Safaris = AWESOME!!!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Yesterday was my first safari experience! And, I must say, it was AMAZING!!! We had a VERY early start…loaded the vans at 4:45 a.m. Our driver, Paul, was the BEST! We traveled for 2 ½ hours…the car ride was filled with sleeping, talking, and staring out the window at the beautiful scenery. Half way through our drive, we came across a lady who was lying in the middle of the road. She was shaking and seemed to be unconscious…a few people ran out to move her to the side of the road. We think she had a seizure. I hope she is okay.

We arrived at the park and it was pouring down rain. I was bummed…gray, cloudy, and rainy weather is not particularly the most helpful for spotting animals. Anyway, we headed out and saw our first animals, baboons by the side of our path. We pushed our roof up so we could take pictures but quickly shut it when the baboon jumped on top of the other jeep in front of us. We all screamed…baboons are not the safest animals. Paul drove us to a big lake where we spotted hippos. I was hoping they would come out of the water but apparently they only come out at night. I saw their eyes and nose. We spotted some giraffes and zebras too. We got out and walked in the bush to get a closer look. I didn’t realize we could do that…but I am so glad we did. They were so cool! Definitely one of the highlights. Unfortunately, my camera’s battery died soon after…so I didn’t get as many pics as I wanted.

We saw some birds along the way and then drove 2 hours to the other part of the park. Along the way, one of the jeeps had some problems with the tire and engine. We were all so hungry because we ate breakfast so early…Paul was nice and let us eat some biscuits he had. More driving and sleeping and we arrived at the park! We took a bathroom break, divided up our PB&J sandwiches by jeep, and ate and drove at the same time since we were a bit late from the car trouble. We all sat up on top of the jeep…Jenny, Mindi, and I sat in the front. We had the BEST view…could see for miles…plus, dodged sharp, prickly branches that were everywhere. They would pop out of the middle of nowhere and we would scream, “AH, PAUL!” And he would abruptly stop and figure out the best way to avoid getting hit…we got a few cuts and bruises from the branches and uncomfortable seat, but it was definitely worth it. On the path, we saw topees, impalas, and some other animals I forget the names of. Finally, we reached an open field where we saw herds of topees, zebras, a giraffe family, and some water hogs (simone from Lion King! They are so cute and run funny). I felt like a researcher or photographer discovering the heart of Africa…sitting on top of a jeep and going up and down over open pasture, animals grazing, and green mountains in the background. I don’t know how else to describe except for AWESOME! We drove in our jeep for a couple hours. I was hoping to see an elephant or cheetah, but saw none…they are unusual to see.

We drove back to the camp, took a pit stop and headed home. Jenny, Mindi, and I switched places with Sophie, Suzy, and Roanna…I got to sit on the back of the car while we drove on the dirt road…we all sang songs from the Lion King, ha! So fun and totally worth it, but had lots of tangles afterwards. Once again, I fell asleep….and 3 hours later, we were home. All of us were tired…so the rest of the night, after dinner, we bummed around. A few of us girls practiced some songs we are planning to sing at the talent show in Rulindo this week, the community we will be living in this week…leading focus groups and forming a case study for our class. And, we had a movie night in the living room. Then, I went to bed and had a great rest! So tired.

On Sunday, I went to Christian Life Assembly (CLA) with Wes, Jess, Joy, Tessa, and Jordan. We walked through the rain which was fairly difficult to accomplish with slippery flip flops. They had great worship songs…praise songs we sing back home and the service was in English. Soon after we got there, Joy was feeling sick-nauseous. So I went with her to the bathroom in hopes that she would feel better. She still felt sick so I found someone who talked to his friend who had a car…they drove us home. Very nice men…they speak English very well and actually used to live in Uganda.

At 1:00, Brenda and Ida made a delicious Easter meal of ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, salad, bread, and chocolate chip cookies. It was so good! Aryn bought us little Rwandan basket ornaments filled with chocolate candies. Very sweet. The whole day we have had a movie marathon, played scrabble and a special kind of Pictionary, sleeping, etc…it has been a very relaxing day. I miss spending Easter with my family, but have enjoyed this African Easter as well. The safari was a great present!

Tomorrow my group drives to Rulindo and will be living at the university until Friday. We will be leading 1 to 2 focus groups every day and analyze the data we collect for a case study. This week we will interact with the students at school and participate in the talent show, they will do something for us as we do something for them. Next week, we will have a poster presentation in the community and present the data gathered. We leave for Uganda that Friday. Only three weeks left until I come home…time is going quickly and I can’t believe my time in Rwanda is almost over, but I have enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to traveling to Rulindo this week.

On This Day, 15 Years Ago....

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

15 years ago, on this day, April 7, 1994, the Rwandan genocide began. After previous decades of intense ethnic conflict between the Tutsis and Hutus, the government militia led a massacre of nearly 1 million Tutsis and moderate Hutus. During this time, family members turned against family members, friends turned against friends, and neighbors turned against neighbors. For 3 months, nearly 1 million Rwandans were killed.

Although Rwanda is now a peaceful country that is seeking reconciliation, many wounds remain and are in need of healing. As I write this, I am listening to the voices of the Rwandan people coming from the stadium down the road. They remember loved ones who were lost and pray for the unity of their country.

Today, the streets were bare of traffic except for the crowds of people who gathered at churches and memorial sites. When I looked in their eyes as I passed them on the streets, I saw their hearts mourning…I mourn with them. I ask that you take time to mourn with their country and pray for them as they begin this memorial week. This country is still healing, forgiving, and praying for peace in their hearts.

Genocide has left an impact on Rwanda.

Pray for healing, Pray for forgiveness, and Pray for peace….