Nope, I don't have malaria yet and I am thankful for mosquito netting that is limiting the number of mosquito bites I have. I must really be sweet as I definitely have more bites than the rest of my team combined. Skeeters LOVE me. But, that is not the point.
Last night I had a very fun night. I mentioned to Pastor Moses the other day my interest in basketball. Yesterday afternoon we walked up to the Rwandan Olympic sports offices and into the basketball offices. It was pretty sweet as the national volleyball team coach ran into us and guided us to the right spot as well as calling a good friend who coaches a professional team here in Kigali.
We walked out of the office with a half dozen phone numbers for local coaches. Last night we headed out to meet one of those coaches and hopefully watch a practice. That wasn't quite how it worked. We arrived at 6pm and couldn't find the coach anywhere. Pastor Moses and I were watching some 2 v. 2 and 3 v. 3 pick-up games on the court between some high school/ college aged guys. Pastor Moses started talking to them and pretty soon I was playing. I do not have basketball shoes on this trip and haven't touched a ball since we left Serbia in August. I was rusty. But, for the next 90 minutes I played pick-up ball on an outdoor court overlooking the city of Kigali in December. As it got dark, I could see the city lights laid out below us. To say it was surreal would be an understatement. I had a blast and we eventually got kicked off the floor when the coach and the team we were there to see showed up. I got an invite back and had fun seeing the pro team practice for a bit.
It was certainly not what I expected for my night, but it was awesome. I had not realized how much I had missed being around basketball until last night. Today I am headed out to watch a competition. I am hoping that means I am not playing as I haven't quite recovered from last night. But, I am excited to be again able to use basketball to meet people and develop relationships.
