In the last 12 days I have:
Stayed in a private bungalow hidden in the most spectacular flora imaginable listening to the waves of Lake Kivu lap the stairs to our door; Shopped in 3 different Rwandan outdoor markets haggling the best deals on African fabrics; Coughed, sneezed, and snotted all over my sweet husband (I caught a cold working in the hospital); Kayaked along the Rwandan-Congolese border; Had delicious Rwandan dinners at the houses of some great friends we’ve made here; Been licked by a cow; Laid on a beachy shore under a palapa umbrella; Chewed and spit sugarcane with a local; Held hands and smiled with a genocide survivor AND her perpetrator; Used the phrase “well, we’ll know in 12 hours” after eating raw vegetables (…a couple of times); Shared a wonderful girly-lunch date with a beautiful young lady; Been attacked by one of the Kevins; Saw 3 different pigs being walked with a leash…to the market; Prayed with the people of Rwanda on the 17th anniversary of the genocide.
Among some of those days Ryan’s father and step-mom came to visit us. They shared in many of the experiences listed but the best part of their visit was the time we had to grow in relationship with each other. Lots of memories.
For example: on their first day, we were leaving the mango tree church and a young guy who sings there (and doesn’t speak a single word of English) hopped in our car and came home with us. We didn’t invite him over but we also didn’t ask what was going on (nor could we if we wanted to). That sort of thing happens here a lot. We give a ride without knowing that’s what’s going on… just usually not to our house. He came in sat down, and by using hand motions asked me to pour the soda I had offered him into a glass I had brought him. What was I thinking just putting them out there in front of him…? After he was finished he started hollering “Kimu, KIMU.” I was in the kitchen making lunch – and didn’t know that I was Kimu. Ryan said “Honey, I think he’s calling you.” I came in and he pushed his glass towards me and flicked his wrist letting me know it was to be taken away immediately! You should have seen Ryan’s face – he was mortified and said “I didn’t know that’s what he wanted!” Had it been anyone else, I would have been completely offended and said “you’ve got the wrong woman, buddy”, but I was so shocked that I laughed and took it.
Then, a boy from down the road who we have seen before (once or twice) shows up and is sitting at our table with us. Evidently he is there to translate for us. I’m instructed by our guest to stop making lunch and listen to what he has to say. When he was finished (a couple hours later) he wanted a “push” home (a ride…) and that was that. He didn’t even stay for lunch. To say we were all confused would be an understatement. But hey, it’s just another day in Africa.
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