Hello my dear friends,
Congratulations to us!! We have officially survived one month of being away from one another. Hugs and high fives all around. I want to thank everyone for their meaningful words, encouragement, prayers and wonderful thoughts. You all, truly, mean a great deal to me. Since I have been out of Canada for exactly one month, I thought I’d write down much of what I have felt, thought and tried to soak in. So, grab a beverage, perhaps a light snack (or heavy, whatever you’re feeling), change into comfy clothes and indulge in my words because this one is going to be a doozy.
Friends – I am in love. I truly have joy in my heart which has only been given to me after prayer and faithfulness in God. If you read my blog post, ‘star gazing,’ you may recall that my first week here was extremely hard. I was scared, I was missing home, I was missing my friends and I was missing the familiar. However, I knew what I was getting myself into before I left, so prayer, faithfulness and time were my only hope. How grateful I am to be loving and serving such a wonderful God. Joy is the best way to sum up how I am feeling. Joyful, joyous, joy. I have become familiar with my town, with the people, with the school and with the scenery. Again, I am in love.
Let me introduce you, in more detail, to my family. Consolee (“mama Kellia” because she is the mother of Kellia) surrounds me with hugs, laughter, food and comfort. She is always asking if I am happy, what she can do to make me happier and if I am a good temporary family. She makes me laugh. Hard. She is trying to teach me a traditional Rwandan dance; however, I feel I am letting her down. Papa Kellia bought me powdered milk and powdered chocolate so that I can mix them together to get chocolate milk. What a gentle and kind man - he is very thoughtful and always makes sure I am at the highest of comfort levels. Kellia (7) always snuggles with me before bed time and asks to play with and braid my hair. Since physical touch is my second love language there is never a time when I say no. Every time I hear, ‘sister Stephanie,’ my heart lights up and I want more and more to take her home with me. Kelly (6), is so quiet that half the time I forget he is there. However, when he smiles his toothless smile at me, I can’t help but give a small laugh at his soft goofyness. He usually clings to my left or right arm while Kellia plays with my hair. Kenney (4) pushes himself through the crowd and always manages to piece himself perfectly in my arms. He is my personal African teddy bear. While he sits in my lap he rubs my arms, rubs my face and makes my hands clap together. The thought of leaving him already brings tears to my eyes. Kenneth (2, yes his name is the same as Kenny’s, just the full version), is a child from the devil himself (I mean that in the nicest way possible). His cute way of mimicking me when I first got here has disappeared, and now I only see him as the child who pees on the floor. Yes, you read that correctly. He will literally just pee on our concrete floor. His parents laugh and say, ‘ah, he is so stubborn’. Negative parentals … he is spoiled. He gets what he wants, how much he wants, whenever he wants it. Oh boy, God give me eyes and a heart to see and love him like Jesus.
The scenery is a whole other world and I am afraid no picture will ever do this town justice. Running is my new favourite thing here as I feel as though I am running around the world. When I run down the hill from my house, I imagine that I am running through the hills of Thailand. Although, I have never been to Thailand… I can imagine! It’s distracting while I run, so I end up running into people, into bikes, off the road and even into goats. But…I get a spectacular view out of it so it doesn’t bother me. Running up the hill is bittersweet. Although every muscle in my legs burn, the thought of running straight towards the giant volcano motivates me to keep going. “Run until you touch it” is all I say in my head. Last night I went for an hour run and it was an hour of heaven. Hills, people, animals, action, peace, corners – everything. My heart is pounding not only from the physical activity but from all the emotions I am feeling at the same time.
I know I shouldn’t admit this, but my heart has been stolen. I have a favourite student and I don’t care who knows it – I’ll shout it from a mountain! Her name is Lea, she is 7, and if Nala from the Lion King was a human being Lea would be her. Her lioness eyes hypnotize you the instant you make eye contact and her energetic, outgoingness and adventurous heart only hooks you without giving you hope for survival. She clings herself to me every day and lays upon my lap at break time. My life is a better place with her in it and she encourages me to grow in certain areas of my life. I know that may sound odd that a 7 year old girl could be encouragement to me, but I can’t fully explain how much she has benefited my life already.
Now, since I have told you all about the people and things I have fallen in love with, I feel it is only appropriate I mention someone else... his name is Petey. People told me before I left to not come home engaged, married or in love, however, I don’t call the shots in this crazy thing called life. Petey came into my world a few weeks ago…and boy did he come in with a great first impression. As I was cleaning my room one Sabbath Saturday, Mama Kellia called to me saying I had a visitor. Walking out of my room to the back door, my eyes first gazed upon this African man. His fur necklace and all. Yes, my dear friends, you heard me right. Actually, it was more of a fur choker he wore around his neck, with fake hair hanging from it. I hope you didn’t think it was ME who fell in love with Petey! Most definitely not. Petey heard their was a muzungu in the neighbourhood so he wanted to come over and speak English with me. His conversation quickly led to his desire to find a white wife and support her even though he currently has no job and money. Most of our conversation was a daze because I was so distracted by the “beautiful” piece of art attached to his neck. Petey… what a guy. I can only hope our paths don’t cross again in the near future. Other than Petey, I have been offered 20 cows as a dowry (10 for Consolee, 10 for mumma in Canada), but my most recent upgrade was 2 gorillas!! Wowza was I flattered. But, no need to fret my friends, I will be coming home just as I left: single and happy. That is a promise.
My friends, I am full of joy, I am safe, I am laughing and I am healthy. There is no need to worry about this heart of mine for it is strong and looking forward to what is ahead.
I hope you have enjoyed my first month of Africa as much as I have. I’m missing you all, loving you all, and want to say thank you again for all the messages and love.
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