It only took a few minutes to fly over most of Rwanda as we descended into Kigali. We flew over extinct volcanos and beautiful lakes. As we landed, the air was scented faintly with wood smoke. We were later told that the smell was from the burning garbage--surprising since it's not an unpleasant odor, more like the smell of campfires wafting through a campground.
Coming into Kigali International Airport, I noticed that everyone was dressed quite formal. Men in dress shirts and dress pants, even the occasional suit and tie. The women were elegant in skirts or dress pants and blouses. You saw very few adults in t-shirts or jeans. The immigration went smoothly for us, but every piece of paper was carefully checked.
After collecting our luggage, we were warmly welcomed by the current mission family. The parents and oldest son were returning to the US to get him settled into university. The introductions and partings were very quick and we soon found ourselves immersed in downtown Kigali. Kim and Sam (the oldest daughter) handled the money exchange and we were off again. The crowded streets and use of a horn instead of signal lights brought back memories of India. Perhaps the only differences were there weren't any cows wandering the streets and the bright vested police stood watching the traffic, ready to offer help when needed.
Once we arrived at the compound, we were struck by the beauty of it. The property sits on a hill, so it has several tiers with buildings on it. At the top sits the church, offices and classrooms with an open garden area beside it. On the other side of the church there's a simple swing set and monkey bars as well as a small soccer field. Down the stairs lies the dorms. Each gender has a wing with extra bedrooms and a sitting room in the middle. An awing stretches out to provide a sheltered courtyard. On the other side of the dorms you find a clothesline. The driveway ends in front of the dorms. Stairs lead you down to the mission house and beside that is the cookhouse. Down a few more stairs you reach Papa and Mama JoJo's house, a chicken coop, rabbit hutch and cow pen, with the washrooms for the kids behind. A few more stairs down is the pig pen and banana and avocado trees. Past the trees and out the gate is government property (because of the small river/creek) that the home can use for gardens and fish ponds.
In the small creek, you see people coming to wash clothes, bathe, and collect drinking water. On the busy roads you see people constantly walking, often balancing huge bundles on their heads. Across the "black road" (highway) there's a few small stores, some selling cell air time or food, etc. On Wednesday, when we arrived, there was a large market just outside the property. We hope to visit it next week.
Kigali is quite busy. There is a shopping center that is very modern with a fancy grocery store, movie theatre and coffee shop. We stopped at the store for milk and were surprised to see the prices quite high, even compared with Lethbridge. The typical "junk food" treat are probably at least double to what we would pay.
The weather is warm, but not extremely hot. The air is fairly dry right now and the mornings are pleasantly cool. The occasional cockroach gets in the house, but its not bad. We haven't seen any rodents, but have seen toads, geckos on the walls and even a chameleon. The kids say they have seen snakes, but Papa JoJo says it is rare. Because of the mountains, the sun seems to take it's time to set, but when it's dark it really is . . and it's very dark by 6:30.
There is a sense of uncertainty, you see that in the kids, as some who are here will be leaving when school starts (Monday). This time of transition and the unknown isn't easy, but I am reassured that God know the plans that He has for each one here, plans to prosper and not to harm, plan for each one's hope and future.
We continue to trust God to reveal His plans for our future as well as the future of this home in His perfect time.
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