Happy Mother's Day

It’s been a bit busy since I’ve come back from Kenya two weeks ago, both at work and outside of work, which means that I have been away from home in the evening many more nights than usual – visiting Rwandan friends, going out to eat with MCCers, even going to a play(!!) produced by the international high school! But even if I’m not spending as much time with my host family, I’m still grateful for their hospitality, warm welcome, and concern - especially from my host mother.

I want to dedicate this blog to mothers and wish my mother and the new “mothers” I have this year a very happy mother’s day. [Mom- Though they could NEVER replace you, there are several women here who love and protect me here!] They have helped me learn the language, patiently bearing with my attempts to speak Kinyarwanda, and explained about the culture here in Rwanda (including that “You look fat!” is the equivalent of “You look good!” and is a compliment for women here). They have looked out for me, including not wanting me to walk alone when it’s dark (even though it isn’t dangerous when it’s early) and always wanting me to eat more food! Sometimes they have even told the teenage boys to leave me alone!! J But most importantly, we have shared with each other what is going on in our lives and some of our struggles or hopes. I appreciate the way these women have not treated me as an outsider or a visitor who is only here for a short time, and rather made an effort to build a relationship with me. I love them.

Last week I went to visit Joyce to help prepare for a very exciting occasion: her husband coming to visit from Canada where he is studying in university. He has been away 3 years but now he is home for a few months with his family – his beautiful wife, 8 year old and 4 year old daughters. Joyce let me come to help make decorations for his arrival – so we covered their living room wall with paper hearts and a welcome home banner! I’m so happy for all of them that he was finally able to come back to Rwanda.

Yesterday I went to visit Julienne and her family – she is a coworker who was recently married and had a baby so she is in the northern province of Rwanda with her husband. Aside from her current maternity leave, she usually stays in Kigali during the week and goes home on the weekend only – wow!  Travel isn’t very expensive here ($3 to go 2 hours outside of the city) but most people can’t afford it, at least not regularly, so I brought Julienne some gifts from her family in Kigali and something to give to another person who lives nearby. I hadn’t seen her for 2 months and hadn’t ever seen her home so I was excited to go. Julienne is a very fun woman and I’m happy she is married and has an adorable two month old baby girl (Pamela) and they have a nice house. I enjoyed seeing her life a bit, catching up, and holding her baby for the majority of the time I was there!! This made her husband ask me if I’m married yet and why not because I should be a mom! Haha. I do love children, that’s true.

I am so thankful for the many wonderful women in my life, both in the US and Rwanda, and their children too! Happy Mother’s Day!!! You are very inspiring to me.

Julienne and baby Pamela - look at all the hair Pamela has!