Words Don't Come Easy

When you've been up for 36 hours!!!

If you couldn't find the blog post from yesterday we're sorry, a technical hitch (old people and technology) saw it posted in the wrong place. All rectified now so do catch up.

We left Heathrow at 9.20pm last night, right on time, a direct flight, on a clean and well maintained aircraft. An almost 9 hour flight is never fun, but top marks to RwandAir who looked after us very well, not just efficiently but with smiles and good humour.

Clearing customs took a little persuasion, after which we were met by a talking robot assuring us there were no cases of Ebola in Rwanda and taking our temperature.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/c710bc_ffcd40b52e2447fcba8aa8a7a8628d90/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

As we wondered about the yellow tags on our suitcases we were both pulled in for a security check. Those pesky tennis balls will definitely get us into trouble one day. A little 'bribery' saw us a few tennis balls lighter but on very good terms with the security men.

Our dear friend Bishop Nathan met us at the airport and we were whisked off to Star School where 54 children are sponsored. A very welcome breakfast of boiled eggs, bread and fruit was waiting (the lamb samosas for breakfast on the aircraft had not gone down too well).

After sharing prayer and breakfast we discussed a number of matters regarding the sponsorship and new accountability legislation before a walk around this very prestigious school where we were shown the new books funded through CHI. Books are still very expensive here and always in great demand.

We didn't have much time so tried to cause as little havoc as possible, but inevitably the nursery children all wanted a hug and a certain amount of havoc ensued, Phina, the head teacher, didn't seem too pleased at the disruption to discipline but she didn't give us lines!!

The stroll back through the school grounds saw us hugged by numerous children of varying ages as they headed off to lunch, all wanting to meet the muzungu. One young girl was clutching her Bible, she was rather shy to recite a verse in English until Pauline attempted to read it in Kinyrwandan, after which she recited it beautifully.

A short drive and we arrived at a very beautiful restaurant surrounded by gardens and greenery where Bishop Nathan assured us we would be able to order 'familiar' food, just one of the numerous restaurants and cafes springing up in the city offering more western food. Sure enough a bowl of chicken stroganoff and rice provided a tasty lunch with Nathan and the Star School team.

A quick stop at CSK school, where Agnes is the headteacher. Our hearts melted when we were shown the sleeping room where the nursery children waiting for parents, could have a drink and a rest before being collected.

We were flagging by this point and were pleased to be driven to St Etienne's guest house where we are staying tonight.

A much needed shower, blog, report and an early night for us.

Sleep well.