I recently emailed a friend who worked in Kenya with his wife. We discussed how hard it is to explain daily life in Africa to people in other parts of the world. I think this is why I have been so sporadic with this blog-it’s hard to capture the rhythm, ups and downs, colors, smells, and thoughts in writing.
I am drafting a blog about the work of IJM Rwanda, and it is in the process of being reviewed.
I think the best word for Rwanda is complex. People have heavy histories; their stories weave in and out of many countries. Their thoughts are measured and sharing is controlled. These are, of course, generalizations. It is impossible to categorize an entire nation. A good analogy to the Rwandan people is the Rwandan national dance. Unlike most perceptions of African dance, Rwandan dance is controlled and slow, in many ways reminiscent of ballet. It is graceful and ethereal.
My coworker, friend, and co-conspirator Chantal is teaching me the ways of Rwanda. She has this great way of weeding out potential suitors-she wears what looks to be an engagement ring on her finger. I asked her if that doesn’t dissuade people from asking her out. Her response is that if a man asks her if she’s engaged, she knows he has enough courage to ask anyway, knowing he might be rejected. This way, she knows something of his character.
Clever.
We asked our housekeeper to buy us a chicken to cook for Passover. I came home to an almost live chicken that had been slaughtered in our backyard and was being plucked in our sink. The appropriateness was almost too much.
At this point in the rainy season the daily walk to the office has turned into the twice daily portage through mountains of mud and deceptively deep pools of water.
we still are enjoying our house by sitting on the floor and dancing through our wide open rooms. for the more negative minded-we have no furniture
Chantal, who speaks Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili has this to say about writing in her non-native language: “when I am writing in English, I am like a woman giving birth.”
Receiving parcels and gifts is the absolute best when you are on a different continent.
Our house got a puppy- a small yellow lab named Tubby. A happy, uncomplicated bundle greets you every morning.
I used to be repulsed by cockroaches, then I was grossed out, and now I am just annoyed. Perhaps unfazement is in the future? Leah, Siri, and Krista-can you even believe this transition?
My favorite Chantal-ism: “You know Lord, sometimes we just believe you because you work.”