Kigali Update

November 12, 2009

After a week and a half in Kigali, I suppose I should write an update.

My time here has been good. There have been a few difficult things, but like most things in life, the good has far outweighed the bad and I have been blessed to be here.

The first few days were difficult. Without a set schedule, and a refreshed, ready spirit, I found myself feeling very restless. Though I felt like I could breathe easier here in Rwanda, I was unable to enjoy it for long as I found myself longing for the busyness I had in Uganda. Its a strange thing to realize when you see that you’re addicted to movement and doing things, but also a good realization to have. I found that without a lot to do I was able/forced to think about everything I had experienced in Gulu, which was not necessarily all sugar-plums and gum drops. I would not trade my time in that Northern Ugandan town for anything, but the truth is that a lot of things were difficult to see and experience, so as a defense against my own heart, I didn’t think about it. I just continued in each day, and then reasoned that I would ‘process’ it all later. Somewhat of a joke to me now, as I have been avoiding the processing like its the plague. I began to resent that I had so much free time and all of the old things that I would normally do to get my mind off of it all seemed inadequate and left me wanting. Imagine being in a place where you are trying to wade through so much but not being able to do the wading in a way that seems normal or comfortable. A little daunting, to say the least. I’d like to say that I finally had a breakthrough and was able to really get down to business with going through everything, and am totally through it all now, but that has not been the case. I found things to do and people to hang out with, and have decided that maybe one day I’ll get through it all. I don’t know. For now, I’d rather be doing things than reflecting. Which is exactly what I’ve done.

I was staying at a guest house that Adrienne helped me find and while there was able to get to know a few wonderful girls. One, Hillary, is about my age and got here to Rwanda just shortly after I did. She is interning with Food for the Hungry and will be here until mid-December. She hails from Des Moines, Iowa, though went to college in Chicago. She is a really joyful and funny girl, and has a huge heart for Africa. She, in fact, organized a ton of Invisible Children events at her college so she and I had plenty of things to talk about when it came to Gulu. Such a sweet time... Kirsteen was also living at the house. She came to Rwanda from Scotland, but is from Australia. She has a sweet ascent and sweet spirit, and always makes me chuckle when I hear her say things like “bugga” and “Ah, stuff it!” She was working with an organization but recently that ended, and so now she is planning on heading to Kampala to volunteer at a children’s home. She is an artist, in the truest definition. We found common ground on a few things, including that her home church in Australia is Hillsong. I really love both of these girls, and have realized that the unfortunate part about traveling is that you meet really awesome people and then don’t get to hang out for very long. Not fun, but I also wouldn’t trade these new friendships for anything. 

I also have been able to reconnect with Pastor Frida, the wife of Pastor Gashumba, whom I met last year. This woman is absolutely incredible. I don’t want to toot her horn too much, but she honestly is the epitome of grace. I first was able to spend time with her when she invited met to stay the night at their home. I had some other things I was doing and couldn’t get there until later in the evening but I was still welcomed in as if it were the afternoon. While in our conversation she came to know that I was staying at a guest house, which she quickly questioned. “Why are you spending your money Jamie?! You can stay here!” I told her that if I changed my tickets I would take her up on that, and did so just a few days ago. As if allowing me to stay with her were not enough, she also insisted that I borrow her car so that I would not have to pay for a taxi or boda all the time. I accepted and have been blessed to just jump in the car anytime I need to go anywhere. As I have observed her in dealing with her children, also, I’ve been amazed. I have never seen someone so patient. Maxwell is 5, Natasha is 4 and Regis is 2. With her husband traveling for work and her older daughters at school, she manages her home, raises the kids and is devoted to her ministries in the church. I don’t quite understand how she does it all, but she still is able to see each of her children as the unique littler person they are and is very patient with each one. Its really a great example to me in how to operate in life.

In general, I'm glad to be back in Rwanda. Its like air...