It's our last day here in Kigali as we head out in a few hours to our project site, where the three of us will be teaching ESL strategies and skills to approximately 75 primary school teachers over the next 3 months. It's been a pretty busy schedule, with orientation/training/planning in Canada, travelling here and now getting to know our Rwandan counterparts as we continue our (marathon!) planning sessions. I'm looking forward to getting settled in our home and finally unpacking a little... and doing some much needed laundry.
Yesterday I met up with Joseph and Grace for lunch...
......and it was so great to catch up with them and fill each other in on our lives. I plan to visit their family and the orphanage on one of my days off as soon as I can. A small number of children remain at the orphanage so I look forward to hugging them all and saying hello.
I ran into my old friend "Mama Africa" (Arlene) of Hope Made Real in the outdoor walkway of the hotel. She was here to pick up a visitor and I was just heading out to the office here. I think it was a divine moment of connection as our ride was delayed and she was just there for a minute. I had spoken to her on the phone recently and planned to go out and visit her in the coming weeks but it was even better to get a big hug in the hallway!
I also went to the Nakumatt (sort of a Kenyan walmart here in Kigali) and guess what?? My points card had finally arrived in store. Last year I had applied for the card so I could earn points to spend in the store, and was told "a few weeks" but still didn't have it after 3 months. On a whim, I thought I'd check in and... there it was! I laughed when they pulled it out -- so funny!
It does feel like coming home to be back in Rwanda. I find myself slipping back into Kinyarwanda and local ways very easily, but some things are different this time around. This time, I find myself searching the faces of passing school children for "my" kids from the orphanage. I caught myself doing it, hoping, I suppose, to see the ones who have been released.
Another change is being here with a big, international organization. Hence the hotel we stayed in upon our arrival, the driver taking us to the office for meetings, and all kinds of support and planning that I'm adjusting to. It's equal parts great and surreal all at the same time. I'm also here as part of a team of 3 this time, which is turning out to be pretty awesome.
Stay tuned for more updates!
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