Boys, Booze, and Fanny Packs

I was going to post my blog entries early this morning while people were still sleeping but since I forgot to charge my computer last night so that plan didn’t work out.  Finally, although I am exhausted, I am going to blog now.  Sorry to those who have been checking for an update, here it goes…

Last night a few of the Missouri/Nebraska trip members spent time out on the back lawn relaxing and distressing from two days of intense testimony. Godfrey, our Rwandan friend, joined us for a couple of drinks and in return we taught him the American pastime of drinking games.  The night was quite interesting and entertaining; Jared impersonated Eric, one of the leaders from California who is very artistic, Dan showed off his fanny pack, and Emily got her flirt on with Godfrey.

As the sun came up this morning I opened my window to let the cool breeze in, it was a refreshing start to the morning.  The climate in Rwanda is temperate, much better than the sticky July weather in Missouri.  It warmed up in the afternoon when we walked next door to AVEGA, an NGO that works with widows and widowers of the genocide.  The program offers healthcare, business assistance, and other resources to those men and women who have struggled after the genocide.  They focus the program on sustainable living and empowering survivors.  In addition there is a store called Peace Baskets that makes traditional African baskets.  You can actually buy them at Macy’s…check it out.

One aspect of Rwanda that has impacted me is how friendly and forgiving the people are.  They are now living as one society, one culture, and helping each other in order to achieve this.  The divides of the past are being abolished which is allowing them to move forward into the future.  Why does it take appalling events to make a change?