The day I got married, one of my closest friends looked me in the eye and said "God has many wild and wonderful things ahead for you and Jeremy."

Being called mom by 7 kids is definitely wild. Each day I look for the wonder in it all...and give thanks.

Partnering with my husband in life, parenting, work and serving is definitely wonderful. He is my favorite.



Monday, December 20, 2010

Rwanda 11.27.10 Last Day

Today is Umuganda Day which is a mandatory "community service" time during the morning.  Everyone is required to do something to improve the appearance of their property or public property--cleaning, pulling weeds, repairing. Umuganda Day is the last Saturday of each month and no one is permitted to drive until noon.

Since no one can drive until noon, we had decided to return to Kigali yesterday and have today to rest, pack, and shop for souvenirs.  We were all a little nervous about driving back to Kigali Saturday, arriving around 3 pm and being ready to get on a plane at 8 pm. 

 down time

Thankfully, our van made it back to Kigali with no problems on Friday. 

However, we got stopped by the police and it was very interesting! 

Our driver immediately ARGUED with the officer telling him he should not have stopped us. 

Christine, our interpreter, just giggled in the back seat. 

Seriously, giggling.

She did this at other times when things seemed a little awkward for us.  Maybe she enjoyed seeing us get nervous.

We were a little nervous. 

In the States, we don't argue with an officer that stops us in traffic, unless we WANT to get a ticket.  It's almost a guarantee that if you argue, you'll get a ticket.

Not the same in Rwanda. 

No ticket.

Anyway, packing was a cinch today because we only had our dirty clothes and souvenirs.  We packed suitcases into other suitcases. 

We arrived in Rwanda with 21 bags and went home with 8.

It was kinda nice. 

It was time to load up and head to the airport around 6:30 pm.  I am fighting off the sadness I feel.  I don't like good-byes.

We got a little late start but still no worries.....until....
 
we are driving uphill

about 10 minutes from the airport

and all of a sudden....

the van DIES.

Our awesome driver, George, safely pulled over and he tried to get it started again.

Nothing.

Out of gas.

We are all looking at our watches.

We call Mike who is driving another vehicle and he finds us on the side of the road and gives us some gas.



Still can't get the van started.

Half of us pile in his car and just as we are about to pull away, the van starts!

We made it to the airport in time, got checked in, said good-byes to our friends, and waited to board.



Now it gets really interesting....heading home and figuring out what's next.

We did have a cool little bonus blessing on the way home---

I call it life's glitter.

Next post!

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