PARTINGS and PARTIES!

Many friends of mine are leaving Kigali this year... 

moving on to other places in the world in foreign service

and we had a lot of parties to honor them.. but before all those parties started we had dinner with

 Ed and Liora and Daphne and Ben before they too, left... to continue their vacation.  Before dinner was over Kofi, Cynthia and Patrick showed up to say good bye. 

This kids finished off any food that was still left
while discussing the week and school.

We started the week introducing these folks to each other and here we all were..  together like we'd all been friends for most of our lives.  Actually feeling like family!

 Kofi loved the bread.

Patrick was loving all the food and conversation.

Cynthia was enjoying the pasta and juice!

Bruce took the Schleingers to the airport 
after a very tearful goodbye.  We had such a wonderful
time together it was truly hard to send them on their way.
I'm so glad that they came to Rwanda and enjoyed it so much! 
This was the first parting! 

After they left... the parties for my AIC friends

started!  

Emi on the left..  leaving in early July
here with Shana and Barbara.

Mitra on the left, Emi in the middle
and Bea.. who is also leaving in early July.
What will be do without them... in AIC, in exercise class
and recalling all the great laughs and fun we shared! 

 Emi, Ceren, Pryia and Laura.... AIC buds.
Japan, Turkey, India and Spain, respectfully represented. 

 Sava smacking Emi!  These two are hilarious!

Nalini and Emi!
Dear Friends and exercise Gurus!

              Me, Susanne  (who is also left the end of June) 

                                    Laura and Josephine.

Oh wait... Barbara one of our aerobic leaders,
Kyoko and Bea.
Three great ladies!
This party was at Kirsty and Jonathon's one evening.
A great celebration and sending party for Emi.

More parties ...A couple of days later...
Susanne, and Bea and Emi
threw a party for all of their friends they would be leaving.
Here: Susanne, Lilian and Michaela.

Junko, Anne and Fanny
All of us are smiling for the pictures
but inside....

we were all sad that these special
ladies are leaving.
Susanne was the AIC secretary last year
and she spent lots of time with me
teaching me the ropes!
She is a special friend to me
and I will miss her so! 

Bea with the spread in her beautiful home.
The salmon was fantastic--not to mention the
mousse that Bea made.
Bea was the past president of AIC
and led the charity committee.  Always
prepared and efficient!  She did so much for
Rwanda and the AIC!!   What a great friend!

Then a few more days past and we had
another party for Susanne at Mirjam's!

Speeches...

Laughs.....

Gifts of affection...

Gifts for dress up....

Gifts made by...  Gerda!
Josette explaining!  Love it.

Drum roll!

What is it?

A beautiful wall hanging made of
various African fabrics.

Just gorgeous!

 Gerda... you are so gifted.

 Susanne and Gerda!  

Bernadette and Susanne!

Susanne enjoying her day and her surprise party! 

Surrounded by friends that will miss her dearly
and i think she might miss us a bit, too!

For those of you who know me you know
these parties were fun
yet full of tears.

Sometime in goodbye speeches and sendoffs....
I would totally lose it.

Simply speaking:
 "Partings are such sweet sorrow"
and they are  NOT my "cup of tea".

Susanne, Bea, Emi, we will all miss you
being here with us in Kigali!

You've taken a big piece of our hearts with
you and you've left a lot of yours
here with us!

We love you,
margie