our first glimpse of a beautiful country

We arrived tired and stinky and without some of our luggage, but...we're here! And we are in love!

We arrived at the Kigali International Airport at around 2 pm on Saturday. We tried counting how many hours of travel that came to, but we're not processing such difficult mental exercises at this point in time. ANLM staff and a few guys from Hindurwa were at the airport to greet us and help us with our luggage.

And it seems nothing says a bunch of "muzungu" (white people) like a pickup full of luggage. People turned to look and wave as we rode through the busy -- and often bumpy -- streets of Kigali to the guesthouse where we're staying.

After settling quickly at the guesthouse, we got a quick tour of the Kigali Dream Center and enjoyed an amazing dinner back at the guesthouse. (Plans are currently underway to kidnap Sanyu, our beautiful and wonderful head cook, and bring her back -- still fighting over who would get to take her home first.)

We woke to the sound of tropical birds and Rwanda's refreshing morning air, and enjoyed our first Rwandan church service. Actually, to say that we enjoyed our time at church is a severe understatement...between the heart-felt, body-moving worship and Charles' sermon about Dreaming God-Size Dreams, it will certainly go down as a trip highlight for most of us.

The Purity Conference for young people was held this afternoon: the guys and gals divided up for some very honest, very personal sharing that challenged and encouraged these young people to honor God with their bodies.

And of course, swarms of beautiful Rwandan children circle us for hugs and pictures and candy and stickers...which end up all over their faces!

And finally, after the Purity Conference, we enjoyed a Hindurwa concert, featuring all new songs!

We finally got more dependable Internet access an hour ago (thanks Todd!) and have so enjoyed receiving all the notes and comments from home. We are so grateful for your love and prayer!