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.

The Story of Gisore

It’s now been exactly 2 months since I officially moved to Kigali.  I’ve lived in 2 houses already and will be moving to my 4^th room today.  Each situation has had its pros and cons, whether that’s involving internet, insects, location, exercise conveniences, etc.  But the consistent positives have been the roommates and house help I’ve gotten to know along the way.

When I arrived in August, Gisore was the first person I met at the house.  Immediately, he carried my luggage (4 heavy bags + 2 carry-ons) upstairs without letting me help. We didn’t speak the same language, but I could instantly tell that he was a special guy.  My roommate was in Uganda for the weekend; he motioned for me to sit in the living area with him as he prayed for her safety.  After sleeping 14 hours, I popped in a Billy Blanks workout DVD to help me shake off the jet lag.  Gisore joined me for part of it.  That afternoon, he took me into town to get a new SIM card for my iPhone.  This guy killed cockroaches when I would see them and freak out, he fixed a broken toilet on countless occasions, he tended to scratches and bruises on my legs when I got into a minor scooter accident, he had the idea to bring a mattress into the den for the movie night I had for my students, he went to the market to buy fruits and veggies for me at "non-muzungu prices," and he often negotiated moto rides in the mornings as I’d get ready to leave for work. 

Gisore is full of character; there’s never a dull moment when he’s around.  Both of his parents were killed when he was younger, and he has a miraculous story of survival (…there’s a bullet scar on his thigh to prove it).  His unwavering faith is admirable, and he has such a servant’s heart.  He’s not afraid to tell others that it’s because of “Imana” (God) that he’s able to love and serve others so well.  I visit him every few weeks to say hello, give him a hug, and communicate through our broken language and gestures.  The story of Gisore is too good to keep to myself.  He will always hold a very special place in my heart!

Gisore & Filo

big smile, big heart, & a big personality

"Mukundwa," the pink scooter

As you can see above, I was on a mission to find a scooter – and not just any scooter, a pink scooter! I didn’t want to pay for a brand new one; besides, the only 2 colors available this year were not exciting.   It was rumored that only 3 used pink scooters existed in Kigali.   I had yet to see one until a few Mondays ago…

I was walking home from work, and out of nowhere, an older Rwandan man driving a pink scooter appeared at an intersection I was crossing.  Immediately, I exclaimed, “A PINK scooter!  Where did you get it??”  He spoke no English, so someone came over to translate.  He asked me if I wanted to buy it.  I asked him if he was selling it.  He said that he would be willing to since he needed money for home repairs.  This seemed a little too good to be true.  Nonetheless, I got his phone number and thought/prayed about it that evening.

Yves, one of my B2R colleagues, met Apollonaire and me the next afternoon to translate regarding the potential purchase.  Yves said that he sounded trustworthy and that he actually needed money for his house.  Sounded like a win/win to me! I went for a test drive and felt good about proceeding.  

After the transaction, I had Yves ask Apollonaire if he’d given the scooter a name.  Sure enough, he did.  “Mukundwa” = the loved one.  I promised him that I’d keep the name and take good care of it.  

What a miracle!  I often smile and laugh to myself when I think about this supernatural occurrence that provided me with a pink scooter and Apollonaire with money to fix his home. 

A big wad of cash...

...in exchange for the key

 

Apollonaire & Yves

"Mukundwa" & me