Visitors

Well I’m way behind on my blogging and have lots to update on so I’ll start at the beginning. 

It’s already been 2 months since my parents came to visit.  As I posted before, it really was an amazing visit from start to finish.  Never in a million years would I have though my parents would visit Africa, and I don’t think they did either.   That’s the best part though, Africa wasn’t necessarily on their bucket list, but they had the opportunity and so they took advantage of it.  They made the trip incredibly easy for me; they never complained about anything and took it all in stride.  When mom saw that I had a squat latrine she was a little anxious about it at first but she did what she had to and dealt with it.  I know plenty of others would have demanded to stay at the nearest hotel.  They never stressed when things were running on Africa time (i.e. late) or when dad had to kill the mice sneaking into my house at night (I kept assuring them that my mosquito net is like a protective bubble and nothing can get in).  As we traveled I always prepared them for the chaos that would come; the pushing and shoving of the bus park or the harassment and shouting in the market, but it never seemed as bad as I had anticipated.  I don’t this is because any of those things have lessened but that it never even seemed to phase my parents; they just took it all in.  It was amazing.

I was able to show off some of my favorite places in Rwanda and it was nice to have them appreciate the beauty of the country.  I enjoyed being a tourist here too; we stayed in some nice hotels and everyone we met was very welcoming and accommodating.  While it was nice to see the country, I think my parents will agree with me, the best part was spending time at my site.  My friends here have truly become my family here, and for my parents to meet them and vice versa, for my friends to meet my parents was so wonderful.  We spent the week visiting my friends but I think the highlight of the week was our last day, which also happened to be my birthday, when the teachers and students at school planned a program to welcome my parents.  There were speeches, skits, songs, modern dance and my favorite, traditional dance, all performed by students.  I was so grateful my parents saw what an amazing place I live in and just how kind, generous and caring everyone here is.  That day was easily one of the best days of my entire service. 

On international flights you are able to check 2 bags up to 50lbs each per person, which is exactly what my parents did.  I joked that my neighbors were going to think they were moving in, only I wasn’t really joking.  Only one bag contained their stuff and the rest was filled with things for my school and some of the things I’ve been missing most from home.  There were so many wonderful schools supplies that had been donated from the teachers at St. Wenceslaus including books and posters to put in our new library, pens, pencils, stickers, craft supplies, stamps, glue sticks, crayons, markers, and the list goes on and on!  It’s so much fun to have these things to use because they really don’t exist here.  Just the simple fact that I can bring markers to class so the students can color in their diagrams or pictures they’ve copied into their notebooks is a big deal.  The teachers, students and I are all so grateful for their kind donation and will put it all to good use. 

Like I said, my parents also brought me some of my favorite things from home to help me get through the remainder of my service including cereal, granola, gum, crackers, seasoning packets, etc.  It was like Christmas x10 and now I’m trying my best to ration it all to last me as long as possible. 

The entire trip turned out better than I could have ever imagined and I can’t even express how proud and grateful I am and forever will be that my parents came all the way over here to visit me.  Thank you. 

More to come soon, I promise!

Annie