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 4th 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!
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| Gisore & Filo |
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| big smile, big heart, & a big personality |
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