Nkoko

 As I opened the garage gate on a Saturday morning, out of nowhere, a chicken flew out.  I have no idea how it got into our yard, since our house has a full fence around it.  After several attempts to chase it to our gate and send it on its way, I gave up.  I didn't want it to die from starvation, so I fed it crackers and a banana.

When Monday rolled around, I showed Eugene the chicken.  The first thing he said was, "NKOKO," which means "chicken" in Kinyarwanda.  He picked it up and then let me hold it; it was quite an entertaining morning.  Then I told him that he should take it home with home = free eggs!

At the end of the day, I helped Eugene tie Nkoko's legs together so it couldn't easily escape in transit to his house.  Then he put him in a sack and headed home!

And that's the end of the story...

Part 2 Begins

After 3 lenghty flights, an extended layover in Doha, the development of a sore throat on the final flight, and lost luggage, it was such a delight to see some of my students waiting for me at the airport.  Feeling rough and looking gross didn't keep me from jumping up on down when I saw them and from truly appreciating their warm welcome.

It didn't end at the airport.  A handful of students surprised me at my house! I loved catching up with them; it felt like no time at all had passed.

Getting a big hug from Eugene, our "house guy," and seeing his warm smile also was a highlight.  He even had a fresh vase of flowers handpicked straight from our backyard waiting for me in my room.

The next morning, Gisore had a student show him where I live, and he was sitting on the couch, waiting to greet me, as soon as I woke up.

I'm thankful for the precious relationships I have in this lovely country!  Looking forward to Part 2 and excited to see what the Lord has in store!

Zumba Lessons

Zumba lessons continue across continents!

 From the living room of my house...

To the roof top of the Bridge2Rwanda
Training Center.

Global Leadership Summit

A friend of B2R from Chicago who is a member of Willow Creek sponsored all 30 of our students for the Global Leadership Summit.  Today was incredible; I loved all of the speakers!  Brene Brown's books have really impacted my life over the past year, so I was especially excited to hear from her.  Our students have never been to anything like this and are absolutely loving it.  Such a great opportunity and worthwhile experience for these future leaders of Rwanda!

A Poem

In English class last Friday, the students were charged with writing a poem in response to an Emerson piece they had just read.  Their poems were awesome, to say the least.  Cassie, their teacher, read them a poem she wrote in college; therefore, they wanted me to write a poem and share it, as well.  Since I like challenges, I took them up on it.

As I was jounaling on Saturday morning, I began to reflect on my experience here.  Then the idea to write a poem on this particular "topic" came to mind.  Here's the result:

Why me, O Lord?

I am so undeserving.

Yet you chose me “for such a time as this”

to spend a year in this promised land experiencing utter bliss.

You brought me here

without an ounce of fear.

Driving to the airport felt so right

in my long maroon skirt and green shirt that was oh so bright.

Confirmation after confirmation on my very first flight;

I couldn’t wait to see what this place would be like!

Getting off the plane, I was filled with delight –

standing on African soil for the first time in my life.

14 hours of sleep, no shower or clean teeth,

I nevertheless wanted to meet...

This group – God’s hands and feet.

Question after question with no time to breathe or sigh

they challenged me to critically think,

but all that I had planned to do was stop by and say “hi.”

Within a week I learned each name;

little did I know my heart they soon would claim.

Two weeks later I did not want to depart,

but they stayed with me in spirit, though half a world apart. 

After 6 long weeks it was time to return;

Kinyarwanda & culture – I had lots to learn.

Seeing each face was so surreal.

Hugs from all, so precious and dear.

As the days go on, love grows and grows.

What these students will accomplish, God only knows.

But I believe in every one –

their passions, their giftings, and their ability to have fun.

Working with the future leaders of this country

pushes me to live bright and free.

Learning from each other through a mutual mentorship,

I drink deeply the possibilities and moments,

for life’s too short to take tiny sips.

Bridge2Rwanda Scholars, you constantly blow me away.

I cherish every moment, every conversation, every day.

Traditional Rwandan Fare

Every day, lunch is provided for the students and staff at B2R - for free!  This began when only a handful of students were actually buying lunch during their break, for only a handful could afford it.  Shortly thereafter, Bridge2Rwanda arranged for a local Rwandan restaurant to cater food.  It's the same most days with sometimes an addition of peanut sauce or matoke.

So, here it is...traditional Rwandan fare: rice, beans, greens, beef, and potatoes.

Delphine: My Sister Who Can Cook & Clean

Delphine is another person who worked at the first place I stayed.  Super shy at first; in fact, I didn't think she spoke any English.  But after a few days of getting to know her, the English no longer remained hidden; nor did the passion.  And after a few weeks of getting to know each other, I counted her as a dear sister and friend.

Upon our first day of meeting, she unloaded all 4 of my suitcases and found a home for everything (without me asking her to do this).  Clothes were hung in the closet - not just hung but outfits were actually put together!  "Hmm, I never has thought of putting that green cardigan with that pink shirt, but I kind of like it,"  I thought to myself.  Thanks Delphine for helping me think outside of the box with some fun color-blocking.  She repacked and unpacked all of my belongings when it came time to change rooms in this particular house, and then repacked everything less than a week later when it was time to switch houses.

Fruit salad is one of my favorite things to eat in Rwanda; Delphine's was especially good.  She taught me how to make it one morning.  I taught her how to make pancakes the next.  We made brownies together another morning - something she had never experienced.  And she shared tips on how to make a pot of stewed vegetables taste really really good.

The times with Delphine that I cherish most were when we talked about the Lord.  We encouraged each other with our favorite verses, truth about God's love, and ways we see each other modeling Christ.  I'll never forget the day I turned to Zephaniah 3:17 and had her turn there in her Kinyarwanda Bible.  We had almost exactly the same passages underlined; we both love not only that one verse but also the few leading up to it.  I got chills when I saw this.

We hardly speak the same language, yet we love the same God and love each other - an immediate and lasting bond was formed becasue of this.