it's moments like these that make me never want to leave

July 4^th. Independence day in the US. It’s also Liberation day (i.e. end of the 1994 genocide) in Rwanda. And July 1^st was Rwandan Independence day (50^th anniversary) so there was a big celebration for both in the stadium. Not liking crowds and not really wanting to go as a white person, I was happy my host family didn’t go either. We watched a bit on TV from home.

At home today is a day many people are “proud to be an American”, where patriotism, fireworks at BBQs take the day. I’ve never been very patriotic and especially now that I’m in Rwanda and I’m used to the way of life here I don’t really want to associate with “American pride”. It’s sometimes hard to reconcile the huge differences between our cultures and countries. I still don’t know what to think, do or say about it…I just pray that everyone can lead a good life.

Today also marks 2 weeks until I board an airplane to come home, where I will be forced to re-adjust (maybe not reconcile) to those differences. I certainly have things I am really looking forward to but I anticipate it might be a hard transition. You never know how reverse culture shock will hit you.

But in the mean time, I’m not counting down the days - rather they are running away from me! I do not like goodbyes so I think I’m subconsciously avoiding that. I am trying to take photos of the ordinary life and my coworkers and things so I’ll have that to keep. Next week will probably be crazy with last minute visits to friends and saying goodbye. I’m telling people that I will try really hard to come back; I haven’t decided if I am ready or would enjoy working here long term but I certainly had a great year.

Yesterday was a good day. I spent some time with my students (not teaching though) and at the end of the day I was thinking “it’s moments like these that make me never want to leave”. I told them that yesterday was the final day to take photos and tell me which ones they want so I’m not stressed about that last minute. Boy do those girls love photos! I’ve tried getting them to do that in English and yesterday there were several students who asked if they could come “visit me” (in the classroom) to take care of that. They were doing such a good job of speaking and helping one or two who couldn’t, even taking initiative in English and talking to each other a bit in English, that we were all laughing and happy at their success. They also saw the quote on the poster I made to leave with them “If you see far, you will go far” and were asking about that. I wanted to leave them with encouragement and picked that quote, but the English teacher will have to help me explain it to them better!

In the afternoon the second group of students came in to finish photo stuff or just to hang out and when I stepped away from my computer they all gathered even closer and tried mimicking what I do to try to see more photos or something. None of them know anything about computers but I showed them how to open someone’s folder and see the photos so they then had to go through everyone’s photos who was present – doing it all by themselves this time! They were so happy that they stayed 30 minutes past when the others went home and we were all in good spirits. As we were leaving together, they asked me to accompany them (meaning walk a little ways together – it’s common culturally to accompany your visitor out to the main road or walk with people for a few minutes). I wasn’t going that way but was having such a good time with them – and we all realize my time here is so short – that I agreed and they all cheered! So we had fun talking a bit and walking together, and they even showed me a shortcut from school to near another friend’s house, which would have been fun to know about earlier.

This year has really been one about (slowly) learning to set aside my plans, trust God, and rejoice in the moment of time spent with others. Since it is standard not to have things go according to plan, I’ve had many opportunities to try to get used to this. For example, I had some things they (and I) wanted me to finish at work before leaving but the pastor's wife passed away last week so no one has gotten any work done recently. So my "to do" list won't be finished - but Rebecca, the director of MCC, was telling me yesterday that it isn't a problem...so you can see I still struggle to set aside my goals and plans! 

I can certainly say that at times the unexpected changes and time with people can be the most rewarding, and I am thankful for many such memories from this past year.