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My Dear John Letter

2008-01-17T04:27:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a long time. And I think this is it.

Me and Blogger are breaking up. He says I'm not spending enough time with him...which is probably true. He also accused me of flirting with Facebook...which is totally a lie, well...okay, so we've been in touch....but nothing serious!

I think that he has unrealistic expectations of me. And maybe we just have different interests. I KNOW we have conflicting ideas of what our relationship should be, and there are only SO many "Define the relationship" talks to be had before one loses her mind.

Thankfully, I think we both agree it may be best to take a "break" and see where it goes from there.

Until then, you can find me with Facebook. (Just don't tell Blogger.)

I lost my roommate! ...and other adventures

2007-10-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

Christy arrived yesterday and it is SO exciting to see how the Lord had hand picked us out for each other. I think things will work out really well. AND she is fluent in French, and loves teaching it…just an added bonus! She also brought a lot of movies in French, which tends to be one of my preferred language learning tools! J As soon as she arrived she jumped right into life here. I think she may just crash tonight, so I keep encouraging her to take breaks and rest. Yesterday we went to church, and during the service it began to downpour. I just learned that Rwandans don’t really go out in the rain unless they HAVE to…so the Pastor announced that people with cars could go, and then…the service just went on and on and on. Ladies went up to the front and sang karaoke style worship along to a tape player…and suddenly the entire congregation burst out into dancing! It was so much fun! It was beautiful to see the freedom that they felt to dance in God’s house. I wish we had that type of freedom everywhere!

After about 30 minutes, Christy and I looked at each other and realized that NO ONE was going anywhere for probably a VERY long time. So we made our exit, as discreetly as we could, and ran off in the rain to our house.

Our second adventure (in just 2 days of being together) was when I lost her. Yes, that’s right. I lost my roommate. The only way to get to the FH bus stop in the morning from my house is to A: walk or B: take a motorcycle taxi. Neither of us being morning people, we opted for the taxi. I told the moto driver the stop that she needed to get off at, and gave her visual directions, and sent them off (following behind on a moto of my own). Well…my moto driver stopped at the correct place….and hers did not! As I got off my bike I saw my new roommate, in the bright green little helmet, clinging to the driver and going ‘only God knows where!” Both Christy and the motorcycle getting smaller and smaller as they rode off onto the next hill! Just then the FHI bus pulled up. I ran up to the bus, saw everyone and said…”I just lost Christy!”

Well, this was truly a memorable moment for FH-Rwanda. Everyone’s heads were sticking out of the bus as we drove along the road searching for the muzungu, in the pink shirt, with the green helmet, on the back of a motorcycle. Suddenly someone spotted the motorcycle and everyone began to laugh and cheer as we flagged down the taxi and off hopped a bewildered and wind blown Christy. Everyone rejoiced as she boarded the bus, and all I could do was nervously laugh, and hug her…thanking God that I hadn’t actually LOST my roommate on our first day out and about!

French for movies and business, Kinyarwanda for the rest

2007-09-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

9/11.

My two month anniversary of coming to Rwanda. And also, strangely the first time since September 11, 2001 that I haven't heard or been reminded of the trade towers and the war on terror on the eleventh of September. (Other than reminding myself!)

Like the US, Rwandan's have many dates that are forever etched in their memories. Many times, stories are told as pre and post genocide, or pre and post resettlement. It's terrifying how a date can be forever changed in a person's life.

Here in Rwanda, however, today was an ordinary day. I went to French class. Went to the office. Planned for an english lesson, taught the lesson, and then...instead of going back to the office, I celebrated my two month anniversary by watching a movie on my computer. Okay, not really in celebration, mostly because the swing of cultural transition has now changed gears and today I was completely exhausted and not feeling well. ( 'they' say that 2-3 months is the normal time for being exhausted, so at least it's normal!)

So, not wanting to feel completely like a slacker... I watched Pride and Prejudice dubbed in French...and found that Kiera Knightly is not nearly as annoying when her voice is dubbed over, and that the cheesy parts that I usually couldn't stand, weren't nearly as painful. I think that French is now my new language of choice for chick flicks. If you're going to sit through a romance movie, may as well have the leading man speaking in French! Go all out and enjoy!

As for everyday use, French is fine, but I am finding Kinyarwanda to be MUCH more useful! First of all, you score major brownie points with Rwandans just in the shock/delight of hearing a white person attempt to speak their beautiful and very complex language. Secondly, French really isn't used much other than in business affairs...so unless I want to remain ignorant and friendless the next three years, I had better get studying!

Let's see, other exciting news...I found a house! And a roommate! I will be moving in 2 weeks, and Christy, my roommate, will be arriving in 3 and 1/2 weeks from Switzerland. I will be sure to post pictures of the move. Until then, here are a few of what I've been up to lately.

Naming rituals

2007-08-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

One month has nearly passed, and life is beginning to have a rhythm to it at last.

Formal language lessons should begin soon, my hunt for a roommate is looking promising, and today 5 women at a Ladies conference took down my name and number to look for a house for me. I think it helped that I told them my name in Kinyarwanda! Suddenly ten women were standing around me watching as I wrote my name first in English. "Cheryl" which means 'Beloved' was recently given the indirect translation of 'Ukunzwenimana' or literally Beloved by God.

I received this translation of my name yesterday on a very long, and very bumpy trip out to visit some of the families of child-headed households, and to accompany caregivers as they look after community members with HIV/AIDS.

During the bumpy trek up to Kibenga, I learned that children in Rwanda are named often by the circumstances that surround their birth. When I explained that my name means Beloved or Loved we tried long and hard to find a translation. There were several offers, but thankfully the program coordinators that I was driving with explained why each name offered by another would be unacceptable. Finally the truth came out...it would not be appropriate for me to have a name that simply meant Loved by humans...it should be Beloved by God. So there you have it, I felt like it was a sort of self-righteous claim at first...and then it grew on me. pretty quickly! :)

What a beautiful reminder. Right now, when so much is uncertain... when I at times feel very alone...Nitwa Ukunzwenimana...I am called 'Beloved by God'. And those I am working with, and living with share the same name...beloved.

Anyway, it's been a nice reminder to me these past few days, about who is REALLY in charge of things, and in whose hands I can rest.

One week...

2007-07-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

It has now been one week since arriving here in Kigali, and I thought I'd share a few of my pictures. I haven't really taken many yet of the communities and people that I am with etc...that will come in time. The past week has been spent just adjusting to time and new surroundings. I'm in the process of finding a place to stay, and hopefully some roommates too. In the meantime, I'm staying at a guesthouse, which has been a lot of fun, but has kept me speaking English more than I'd like! :) Language classes begin in a few weeks which should be interesting, though.

I was able to visit one of the program sites of FH, see some of the agricultural work that they are doing there with farmers, and visit the staff there. A few of the pictures here are of the terracing projects. Once completed these projects will yield 5x's the harvest as a normal field that is on the steep hills.

Back from Lima

2007-05-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Yes, it's true. I have arrived back from Lima. I have much for show and tell...but for now will simply say that I will write more...and did I ever mention how beautiful Chicago is in the summertime??

:)

John Denver made me do it.

2007-03-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

Well, with less than a month until my training things are winding down and I am frequently asked what I'm thinking about all this. Funny you should ask....

Today a PBS special was on about "yours truly" John Denver, and he was singing "Leaving on a Jet Plane". Things were going just fine. I was eating my leftover dinner next to my parents enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon, when I looked up to see my mom crying.

"Mom, not now." was my very sympathetic, loving response.

There have been several times these last few months when I have cried with people I love about the fact that it will be hard to be away. And my mom is no exception. But there was something in me that just cringed...John Denver? Must it be to John Denver? Nothing against this man. I'm sure he was just as amazing as his fans say. And it is clear that he loved what he did and was a true activist. I should be honored that his songs evoke such emotions....but really? Does it have to be "Leaving on a Jet Plane"? I mean, it's not the jet plane's fault. I could be leaving on a cargo ship or a big yellow school bus...that wouldn't make things any simpler. And we know I'm coming back again...so really we shouldn't have to get so worked up, right?

Well, as soon as the words "Mom, not now" left my mouth I wanted to rewind things. Shoot. Cheryl, not a good thing to tell your loving mother. The woman who endured labor, all your tantrums, your rebellions, and has always supported you. Baaaaad choice. Backspace...backspace...delete, delete, delete.

It was too late. The words hung in the air...and I cringed again, this time taking her hand.
Together we joined John and sang.

"...leaving on a jet plane, not sure when I'll be back again..."

The mother, the daughter, and the legend. What a trio.
John Denver.... this one's for you. Thanks for the memories.

These are a few of my favorite things

2007-02-02T22:46:00.000-08:00

Raindrops on tin roofs and mice caught by kittens, climates so warm that you throw out those mittens, pinatas with candy all tied up with string...These are a few of my favorite things!

Keeping this blog updated is aparently NOT one of my favorite things...but I've included some pictures, new and old, for your viewing pleasure.

And if you have the time...you can take the "State of the World Quiz"...not surprising...but definitley a good one to keep you thinking.

Peace.

Hope

2007-01-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

Like an elf with a lollipop, this post is short and sweet.

This past week, support raising and the preparation process for going to Rwanda was becoming more draining than encouraging. I came to the end of my rope on Tuesday night, and finally decided (once again) that I can't do this on my own, and that maybe I should let others in on the fact that this can be overwhelming.

It is amazing what happens when we open ourselves up to receiving love from others. When we finally admit that we fail, and that we can't carry everything on our shoulders. I've found that this often gives rise to some of the sweetest times of community and sharing among friends AND strangers. When we are real, when things are raw...and broken...and downright hard, we are able to come together, hold each other up, and often without words being shared or advice offered...hope is found.

Thank you, dear ones, for the hope you've given me. In you I see the face of God.

The Importance of Meditative Prayer

2007-01-04T20:18:00.000-08:00

Blog #1:

I'm not quite sure why people blog...because we all hate the words "Dear Diary"?...because we have deep thoughts and questions not yet answered...or if you're like me, because I'm so terrible at long distance communication I figured maybe a blog would redeem me...

Since my brand new blog looked a little empty I thought I would write a little something.

Today is Thursday. Which means that my church has our Prayer Service. I was showed up very late, after trying to finish up some last minute work, and was looking forward to slowing down and meditating on the Lord. I entered the church after prayer had already begun and tried to sneak in quietly. For anyone that knows me well, I have the grace of a buffalo, so the sneaking part didn't work out too well...and quietly never does.

So I knocked over someone's water bottled, rustled my plastic bag a bit, and got ready to pray.
Like I said, I was VERY excited about calming down after a busy day, and focusing on things that really matter. Not long after this I heard a woman talking to me...

"CALL FROM..." CALL FROM..." CALL FROM..."

It was my cell phone, which had somehow moved from its "silent" setting to the DRIVING MODE. Convenient when in your car...not so much in a prayer service.

So logically, I calmly thanked the Lord that I have the luxury of a cell phone, and switched it off, calmly and quietly. NOPE, too easy. I panicked. Grabbed my purse to try to squeeze my phone until it got quiet...panicked some more, bolted up, knocked over the water bottle (again), rustled my plastic bag (again) and ran out of the church.

Once out, I realized how very much I wanted to be IN the church, praying...and I didn't really understand why I ran out so quickly. But now I was outside, and it was raining, and I had my purse. So I left. And prayed during the drive home.

Moral of the story: Never panic. And don't use cell phones.