On Rwandan soil again

(8 am) I am sitting, this very second, in Adrienne and Berchimas’s living room, across from me is Princesse, and down the hall Prince is getting ready for the day. We already had breakfast, and wished Berchimas a good day at work, and now Adrienne is getting ready so that she and I can go see the town, exchange some money and have some friend time. 

I arrived safely in Rwanda yesterday evening around 6:50pm Kigali time. After getting through immigration and collecting my bags (which all arrived on time, praise God!) I made my way out to where people were waiting. I looked up to see Adrienne, Berchimas, Princesse and Prince. It was like a dream! I was back in Rwanda!! I greeted and hugged them and Adrienne pointed out that to my left some other friends were there. Amerika, Raymond and Christophe! I was almost overwhelmed. I greeted them all  and was so glad to be with them all. 

Adrienne, Berchimas, Princesse, Prince, Amerika and I all loaded into the car and said farewell for now to Christophe and Raymond. (Also Christophe’s brother, whom I had just met). We made our way to the Ntezimana home and my friends showed me my room. The children colored me pictures, hung up their own pictures and made me a name tag for over my bed. I am so welcomed here, I can hardly take it all in. 

The children are beautiful and so smart. They were very shy at first, but within a few hours had warmed up to me. (It probably helped that I gave them balloons...) They play, laugh, dance, and run around like the beautiful three and five year olds that they are. The family that is the Ntezimanas is wonderful, loving and feel like family to me as well.

Through a friend of Adrienne's I am going to be given the info that the new students get as an orientation when they come to Rwanda with FHI. I'm really grateful for this info, as it explains Kigali to me better. This is going to be a great opportunity to learn about Kigali, and have things explained to me.

I am so glad to be back here, and am so excited to get to learn more about this country, this culture, this area and these people. 

German countryside adventure...

Through a high school advisor I was given the contact info for a woman in Germany who lived close to Frankfurt and would possibly be willing to show me around the area during my twelve hour layover. What a great opportunity to see a different country and not be extremely bored for half of a day! 

Mary explained that there was a train that would take me directly from Frankfurt airport to Manheim station, where they could pick me up. Everything seemed as though it would be very easy and straight forward, so I decided that I would do that. What I seemed to forget is that I don’t speak or read German. And I would be in Germany. And English probably wouldn’t be provided. And I don’t speak or read German... Can you see where this is going? I think I stood in front of the ticket machine for a good five minutes, just searching for the word Manheim. Never found it. Luckily, there was a woman standing close by who said that yes she spoke English. “I need to go to Manheim.” “Oh, this is the wrong ticket machine. It is only for the Frankfurt area. Here...” As we walked over to the other machine I began to wonder at whether or not this was such a brilliant idea. But I purchased the ticket, thanked her, and headed down the stairs to the platform. I wondered at whether I was at the correct one. Once again, I spent a fair amount of time staring at the info board. I realized I’d have to ask someone, so I scanned the other passengers on the platform. Did I approach the group of four older people, conversing with one another? Or maybe the girl standing next to the bicycle? Or the blonde haired girl with the backpack? I finally decided to ask her. She looked to be about 18 or 19 and as I asked if she spoke English, she smiled and said a little. I explained my situation and where I needed to go and was this the correct platform? We both returned to the info board and searched for the station name. (Well, she searched. I stood there because I couldn’t read any of it). She said that it seemed to be the right place, and that I would board the same train as her and just get off before. This came as a relief because I had someone to explain the train system to me now. Hella was her name, and she was a blessing.

Our train came and we boarded. We asked another passenger about getting to Manheim and he said that he thought I would have to get off at Meinz and transfer to a different line. The railway employee confirmed that. So Hella and I spoke the whole way to Meinz. She explained the German college system to me, how she was on her way to take an exam and how it amazed her the size of my family. She was so sweet and such a blessing to me. I am not sure that I could have expereienced the same grace and kindness other places I have been. I’m forever grateful to her.

I successfully transfered trains and made it to Manheim. I called Mary and we quickly found one another. She was at the station with Sylvia (her mother-in-law) and two of her kids, Kyra and Sebastian. Alec was at day camp. We quickly got to know one another on the drive back to their home, and they let me take a shower and fed me lunch. After Sylvia got back from some errands, Mary and I headed to Heidleberg Castle for some site-seeing. It was such a joy to go to the castle and around town with Mary becuase she knows the history of the area so well and explained things as well as a tour guide could. It was a beautiful castle, with the balcony looking over the town of Heidleberg, which is rich in old German architecture. After we left the castle we made our way back to the house where I met Craig (Mary’s father-in-law), Stephanie (sister-in-law), Alena (Stephanie’s daughter) and Alec (Mary’s son). They were all really welcoming and nice. We sat down for dinner of spaghetti, bread and salad. After we finished and they made sure I was full Mary, Craig and I headed back to the airport. They not only drove me back to the airport, but walked me all the way to the security check point. They didn’t have to drive me back there, as I had purchased a round trip train ticket, but this was how they are. Completely giving, completely gracious, completely a blessing. My time in Germany was really wonderful.

Flight fun

Aug 26th, 2009

The flight from San Fran to Germany was a doozy. Ten hours spent in the second in from the aisle, two rows from the very back of a 747 Boeing, with two full grown men on either side of me made it very interesting to attempt to sleep. Half of the time I spent with my head strained to one side or the other, pulling on neck muscles I didn’t know I had. But the man on the aisle seat was very gracious when I had to get up and was willing to accommodate my bathroom trips. I realized for the first time on this flight the beauty of the German language, the superior service of Lufthansa, and the simple joy of a childhood memory.

The German language is something that I am now amazed by. Because Lufthansa is a German airline, everything in the airplane was printed in German and English. All of the flight attendants spoke in both German and English throughout the flight, as did the captain. And many of the passengers I shared the airplane with were from Germany. So ‘danka’, ‘bitte’, ‘nein’ and ‘da’ seemed to be all around me in a glorious harmony of a language I used think was harsh and nasally. Now, however, a new appreciation is realized and once again, the desire to learn a few more languages is ignited. 

Lufthansa... I cannot say enough good things. A few friends had told me how much they loved the airline before I left the states, but I was ready to decide for myself. When I sat down I was immediately in love with the size of the seats. They seemed to recline back further and be softer than other chairs. The service that I recieved from the flight attendants was wonderful and they were very kind. 

While on the flight, the tv was on. I really didn’t pay attention to it much except that I looked up to see a Walt Disney intro coming on. I was interested and then became very excited as I saw an old Pluto cartoon coming on. The one is where Pluto and the seal make friends after the seal helps Pluto get away from the octopus. Its a very short film, but it is something I watched when I was a kid. My siblings, cousins and I used to watch Mickey Mouse cartoons for hours as children. Something as simple as a ten minute cartoon reminded me of home, brought a smile to my face, and once again, reminded me that I am under the shelter of His wing. 

Just a taste

Favor. Some would say its coincidence, luck or just plain good charisma. However, what I experienced today before getting to this flight (San Francisco to Frankfurt) is what I consider divine favor.

It first started in Eugene. I took my bags to the counter to check in. And just getting my bags there was a challenge. The night before my sister (whom I am forever indebted to for her help with my packing) and I spent quite some time playing the weight game. As most people know, there are weight constraints on bags while flying both domestically and internationally. For some reason no one has decided that is would be ok to let those be the same regulation. Nope. Instead one is about 50 pounds and the other somewhere closer to 70. So of course we had to do the 50 pound limit so that my bags could successfully leave U.S. soil. One was at 37 pounds and one at 55... Time to balance the load. I successfully weighed my bags before leaving for the Eugene airport, with each coming in somewhere around 45 pounds. Heavy for me to carry, but a veritable victory after so much hassle to get them to that weight. So I approached the counter in Eugene and handed the employee my boarding pass. After they were both weighed (successfully!) she informed me that the fee would be $50 to check both bags. A newer regulation for all domestic flights. But then, in true Grace form, she gave away that I was not stopping in San Francisco, but instead continuing on, ultimately to Rwanda. The woman looked up and stated that these bags were only going to SF. I agreed but that I would be traveling on. “Oh, well I can check them all the way through.” I said that would be wonderful, as I was not looking forward to carrying more than my own weight in luggage through the large airport. As I waited for her to print my luggage tags, and verify everything she looked up to say “And I voided this, because you’re flying internationally.” The ‘this’ was the $50 charge to my debit card. “I don’t have to pay for them?” I inquired. “No, because there is not a charge for international flights.” Favor.

My brother (as well as a few other wonderful people) created a unique and beautiful going away gift. A long-board deck plastered with not only an intricate and artistic picture of the continent of Africa, but also with signatures, scripture and messages of good will. It was incredible and I was so blessed to receive it. (Thank you all who contributed!) However, I realized I probably would not be able to take it with me. A long board deck is no small item. Plus, isn’t that another carry on? Someone said I should ask the employees, who then sent me to the TSA employees. The gentleman who had taken my bags at first instructed me to inquire at the security check-in, stating that if I got through there, I was home free. Walking over to the security check point, a prayer was offered. “Will I be able to take this on the plane like it is?” I asked. “Sure. I don’t see why not. I don’t think you’ll try to do anything with it. Ya. We’ll let you through.” (The board was sticking out of my bag on top and bottom, much longer than a normal carry-on.) Really...

My flight leaving Eugene was delayed about an hour due to the weather in San Francisco. Typical, right? Oh well. I had had a four hour layover but now would have a shorter one, something I was not upset about at all. Flying to SF was quick and relatively painless. Off the plane, making my way to the international terminal was interesting, but easy due to the help from airport staff. God bless them! I was unsure of what gate I needed so I approached the info desk to ask. “Well first you need to get your tickets. Lufthansa is on aisle 7. You’ll have to go there, and then you’ll know what gate to get to.” Hmm... Tickets... Thats a novel idea. 

As I approached the ticketing counter for Lufthansa I read that there was one hand luggage allowed, PERIOD. In big, red letters it translated to me as ‘get ready to do some shuffling.’ I was ready and would have had a relatively easy time of deciding what to take or not take with me on the aircraft, but I was also going to wait until I knew for sure if that was what would need to happen. 

As the attendant called me to the desk, I was completely at peace. With a small prayer offered and a smile on my face I stepped up to the desk and handed the gentleman my passport and itinerary. He asked what bags I had and I explained how I had already checked two all the way through to Rwanda and because domestic/United regulations were different, I had the two at my feet as well. (Both of which are packed full). I asked if I would need to check one of those also, and he simply looked at me, looked at the bags, then looked away and smiled as he shook his head no. “No. Those are fine.” I gathered my boarding passes from him, thanked him and walked away smiling, once again amazed.

Critics would probably call all of that coincidence. Say that the $50 refund was simply a rule I had failed to realize, the long board deck an ‘abnormal’ item that would routinely be let through, and the man at the counter just having a good day. But I would call that divine favor. Kisses from a good God...

Ready to go...

I was asked this morning how I am doing. I was speaking to a beloved mentor, and as I was speaking with him on the phone, I was standing in the Eugene airport, waiting to go through security and ascend the escalator to my first flight of five to ultimately arrive in Kigali, Rwanda. “I’m good. I’m very excited, but very tired from the past few days. Its been a sweet time of seeing friends and family, but busy. But I’m not scared, nervous, worried, stressed or anything else. I’m at peace, settled and good,” came my reply. He congratulated me and we spoke a little more about the process its taken me to get here, as well as a few other things. And as I am on this flight, 6400 en route to San Francisco, I am still at that place. I have no doubt that this is exactly where I am supposed to be in this moment in time, on this day of August 25th, 2009. 

When I was younger I planned to graduate from high school, go to college, graduate from that, and then work while accumulating a lot of ‘fun’ things. I’ve always been an adventurer. Always loved climbing trees, tearing up new pow on the mountain, spending countless hours exploring the many trails and paths around my grandparents’ home, riding horses I shouldn’t have, hunting deer and elk in Eastern Oregon, fishing in whatever water I could find, hiking all over, and doing any and everything else that seemed interesting, precarious, or maybe even dangerous. So in my teen years a college degree was a way not only to provide for myself but also to support this habit of adrenaline rush hunting. (Not to mention, the degree I got allowed me to experience the rush at work when traumatic injuries presented themselves). I still love to do all those things very much, but now, it seems as the the bar has been raised. Much like a young child first learns how to roll from front to back, then to raise up off of the ground, and then to crawl. Standing up with the aid of a chair, stool or trusted hand is learned next, after which comes the wobbly walk, then with more confidence, and finally the ability to run, skip, jump and maintain their balance despite what may come. Just as each preceding phase is a ‘step’ towards balance and greater ability, so it has been with my adventurous heart. I’m not saying I have it all together. Oh no. (If any of my close friends or immediate family reads this they’ll know how funny that would be to say!) But I am saying that the preparation has been occurring my whole life. Its as if this was just the next step, full of unknowns, interesting experiences and challenges. And also, full of that good ol’ adrenaline rush hunting. So I’m good. Ready to go, ready to arrive. (Don’t get me wrong, though. This is anything but the beginning, I’m pretty sure...)

Two weeks from now

Two weeks from today, on the 25th of August, I'll fly out from Eugene, Oregon, and travel to Kigali, Rwanda. The trip to get there will no doubt be interesting, as I don't like to fly and have more than one 8+ hour flight. I'll also be traveling internationally by myself, something I've never experienced. I'm also completely in tune with the fact that I will probably be a little bit of an emotional mess, trying to balance the sorrow of leaving so many incredible friends and family members with the excitement of going back to a place that only ten months ago made such a deep impact on my heart. Wow... There will be a lot going on in those days. Prayers would be GREATLY appreciated.
I got an e-mail informing me that I will most likely be able to volunteer at the hospital in Gulu, Uganda, and even better than just volunteering, I'll be able to help with the new x-ray machine they just got. I'm not really sure how that will work out, as I have an understanding of American medicine and the language that occurs in a hospital is hard enough in English, but I trust that God will break down EVERY barrier, according to His good pleasure. The language barrier is something that I have thought about lately. To me a 'thigh' is a femur, and a foot comprised of tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges. So how much more interesting to try to explain these things to someone who may speak Acholi. This will be a growing experience for sure!
I have been wondering lately if I will, in fact, stay there for longer than two and half months. And how it will feel to leave Rwanda after only about 3 weeks to go to Uganda. Will I want to return to Rwanda? I feel like I will, but I really don't know at this point. I'm excited, though, and open to whatever God wants to happen.
Only two weeks from now... Wow...

And it grew...

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes." -- Isaiah 54:2

I leave in a mere 2 1/2 weeks to begin this adventure in East Africa. (I'm a little excited, in case you were wondering!) I fly out on August 25th and will be arriving in Kigali, Rwanda on the evening of the 27th.

Up until about a week and a half ago I was simply traveling to Rwanda in response to a longing on my heart and to see what could come of it. I didn't have an agenda but had an airline ticket and reasoned that the rest would fall into place as it was supposed to, probably after I arrived in Rwanda. I have never wanted this to just be a vacation or 'just a trip.' I have felt from the very beginning that if it turned out to be that, I would be sorely dissapointed. I have been praying that plans would come together and that opportunites would arise for me to not only build on relationships I have already established in East Africa, but also invest in the people there in a big way. Well part of it fell into place sooner than I had expected. Through an amazing series of events that I can only call a miracle, I met the director of an organization called Aid Africa, which works within the city of Gulu, Uganda, providing assistance to the people who live there. Most have been displaced from their homes in one way or another, and are refugees. Through various projects the organization has impacted the area, and after looking at the website (aidafrica.net) and seeing the opportunity to help, I've decided to pursue volunteering with them. This may come as an interesting turn to some of you, but I have prayed about it and feel like this is where I am supposed to invest, at least for this time. 

So the change of plans are that I will be in Rwanda for about three weeks in order to visit friends there and build on the relationships I previously made. (Also, seek out if there are opportunities for me to work there). Then, somewhere around the 20th of September I will travel to Northern Uganda, and will be there for a month, after which I will most likely return to Rwanda. In that time I hope to not only assist with the projects that Aid Africa has going, but also volunteer in the charity hospital (Lacor) that they regularly transport ill babies to. (If any of you are familiar with Aprovecho stoves, Aid Africa's director orginally traveled to Uganda on one of the stove projects). I have a desire to help hurting people and though it may be overwhelming at first, am very excited to volunteer in the hospital or in a local clinic. I am not certain whether or not I will be doing x-rays, as Lacor's x-ray machine has cobwebs all over it, but I am hopeful that my training will be of some value there. 

Though this has stretched my heart and mind quite a bit, I am excited for all the opportunities that will come out of this, and the opportunity to be immersed in another culture. Some of you have asked if you could help (financially) while I am in Rwanda. Up until now I felt as though it would be irresponsible to ask for that assistance due to the lack of clear vision. Now, though, with this more specific 'mission', I would invite you to invest. If it has been pressed upon your heart and you would like to, please do. The expansion of the plans has not only brought more excitement, but also extra expenses (such as lodging, food, inner-country travel, etc) and I would also love to bless the community there, as opportunities arise. If donating to this cause is something you would like to do, please contact me and we can decide what the best way for you to do that will be. 

Thank you, once again, for taking the time to read this. I am so thankful for your prayers and look forward to sharing the stories, pictures and memories of this with you.