Rwanda Day 1 and 2

July 4, 2012

Our first Rwandan meal.  Beef & chicken kabobs w/chips (french fries).

We had a good nights sleep last night and rested well.  Our hotel is on the same street as the residence of the US Ambassador and there is a headquarter (or maybe residence, I'm not sure) for World Vision across the street.  It is in a very safe neighborhood.  The grounds are beautiful and the rooms are comfortable. The showers are very- can I stress- VERY cold.  Pretty much like to Pacific Ocean cold where you walk into it but never really get all the way in.   

We went into town today to eat and get some things we needed for the team.  Brogan got sick while we were there and now she is scared that something is wrong with her.  She is overly tired and hasn't eaten a real meal in two days. airplane food just doesn't count when it comes to that.  She is very homesick!  She has asked to go home several times and wants her Daddy really badly.  We weren't able to get on Skype but we were able to send him a Facebook message back and forth.  It just isn't the same as having him there- or here- or being able to see his face.  I miss the bloys too.  I see things and think "Oh _____ would like that" and wish they were here with us.  Maybe one day! 

The plan for tomorrow is for me to teach a women's group.  I am really nervous and feel very unequipped to be doing this.  I am giving it all to God.  I also found out that we won't have as much time in the school as we thought we would.  They have their standardized testing starting so we will only have a couple of days with them. 

Today while we were in town we went by the Hotel des Mille Collines.  This is the actual hotel that was a safe haven for many during the Rwandan genocide.  The movie "Hotel Rwanda" itself was filmed in South Africa but it looks remarkably similar to the actual hotel.  You get that kinda feeling as when we went to Pearl Harbor.  Knowing something so significant took place right where you are.  There is a ton of history here that most people don't even know about.  It is a very beautiful country!

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July 5, 2012

Today was our first day in the school that is associated with the church in Remera.  It was chaotic to say the least.  The children were so excited to "myzungus" or white skin.  They crowded around us like a mob.  Well, not like a mob---it WAS a mob!  They wouldn't let go of us.  They were so happy.  They just wanted to touch and feel our skin.  Their hugs were so sweet.  Brogan was very overwhelmed.  I couldn't even see her for the crowd of kids around her.  She didn't know what to do with all of the pushing they were doing.  The teachers couldn't control them and she couldn't move.  I could barely get my arm in between them to get to her there were so many kids.  I finally went to play soccer with some of them to try to divert the attention but the little ones wouldn't let go of her.  She started to get upset and I could see in her face the fear and the tears starting to come on.  She started feeling sick to her stomach again so I sent her in the classroom to be by herself.  She was better once she could take a few breathes and the kids calmed down.  We probably didn't come at a great time as they were at recess and the entire school was outside.  Once they all went back to their classes we were with the class that would be equal to our Pre-K and Kinder classes.  I wanted to teach a Bible story but that was not going to happen.  I ended up reviewing the alphabet, numbers to 20 and counting to 36 with them (that is how many were in the class).  After that we taught them a few songs and they sang several songs they already knew for us.  They were so proud of the songs they knew in English and so happy to be singing them for us. 

Once we were done we went back over to the church where Wayne and Tyler were with the Pastors.  Most of these men have only a 3rd-6th grade education yet, here they are following the call to preach and teach.  They are so in tune with listening to everything that is being said and are eager to ask questions.  When they worship it is with so much feeling.  I have know idea what they are saying but I can tell they are worshipping with everything they have.  It is so unlike us.  We stand and sing because it is expected, listen to what we hope is not a long sermon and expect to be done no later than noon.  These men are doing sessions 2-3 hours in length and you have to make them take a break in between.  If only we had that desire!