New Friends and Astonishing Music!

Did you know that the only symphony orchestra in Central Africa is located in Kinshasa, the capital of the Congo –
 a war-torn country plagued by poverty and despair? 

I didn't... until I went to see this movie called "Kinshasa Symphony". 
 It tells the amazing story of the  Kinshasa Symphony and shows some of the difficult circumstances  the 200 musicians deal with to get to rehearsals.  They come from all over the city; most travel on foot to get to rehearsals six days a week; and  most of the instruments have been donated, salvaged and repaired or purchased from second-hand shops. Some have even been handmade.   But in spite of it all, the orchestra manages to make  beautiful music.  For some it is a relief from the lives they lead each day and it is great therapy.  For others it is a dream come true.. to play music and take them away from the struggles of everyday life.   It was an inspiring film..  It is an inspiring orchestra! 


None of my age friends were able to go.. so i hung out with the 20-30 somethings.
We had a great time.

 Louise, on the left, I had met through Arlene from the
children's home.  She has been living with a family that Bruce knows
through the Ministry here in Rwanda.  Then we discovered we all knew each other.
Louise is doing her PhD research in Rwanda on Standards for Latrines.
Louise is from England and I love to hear her talk!  She is so fun!

Betty, on the right, is Mike's niece.  A delightful girl who is
helping to open a new guest house that Mike and his wife
 are in the process of getting off the ground.

The movie was held at the  Goethe-Institut in Kigali...The German 
Influence here in Kigali.  They run films each Tues. evening to enlighten 
and educate all of us that need it.  This was a great film. 

 This guy was one of Louise's friends---he took a picture of us!

Yes... we were laughing!

I took this one of Betty and Hope!  

They are great girls and it was fun to meet them and be with them.

I didn't get a picture but as we were walking over to the hall

for the movie there were HUGE bats flying around in the air

over our heads.  I didn't even know bats came that large.

Anyway... back to the evening.....
If you'd like to know more about this amazing story...check it out here
http://www.kinshasa-symphony.com/

I'm ready to sleep tonight.
Tomorrow night our first family guests come from the States.
Nelda, my sister-in-law and her 2 daughters, Kristi and Amy, my nieces
are coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only regret I have about them coming is that Brian, their son & brother couldn't
come too!!!  Disney World needs him!  We will so miss him here with us.
Bruce also returns tomorrow night after being gone this week to the American Control  Conference in Montreal, Canada!!!!!

So it will be a big night!

More tomorrow on all the things that happened today!

love,
margie