Ndangukunda Cyane

Ndangukunda Cyane

"I love you very much"

Saturday:

Jean, one of the older orphans, called me over and motioned for me to follow him. "you help me" he said, I a little concerned about what I was agreeing to, followed anyway thinking it would be an interesting experience. He took me into the library, where he showed me three pages where he had written out English-Kinyarwanda words and phrases. He said he wanted to have a lesson with some of us. He instructed me to gather some people and have them wait in the learning room, and he would be back. So I went and found a few others and we began our lesson. We started with numbers 1-20, and started some common phrases. I have to say, he was very patient with us as we butchered his language. However, there had been one phrase I'd be dying to learn so I broke away from our worksheets to ask "how do you say I love you?"

"ndangukunda" (nagoocooda) and to add very much "cyane" (chande')

So this has become my communication with the children. Although I don't say it perfectly, I can finally express to them how special they are in a way they can understand. I have repeated it over and over in my head to make sure I don't forget it.

Sunday:

We started off our day at Jane's church. She is our tour guide if you will. Basically she is one of the most amazing people I've ever met! She helps us translate, shop, learn the culture, the language, and she is a huge inspiration to me. Jane lives her life off of faith. She simply allows God to lead her life in every aspect. Her husband is a pastor, and they are currently hosting their church in their home. So we all gathered in her living room and worshipped the Lord like I'd never seen before. Both English and kinyarwanda were used and the people sang, clapped, and danced their hearts out to Jesus. The prayers were another thing that really impacted me. The way they pray is by everyone verbally praying at once. I wish everyone could see how these people prayed. They weren't whispering meekly, as if saying "I hope you can hear my prayer" they prayed with confidence, with power, with serious purpose. It was awesome! They had most of us Americans in tears. It was like nothing I've ever seen before! After church, a 24 year old man named Aaron came up to me as I was sitting alone looking out on the city digesting what I had just seen and soaking it all in. He asked me a few questions before saying "I do not know why I like you" which I took to mean "I do not know why I am drawn to you" he then went on to share a bit of his testimony with me. Basically, he was 7 when the genocide happened and he lost his entire immediate family. He was the only one who survived. "I did not feel like an orphan" he said "because I had God". I told him he was strong and he denied it, I said well you have Gods strength in you. "yes, yes" he said with a smile. He now lives on his own and is finishing up school to be a missionary. After some more talking we exchanged emails, and promised we would keep in touch and pray for one another.

As we finished church, did some things around Kigali, and drove up through the hills towards Gisenyi, I realized how comfortable I feel here. I find myself just giggling to myself while looking out my window. I just love it here. I love how beautiful the people are, how simple life is, how much they have to rely on community and on God. I love how blessed I feel by just the quite, cool breeze, or a quick wave to a stranger not trying to hide their stares and even how blessed I feel when I hear "munzugu" called out from the streets. Something just feels right about this place. Something so comforting. I have really missed Noel these last two days. I miss the kids, I miss the town. I can't even imagine leaving in a few days. Carol, Abby and I are already planning our next {longer} trip and perhaps (sorry mom) our next move. :)

Simply put: I think I need this place more than it needs me. I realized this morning at church that I still have a lot to learn, but I am ready. I simply prayed "come on, God. come. take over." and there is something magical, something spiritual about this country.

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."

-Mother Teresa