Greetings from Jane

Hello to all my friends and fellow Luther Place members. Sorry I haven't written before, but this trip has been really exhausting. Also, the second day we were here I broke the chair I was sitting in (they are not used to plus size women in Rwanda) and hurt my back. I'm recovered now, thank God.

People told me that this would be a life-changing experience and it certainly has been. This is my first visit to a developing country and some of it has been difficult to adjust to.

My heart has been totally captured by the children. The day we were laying bricks for the church, Hetty and I taught the children some songs and some games and they sang songs for us. They love the digital cameras because they can see their own images right away. I doubt that they see their faces in mirrors very often, so they don't know how beautiful they are. When we went to church on Sunday we had some socializing afterwards. One child kept stroking my hair while others stroked my skin. They live such hard lives and yet they always have a smile for you. I try to wave at the children when we are riding in the van. I have been sitting in the front seat most of the time because of my back, so have a clear view of the kids. They get so excited when we pass by. They showed us a ball they made out of plastic bags and rubber bands. The children take care of the younger children, carrying them on their backs. Our plastic water bottles are prized and much fought for. Pastor John says they take water to school with them in the bottles.

The Rwandans are a strong people. They have been very friendly to us and honest. It is so difficult to reconcile the people we have met with the people who committed the genocide. It was very difficult for me going to the genocide memorials, more than the Holocaust Museum in Washington, which seems sanitized by comparison.

We have had a very hectic schedule and I have been really
tired. Last night, I slept for twelve hours. Didn't even have dinner, believe it or not. Tomorrow we leave for Kilimanjaro. I have decided to rest rather than go on the safari. I need some "alone" time and I need some r and r. The weather here has been better than at home, we hear. It has been overcast almost everyday.

My friends will be happy to hear that the food here agrees with me. The only night I had a problem was when we went to a Chinese restaurant.

Today, some of us went to the local market, where Hetty and I had ordered dresses made to order. They did a wonderful job and the locals had a good laugh when I modeled my dress for them. Hetty's dress looks really nice on her. We'll model them when we get home. We also went to a craft co-op and spent lots of money. I got mostly jewelry (surprise, surprise) and a few gifts. They have the same carving in ebony of a woman's head that my parents brought home when they were in Kenya many years ago!

The countryside is absolutely beautiful. I have many photographs of the mountains. Some of the members of the group have been birdwatching. Life here is so hard for the people on a daily basis. I will never take what I have for granted again, I hope. They walk everywhere, as late as 10:30 at night, maybe even later. And there are no street lights to show them the way. They carry bunches of bananas on their heads, and elephant grass to feed the cattle, and water bottles, and everything else you can imagine.

Yesterday, we went to a special farm that is a project of LWF. I was very proud to see that Finland has contributed funds both as a member of the E.U. and through the Lutheran Church of Finland. We each planted a tree in our own name. I wish we in American could be as resourceful as the farmers who are working on this project. There is absolutely no waste! They even use the animal urine and poop to provide power. Nothing, but nothing is wasted. We had a wonderful lunch with the group of farmers (all women but one) studying there this week.

Well, I'm sure I will have lots to tell you when I get home, but I will close here for now. Know that you are in my thoughts and in my heart. It has helped to know that you are praying for me and for the group. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Love,
Jane