Two for One

Resurfacing

I love observing Rwandans. Seeing evidence of their long-standing culture. There are certain things like weddings, for example, where culture and tradition are obviously prominent. There are other things such as the way disappointment or frustration are communicated, the way they communicate “touché” and the way they give their consent or approval with no more than the slight raise of the eyebrows. Those small things contribute to their way of life just as much as the big things. They are not ashamed of who they are. They take pride in their culture and heritage.

I wish I could have a video camera strapped to my helmet so you could witness everything I experience as I drive down our road though this small community of beautiful people. Children yelling “mzungu” in more of an endearing than insulting tone. Dodging trash, chickens, other motos, vegetables, huge ruts from the rain, and lots of people. Driving up the hill, kids chasing, frantically waving their arms. Or even better, when the kids are waiting for me outside of my gate with sweet smiling faces. It’s easy to get annoyed with it, because it’s relentless. You’d think they would get tired of greeting us multiple times a day or that eventually the excitement would wear off. But no, they press on, day after day as if it’s a requirement. I wish I could at least take pictures, but it’s not quite that simple. We could end up putting ourselves in a compromising situation if we walk around with a camera because (1) it labels us as being rich (and they don’t need any help coming to that conclusion) and it gives them more of a reason to try to get into our compound (again, they don’t need any encouragement). Maybe one day I’ll be able to, but not yet.

I haven’t blogged since September 15^th, the day I started my job with EDC (the job I mentioned in my last post). Coincidence? I think not. Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. Scratch that. All the time I bite off more than I can chew. I’m a bit of an ambitious person. This job with EDC is a classic example of thinking I can take on more and discovering it wasn’t actually meant for me. I feel like I've been drowning in life, going through the motions, physically existing but emotionally absent.

   

No. This is not acceptable. I came to Rwanda to thrive and be and love every moment of everyday.

So a change was made. So-long EDC, the work you are doing here in Rwanda is great, but it’s not for me.

However, this job wasn’t all for naught. It has taught me a lot of things that I don’t like or don’t want to do in the future. Example: I will never be able to handle an office job. How do people sit still at a desk for hours on end? I crave change and excitement. As much I enjoy routine, I need the ability to alter things once in a while, to create a little spice and keep me interested.

Something else God has made really clear to me during this month and a half is my natural desire to teach. I’ve been teaching since I could talk. I used to line up my stuffed animals and read books to them, and then He gave me two brothers to hold captive on weekends and during summers.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” –Psalm 37:4

I think God places a desire in your heart when He creates you, before you are even born. I believe there are hints of the desire in the early innocence of your life, but because we live in an imperfect world, the desire isn’t easily accessed. I think as you grow closer to Him and grow into who He created you to be, that desire becomes truly evident and He makes a way for you to attain it.

God has given me a love for kids. I come home from babysitting giddy, I feel energized after I finish an instrument lesson, I get excited when I have the opportunity to be around, influence, and teach kids.

My job at EDC did not allow me to interact with children and I felt like the life was being sucked out of me.

Letting go of this job not only gives me more time for myself, personally, it also gives me more time to be with kids. Maybe it’s volunteering at a school, maybe it’s afterschool tutoring, maybe it’s a ministry with street kids. Only God knows. But I needed to make a change in my schedule. I had become unavailable for God to use because I was too busy. 

Head Above Water

Because I haven’t blogged in so long I’m going to grace you with two entries…Two for one deal, if you will.

One of these days I’m going to write a book called, “Mastering the Art of Driving in Kigali” Subtitle: Everything from navigating muddy potholes to successfully going through Gishushu intersection. It’ll be great. Everyone will read it and become much better drivers because of it. (Please hear my voice dripping with sarcasm.) I do believe Jesus preforms a miracle every time I get from one destination to the next, safely, unharmed.

Last weekend I went to Nyungwe forest (pronounced: newngway, but the “g” is kinda swallowed) with two friends of mine. Nyungwe is really cool because it provides a bit of a different scenery. Rwanda is beautiful but after the ninety-seventh hill, plowed and patterned for growing, and the nine hundred and ninety-seventh person, it’s a good time for a little snooze.

I’ve driven through Nyungwe plenty of times (which is a feat in itself because of my unfortunate inclination to carsickness) but I’ve never stopped and stayed. The forest is really dense. There are lots of monkeys in the forest and occasionally a few brave ones who make their way to the road to provide entertainment for camera-ready people.

We stayed in a nice guest house (one of three) just outside the forest, past the tea plantation. The guest house is located at the top of a very steep hill, sitting above the forest and the tea plantation and Lake Kivu. (Lake Kivu continues to be my favorite thing in Rwanda; unfortunately this trip did not allow time for a quick dip or a boat ride.) We went for a hike through the forest; this particular hike involved a swinging rope bridge. It’s a thrilling experience to be 360 meters off the ground, walking on a sliver of an unsteady walkway. And, the sun came out as we were walking across…being a rain forest, it rains all the time, imagine that.

We also ventured over to the high-dollar lodge, located in the middle of the tea plantation. It has a small infinity pool giving you the impression that you might fall right down into the middle of the forest. We enjoyed lunch and the lodge’s luxurious facilities without having to the pay the eyebrow-raising price. Then we embarked on a wet walk through the tea leaves back to our guest house in the light afternoon rain. We met a couple on our hike, earlier in the day, who offered us a ride back to Kigali in their car. I don’t mind public transport but it was nice to be able to ride back in the comfort of their vehicle. It was a quick trip to the forest but it’s always nice to get out of the city for a few days. Likewise, coming back into Kigali after some time away is a warm and welcome feeling.   

This picture came from google images.
I don't actually have a picture of a monkey.
I'm obviously not a "camera-ready person"

Tea plantation and forest

Lake Kivu off in the distance

The infinity pool at the lodge (not our guest house)

Swinging rope bridge draped in the trees

Tea plantation

Now that I have resurfaced and have my head above water, breathing normally again, I have time for some free-style swimming. And a chance to enjoy those swimming in the pool (of life) with me. I can take weekend trips to the forest, I can go for walks, I can blog, I can read books, I can hang out with kids, I can basically do whatever I want. Not in a rebellious, “I do what I want” kind of way, but more of “I have freedom; I am free” way.

Something I’ve been wrestling with for many months is the overwhelmingly large concept of love. God is spoon-feeding me the knowledge and understanding and He is showing me His love in unexpected ways.

The love I feel for children is not something I produce. I’m not trying to love kids. The love coming out of me is first being poured into me by God and then I’m able to express it and give it others. It’s a kind of love that flows freely and doesn’t leave me depleted.

I see God’s love in creation. Not just creation of people but His creation of everything, surrounding and enveloping us. When I look at the rolling hills of Rwanda, I see His artistic hand. I see His longing to bless His people, blessing people with beauty for our eyes to soak in. I think of the majestic Rocky Mountains that I was allowed to experience during my time in Colorado, I think of the rolling waves of the ocean I witnessed in Florida, I think of a snow-covered ground, or a field of wheat, or a green meadow laden with wild flowers. Ah, the beauty. The creativity. The love.

                  I’ll leave you with this: Life rarely goes the way you think it’s going to go. Stay flexible. Rely fully on Him. He wants to guide you. He wants to love you. Let Him.