The Friendship Baptist team that was just here in Rwanda made it into the local Kigali Focus newspaper for their work with the sewing project. Below is an excerpt from the article. You can also check out the article with a picture at this link: http://focus.rw/a/content/view/403/26/
GIVING YOUNG GIRLS A VOICE
A team of members from the Friendship Baptist church based in the US were in the country last week for a five day visit to teach vocational skills to members of Children’s Voice, a local NGO that advocates for the rights of young girls especial street girls.
Barbara Conaway, the leader of the team, said that last February their church had donated seven sewing machines to Children’s Voice, and that part of their visit was to teach the girls how to use them.
“By teaching these young homeless girls hand sewing and machine sewing, we anticipate that they will acquire skills that will enable them to take care of themselves and become self sufficient,” she said.
The team was accompanied by a group of men who are voluntarily constructing a play ground, pavilion and fencing near Lake Kivu, which will serve as a camp to accommodate people.
“Part of our program was to also visit schools like the Kigali International Community School where we showed them a film about Jesus and shared our faith with them,” explained Maize Bell, who was also on the team. “We have also gone through the book A purpose-driven life of pastor Rick Warren, since it has been translated into Kinyarwanda,”
Bell added that she was truly touched to see the revival which Rwandans have achieved even after going through horrifying experiences during the 1994 genocide.
“One can clearly see that people have room for forgiveness and growth,” she said.
“We have also donated clothes to the young mothers, along with health kits for the African New Life School in Kimironko, and when we get back home we will share their stories with our congregation so that we get more financial support to help these young girls in every way possible,” Carol Reed, another team member, remarked.
Even though their stay was short, she said that they had been able to teach the girls vocational skills that will help them in the near future. “We taught them how to make pin couches, skirts, and to practice sewing by hand in addition to machine sewing, and we noticed that these girls had this big drive to learn.”
Monday, May 19, 2008
Writings by Rebekah...
We have a community newsletter that goes out once a month and my fellow teacher and running partner Rebekah submitted an article about the Peace Marathon we ran in. I love how she describes it. It is below...
Kigali International
Peace Marathon
Rebekah H. Lewis
Five minutes into my first run in Rwanda, I had to turn around and check the number of our duplex so I would be sure to make it home. All the houses looked the same, all the gates blocked visibility, and all the hills insured that even "fun" runs would be moderately difficult. Ten months and several reddened running shoes later, I have set courses around this beautiful city, conquered dozens of the thousand hills, and have successfully made it back to the gate that marks my start and finish line each day.
Running in Rwanda has given me a sense of independence in this foreign culture but has also created a dependence on the continual help and kindness of others. It has been my energizer before teaching, my clarity when I'm confused, and the best remedy for jet lag I know. I have been accompanied by stunning sunrises, a steady chorus of "Muzungu", encouraging friends, and a string of uninvited but welcomed running partners as I have plodded through this new territory.
All of the hills and miles did not prepare me for the event on May 11 – a date I had starred in my calendar and counted down with long Sunday runs. The Kigali International Peace Marathon was held at the Amahora stadium. Anticipation woke me at five that morning. The drive to the stadium was a feat in itself as the main roads were blocked and the sidewalks were sprinkled with runners warming up. The first runners released to run were the 5K fun runners. Hundreds of kids with proudly displayed numbers and timing chips tied to ankles, wrists, sandals and shoes took off.
After smiling at the sea of eager faces, the half marathoners were gathered. Friends in the stands waved and clapped. The anticipation ended and the work began. As my running partner Jenny and I started settling into a reasonable pace, a swarm of marathoners thundered past us. My jaw dropped as I watched these amazing athletes glide on the four loops that made up their playground of 26.2 miles. After the sixth mile, my jaw was no longer dropped in awe but set in determination to make it to the
next water station. At times I would beg Jenny to let us walk for two minutes. At other times I would push myself through to the next area where I knew friends and my students were holding cameras and water bottles. This would be a needed break and distraction from the immensity of the course and the challenge ahead. I kept running, Jenny kept up the encouragement and pace, and the miles passed one footfall at a time.
Two hours and twelve minutes later, this half marathoner crossed the finish line. Six minutes later the marathon winner, Kenya's Jacob Kenfagor, breezed through. As I fought off waves of nausea and exhaustion, he gave thanks to God, completed interviews, and took time out to pose with a new, admiring fan. The marathon was over. I paused to soak in the moment as I triumphantly limped through the gates toward home.
Kigali International
Peace Marathon
Rebekah H. Lewis
Five minutes into my first run in Rwanda, I had to turn around and check the number of our duplex so I would be sure to make it home. All the houses looked the same, all the gates blocked visibility, and all the hills insured that even "fun" runs would be moderately difficult. Ten months and several reddened running shoes later, I have set courses around this beautiful city, conquered dozens of the thousand hills, and have successfully made it back to the gate that marks my start and finish line each day.
Running in Rwanda has given me a sense of independence in this foreign culture but has also created a dependence on the continual help and kindness of others. It has been my energizer before teaching, my clarity when I'm confused, and the best remedy for jet lag I know. I have been accompanied by stunning sunrises, a steady chorus of "Muzungu", encouraging friends, and a string of uninvited but welcomed running partners as I have plodded through this new territory.
All of the hills and miles did not prepare me for the event on May 11 – a date I had starred in my calendar and counted down with long Sunday runs. The Kigali International Peace Marathon was held at the Amahora stadium. Anticipation woke me at five that morning. The drive to the stadium was a feat in itself as the main roads were blocked and the sidewalks were sprinkled with runners warming up. The first runners released to run were the 5K fun runners. Hundreds of kids with proudly displayed numbers and timing chips tied to ankles, wrists, sandals and shoes took off.
After smiling at the sea of eager faces, the half marathoners were gathered. Friends in the stands waved and clapped. The anticipation ended and the work began. As my running partner Jenny and I started settling into a reasonable pace, a swarm of marathoners thundered past us. My jaw dropped as I watched these amazing athletes glide on the four loops that made up their playground of 26.2 miles. After the sixth mile, my jaw was no longer dropped in awe but set in determination to make it to the
next water station. At times I would beg Jenny to let us walk for two minutes. At other times I would push myself through to the next area where I knew friends and my students were holding cameras and water bottles. This would be a needed break and distraction from the immensity of the course and the challenge ahead. I kept running, Jenny kept up the encouragement and pace, and the miles passed one footfall at a time.
Two hours and twelve minutes later, this half marathoner crossed the finish line. Six minutes later the marathon winner, Kenya's Jacob Kenfagor, breezed through. As I fought off waves of nausea and exhaustion, he gave thanks to God, completed interviews, and took time out to pose with a new, admiring fan. The marathon was over. I paused to soak in the moment as I triumphantly limped through the gates toward home.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Holding on to our Pride.
KICS soccer is up and going again. We started practicing again in about February, but because of breaks and different holidays finding time to practice has been a bit of a challenge. Plus, we can only practice three days a week being a small school because on the other two days half of the team participates in drama. 
Just the other day, the KICS team had our second game of the season against Nu-Vision High School. We were definitely the underdogs since they beat us last time 3-0. This time we were ready and were more prepared. Unfortunately, the outcome of the game did not fall in our favor, but we did walk away with both our pride and a few lessons learned. We learned that we had to stick together as a team. We also learned that no matter what the score is we must always keep our head up and keep trying. I really tried to encourage them at the end of the game that one month from now or ever a few months from now the score will mean nothing and they won't even remember it, but what they will remember is how they responded in that game. Did they play as a team? Did they feel defeated and give up? Or did they keep fighting and trying? We are learning a lot as a team and it is my hope that despite the score we are able to keep fighting as a team.
Just the other day, the KICS team had our second game of the season against Nu-Vision High School. We were definitely the underdogs since they beat us last time 3-0. This time we were ready and were more prepared. Unfortunately, the outcome of the game did not fall in our favor, but we did walk away with both our pride and a few lessons learned. We learned that we had to stick together as a team. We also learned that no matter what the score is we must always keep our head up and keep trying. I really tried to encourage them at the end of the game that one month from now or ever a few months from now the score will mean nothing and they won't even remember it, but what they will remember is how they responded in that game. Did they play as a team? Did they feel defeated and give up? Or did they keep fighting and trying? We are learning a lot as a team and it is my hope that despite the score we are able to keep fighting as a team.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Friends.
Thankfully I have friends. Some times living in a foreign country can make you feel a bit lonely and isolated. 
Thankfully, I have a few people here in Rwanda that I can call friends and who just provide amazing support. We tend to all hang out a lot on the weekends because some times all we have is each other. We will often go out to dinner and then either play games or watch a movie at someone's house. This particular night we went out to a local restaurant called Indian Kyzana to celebrate/ say goodbye to our friend Paul who was headed back to the U.S.
Also, talk about counting your blessings... I think one of my biggest blessings right now is having one of my best friends, Liz, here for three months. She has been my side kick for the last month and half on different projects. I have loved having her here. Some times I don't know what I would do with out her help and support. Plus, she gives me someone to watch Prison Break with. She will be here at this point until June 20th, but hopes to change her ticket to the beginning of August, so she can stay and continue to work here in Rwanda as long as she can.
Thankfully, I have a few people here in Rwanda that I can call friends and who just provide amazing support. We tend to all hang out a lot on the weekends because some times all we have is each other. We will often go out to dinner and then either play games or watch a movie at someone's house. This particular night we went out to a local restaurant called Indian Kyzana to celebrate/ say goodbye to our friend Paul who was headed back to the U.S.
Also, talk about counting your blessings... I think one of my biggest blessings right now is having one of my best friends, Liz, here for three months. She has been my side kick for the last month and half on different projects. I have loved having her here. Some times I don't know what I would do with out her help and support. Plus, she gives me someone to watch Prison Break with. She will be here at this point until June 20th, but hopes to change her ticket to the beginning of August, so she can stay and continue to work here in Rwanda as long as she can.
Up and Coming!
It is still many months away, but a project that is up and coming is a Kids Across Africa soccer camp. We are currently organizing all of the details for the camp and recruiting about twenty Rwandan coaches and professional coaches/ athletes. It should be a big deal with about 100 Rwandan kids from the Ruhengeri district being ministered to. One of the main reasons for Kids Across Africa and the soccer camp is help develop servant leaders within the country of Rwanda. Many problems in Rwanda and East Africa as a whole is a lack of leadership. So, many Christian leaders and governments are pushing to develop strong leaders within their countries. Bishop John is partnering with KAA to create camps and projects to do just that. KAA is just breaking ground here in Rwanda and is actually a spin off of Kids Across America, which is an organization that reaches out to inner city youth for Christ through sports camp. Kids Across Africa plans to develop a full scale camp in Ruhengeri within the next year. Rwandan schools and leaders from the community will then be able to bring their kids to the camp where they will participate in sports, learn about servant leadership, and who Jesus Christ is and why he died for them. It has the potential to be a God glorifying, beautiful thing. I am very excited about its potential and what this next year is going to look like for them. KAA first kickoff event to help reach out to kids and promote the organization is the soccer camp, which will be held from July 22-27.
Fun Football Community.
Here in Kigali there is a fun community of people who love to play football. It typically is all guys, but I often go and play as well. We have a team called Muzungu United, which plays about once every two months against local Rwandan or Embassy teams. We also have a drop in league every Wednesday night from 8-10 p.m. where people come from all over Kigali to play small sided games. 
There are usually people there from many different backgrounds and countries, Lebanon, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, U.S., Britian to name a few. Many of the people who participate are here working for international businesses, their national embassy, relief organizations, or are missionaries. Just a few weeks ago, Brad and Kiki, who are here working for Youth for Christ held a 3v3 tournament at their house. We picked teams and I was on Kent and Paul's team. Everyone of us was from American, so we joked that we were team America. I think we were third out of the whole tournament. It was a fun day. We played from about 12-5 p.m. Also, the people who were there and invited I have grown to appreciate. They are all just really fun people who just want to have a good time.
There are usually people there from many different backgrounds and countries, Lebanon, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, U.S., Britian to name a few. Many of the people who participate are here working for international businesses, their national embassy, relief organizations, or are missionaries. Just a few weeks ago, Brad and Kiki, who are here working for Youth for Christ held a 3v3 tournament at their house. We picked teams and I was on Kent and Paul's team. Everyone of us was from American, so we joked that we were team America. I think we were third out of the whole tournament. It was a fun day. We played from about 12-5 p.m. Also, the people who were there and invited I have grown to appreciate. They are all just really fun people who just want to have a good time.
Making Puppets and Sharing Jesus.
After the sewing project the women from Friendship Baptist came to my school for the day. In the morning they had my 4th through 6th grade classes make puppets out of long tube socks. The kids loved it! There were dogs, horses, and people puppets. 
At the end, Carol, another lady apart of the group, shared the Christian Farmers bead bracelets with my students. On the bracelets are several different colors that represent different aspects of who Christ is and your walk with Him.
For instance there was a gold bead, which meant, heaven and how everyone who believes in Jesus goes to heaven, it is a place we all want to go. There was a black bead for sin, brokenness, and represents how all have gone astray and the wages of sin is death.
Red for the blood of Christ and his death on the cross. Then there was white, which represented how when we give our lives back to Jesus he says that we are "New Creations" and all may be saved through Christ. Last was the green bead, which signified growth in Christ.
The kids loved learning about the different beads and what they mean. Even to this day some of the kids are still wearing their bracelets. Even some took a few extra and went home and shared what they learned with their families and friends.
At the end, Carol, another lady apart of the group, shared the Christian Farmers bead bracelets with my students. On the bracelets are several different colors that represent different aspects of who Christ is and your walk with Him. 
For instance there was a gold bead, which meant, heaven and how everyone who believes in Jesus goes to heaven, it is a place we all want to go. There was a black bead for sin, brokenness, and represents how all have gone astray and the wages of sin is death.
Red for the blood of Christ and his death on the cross. Then there was white, which represented how when we give our lives back to Jesus he says that we are "New Creations" and all may be saved through Christ. Last was the green bead, which signified growth in Christ. 
The kids loved learning about the different beads and what they mean. Even to this day some of the kids are still wearing their bracelets. Even some took a few extra and went home and shared what they learned with their families and friends.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Learning How to Sew.
What a blessing of a time this past week has been. My mom and a group of eight people from Friendship Baptist Church came all the way from Maryland to Rwanda to serve in sewing and construction projects. For the projects the men of the team traveled about six hours away to an area called Changugu. 
There they painted, built dorms, and roofing. The women stayed in Kigali and participated in a sewing project between Amahoro a sewing co-op here in Kigali, Children's Voice that works with girls in difficult situations, and Friendship Baptist Church.
The goal of the project was to reach out to, love on, and share Christ with the Children's Voice girls. We also wanted to provide them with training and skills in the avenue of sewing, which has the potential to become a life trade for them. 
The project was five days long and required five sewing machines that had been donated months prior by a donor in the U.S. During the five days there was morning and afternoon sewing sessions. Also, during out time all women were able to share in a morning worship time as well as an afternoon small group time.
Currently Rwanda is involved in what is called the PEACE plan. It is a joined effort to help Rwanda deal with reconciliation and move in the direction of peace through the use of principles set up by Rick Warren and the Purpose Drive Life. The ENTIRE country is currently doing the 40 days of Purpose and are going through the book. Every church, government officials, and organizations are encouraging people to read the Purpose Driven Life and consider what it is saying. 
Even the newspaper is posting daily the principle of the day or week. It is unbelievable. So... during our time with the girls we also went through the Purpose Driven Life and shared about God's purpose for our lives and how we were not created by accident. Each girl walked away with a bible and Purpose Driven Life book in hand, as well as other things such as health kits, skirts, clothes, etc. 
Praise the Lord for that! Also, during our time we shared lunch with the entire team (Amahoro, Children's Voice, etc.) and just spent time together. There was also one day where we showed what is called the Jesus film. 
It is a film about the life of Jesus that has been translated into Kinyrwanda. What is even more amazing is that Mrs. Mazie Bell asked at the end of the video if there was any girl(s) who would want someone to pray with them to ask Jesus into their life and EVERY ONE of the girls, ALL of them stood up and walked over to her to pray. 
Everyone of us in the room was so full of joy and excitement because the girls got it and just wanted Jesus. There were so many days like that that we celebrated with tears, dancing, and singing. Thank you Lord! 
I think the most beautiful part of it all was just watching everyone together. Since this was a group effort with Amahoro sewing co-op allowing us to use their facilities and a few of their women and Children's Voice allowing us to work with eight of their girls, as well as the American women from Friendship Baptist Church it took so much patience, flexibility, and teamwork on everyone's part. 
It was just amazing to watch it all come together. The idea for the project began many, many months about eight or nine when my mom said she was interested in coming to Rwanda to visit. Her simple desire of wanting to come turned into a big mission trip where she invited others from her local, home church. 
She then mentioned she wanted to do a sewing project, which none of us have any experience in doing. It was completely a gift from the Lord how he took our willingness to serve and create a project and molded it into something beautiful and impacting. 
It was completely the Lord and his grace. He gave the idea of asking Amahoro to partnership, he gave the idea of reaching out to the girls. He gave the ideas. It was just time before all the pieces of the puzzle began to come together. If there is one thing I continue to learn during my time in Rwanda I think it is that. 
The things of the Lord happen in their timing. Some times their fast, some times their a bit longer, but no matter what you will know by how you take your steps and how you are lead to take your steps. You can feel the Lord in it and he is not hidden, so he also lets you know he is in it. 
He also gives ideas, visions, and a sense of love and unity for all involved. I also think God is a God who desires to see people working together despite their background or experience. God is the God of reconciliation and unity. 
He loved to see all his Children whether they are American, Rwandan, Kenya, black, white, dark skinned, light skinned, etc. all coming together for one purpose. I think that was it. It was beautiful because it was about the Lord. It was for His glory. It was also His children reaching out to others in His name.
There they painted, built dorms, and roofing. The women stayed in Kigali and participated in a sewing project between Amahoro a sewing co-op here in Kigali, Children's Voice that works with girls in difficult situations, and Friendship Baptist Church.
The goal of the project was to reach out to, love on, and share Christ with the Children's Voice girls. We also wanted to provide them with training and skills in the avenue of sewing, which has the potential to become a life trade for them. 
The project was five days long and required five sewing machines that had been donated months prior by a donor in the U.S. During the five days there was morning and afternoon sewing sessions. Also, during out time all women were able to share in a morning worship time as well as an afternoon small group time.
Currently Rwanda is involved in what is called the PEACE plan. It is a joined effort to help Rwanda deal with reconciliation and move in the direction of peace through the use of principles set up by Rick Warren and the Purpose Drive Life. The ENTIRE country is currently doing the 40 days of Purpose and are going through the book. Every church, government officials, and organizations are encouraging people to read the Purpose Driven Life and consider what it is saying. 
Even the newspaper is posting daily the principle of the day or week. It is unbelievable. So... during our time with the girls we also went through the Purpose Driven Life and shared about God's purpose for our lives and how we were not created by accident. Each girl walked away with a bible and Purpose Driven Life book in hand, as well as other things such as health kits, skirts, clothes, etc. 
Praise the Lord for that! Also, during our time we shared lunch with the entire team (Amahoro, Children's Voice, etc.) and just spent time together. There was also one day where we showed what is called the Jesus film. 
It is a film about the life of Jesus that has been translated into Kinyrwanda. What is even more amazing is that Mrs. Mazie Bell asked at the end of the video if there was any girl(s) who would want someone to pray with them to ask Jesus into their life and EVERY ONE of the girls, ALL of them stood up and walked over to her to pray. 
Everyone of us in the room was so full of joy and excitement because the girls got it and just wanted Jesus. There were so many days like that that we celebrated with tears, dancing, and singing. Thank you Lord! 
I think the most beautiful part of it all was just watching everyone together. Since this was a group effort with Amahoro sewing co-op allowing us to use their facilities and a few of their women and Children's Voice allowing us to work with eight of their girls, as well as the American women from Friendship Baptist Church it took so much patience, flexibility, and teamwork on everyone's part. 
It was just amazing to watch it all come together. The idea for the project began many, many months about eight or nine when my mom said she was interested in coming to Rwanda to visit. Her simple desire of wanting to come turned into a big mission trip where she invited others from her local, home church. 
She then mentioned she wanted to do a sewing project, which none of us have any experience in doing. It was completely a gift from the Lord how he took our willingness to serve and create a project and molded it into something beautiful and impacting. 
It was completely the Lord and his grace. He gave the idea of asking Amahoro to partnership, he gave the idea of reaching out to the girls. He gave the ideas. It was just time before all the pieces of the puzzle began to come together. If there is one thing I continue to learn during my time in Rwanda I think it is that. 
The things of the Lord happen in their timing. Some times their fast, some times their a bit longer, but no matter what you will know by how you take your steps and how you are lead to take your steps. You can feel the Lord in it and he is not hidden, so he also lets you know he is in it. 
He also gives ideas, visions, and a sense of love and unity for all involved. I also think God is a God who desires to see people working together despite their background or experience. God is the God of reconciliation and unity. 
He loved to see all his Children whether they are American, Rwandan, Kenya, black, white, dark skinned, light skinned, etc. all coming together for one purpose. I think that was it. It was beautiful because it was about the Lord. It was for His glory. It was also His children reaching out to others in His name.
We Did It!!
We did it!! After SEVEN months of training, Rebekah and I finally reached out goal and completed the fourth annual Kigali Marathon/ Semi Marathon. 
It is something we will never forget and was a big accomplishment for both of us considering it was both our first times to participate in something like this. 
It was not easy though. I felt great most of the time, but by the last six miles both Rebekah and I were feeling some aches and pains. My knees were hurting and she just felt so tired. 
Thankfully, through it all we had each other and were there to encourage one another to finish. We finished the half or semi marathon in 2 hours and 12 minutes. 
Right after us at 2 hours and 18 minutes was the marathon winner. He was unbelievable. He ran 26.2 miles in that time, which we averaged out to be able 5 minutes miles. 
He was from Kenya and probably runs on their Olympic team. I am determined to find out. Either way since he was practically famous that day in Kigali, Rebekah and I decided too take advantage of the fact that he practically ran in with us and get out picture with him. 
Too bad he ran twice as much as we did and looked nearly half as tired as we did.
It is something we will never forget and was a big accomplishment for both of us considering it was both our first times to participate in something like this. 
It was not easy though. I felt great most of the time, but by the last six miles both Rebekah and I were feeling some aches and pains. My knees were hurting and she just felt so tired. 
Thankfully, through it all we had each other and were there to encourage one another to finish. We finished the half or semi marathon in 2 hours and 12 minutes. 
Right after us at 2 hours and 18 minutes was the marathon winner. He was unbelievable. He ran 26.2 miles in that time, which we averaged out to be able 5 minutes miles. 
He was from Kenya and probably runs on their Olympic team. I am determined to find out. Either way since he was practically famous that day in Kigali, Rebekah and I decided too take advantage of the fact that he practically ran in with us and get out picture with him. 
Too bad he ran twice as much as we did and looked nearly half as tired as we did.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
R-U-K-R-B
We called it Spring Break Africa 2008, but it was more like the great adventure of a life time across east Africa. We traveled from Rwanda to Uganda then to Kenya back to Rwanda then to Burundi to come all the way back to Rwanda again. The trip in total was about two weeks (April 6th-21st) and took place during my spring break from school. 
(WELCOME TO UGANGA! LIZ AND PAUL. I THINK LIZ IS TIRED HERE, SHE WAS ONLY IN AFRICA FOR ONE DAY. SORRY IT'S SIDEWAYS, I COULDN'T QUITE FIGURE THAT ONE OUT.)
Somehow for the great adventure I was able to rope in my dear friends Myal, Paul, and Liz. Liz has literally just arrived the day before the trip from America. She flew in at 1 p.m. on Saturday unpacked what she had and repacked for our trip, which we left for at 6 a.m. Sunday morning. The trip started with us taking an 8 hour bus ride from Kigali, Rwanda to Kampala, Uganda. While in Kampala we met up with Myal's friend Jen who took us around town. We loved Jen, she was awesome!
(BEAUTIFUL KENYA)
We only spent two days there one of which was taken up by rafting the Nile. Rafting the Nile had to be the highlight of the entire trip. We all really, really enjoyed it even though there were moments of near drowning experiences, rafts flipping over, and major sunburns. Overall it was just amazing to be on the Nile and rafting one of the hardest rivers in the world with friends. After that we took another 8 hour bus ride from Kampala to Kisumu, Kenya.
(WELCOME TO KENYA, WE MADE IT! JENNY, PAUL, AND LIZ :-)
While in Kisumu we toured around town, experienced a riot over the political elections, and took a boat on the largest lake in the world, Lake Victoria. We only spent one day there before we took an overnight train from Kisumu, to Nairobi, Kenya.
(IN KISUMU WE ALL CRAMMED INTO OUR FUN MINI CAR)
We spend three days in Nairobi, which we spent going on a small safari, seeing town, eating at Carnivore, and just touring the city.
(ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS GROSS.. I THINK I WOULD PASS ON GIRAFFE "KISSES" ANY DAY. NOT WHAT I CALL FUN.)
(FEEDING BETTY!)
After Nairobi we took another night train to Mombassa, Kenya, which rests right on the Indian Ocean.
(THAT'S OUR TRAIN! WE SPEND TWO NIGHTS SLEEPING ON THE TRAIN!)
Our main goal was to get to the ocean, so we could relax on the beach. While we were there we did relax and enjoyed our very family friendly place Turtle Bay. After that we traveled back to Kigali by plane.
(ON OUR SAFARI. STILL NOT AS GREAT AS AKAGERA.) 
(PAYING OFF THE WORKERS, SO WE CAN PET A CHEETAH!)
(OH MY GOSH, I HAVE NEVER EATEN SO MUCH IN MY LIFE!)
(OH PAUL...)
(OH JENNY...)
(KENYA IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL.)
(SWITCHING SUNGLASSES.)
(THIS IS THE MOTHER COMPANY TO AMAHORO, A LARGE SEWING CO-OP HERE IN RWANDA. WE VISITED IT WHILE WE WERE IN NIAROBI AND TOOK A TOUR. WE ALSO MET A GREAT WOMAN NAMED MAGGIE!)
(NAIROBI, NAIROBI!)
(SITTING ON THE BEACH AT TURTLE BAY!)
We spend one night in Kigali before Liz, Paul, and I took a bus to Burundi to meet up with our friend Freddy who works for Youth For Christ. While in Burundi we spent a few days working at the YFC orphanage teaching kids sports and physical education. We did a lot of fun games, jump rope, parachute games, and relays.
(SWEET SHADES! WE LOVED THOSE KIDS!)
(A BABY CARRYING A BABY...)
(THE WAY I WOULD DESCRIBE BURUNDI IS THAT IT IS A UNFOUND TREASURE.)
(ONE OF THE MANY FIRST AND POTENTIALLY LASTS... PETTING A BABOON. THE POOR GUY WAS LOCKED UP IN A CAGE AND SMELT LIKE POOH. HE WAS REALLY GOOD AT FINDING BUMPS AND BLEMISHES. I THINK HE FOUND A FEW THINGS ON ME.)
We spent some time meeting the Youth For Christ staff and just getting to know Burundi a bit better. We also got to see another side of Burundi, which not many people get to see. During one of the nights the last rebel group attacked and filled the skies with all kinds of bombs and grenades.
(THANK YOU TO CARRIE WEAVER FOR SENDING A PARACHUTE! WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE THE PARACHUTE TO BURUNDI AND LEAVE IT AT THE SCHOOL. THE KIDS LOVED IT AND HAD A GREAT TIME PLAYING DUCK DUCK GOOSE AND MAKING THE LARGE DOME.)
It was definitely intense and something none of us have every experienced or seen before. It kind of looked like fireworks, but they were all red. The raids definitely shook the country and caused many problems....
(SO PRECIOUS :-)
Before leaving we had a great send off by the YFC staff. They set up a dinner with dancers, drums, and lots of good food. We then headed back to Rwanda, this time by car with Freddy and a few other missionaries from Burundi.
(PAUL TAUGHT SOME EXERCISES AND STRETCHES. WE ALSO DID SOME RELAY RACES)
(BONDING WITH PAUL)
(FREDDY AND THE YFC TEAM GAVE US A HUGE THANK YOU DINNER. THE DRUMMERS WERE AMAZING!)
(OUR NEW SWEET FRIENDS)
In total the entire adventure was two weeks long! It was amazing and we were definitely able to do many "firsts" and probably "lasts" on the trip such as eating crocodile, rafting the nile, petting a cheetah, being kissed by a giraffe, seeing an illegal black market leopard, being on largest lake in the world, riding a camel, being on the Indian Ocean, experiencing a rebel raid, etc. It is a trip and experience I will never forget.
(WELCOME TO UGANGA! LIZ AND PAUL. I THINK LIZ IS TIRED HERE, SHE WAS ONLY IN AFRICA FOR ONE DAY. SORRY IT'S SIDEWAYS, I COULDN'T QUITE FIGURE THAT ONE OUT.)Somehow for the great adventure I was able to rope in my dear friends Myal, Paul, and Liz. Liz has literally just arrived the day before the trip from America. She flew in at 1 p.m. on Saturday unpacked what she had and repacked for our trip, which we left for at 6 a.m. Sunday morning. The trip started with us taking an 8 hour bus ride from Kigali, Rwanda to Kampala, Uganda. While in Kampala we met up with Myal's friend Jen who took us around town. We loved Jen, she was awesome!
(BEAUTIFUL KENYA) We only spent two days there one of which was taken up by rafting the Nile. Rafting the Nile had to be the highlight of the entire trip. We all really, really enjoyed it even though there were moments of near drowning experiences, rafts flipping over, and major sunburns. Overall it was just amazing to be on the Nile and rafting one of the hardest rivers in the world with friends. After that we took another 8 hour bus ride from Kampala to Kisumu, Kenya.
(WELCOME TO KENYA, WE MADE IT! JENNY, PAUL, AND LIZ :-)While in Kisumu we toured around town, experienced a riot over the political elections, and took a boat on the largest lake in the world, Lake Victoria. We only spent one day there before we took an overnight train from Kisumu, to Nairobi, Kenya.
(IN KISUMU WE ALL CRAMMED INTO OUR FUN MINI CAR)We spend three days in Nairobi, which we spent going on a small safari, seeing town, eating at Carnivore, and just touring the city.
(ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS GROSS.. I THINK I WOULD PASS ON GIRAFFE "KISSES" ANY DAY. NOT WHAT I CALL FUN.)
(FEEDING BETTY!)After Nairobi we took another night train to Mombassa, Kenya, which rests right on the Indian Ocean.
(THAT'S OUR TRAIN! WE SPEND TWO NIGHTS SLEEPING ON THE TRAIN!)Our main goal was to get to the ocean, so we could relax on the beach. While we were there we did relax and enjoyed our very family friendly place Turtle Bay. After that we traveled back to Kigali by plane.
(ON OUR SAFARI. STILL NOT AS GREAT AS AKAGERA.) 
(PAYING OFF THE WORKERS, SO WE CAN PET A CHEETAH!)
(OH MY GOSH, I HAVE NEVER EATEN SO MUCH IN MY LIFE!)
(OH PAUL...)
(OH JENNY...)
(KENYA IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL.)
(SWITCHING SUNGLASSES.)
(THIS IS THE MOTHER COMPANY TO AMAHORO, A LARGE SEWING CO-OP HERE IN RWANDA. WE VISITED IT WHILE WE WERE IN NIAROBI AND TOOK A TOUR. WE ALSO MET A GREAT WOMAN NAMED MAGGIE!)
(NAIROBI, NAIROBI!)
(SITTING ON THE BEACH AT TURTLE BAY!)We spend one night in Kigali before Liz, Paul, and I took a bus to Burundi to meet up with our friend Freddy who works for Youth For Christ. While in Burundi we spent a few days working at the YFC orphanage teaching kids sports and physical education. We did a lot of fun games, jump rope, parachute games, and relays.
(SWEET SHADES! WE LOVED THOSE KIDS!)
(A BABY CARRYING A BABY...)
(THE WAY I WOULD DESCRIBE BURUNDI IS THAT IT IS A UNFOUND TREASURE.)
(ONE OF THE MANY FIRST AND POTENTIALLY LASTS... PETTING A BABOON. THE POOR GUY WAS LOCKED UP IN A CAGE AND SMELT LIKE POOH. HE WAS REALLY GOOD AT FINDING BUMPS AND BLEMISHES. I THINK HE FOUND A FEW THINGS ON ME.)We spent some time meeting the Youth For Christ staff and just getting to know Burundi a bit better. We also got to see another side of Burundi, which not many people get to see. During one of the nights the last rebel group attacked and filled the skies with all kinds of bombs and grenades.
(THANK YOU TO CARRIE WEAVER FOR SENDING A PARACHUTE! WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE THE PARACHUTE TO BURUNDI AND LEAVE IT AT THE SCHOOL. THE KIDS LOVED IT AND HAD A GREAT TIME PLAYING DUCK DUCK GOOSE AND MAKING THE LARGE DOME.)It was definitely intense and something none of us have every experienced or seen before. It kind of looked like fireworks, but they were all red. The raids definitely shook the country and caused many problems....
(SO PRECIOUS :-)Before leaving we had a great send off by the YFC staff. They set up a dinner with dancers, drums, and lots of good food. We then headed back to Rwanda, this time by car with Freddy and a few other missionaries from Burundi.
(PAUL TAUGHT SOME EXERCISES AND STRETCHES. WE ALSO DID SOME RELAY RACES)
(BONDING WITH PAUL)
(FREDDY AND THE YFC TEAM GAVE US A HUGE THANK YOU DINNER. THE DRUMMERS WERE AMAZING!)
(OUR NEW SWEET FRIENDS)In total the entire adventure was two weeks long! It was amazing and we were definitely able to do many "firsts" and probably "lasts" on the trip such as eating crocodile, rafting the nile, petting a cheetah, being kissed by a giraffe, seeing an illegal black market leopard, being on largest lake in the world, riding a camel, being on the Indian Ocean, experiencing a rebel raid, etc. It is a trip and experience I will never forget.
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