Rwanda + Minnesota

15 days.  I'm a comin' home in 15 days.

I devote this set of photos to my two homes: Minnesota and Rwanda.  Here are snippets of my life in both places.  These places have helped define me, challenge me, and shape me into who I am.

The hills (mountains?) outside of Kigali.  When the fog rolls in like this, it just stops you, and commands that you stare.

My classroom in the afternoon sun.

Lake Kivu.  A place of rest and beauty.

Caria and Deborah, two beauties from New Hope.

My dear friend, Natalie, and Ariane.  

And here's Ariane again (from New Hope Homes).

Muddy Chacos (and feet) after a walk down and up hills laden with rainy season rain.

+++

And here are a few pictures of my first home. The one I get to return to, so very soon:

Trout Lake dock sitting. 

Birch bark. And long sunsets.  Two things I'm really looking forward to seeing again.

Summer bonfires with friends. Can anyone guess who this is?  Winner gets a free coffee, on me.

Minneapolis. In all its glory.  You hold so many people I just can't wait to see!  And so many places I can't wait to go.... and good coffee, and ice cream... and I could go on....

15 days. 

A few photos as of late.

Folks, we're coming into the home stretch.  I leave Rwanda in a mere 4 weeks.  Minnesota (via Washington DC and my wonderful sister Laura), I am very much looking forward to spending 2 months with you.  In the meantime, here are some pictures of life lately:

  

A wonderful sixth grade girl from MN donated art supplies to the kids at New Hope.  When my friends Donna and Harvin were here, we arranged an afternoon of drawing and painting.  (By the way, in case you don't know who Donna and Harvin are, they are INCREDIBLE blessings in my life and hopefully, many of you will meet them this summer.)

Desami.

The other Desami (they are twins) practicing his letter "p".

The older boys painting the Chelsea crest.  Isaac is a HUGE fan - complete with jersey, shorts and shoes. All Chelsea, all the time. 

And today, May 1, is Labor Day here in Rwanda.  We have the day off school, and it is a brilliantly sunny day.  A bunch of friends and I took the opportunity of the day off and had a big picnic, complete with frisbee, whiffle ball, cards, and good food.

Here's a blooming tree hear my house:

 My friend, Jamie, enjoying a coke. (Can you tell where she's from?)

  

 I made Grandma Helen's / Grammy's famous broccoli salad. I'm not quite sure which Grandma originated the recipe, but I do remember it was the first thing I ever "cooked" in the cabin kitchen. Thanks for teaching me so well, lovely Grandma and Grammy. It was a hit (and has been every time I've made it here this year.)  

It's not a picnic in Rwanda without a bag of samosas.

Happy Labor Day, everyone...(a few months early for those of you stateside.)