Another Day in Paradise

An unexpected Synod meeting left us to fend for ourselves today.

Nehemiah’s Coffee Shop is the diocesan catering facility where we had a leisurely breakfast.

Sadly, the avocado and omelette we had ordered was just omelette and had probably been cooked when we ordered it the night before. The plate of fruit was tasty though and we finally managed to post yesterday’s blog. The internet in our room is awful which makes working difficult. We have discovered that we can manage without water and electricity, but when the internet goes down, we are totally lost.

A visit to the memorial for the pastors and their families from the local area killed during the genocide which stands outside the cathedral was a sombre start to our day, so many, many names, including babies, and this is only a tiny tip of such a huge iceberg.

We took a stroll through the town and almost bought material, but when the price jumped by 8000 rwf (about £4) we left it behind.  We were more successful getting some photos printed although we received considerably more than required? Something must have been lost in translation. We only ordered 5 photos, but received about 25, for the princely sum of around 50p, they only charged us for those we wanted but gave us all the duplicates anyway. We left feeling a little guilty, but not guilty enough to give them anything extra!!!

After a stroll around the beautiful grounds of the cultural centre and then the gift shop we left empty handed and headed back, not forgetting to buy some mandazi on the way.

The internet at the diocesan café is better, so that is where we have spent most of the afternoon with smoothie and mandazi, writing up notes and considering potential projects.  

Bishop Christophe was kind enough to ensure we met with some of the pastors who have been funded through their Theological Degrees as they came and went from today’s meeting, all are now heading parishes and also headmasters of schools, with so many churches closed and pastors relying in a percentage of the offering, which is now non existent, a second paying job is vital.

Dinner options are limited here at the best of times, but we thought we would be safe with avocado and chips. Avocados grow well, are inexpensive and readily available, so we had high hopes. Obviously overly optimistic….. no avocados, so chips it was.

Fortunately, as the mozzies started to bite and we returned to our room, we encountered the guest house manager. Concerns about the internet were shared and praise God we now have a modem in our room. Everyone really does do their very best to ensure everything is satisfactory.

Sadly they cannot do anything about the music blaring out across the town which continued until gone 2am this morning and appears to be set for a repeat performance tonight, thank God for ear plugs.

Rwanda is still in the period of Kwibuka (to remember) and tomorrow there is a short 8am service, followed by a memorial service for the many pastors and their families killed during the genocide. We will attend at 8 am and play it by ear, but it will be another day of no visits. Whilst it is not a situation that can be helped, it is a little frustrating as we have so little time here.