I have been reflecting on my time in Rwanda a lot this past week, and I didn’t know how to put in all into words, but my sweet teammate from last month Morgan Feldt did an incredible job. Here are her words strung beautifully together (as always) describing what our time there was like!
OK OK I know, I have been in Uganda for two whole weeks and I haven’t even blogged about my time in Rwanda yet. GOOD NEWS though, I’m still alive and well & that’s the most important thing, right? NOW, lets’s catch up!!!
It took only a day to fall so deeply in love with the rich country of Rwanda and these lovely people. I know that Kigali, Rwanda will always hold a special place in my heart.
Here is what Rwanda was to me:
Rwanda was having people constantly stare at you and yell “Muzungu” every time you walk by (seriously, staring is not rude in Africa).
Rwanda was all the little children running up to give you hugs and ‘shake’ your hand (basically sticking their hand straight out for what made for an awkward ‘high-five’ like thing).
Rwanda was sitting around a dinner table with your host family and laughing until your stomach hurts.
Rwanda was constantly crying-laughing at dad africa’s jokes even when he didn’t know he was making jokes. – just a few of my favorites: “my chair is dancing”, “CC Rwanda Flower”, his WhatsApp voice messages, sitting in a lawn chair under the tree watching us work, him singing coming home and africa, and him yelling as he walked in the house “I am taking my tea now!”.
Rwanda was joy and LAUGHTER.
Rwanda was admiring mama africa for being the bo$$ and the QUEEN that she claimed in complete confidence!
Rwanda was learning to freely dance the African way in front of the entire church and not caring what others think.
Rwanda was getting asked to sing on the spot in front of the entire church (keep in mind none of us are worship leaders or close to it). I’ll never listen to No Longer Slaves the same way ever again!
Rwanda was your teammates being renamed because they couldn’t pronounce their names correctly – Paige became Peg, Peggy, Pagey, & even Peggers. Sarah Beth became Salah. Abigail became Gab-Gab, Gabrie, Booger, Gabigal, & Abgab.
Rwanda was traveling over an hour to church then turning around and traveling an hour home from church.
Rwanda was wearing ‘mommy dresses’.
Rwanda was celebrating Thanksgiving as a squad at an Indonesian restaurant.
Rwanda was The Women’s Bakery and eating too many sweet potato rolls.
Rwanda was living life with a new team and people completely different from yourself yet still feeling like a family.
Rwanda was a month of sweet sisterhood.
Rwanda was our host brother, Prince, saying ‘lovely’ every 5 seconds. It truly was lovely.
Rwanda was our host brother, Innocent, singing the Spanish worships songs that we learned in South America.
Rwanda was our host brother, Joshua, being our personal tour guide all around Kigali and being so happy to show off all of his new sisters.
Rwanda was living so closely that you cuddled with all of your belongings and a teammate at the same time.
Rwanda was sharing a bed with Nicole and a room with SBG, Gail, and Paige while we laughed ourselves to sleep every night.
Rwanda was spending hours playing nerts and speed with my sweet sisters and three little host brothers.
Rwanda was digging up weeds and replanting them in the ground hoping they somehow would resurrect and grow.
Rwanda was carrying stones (boulders) for three hours to help the church build a wall while your arms felt like noodles and your clothes were stained red with dirt.
Rwanda was all the little village children coming in big numbers to help us work around the church. It is true that many hands do make light work, & giant smiles and happy hearts, too!
Rwanda was visiting and buying homemade necklaces and bags from the sweet bag ladies down the road.
Rwanda was feet stained by the red dirt roads.
Rwanda was the most uplifting daily morning prayer sessions led by CC. Seriously, this girl blew me away this month. God moved in CC’s life in huge ways and I hope she keeps shouting it for the whole world to hear and see.
Rwanda was walking uphill for thirty minutes just to get semi-working wifi and a capp.
Rwanda was having family meals together everyday which always included ‘chips’ aka french fries.
Rwanda was sleeping under bug nets that were ALWAYS touching your face but just hoping you didn’t get malaria.
Rwanda was taking ice-cold bucket showers, or just not showering at all.
Rwanda was your host sister, Phionah, washing your hair in the front yard.
Rwanda was allowing God to use the sweet month of sisterhood to rebuild and refine you into the woman he created you to be.
Rwanda was little moments that make you say, “This is a dream. I can’t believe this is my life, but I am so thankful it is.”
Rwanda, you have forever stolen my heart. Now that I am in Uganda for month 5, Africa continues to allow me to marvel at God’s creation, show me different parts of the Father, and further reveal his deep love for me and his children.
Thanks to anyone who is thinking of me or keeping my team in your prayers this holiday season! I am missing SO MANY during this time but also resting in the knowledge that I and exactly where I am called to be currently!
Xoxo
Abigail
