather. It isn't the transportation, the food, or the language. It isn't the MTN center, nor is it Moucecore. Rwanda is located in the part of Kimironko known as Becer. Its other name is Gahigi. Andrew, Claire, Ariela, Christa, Chris, and Arthur, and now Melissa, Daddy, She baby, Ivan-Derek, and Niela-Caudette--they are what I will think of when I remember Rwanda.

So strange, and sad, to think that these people whom I have spent two months with and have grown to love, I may never see again. Anything could happen, of course--especially if Ariela does make it to America to study aviation--but for now, in a week, I may be saying goodbye forever.

Sobering thoughts as we begin the last week of our African Summer.

The "family"

The afore mentioned Zebra

Lions...Tigers...absent

So there once was a group of Muzungus (6 to be precise) who went searching for the wildest animals in Africa. The only stipulation was that they had to be visible at Akagera National Park from 8am - 1 pm on Tuesday. As would be expected, this limited the sightings, but nothing could prevent a few of our intrepid interns from stalking the ferocious...giraffe.

Yes, the giraffe. While we saw a few different kinds of animals, none as up close, and as odd as the giraffe. They are such strange looking creatures. We found a "herd" of six, 4 adults and two kids. Judging from the markings on the giraffes, I think that two newlyweds were coming to the couple with the kids for parenting advice. Trust me on this one. So anyway we took many pictures, and then Joel, Kim, and I moved in closer. Slowly creeping up on them, never letting the camera lense waver, we moved closer and closer, until finally, I broke into the clearing and took this video.

In in addition to giraffe, we saw some zebra (I include this picture for Sarah Beth), many deer-like creatures; snout of the hippo (a delicacy somewhere I'm sure); and a few very shy warthogs that did not want to be photographed (as Team Latvia will attest, the desire of the subject to be photographed has never really entered into my mind when taking pictures, so I snapped one of the warthog anyway). It was quite a fun time, and we returned to the hotel at 3pm, tired (we had arisen at 5am) yet still with an entire afternoon and evening ahead of us. Some great planning on our part.

God is Awesome...

Can all the non-Presbyterians out there give me an "amen"?

Allow me some elaboration...

So first there is Patrick. I believe I've mentioned him before. He works at the coffee shop where we go on a weekly basis. He saw my Bible one day and asked if I was a Christian. I told him I was and we started talking. He asked if I had any Christian books, and I gave him the four loves to read. He is reading it right now, and Mom sent Mere Christianity with Matt and Ben, so I'll give it to him before I leave. We've been to his church once, and I hope to go again, and maybe take him out to eat and have a really good conversation.

Then we have Dan. I met him at an Internet Cafe and we started talking. He asked if he could come over to visit some time, and I said I'd have to check with my parents, but sure. Last week he came over, we all ate together (which was weird, entertaining a Rwandan--having a guest--when I am a guest myself. But my family was great and we had a good time). Yesterday he picked me up at 5 and we went to see the premiere of a Rwandan movie that his cousin was in. He invited me over to his house again sometime, and I may even spend the night. Sunday we will be going to his church, the Evangelical Restoration Church. He hopes to study Information Technology in America.

Then we have Alfonse. He is a moto driver who I had a conversation with while he was taking me home one night. After a while, (it was a long ride) it came out that he was trying to learn English. I asked if He wanted an English Bible, and he said that there was someone he knew who wanted to teach him English--from a Bible. So now I know that he will get some good spiritual instruction, as well as learning English. Ben and Matt brought many Bibles with them, so I'll call him up in a few days and give it to him.

Then there is another moto-guy who took me home after the movie last night. He goes to church every morning. He is studying English so that he can go to Seminary, which is in English. We got home and I told him to wait a minute, ran inside, and brought him and English Bible. He was so excited! As I walked back through the gate, I could hear him praying, thanking God for the Bible. It was so cool to see him so excited about his new Bible.

Then there is Brian. He is an American that we met at the 4th of July celebration at the Embassy. He is 25ish, and here for 2 months, working at Vision Finance, a micro-finance bank associated with World Vision. We hung out with him at the embassy and then he came to Bourbon coffee with us for a few hours. He is a great guy, who God is taking on a spiritual journey right now. He just last year came to the place where he believes that there is a God. He is now wrestling with the question of why Jesus is the only way. Kim and I talked with him for a while, and he eventually asked us for our top 5 Christian books. It took some brain racking, but we finally came up with some. We'll need to think that through so we are better prepared in the future. He and I talked at length about drinking, and why I won't get drunk, though I may drink some (all things to all people, 'eh Paul?) and all sorts of things. We're going visit him at work, and then go out to eat on Wednesday. He is a really neat guy, and I am excited about the journey that God has Him on, and it is so neat to have played a part in it.

So there you have it 5 people that I've interacted with, and not one was my fault. Its so funny, I didn't really initiate with these people, but God brought them across my path in such a way that conversations about God were a natural result. Its neat to have these experiences and opportunities, and have them so noticeably be completely God. God will bring His people by, I just have to be willing and attentive. Who's next?

Truly the poor and destitute...

 

We have visited a few villages, but this last one was my favorite. First off, the place we visited was on the side of an active volcano! Exciting...and beautiful to say the least... We visited a group of people, talked to them, and listened to their stories. Then we went a visited a group of people they have been reaching out to.

People often think that in Rwanda there are two ethnic groups, hutus and tutsis. Well there is a third group, the batwas, who make up 1% of the population. They are pygmies and are the marginalized in Rwanda. They used to be hunters, and now that the forests are being torn down for crops, or protected as national forests, they are no longer allowed to hunt there. Some have started to learn to farm, but the majority refuse, and choose instead to beg for food and money. They live in small huts made from sticks and old UN tarps. Above is a picture of one. Its really sad. It is so interesting to see how varied the 'quality' of life is here in Rwanda--at least compared to what I am used to. But more on that in a minute. The best part about visiting the Batwas was interacting with the kids.

They knew no English, and has seen very few, if any, white people, so they were pretty cautious. They all hung back, and then a boy and a little girl sat down a few feet away. I started making faces and playing with my glasses, which made them laugh. Then as more came over--still a ways away I said 'goodnight' in Kinyarwanda and "fell asleep." I began to snore, which they found hilarious, and then suddenly I woke up! They screamed and ran a few feet away. I looked at them, laughed, and then fell back asleep. I did this about four times, each time they came closer and closer. Finally I held out my hand and boy touched it. Then another hit it. I went around the circle (about 20+ kids) and then I flipped my hand over. When they hit the top of my hand, it (the hand) went crazy and ran around until I caught it. I repeated this about three times until they caught on and none of them would hit it when it was upside down, only when it was right-side up. Then I would trick them and turn my hand at the last moment, making them scream as the hand went crazy. We played like this for 20 min. or so 'til we had to leave. I said goodbye in Kinyarwanda and then they all came up and starting saying things I couldn't understand, no longer afraid. We walked down the mountain, and when we were halfway down I looked up and could see them all standing there watching. I waved my arms real big and they saw it and let out a whoop. I repeated this every few minutes all the way down the mountain, until they were out of sight. Its so funny how even a short interaction can grip your heart. I hope I can visit them again, and I could see me trying to help the whole tribe, just because of those kids. This was the first time that my heart had really be gripped like it was in Latvia. A video of the kids is here

They were so happy though. Even though by our standards their life wasn't very good, they had a great time (with us) but even just watching them with themselves, they were laughing, running around and generally enjoying life. I found myself wondering what they do all day, not even having books to read, and then I realized that it really is possible to be content where ever you are. True, their chief was crawling next to me asking me for money, but at least for these kids, they were able to have a good time. I really want to visit again, spend the night, and live with them, really seeing what it is like and spending alot of non-verbal time with them. That is probably not a possibility though.

Faith Healers...

So the other day I was watching television with the fam, and "Pastor Chris" came on with his show "atmosphere for miracles." He healed some people, and one woman said that she saw him on tv and "knew that the moment I laid eyes on you, I would be healed." Hm... this caused some consternation to rise up within me. But the thing that I couldn't get past was that, for the most part, the thousands of people who were in the auditorium were praising God, that one woman I don't know, but the audience was. So I wondered if these verses applied:

Phil. 1:15-18
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Mark 9:38-41
John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him for he was not one of us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is of us. For truly I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

God is getting the glory...what do you think?

So I'm now a volunteer Sherrif's deputy on the weekends...

Warning to the reader: the following is a detailed account of my adventures in the city...which led to a Rwandan sting operation, and hopefully the capture of a criminal. It is long. It is also my second post of the day, the first being somewhat more informational, about what we do at work. So, if you want that, please feel free to skip down to the earlier post. Otherwise, grab some popcorn, a blanket, and some goat-on-a-stick and read the story of...

THE STING

You know how I said Muzungu must translate to 'sucker'? Well tonight took that to a new level...

Setting: Rwanda, evening.
Me: Backpack and no money.
Time: 5:15.
Backstory: Conner and I left the coffee shop at 5:15. I on a moto speeding towards a bank that would take my ATM card. Conner on a moto speeding to the Bloom to meet the others for Bible Study. I would join them in 30 min. Or so went the plan, alas it was not to be.

First, the bike I went to didn’t want to take me where I wanted to go, so I headed off on foot to find a bike that wanted business. Then I found one, and 15 min. later, when he stopped driving, did I realize he didn’t know where I wanted to go…I was on the wrong side of town. I hopped on another moto and finally made it to the bank—5:45. I was going to be late. Little did I know how late. (That is called foreshadowing, a literary tool, used to fill the reader with a sense of impending doom. Is it working? Can you feel the doom?). The bank closes at 6, so I had but 15 min. Should be enough time. Well I got to the counter, but as seemed to be the theme, the lady didn’t want my business and pointed me up the stairs. Finally got to where I was supposed to go and got in line. I reached the window and glanced at my watch. 5:57. 3 Min. “I’m sorry, we’re closed.” What!?!? No money? I walked back down stairs, frustrated, my mind whirring with options. I had no money and I was in the center of town. I glanced across the street at where Andrew was parked. No car. Hm… what to do? Not sure.

I looked down the street and saw a FOREX – a currency exchange. Perhaps they were open? I had 2 USD $100 that I could exchange. I began to walk towards it, when a guy appeared and asked if I wanted to exchange money. I relievedly told him yes. (Not sure if that is a word, but it is meant to be a derivative of relieved. Why not just say relieved? Because it is not as fun. And I am in Rwanda.) He asked me to follow him to his shop. A ‘bell’ went off in my head. Actually it was more of a ‘hm..’ why are you not in your shop? But I followed him anyway. We went a block down, then a block over, then up some stairs and finally arrived a Forex. The gentleman behind the counter was Indian and his exchange rate sign was off. Another ‘hm…’ They said some things in Kinyarwanda that I have not learned yet, and they guy asked me how much I wanted to exchange. I gave him $100 and he gave me $50000rwf. Another ‘hm.’ Last time we got 54000. What is going on. I walked out, then turned around and saw him cross the street. I crossed over and told him that he got me a bad rate and cheated me. He said the rate dropped the night before. I had read about the rate dropping, but 40rwf/$. Hardly. I said lets go back to the exchange place, and he said that it was closed.

With nothing else to do, I ran to another FOREX and saw on their wall the exchange rate was still 540rwf/$. I’d been cheated. So I went back to the original place. The owner came out and explained that the guy brought me in, the Indian asked how much to give me, and was told 50,000. The ‘perp’ as we’ll call him, pocketed 4000 once I left. The owner said that he was sorry, but there was nothing he could do. He was a business man and needed business. He said that he knew this guy though, he came by every day, and I should come back tomorrow and ask for my money back. Unlucky for him I was going on the field the next day, and would not have time to come back. This matter needed to be settled tonight.

Feeling righteous anger rear up inside me, I left and went looking for the perp. Not surprisingly, I didn’t see him. I must not have looked happy, as a few people asked if I was ok. I told them no, I’d been robbed, and was looking for the fella. One guy even asked if I needed a FOREX. Ha. To get cheated again? Fat Chance. I grabbed a street phone, called Kim and explained that I would be late for Bible Study—start without me. Then I went off to find a cop.

Rwanda is crawling with security guards; just about every business establishment has them. It didn’t take long to find one who spoke pretty good English, that I could explain my story too. He and I set off to find a cop. We finally went down a few streets and up these stairs to the top of a street-side building. In a room with only a wooden table and two chairs, there were two police officers, sadly, they spoke no English.

30 minutes and 2 additional cops later, everyone finally understood what had happened, and we left for the FOREX bureau. We left the building and arrived on the street, a picked up another cop who wanted to come along. I took them to the FOREX which looked closed. We peered inside and could see the owner shutting things down. He hurriedly invited us in and prepared to tell his side of the story. After he explained how sorry he was at what I went through, and wondered what I must think of Rwanda etc…he said that we could all come back tomorrow and I would get my money back. Well the police officer decided that wasn’t a good idea, so he told the owner to give me my money back, and to get the rest from the perp. “Ok, but you must back me up.” So the cop gave him his phone number to call when the perp appeared with another hapless victim to squeeze money from. I can only hope that he was caught and prevented from doing any more damage to unsuspecting tourists.

As the security guard and I left, I asked if they would stop the perp from doing this anymore, and he assured me they would. He also said that this was partly the fault of the owner for letting this happen, and I readily agreed. I hopped on a bike and made it back to Joel’s as the bible study ended.

All in a day's work... :p

So...what is it you do at work?

After 3 weeks on the job, I feel that I am able to more fully answer that question...

As you all know, we work for MOUCECORE, an indigenous NGO who works on community development here in Rwanda. Their main problem is communication...telling the world, and especially their donors, what they do.

Enter the Interns. We all speak fairly good English (two of us having taken Advanced Grammar with Dr. Impson). We are here to help them communicate to an English Audience, explaining what they do, how they do it, and display some of their success. We began, as I mentioned, making promotional materials based off of interviews with the staff and looking over their current literature. We have a brochure that is not quite finished, that you can look at here, which will give you an idea of what they do, and how they accomplish the transformation of these people.

So we did that for the first week or so, then we visited some nearby villages. We will have visited about 5 when its all said and done, and we will use the information gathered to enrich the promotional materials as well as the website and show room. The last 2 weeks, when we haven't been in the field, we have been revamping their website. Their current one is not very informative or navigable, and so we are starting from scratch. It is looking very good, and we are all excited for it to go live. Now that we have finished our village visits we will be 'reporting.' We're not sure what that means, but we will be making some sort of report of the work in the places we have visited, featuring pictures, success stories, and details of how it all works.

The last thing we will do, once the reports are done, and the website finished, and the brochure, newsletter and flyer are off to the printer, we will make a show room. Again, not sure exactly what this will look like, but it will feature some of the print materials we have generated, as well as many pictures, and profiles of people they have helped.

So, it is a lot of communication related work, not actual development, which was different than I expected, but it is good, and of great assistance to them. It has also been very informative to us, and Conner and I are going to try to grab all the documents they have on their methods and process, and learn all we can.

So that is work at MOUCECORE. Sometimes is is frustratingly slow, and then sometimes it is awesome. We're glad we are here, and that we can help in this very practical way.

2 Anecdotes and a Verse...applied.

When I get up in the morning, I usually go to the bathroom. I walk into the room, walk out, go to my room, get my headlamp and then go back (there is no light in the bathroom). I do my business, and then walk out, grab a bucket, fill it with water, and pour it in to flush.

I was talking to Conner the other day about mototaxies. When I get on one, I don’t pray that God will protect me (yes, mom, they are relatively safe, everyone uses them…) but still, I am zooming around the city on a motorcycle. But, nonetheless, I don’t pray for my safety.

1 Peter 2: 19 …for it is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures hardships while suffering unjustly.

Now, I’m not saying that the bathroom situation is a hardship, nor are they under the category of suffering, by any means. Being, I think, naturally pretty content where I am, I don’t give the bathroom a second thought, though in America, it would probably annoy. When I get on a mototaxi I am not worried about my safety. These are good mindsets, but they do not include the part of the verse that I have latched on to…”mindful of God.” I think he is saying that the “gracious thing” is when we keep God in mind while we suffer hardships, that it is for Him we are suffering. I think the same thing could relate to accepting things that are less than ideal, or safety while riding about town. There is no small difference between the idea that everything will be ok because God is in control, so if I wreck, He has his reasons, and the idea that whatever happens, happens, and there is no sense worrying about it.

While the outward actions will look the same, and the conclusion is the same, the thought processes to arrive at the conclusion are radically different. I think that it is only when we are “mindful of God” that He is pleased. How do I shift this mindset? I think this comes from continual time in the word, as well as realizing more and more God’s hand in everyday life, keeping me safe, and arraigning circumstances to conform me to the image of His Son. (See mom, everything will be ok :)

So, if any pastors are reading (hint, hint, father) am I on a somewhat right track, or did I apply a verse, and derive a principle where I really can’t?

So this is Simon. He and his younger brother live in a house, and this is their cow. Since Conner wants to leave, I'll tell you Simon's story later. Blame him.

So this is Arthur, doing who knows what...on my bed...

Lost in Translation

So...I am about to go to work, but I thought I should let the world know a few things about Kinyarwanda.

1st - I think "muzungu" roughly translated, means 'sucker'. We have accepted the fact that we will probably pay a little more for things here than would a Rwandan. That is the price we pay for being white I guess. But some people take it to the extreme. I was leaving the coffee shop a few nights ago, and flagged down a beloved Moto-taxi. I told him where I lived and asked how much. He wanted 1500 rwf. 1500! He had this little smile on his face like "I am about to make a killing!" Well this muzungu is no sucker! I laughed and talked him down to 700. Much better. That has happened a few times, but hopefully they will learn that we are wise to their tricks, and will not settle for them. Then, yesterday, coming back from church (an English service in an Episcopal Cathedral) we hopped on a bus and drove for less than 5 minutes. More like three. They took 2000 for the 4 of us. It should have been 500. So Kim started arguing with the guy and a crowd of Rwandans gathered around and started talking. We just stood buy and watched the show. Finally they gave us 1000 back, saying that they thought we wanted an 'express' bus, and so that's why it costs so much. Ha.

2nd - The language barrier is irrelevant under the age of 7, all you need are non-verbals. I went on a walk with Andrew and Arthur last night to visit one of his (Andrew's) banking friends. He had two little daughters, I'd say 4 and 5. So they were very shy at first, until Arthur took my Fanta and I pretended I didn't know where it was. When I realized he took it, I pretended to pout and then cry. That they understood quite well, and they laughed at my pain. I then chased Arthur around tickling him, then I tickled the girls too, and it quickly devolved into me chasing them around the house and the yard, and them chasing me. Then Andrew, Arthur and I went to get a brouchette and one of his colleagues showed up, so we were there for about an hour, and Arthur fell asleep in my lap again. A good day.

Time for work, more on MOUCECORE coming soon...

If variety is the spice of life...

...then Rwanda is pretty bland... :)

I am writing about the food of course. Its not that the food is bad, which is good, as we eat it all the time. The staple here is rice. White rice. I have rice and beans every supper, most lunches, and even at a few breakfasts. They are both good, and I even know how to say beans in Kinyarwanda: ibishimbo. I have asked them to pass the beans a few times, let me tell you. The other staples are sweet potato fries. We have these alot as well, and they are also good. At my house we rotate peas, this meat (I think it is cow) soup, and on a few occasions we have had some sort of corn cakes. That about does it for food here in Rwanda. Of course when we go to a restaurant we can order other things, I think Trigger ordered a hamburger the other day, but Conner and I have discovered brouchette, and what more could you ask for?

I'm sure you saw the goat-on-a-stick that we were eating at the bus stop, well they have it here in Rwanda as well...and boy is it oh, so, good. We found a place tuesday that sells 2 for 1000 rwf. The place that we ate some the first day was 1 for 2000. That is 4x the price! Needless to say, a few times a week we go and get our brouchette fix, adding some spice to our plate.

I really don't mind the lack of variety too much, its just funny to go to the table and see the same thing. One day I almost asked Claire "what's for dinner?" but I stopped myself, realizing I already knew the answer... There was one night that I was sick to my stomach and I went to the table, saw the rice and beans, and decided that I wasn't really hungry. I am interested to know what my take on it will be after another 7 weeks of the same food. Mom, when I get home, can I please have something other than rice? (Pepperoni bread would be nice... :P)

So, there you have la menue...who wants goat?!

The Rwandan Countryside ( those are houses)

Conner, Claudette (our supervisor) and Kim, hard at work...

Conner, eating some goat at our 1 bus stop...

On the ride to Rwanda...

The sunrise in Uganda...

Oh the joys of a Mototaxi at night...

Here we are at the MTN center...eating...reading...emailing and posting. Joel is doing none of that, save talking to Jessi for 300 hours. But that's what you do I guess, when you are dating. I am not, so I have been doing a variety of things. Anywhoo, Kim needed to get back home for supper, so we hopped a taxi. We asked how much for a round trip...he wanted 8500, which was obscene. We walked off, and thus talked him down to 3000 one-way. Dropped her off and then flagged down a bike for the ride back. Nothing like feeling the cool breeze on your body as you zip around traffic in the dark of night...The motorcycles really are the best way to get around. They take you right where you need to go, unlike the bus, and they are pretty cheap, unlike the taxi. And they are fast...unlike both the other options.

I seem to have had a run of bad luck on them though. The other day I was heading back home in the dark, and instructed the fellow to take me to BCR, where I live. Little did I remember that BCR has many roads, and I don't know the way by bike. The way I go on foot is down some alleys, that a bike simply cannot fit. So we drove around BCR for a while, both of us getting frustrated with my lack of directions. Finally a car stopped and insisted I borrow their phone and call Claire. I did so, and then realized where I was, noticing a landmark that I passed while walking. I explained this, but to no avail. They insited that I wait for Claire and Ariela to come pick me up, and so I complied. Moments later they appeared, and I explained about how I got lost, while listening to their gales of laughter. My family here sure laughs alot...usually at me.

Another time, I was biking home in the dark again, this time knowing how to get there, when the guy gets a flat tire. So I paid him and then walked home...

Then, today, I was biking to the UTC and he ran out of gas...again, we were close, so I paid him, and walked the rest of the way.

But, despite these misadventures, I still love the mototaxies...and you will too...

The Laptop

Arthur (Left) and Chris (right) enjoying my broken laptop. Such fun kids...

But, one week, and 32000rwf later...it works! (Hence this picture). I am so glad to have a working computer now, it'll make work, and communicating with the world, so much better.

A day in the life...

Well all you American Americans...you are probably wondering what it is like over here, across the water, in God's country. What does a typical work day look like for those amazing interns, who will soon speak English, French, and Kinyarwandan. Wonder no more...merely read...

*Snore*
*Rap, Rap, Rap*
"Hm...?"
"Ben...morning..."
"Morning!"

I glance at my watch...6:30am. Oh man...another day in Rwanda. I lay down and then think to myself, I could really fall back to sleep...and not wake up for a long time. Oh well, duty calls.

I quickly dress and walk out to breakfast. Arthur greets me, grabs my hand, and walks me to breakfast. I sit down, grab a mug, pour in some tea "chai" and grab a piece of bread. This bread is much like a hotdog bun, but not as soft. That is what we eat for breakfast every morning. Soon, perhaps even tomorrow, we will have strawberry jam/jelly/preserves to put on it, which will be sooo good. After polishing off the bread, I start my stop watch, so I will know when to take my malaria medicine. (How do you like my routine, mother, I do it all for you ;) I then throw on my backpack and head out the door.

I walk about 20 minutes up the road, meeting Conner, Kim, and Joel, and the group of Muzungus (white people) walk about 5 minutes up the road to a bus stop. We start calling out "town" and then someone catches our attention and points us to the correct bus. We squeeze into these little busses, smaller than a 12 passenger van, though they hold 19 people, and we head off to work. We get off the bus about half a mile from MOUCECORE and then we walk the rest of the way. We hug Joel goodbye, as he trot off to Solace and we enter the hallowed MOUCECORE compound, never knowing what we will find inside. It takes a little over an hour to get to work, so it is a few past 8 before we arrive to work.

Well, there you have it, a typical morning in Kigali. What do you think?

Ha...Ha...HA!

That would be the most common noise heard around the dinner table at my house. Why? because there is a muzungu staying there, who is trying to learn Kinyarwandan, and thinks the best way is through practice. We are sitting there, eating our dinner, when he decides he wants some salt. Instead of asking for the salt in English, he pulls out a little notebook from his pocket and says "ushobora coma umunyu." Coma! His ways trying to say "kumpa", but we got the idea, he wants the salt. His pronunciation is funny, but at least he tries...

• I like my Rwandan family alot. My father, Andrew, is a very nice fellow who works at a bank. He speaks great French, or so he tells me, as well as kinyarwanda, not so much English. He smiles and laughs alot, and laughter translates very easily.
  
• His wife, Claire, is great. She is so nice and hospitable, making me feel right at home. She speaks pretty good English, so communicating with her has been no trouble.
  
• Their oldest daighter, Ariela, is 18 and just got back from school, so we have had very little interaction, but she is friendly, and speaks good english.
  
• The next in line is Christa, 13. She is usually at school, but came home because she is sick and had to go to the hospital. She is fine now, just taking medicine, and hanging out at home rather than boarding at school.
  
• Child # 3 is Chris. His english is not as good as the older women in his family. He is still very much in the learning stages, but we have already established that he loves footbol, and his favorite team is Manchester United. (How do you like that, Nathan!). He doesn't have a ball, but I brought one, and so we play in the back yard.
  
• Finally, there is Arthur, a cute 5 yr. old who repeats everything he hears, though he knows very little english. They were watching an episode of "Prison Break" and month or so ago, and so now he goes around all the time quoting the show, asking, "is mommy in trouble?" Hilarious. Funny thing is, I remember that episode. The other night, as we were riding back home in the car, he fell asleep on my lap! And then yesterday, when I got home from work, he ran to meet me, grabbed my hand, and we walked around the house for a while, and then ate dinner.
  

So that is my family. I feel so...comfortable with them. They are so nice, and they love that I am intent on learning much of their language, and we sit around the table and talk about different things. I ask them questions about their day, about Rwanda, and about their language, and we just have a good time. Claire said that she felt blessed to have the son of a pastor in her house, so that I can help teach her kids. Wow! I don't know what that will look like, but it is an exciting oppertunity.

Well...it is time to hop on the mototaxi (yes, a motorcycle) and attempt to direct him to my house. I'll post soon about life in Rwanda, and in my house...and if my laptop ever begins to work again, I'll upload some pictures.

Ijoror ryiza! (Goodnight!)

The Great Experiment

Last night I was journaling some thoughts about the first day at Moucecore, which quickly turned to questions about the summer in general, which I shall relate to you. A caution to the reader: When I journal, it is usually very stream of conscious, I often present point and counterpoint in adjoining sentances, so it sometimes reads like a conversation of a schizophrenic, but that is just how I wrestle through thoughts (I think, it could be I am delusional, and really am schizophrentic, and in that case, please send me drugs so I stop disagreeing with my self) Anyway, I will try to clean it up a bit perhaps, but it will also probably be some raw thought process, so read with care, and enjoy if you can....that is all I have to say on that!

I confess, as I was listening to Michael (the director of MOUCECORE) talking about all that they do, my mind became excited to hear all that he is doing, and quickly wandered to thinking about how I could do similar things. I do wonder about that. I have a definate desire to help people--hopefully not caused by a societal concept of what is "good." But why? Redemption? Good, but is that which is not salvific worth doing? It has to be, but the gospel should be at the core of whatever I do. But explicit sharing? When the oppertunity arises, my fear is not that I won't be willing--I'll beat myself up enough if I don't take the oppertunity that I will do it the next time--but I fear that Salvation will not be at the core of my work. I could be wrong, I remember in Latvia feeling such...love...for the kids that I wanted them to come to Christ, but I don't know if I will face that everywhere. Is that ok if it is not? And what of being autonomous? I want to perhaps start something new, and be in charge of some part of it, and also to make it "big", reaching and helping large numbers of people. Is that ok? He who will become greatest must become the least. Not my natural inclination, and how does it even apply? Worry about tomorrow later...what about the now?

It seems that my interaction with the gospel will be different than Joel's. He is dealing directly with the pain, and it is overwhelming. We are hearing very little of it. The month where we travel to villages may be different but I fear that my job, as it has been set up by them ismuch more tasked focused--helpful tasks to be sure--and not about people. So what about it? Aside from socio-emotional growth through engaging strangers, and learning to view everyone as image bearers, and thus deserving me working through the difficulty to communicate, even though is be about little things, and...(here is where a few things came to mind, that I won't bother to list here.) But there comes another connudrum, I can so easilty turn all of them, and maybe I already have, into a checklist of things to do to "obey God" and "not waste the time", but should people ever be on a checklist? Ah! Anyway, this is quite enough vulnerability for one post. :) For those who slogged through it, thank you, and please pray for me in all of this confusion. I think I will email my mother...(boy did she just get excited :p)

The real deal...

So, I don't know who noticed, but in my tagline, I claimed that I would include thoughts in this blog. I lied. I won't include thoughts, just nice, safe facts about what happens. That's all that anyone wants to read anyway, and besides, it is easier and safer.

I dislike very much blogging about thoughts. Usually. When I write what I am thinking, especially on a public blog, I am very vulnerable to a large number of people, in fact, I don't eve know who is reading. That is scary! It is much easier to write a light-hearted account of the day's (or week's) events. But, as I was in the bathroom earlier, I realized that this, in a very real sense, limits the work of God's people. I know that some of you (if only my dear mother) are praying for me, and if all I relate is what happend in the past, I am limiting what you can pray for, and perhaps restricting how God would use you to enhance the work He is doing through me, here in the far off region of Africa. And, as I told a friend before I left, how much does a wall around what I am thinking really help anyone? Sure it feels safer, but really, I think (though it is much harder to practice) that vulnerability goes a whole lot further, alowing a much deeper relationship, and allowing God's Spirit to work through others in a much better way. And really, what is the harm? (All things in moderation!) (Speaking of moderation, I was offered Fanta mixed with wine, I declined...but I digress.) So, here's to some vulnerability!

Oh really...

So, this is the third time I have wanted to post, but now Trigger's computer is about to die...so I won't be able to post. Oh, and my computer died. Bummer. But, fret not, dear reader, know that my persistence will pay off soon--you will be able to read of my adventures 6 hours away...and I will be able to read emails and blog comments, both of which are so fun. Ahh...Power dead...

Back on the right side of the road...

While traveling around Uganda, it was not hard to realize that we were driving on the left side of the road. My brother may point out that this is nothing new, as I do that in the states, and he would be correct, but at least in America I do it for a brief period of time. We are in Rwanda now, and back driving on the right side of the road. I feel at home already, though I would trade our side of the road for some English...

The bus ride was longer than expected, and 10 hours was long enough. It was not event free...never is...

• 1st, when we got to the station we met a young man named MaKenya. He helped us with our bags, and told us he was going to ride the bus with us to Rwanda. It became apparent as we were waiting on the bus that he did not have a ticket, in fact he had no papers to get across the boarder. Trigger, Kim and I talked to him for 20 minutes, trying to get him to leave he bus, explaining that he would be stranded on the border, far from home. He didn't seem to get it, and as I moved in close, I could smell the alcohol on his breath. Finally, regretfully, I went to a man who worked for the bus and told him about MaKenya. He went to the back of the bus, and then left, leaving MaKenya there. We wondered what was going on, and then the bus drove off, with him still on! Now what? I was all ready to let him be, but then realized that while it would be the comfortable thing to do, it wouldn't be best for MaKenya. So I went to the front, talked to the guy who checks tickets, and he went to talk to him. Ma Kenya had no money, so they stopped the bus and forced him off. That was so sad. I really wanted to help him, but of course there was no way to get him across the border. So we left him, a little ways away from Kampala. We prayed for him tonight, and I hope he was able to make it back home.
• We only stopped once! We pulled off on the side of the road, and there were many shops selling all kinds of food, and 30 people running around with food and drink for us to buy. Conner and I bought some meat on a stick-either beef or goat-and it was good! It was cooked well and seasoned with something. That was our only food however, except for the crackers and granola bars I brought.
  
• There were a few people who looked after us. A lady sat in front of Conner and took care of him, shared her food, and helped us with border crossing. A boy sat next to Kim and also helped us out, telling Conner and me which food not to buy, and explaining what ever we didn't understand. They were so nice. Emmanuel, our contact here in Rwanda, said that th Rwandan people are very polite and love visitors, treating us as guests. We could really sense that, and were most appreciative.
  
• The bus-ticket man sat next to me for a while, and we talked about church. He goes on Saturday, because it is a commandment and we need to follow it to go to heaven. I challenged him on that, asking if it was obeying the 10 commandments that got us to heaven, but he had to conduct some bus business before we could finish the conversation. It is interesting to think, however, how much of what we do at church is due to tradition, and many don't even know why, or the thought process behind it.
  
• When we left Uganda, we all thought that we would be staying together at Moucecore for the first month, but instead they found host families for us, and we go live with them tomorrow. So...the adventure starts.
  

That's all for now, our time is about out at this internet cafe. Thank you so much for your prayers, and for reading about our time here...and for posting comments! More updates to follow...

Sunrise in Uganda...

Not yet actually...it is 5:45 here, and we leave for the bus in 30 min. 30 min...and then 8 hours! Goodness. Today we will be in RWANDA! When Conner and I purchased bus tickets yesterday, we purposely chose to sit next to people we didn't know (though we did all get window seats!). As I was praying this morning, I prayed that God would use that decision and that he would bring people to those seats that He wanted us to interact with, and that we would make the most of that time. What that looks like, I don't know, but please pray that we would be open to God's leading on this very long bus trip. I have a tendency to want "me time" and to not want to engage with other people, and so please pray that I would not give into that desire, but would be open to talk with whomever, should the opportunity present itself.

Well...time to dress, scarf down some breakfast...and roll out! Our bus leaves Kampala @ 8:30am (3 hours) and should arrive in Kigali by 5:30pm. That's longer than our plane flights.

Rwanda here we come!

A Ugandan Morning...

As I sit here at the computer, staring out of the window into the Ugandan Christian University compoind, listening to the pitter-patter of the rain outside, I am thankful for the pineapple and papaya that I have just eaten. It is morning over here, and we have just spent our first night in Uganda. Enos was going to meet us here at 8:30, but time over here is relative, and 9 has come and still no sign of him. :) Today will be a laid back day, with no real plans, just adjusting to the time and culture. We slept great, and boy did Asha make us a good breakfast!

Can you say...Africa?

Well...it is midnight here in Uganda, and a muggy 75 deg F. Yes, that's right, Uganda. We landed around 8:30pm, was picked up by Enos, a worker at the Ugandan Christian University, where we are spending our two nights, and drove an hour to their guest house. It was a rather uneventful set of flights, though we sat on the tarmac in Newark for over an hour.

We are exhausted, so it is time to head to bed, the guest house is nice, and I may post a picture or two tomorrow. We are going to be purchasing our bus tickets tomorrow, so that we are ready to leave early Friday morning for the 9 hour ride to Rwanda.

Its hard to believe we are in Africa. More pondering on that in the days to come...

And away we go...

Well...we are now in the Newark, NJ airport. Twas a rather hour and 55 min flight from Atlanta to this fine, albeit rainy, city. We stop here for about 3 hours, and then its across the big pond to Amsterdam. Whew. Its hard to believe the trip has started, but here we are...I don't have much to tell, nor have I had many thoughts, so this is more of an update rather than a full fledged post. But yes, we survived our first flight...someone tell my mother.

12 hours...and counting...

Ah! In 12 hours we will be wheels up and on our way to...NJ. Yeah, the most boring leg of our flight...but at least we will be on our way. I'm all packed (finally) and ready to go, and I really should be in bed, as I will be getting up at 5:30 EST to eat and then drive to the airport. But how can I sleep? How can I remember my malaria pills? How will I find the E-ticket counter? So many questions...

Take heart! Soon the contents of this blog will be filled with interestingness..like photos of the African bus we will take from Uganda to Rwanda, photos of the cabin crew on our flight, recipe for iguana-on-a-stick...so until then, rest easy, knowing that I know where my passport is (I think...) and that in less that 76 hours, I will be in Africa...with out a chaperon, no knowledge of the language...and 10,800 Rwandan franks in my pocket (that translates to about $20).

Good night!

Yes, I switched

I switched over to blogger, due to the ease of uploading pictures from Picassa. I hope to post lots of pictures, so this will make it easier, and thus more likely. :) Whew, its early Friday morning, which means...4 more full days until we leave! We'll leave Dayton around 7am and fly out of Atlanta @ 12:15.

Here is the full itinerary:

Depart Atlanta, GA in a Boeing 737-500 at 12:15pm (I'm seat 22f)
Arrive in Newark, NJ, still on a Boeing 737-500 @ 2:44pm
Depart Newark, NJ @ 6:35pm on a Boeing 767-400 (Seat 39D!)
Arrive in Amsterdam @ 8:15 am (on Wednesday, May 28th)
Depart Amsterdam @ 11:10am on an AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200
Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda @ 8:15pm, hopefully still on the AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200

What a trip that will be! 2 full days...or something like that, what with the time change and all.

So, there you have it, we have tickets to Uganda. Oh, then we have a lovely 8 hour bus ride across the border into Rwanda. 

Now, to finish stuffing everything into my increasingly small backpack...