43. On Our Way Home

Monday, Aug. 15, 2016

Boarding at Kigali International Airport

We're at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. The flight from Kigali (via Entebbe, Uganda) was fine and soon we will be in Detroit. I knew these 9 months were going to fly by. Naomi is surprised how fast it went.  I haven't asked John and Isaac yet.

Our last day in our house was a hectic one. People coming and going all day, picking up the items we were giving away and selling. John's big table/desk was carried away on the heads of two men, our king size mattress was folded, tied with rope and carried on the head of a young man. Sorry, no photos of that! John delivered our car to it's new owner, we gave last parting gifts to Grace, our housekeeper, and Simiyon, our guard. Our landlord, in classic Rwandan style, called to say he was running late and would not be able to get to the house before we left for the final walk-thru.

Packing was a bit stressful and took way too long because we had to pack and re-pack to try meet the 23KG limit per bag -- 2 bags per person. In addition we knew Delta Airline's restricts to 2 carry-ons, each no more than 12 KG. In the end we did it! Our 8 large suitcases, each about 23.7 KG (the check-in clerk was lenient) and they didn't control the carry-ons at all! So we had 12 carry-ons all together. Keeping track of all these bags was not easy! Ruth Ann's neatly packed bag of "food for the road" got left behind at the house, one of the 8 large bags and one of the carry-ons was left on the hotel shuttle bus we used to get to the airport. We noticed the big bag missing before we got through security, but not the carry on until it was too late! Our friend Patrick was still outside, though, ready to help us. And he found a way to retrieve it and get it to us via another passenger he knew! Thank you Patrick!

We thank so many other friends who helped us pack up and get going back to more adventures in a different part of the world... Ann Arbor, Michigan! Dear friends in Rwanda, you have blessed us richly and made a huge impact on our lives. We will miss you, "nda gukumbura" and think of you often, and we pray God's blessing on you. Imana ibaha umugishu.

Schiphol airport walkway, "Inspiration, here I come."

Apropos phrase - "Lost in translation, here I come."

42. Games for the Kids - Action for Women Foundation in Kigali

Yolanda leads the kids program.

Aug. 6, 2016
Today Naomi and Ruth Ann had the privilege to help out at a program for the children of some at-risk households in Kigali. The program, Action for Women Foundation (AWF), was founded by Yolanda and Marvin, Rwandan friends we met through connections at Christian Live Assembly (CLA) church. Yolanda and Marvin are professionals who felt drawn to help with the plight of single mothers in Kigali. Many of these women have very few income options and many health problems, which limits their ability to provide for their young families. The program is small, including about 30 women in the Nyabisindu neighborhood. But Yolanda and Marvin have worked with this small group for over two years now, helping them build their own revolving credit fund and a small bakery/cafe business to provide some income and teach business skills.

I believe this was the second year they organized a 3-day children's program for the children of the women in the program. There were about 50 kids, ages 4 - 12. Yolanda lead them in songs and lessons to practice saying their name, where they live and who their parents are.

Naomi and I lead some games we called the "AWF Olympics". Some of the children were very small, so it was a bit chaotic but fun. We passed out hand-made, tin foil medals to each child when it was all over. Then we got to join in the best part - chipatis made by the women!

Note: the photos don't show it, but this was a family effort. Isaac and John did behind the scenes work, blowing up balloons and making medals (a time-consuming craft). Naomi and Isaac both "sacrificed" one of their school uniform t-shirts for the material to make the straps for the 3-legged races. Thanks everyone!

Young participant.

Proud mama.

"Doing our best."

Ready to try 3 legged racing!

Camp counselor-to-be!

The "moms corner" gets chipatis also.

Chipati made by the AWF women for snack time.

Cups ready for the red Kool-aid.

This is the kitchen for chipati production.

Cleaning up.

Games and songs.

Egg relay race.

Naomi gives medals to the 4th place "Libya" team. We made these medals with paper bag "ribbons" and tin foil covered cardboard. (No handy stores for buying plastic medals in Kigali.)

Incredible Yolanda on the L, amazing Marvin on the R, Naomi in the middle!

Snack time!