A couple quick updates your way from my side of the Earth. Things have been in full swing and chaos lately, it's hard to believe it will be a month and a half before I come home.
1) A couple weeks ago, helped my co-workers complete (I didn't do a lot really just background support) an event called Walk to Remember (Mandy Moore was not included) on April 7, 2010, the 16th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. 10,000 people attended this event - walking from Parliamenet (where the President of Rwanda spoke) to the national stadium for candle lighting, name readings, singing, films, etc. It was powerful and moving... although I was running around the city in the minivan all day long managing the utter chaos that was ensuing from lack of planning. This also included me locking the keys in the damn minivan at a crucial part of the day where I needed to be driving. I googled "how to unlock a car with a bobby pin" but luckily our broken door was jammed and did not lock. Too bad I was bobby-pinning the minivan key lock for about 20 minutes before I figured it out.
2) Just organized a screening event for the ex-pat community at a really nice restaurant called Heaven. It is a beautiful restaurant and only about 130 people were there (but the restaurant was small so it was jam packed). We did not intend for it to be a fundraiser, just a connecting time to re-establish As We Forgive's credibility after a couple months of quietness due to funding constraints. However, we raised enough money by selling dvds (Suggested donation) to support one staff's salary for the month of may. We are really tight right now, so that was a big miracle!
3) Exhausted. Live with a bunch of AMAZING girls who are extremely social and like to stay up late at night. i do not. I'm tired. Am I already an old woman? Is this what happens to engaged/married people?
4) My wonderful friend Claire just graduated from University. She has come SO far. Her graduation was really emotional and everyone was crying. Her mother was murdered for testifying in a Gacaca court case against genocide perpetrators, and her father was abusive and she fled from him to live with her mom's relatives. her father was at her graduation which was difficult, but she handled it with such grace and love. Pastor Deo and his wife got special thanks from Claire. Pastor Deo found CLaire when she was jobless and desperate and he took her in to work at PFR so she could study and also support all of her siblings who are still in school. This is her at her graduation party. She had to sing and do Kinyarwanda dancing as a tradition. If my parents made me dance and sing at a personal graduation party I would probably faint out of embarrassment! But dang, this girl loved it!
5) Got to have a good skype call with fiance today - much needed. Time is going by so quickly!!! NOT. It's still creep-a-leepin', but it will come soon enough and June and July is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!!!
6) Iceland volcano. wtf?! People in Rwanda are STRANDED b/c they can't fly into Europe! One of my roomies was supposed to leave this weekend but she's grounded for 2 more weeks. I'm nervous it's going to cause a serious backlog in flights back home! Also, what if it causes another volcano to erupt (I'm not just making this stuff up, scientists are legit worried about this too). OK people I'm not a typical worry-wort, but I am just antsy to make it home on time!!!
I love you friends and fam. My eyelids are heavy and it's shut-eye time.
Much Love to you all.
Love, Rach
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