March 29, 2015

 Anna's birthday gift.... Bunny from the market. Her bunny is (was) Bella. They were 2 for 3000 Rwandan Franks... less than $5 total.  So Daddy was a softy & said we could get two bunnies.  Lauren was ecstatic!  

 Josiane visited us for a weekend - she had something at the university to go to... so she rode the ambulance that was headed back to Kibogora & spent the day with us.

 Lauren & her little Violet.

The amazing cage that Zach & Regan & Levi & Brandon built for the bunnies..... too bad that 3 days later, bunnies escaped... or were "found" by some dogs.... RIP sweet bunnies.

 Joel took a mini driver's lesson from Dr. Tim.  His first "go" at it... yes, that might be Lauren's curly head in the passenger front seat.  This is us driving to the market to find some bunnies.... that was quite an experience.  Thankfully Josiane was with us to help find someone to "watch" our car while we were in the open air market... and to translate for us & shield us from the swarms of people excited to see the Abazungu (white/rich people)... we had about 25 bunnies forced in our faces when they realized what we were there for.  We also purchased an umbrella on this trip as well as a pair of shoes for Josiane.  (the options were a slew of shoes laying on a grass mat that were obviously used & probably GoodWill rejects).  The market is about a 1/2 hour walk or a 5 minute drive.  

Stephanie painting the sunshines on the pediatric ward! 

 It was such a fun day!

Tall Lauren, Josiane & Rachel.

Julie drawing on the mountains & flowers.

 Fixing the ceiling that fell in... hopefully this is the last "oops!"

Joel, Josiane, Meridith, Tall Lauren, Julie

Tall Lauren being a nurse in the new pediatric building!

 Nearly each morning before Joel goes to work.... 

"Daddy!  Don't go!  Stay with me!"

 A quick lunch break before heading back to the hospital... Levi is becoming quite a little Chess player!

Her favorite tree.  The tree by Julie's house.

Here are Lilly's babies... about 2-3 weeks old.  

We can finally hold them... until they meow & Lilly comes & 

carries them away in her mouth!  So fun!

Pizza night!!!!!!  Joel making sauce, Tall Lauren & Rachel chopping up green peppers, onions & pineapple, basil & garlic! mmmmmm!  Our favorite!

Girl's Day!

This past Saturday, my girls & Lauren & Rachel took a drive to the nearest city (1.5 hours away).  Innocent was our driver; he is our friend & is employed by the mission as a driver.  We went to Kemembe to buy some groceries that we can't get in Kibogora (cheese, ketchup, oatmeal...).  We also went out to lunch at a great restaurant/hotel!  Emeraude.  Here are some fun shots of our meals.... these were fancy... not our normal food, but so so so good!

Hot cocoa for the little girls

Rachel ordered an authentic Rwandan dish.... boiled bananas covered in peas, carrots, other unidentifiable veggies & peanuts.  She convinced us that it was yummy.  mmmmm!

I ordered a Hawaiian pizza to share with short Lauren, but let's be honest - I ate most of this by myself... it was delish!  

Lauren ordered chicken... she had a bit of trouble finding the meat on it.... but we all loved the "chips" (french fries)

Lauren & Anna enjoyed samosas... small meat pies... what kind of meat?  Who knows... but yummy.

And a special surprise!  

The waitress brought out ice cream for the girls!  Hooray!!!

We ate outside on a balcony

This is a (pretty poor) photo of the bridge that connects Rwanda to Congo.  Those houses you can see are actually in Congo.  Kemembe is a border town.  

Lauren & Rachel grocery shopping at the really great supermarket where we could find all the things we can't find in Kibogora... well most of the things.... This is actually the size of the store.... you are seeing the whole shop.  They fit a lot of stuff in there!

Driving back to Kibogora, we stopped to see this beautiful view ... and the little children who live down the hill came running!  "Abazungu!!!!!"  Tall Lauren passed out Dum Dum suckers to them!  Lots of smiles.

Rwanda's drive through!  On the way home, we slowed down to turn a corner & people shoved their goods in through our windows, hoping we might make purchases.  Innocent loves the roasted corn, so he bought us some.... it was really chewy & tasted like popcorn.... not bad!  I bought some oranges (that are green here).