Light in the darkness

This week has been a much lighter week schedule wise. Monday, we went out to a village in the Eastern province for a Chicken project meeting. As we went further and further into the village, any sign of electricity seemed to vanish at the homes.

We met under an awning and while the group was a bit reserved at first, they opened up and began smiling and laughing as introductions were made.

We had the opportunity at the end of the gathering to gift them with solar lanterns through illuminatelives.org. They were quite excited to receive them.

In Kigali, we are right on the equator. Year round the sun rises at 6am and sets at 6pm. The work day is 8-5. It is mandated by the government. School programs go until 5. After 5 the streets fill with people going home. As this is one hour before sunset, the working people have their social time, their shopping time etc, all in this small window before dark. To be able to go home and light a lantern where they couldn’t before… I truly can’t put myself in their shoes.

Tuesday Jay continued work on the chicken coop he is building for Charlotte and Assiel. When it is complete, I will share pictures of the process, but suffice to say, it is all so very different than a run to Lowe’s and some nail guns and straight 2x4s.

Today (Wednesday) we made a video to share with our church family at home. We played some games, then in the afternoon Erin and I went to a Muslim quarter of the city for

cultural exposure. We ate at a restaurant and it was hand food. Ugali (cassava bread that is globby like a dumpling) and goat kebabs. Before you eat, a basin of water is passed around with soap and a pitcher. You wash each others hands. It feels Biblical. Otherwise, apart from our company- 2 former muslims and one practicing Muslim-, the area felt very empty. Jay and the girls noticed it too. They walked the streets as we were visiting and Ava mentioned to Jay that she wanted to go back to the car to wait as it felt very “dark.”

Tomorrow and Friday are pretty open days as well. Trusting God to direct our steps and our purposes as our minds start to shift towards home. One week remains.