Leaving Kigali

This morning we are headed to the Lutheran boarding school for two days. We're looking forward to meeting people, experiencing song and dance and do some work projects. I'm not sure about computer/Internet access so I hope you are well and will post when I can. I'm hoping to get on a computer soon to post pics.

Tuesday

our first full day in Kigali is ending. We arrived with all people and all of our luggage at 2:00 am Monday night / Tuesday morning. We were met by smiling Lutherans and each received a rose as we exited customs. After two trips the bus delivered everyone and their luggage to the hotel where we slept until lunch. We then ventured out into Kigali to exchange money, do a little shopping and receive a bus tour of the city. More on than later when I'm not posting from my iPhone.

Tomorrow we are visiting the genocide memorial in Kigali and two agencies that serve orphans and widows. It seems to me that the Bible says something about those two groups of people! Everyone is safe and looking forward to the next adventure.

and so it begins

Today we depart on our journey. The group of 25 leaves from San Francisco tonight on a red-eye to Washington, D.C. At the airport we'll gather and distribute some of the items we're transporting to Rwanda - choir robes, books, school supplies and shoes - and also do a bit of group building and a prayer with families before heading through check-in and security.

Our flight to Kigali leaves Dulles Sunday evening, so we will spend the day in D.C. One small group will be visiting the Holocaust Memorial Museum, and other small groups will be resting or touristing, or both. We are lucky to have access to showers Sunday afternoon, so many will refresh that was as well. I'm not sure what I'll be doing in D.C., but it's a city I greatly enjoy, so anything is fine, really. The forecast is for hot and muggy - typical weather for this time of year, but we'll make the most of it, I know.

Gifts

Well, tomorrow is the beginning of the adventure. To the left is the banner that Dylan and I will present to the people of the Lutheran parish in Matimba, Rwanda. It was designed by Michael and Natalie Jones, and crafted by Linda Mathews. The attendees of VBS are gathered around it to send it off to our brothers and sisters in Matimba!

We're also taking a laptop computer for Pastor Ruhinda - a huge need for him that will help his communication greatly. Also, some money to apply to their fundraising for a piano for their church. The generosity of the people of Advent, as well as many people in the Sierra Pacific Synod, have made this trip and these gifts possible. Thank you to everyone.

Now, to pack, and run some last minute errands, before the final night of VBS and the Baobab Blast tonight! See you back here soon!

8 days!

I can't believe we leave a week from tomorrow! There is still much to do - packing primary among them, but also buying gifts for people we will stay with in Rwanda, coordinating the receiving of items we're transporting to Rwanda, finishing the emergency contact list, packing the first aid kit...it's do-able, but in the midst of planning for things at work that happen while I'm gone or just after I get back is also time consuming. Oh, and I'm moving as well. So, my apartment is in complete disarray - I just hope I can find everything I need to pack!

And we're...not off yet, but getting ready

In 23 days I'll be part of a group of 25 people traveling to Rwanda. I'm an adult volunteer on the Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee and thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation, through Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, and some serious fundraising, we leave June 26th from San Francisco.

I hope to access this blog while I'm traveling to post some pictures, tell some stories and keep people updated on my experiences. I'm excited to go, but there are still many details to attend to, and the rest of life does not stop, so much there to deal with as well. I hope you join me on this journey, and I hope I have internet access in Rwanda to keep you updated on my experiences!