home again, home again...

Well...we're back! To varying degrees, anyway.

We left for the Kigali airport at 10:30 on Friday morning. Twelve hours later, we'd only travelled an hour and a half...and were even farther from home than when we started. But you gotta go to Nairobi to get to London, so that's where we went. Besides, Nairobi has Carnivore, an exciting restraunt where we made up for all the meat we didn't eat in Rwanda...and most of us experienced a few new meats, including crocodile and ostrich.

We took the same flight to London, where, upon arrival, we split into various groups who were taking various routes back to America. Some which were different because as of 7 am Friday morning our US carrier had forgotten that some of us did, indeed, want to return.

So, we're back and beginning to readjust to sleeping when we're used to being awake, flushing when we're used to...not flushing, drinking tap water, seeing so many white people, and not bargaining with the checker over the price of Rainer cherries.

Speaking on behalf of each person in our group, we are so grateful for your prayers. Individually and as a group, we clearly saw and experienced God's protection and guidance and strength through the past two and a half weeks. Also, we're thankful for your verbal support -- through blog comments or emails or phone calls or greeting us as we return. We have been so blessed by your love for us and for the people of Rwanda! Imana Ishimwe -- Praise God!

saying good-bye...

We spent our last full day in Rwanda with the street kids. After doing some playing and shopping and packing up bags, most of us weren't in the mood for ministry to street kids.

Until the vans pulled up and they spotted us and ran waving and shouting with excitement.

It was a great day. There were lots of kids and lots of playing and caring and laughing and hugging and jumping...culminating with a "chapel time" with some amazing, sincere worship, and a hilarious version of David-and-Goliath.

Saying good-bye was tough. We've gotten to know these kids, we've gotten a glimpse into their joys and sorrows, challenges and successes...and we had to leave them there at the church. Certainly they will be in our prayers.

Also, Tuesday night Hindurwa came over and treated us to song...and dance! We definitely did not get to see these guys as much as we'd've liked, but loved the time that we did have...