A blur

Today was a blur. Donna taught school. She focused on body parts and words to describe ailments (cough, headache, fever etc) so that the kids can help the adults determine the correct medicine needed if they get sick. She also taught them how to cough into their arm vs hands. They giggled and laughed. It was a new concept, and a good one. Kristen organized and reorganized clothes with Chantal for the kids leaving for school. They she played, and played and played with the kids. She and Donna trekked back and forth between houses to get pictures and to work with the carpenter. The carpenter is building over 90 cubbies, in addition to a computer table and chairs. His day was busier than ours. Liles carried water (no doubt the hardest activity of each day) and made a scrumptious dinner for everyone! Quite a feat. He cooked spaghetti and pasta for 44 on a coal stove, with one pan and one pot – and delivered it EXACTLY on time! Amazing. We ate dinner in the schoolroom, using candles from Kibeho and table cloths Donna made from fabric. Their addition transformed the room. Chantal brought homemade doughnuts and Mbanda brought bread. Claudine ran to get Fanta for all. The babies sat on floor mats with the mama’s and aunties. The kids (4+) sat at the tables. The rest of us meandered and served. After dinner the kids took turns thanking us individually, and then the mamas/aunties said wonderful prayers for us in Rwandan (I know they were wonderful because Chantal and Mbanda translated for us!). Claudine played the drum and everyone started singing and dancing, thanking us for coming and praying for our safe travel home. The program lasted for over an hour. It was so nice!! Donna had a wonderful tribute to her second family and didn’t become a complete blubbering mess. (She tried but I did my best to make her laugh frequently.) We ended the night with ice cream and balloons for each of the kids. They loved them and played for hours. Donna and I left the house at 11 pm and everyone was still awake! Even the babies!! We were up late packing and then up early for church this morning. No worries – we’ll sleep on the multiple planes. I am trying to talk Donna into a trip into Amsterdam during our 10 hour layover. She’s being reluctant but I have time to work on her!!