To the Country and Back to the City

We took off on Saturday afternoon... after waiting for our bagels 

at ABC bagel in the morning for quite a while. The electricity had 

gone off and when that happens, there is nothing to do but wait.

We began our drive into the country to visit Patrick and Boy and their families.
This church is Kofi's grandfather's church.. It is HUGE and they have
just gotten the new roof on..  It looks so nice! It is on the road
to Patrick's house, where they have recently moved to. 

First we went to Patrick's house to pick him up and to spend time
with his family.  The baby is growing fast.
Their new home is very nice. Patrick will go to school next week.. He just got the results of his exams... He did better in English than Kinyarwanda.... Not sure what that means.  We spent most of the time talking about school and all the final arraagements. The kids moving from primary to secondary have off an extra month while they wait for their scores.. so while Kofi and Cynthia have been at school all month.. Patrick has been home waiting.

Mama Angel and Catoni showed up as we were ready to leave.  

Just in time for pictures.

The kids next door... and Innocent.
The serious kids shot..

But then Rachel showed them their picture on the camera and
they burst into smiles. What joy! 

Then we took a short car journey over to Boy and Igor's house.  Once at the road... we walked down the path to their house.  I think i told you that the little baby girl in their family died over Christmas... so sad.. But i wanted to go see mom and dad since i hadn't seen them since that happened.  They were so grateful we came to see them and tell them how sorry we were.  Innocent was a great interpreter to have with us.  In this picture

is Igor, Mom, Boy and Dad with all the neighbor kids looking on again. 

They wanted their pictures taken too!

     They wanted to take a picture with us, too... They had been all smiles when we

were talking but this is a sober picture.  They are a sweet family... you can pray for them and their grief during this time.

       So from the country to the city... we came back and got refreshed and headed 

to dinner with Isabele and Michel at Sakae, an Hibachi grill place.  Rachel and Chris

were so excited to be eating here.  Rachel more excited than any of us. 

The guys were at one end of the grill.

Chris and I in the middle..

and Rachel and Isabele at the other end. 

Then the cooking began....

Michel was a little worried because right above this huge flame was a
grass tiki roof.. But we all survived.

After about 9 courses the chef cooked this HUGE HEART of rice to say thanks..

but we were all so full we only ate a few bites...  Clever ending to dinner though.

We had a great time talking and laughing during dinner and we all went home

way too stuffed. 

Our day in the country and the city had not been too hectic.. but tomorrow 

after church services we start the safari adventure..

love,

margie