Stakes are on the Ground!

This is a new day for the Kamari Family!

The stakes are in the ground for our new family home.

We will go as far as the money takes us and are praying that God multiplies if miraculously!

Truckloads of sand and gravel were to show up today to start making bricks!

Serge in the middle of our lot.
If you look closely you can see the stakes

Me standing on our road... with the neighbourhood behind

The view from our future front porch

Bumper Cars!

Some days I wish that driving was a real live version of bumper cars - you know the cars that you`d drive at the local amusement park or fair.

There are many times I am driving in Kigali and I just wanted 'RAM' the guy who cuts me off!! ARG!!!

I am just home from such a drive.

Today, I was in a congested intersection and this minibus just HAD to squeeze himself in front of me. Seriously!!! How much advantage does he really get by being in front or behind me??

This is when I want to RAM the guy... you know give him a good little shove!

For what end? I`m not sure. Maybe teach him a lesson or maybe it's just a way to assert my frustration.

To date, my better judgement has always prevailed and I haven't rammed anybody and we still have an intact vehicle to drive!

Log Cabins in Kigali

So my Aunt Clara and Uncle Leonard came to visit us in March. Was a great little visit from them for sure. When I was thinking of them coming and who they are, I knew I needed to get my aunt involved with the women at Ubuzima - an association for those with HIV/AIDS - and their fledgling income generating project of sewing.

My Aunt Clara pieces quilts. I knew that piecing would be a valuable skill for these men and women to possess.

If my memory serves me right, 8 showed up for the four day classes.

That was back in March.

Today I just spent time with Marte and Console to 'tie' a quilt.

They all think I've been doing this for years... thanks to mom for teaching me to sew when I was young, and the opportunities to be part of some quilting bees - I can fake it pretty good! :-)

What I do know is that I need our interns Mark and Mike to make us some quilt frames!

I must say, the two quilts they are working on right now, are looking VERY good.

First Log Cabins in Kigali I'm thinking!

May these two be the first of many orders for them!

Aunt Clara making sure that Bosco is sewing a straight line

Some of them with their first practice patches

Marte (above) and Console (below) working hard on their quilts

Marte's first quilt top finished!

Console's first quilt top almost finished. Two more rows to go

Thank you Aunt Clara and  Uncle Leonard for coming!

( I got some great gardening out of my Uncle Leonard!)

Where the Sidewalk Ends

One thing that I love / live for / look forward to... are garage sales in Kigali.

Never really went to a garage sale when I lived in Canada but here - you can't keep me away!

Most happen when embassy or NGO people leave after their 2 or 3 year contract is finished. Oh the treasures they can have... chocolate chips, books, brown sugar, molasses, DVD's, fajitia seasoning, etc. etc.

I went to one last Saturday between gettting the team settled into painting one of our houses for former street kids and getting them lunch. One of the treasures I found... 'Where the Sidewalk Ends'!

I SO remember getting this book of poems read to me in I don't know what primary grade and then signing it out of the library to read by myself at home. Needless to say I snagged it and when I arrived home to my kids, I promptly sat them down for a poetry reading. 

Nothing like the things that bring my two worlds together.

I am writing these poems

From inside a lion,

And it's rather dark in here.

So please excuse the handwriting

Which may not be too clear.

But this afternoon by the lion's cage

I'm afraid I got too near.

And I'm writing these lines

From inside a lion,

And it's rather dark in here.

By Shel Silversteien

Next garage sale... tomorrow!!

Team coming in tonight!

Ahhhh.... the mad flurry!!

It's just a couple of hours - well, less then two! when our first team of the year arrives. We have FIVE interns on the ground but this will be the first of three teams this year.

Looking forward to having them but oh the rush to get everything done that should be done.

So, why am I taking the time to write this blog - escapism!! Pure and simple. Means it may be one less email I get answered but hey.. sorry if it's yours! My mind needs a bit of a mental break.

So the team is from Ontario, Canada and for all but one, it is their first time to Rwanda and I'm thinking Africa. We always know that God brings us people for a time and a reason so we anticipate what He has for them here. Serge, Alain and I host them but really we're along for the ride as well. It's always fun to see God meets the lives of each individual team member here - rocks their world view, their view of God and themselves. Of course the bless Rwandans in the midst of it all. Brilliant fun as my dear British friends would declare!

Well... I need to run. My digressing must come to an end!

Think I'll tackle getting the kids bathed next!

Happy Birthday Isabel

Isabel is 18 years old today.

She called me last night to make sure that I knew (I did.) It never ceases to amaze me where our kids find the money to call us sometimes! Usually they 'beep' us - let the phone ring once and hang up - which means, call me back. Every once in a while they call. 

I can't believe that Isabel is 18 years old today.

I think this is her real age...

She has been through so much and I probably don't know the half. 

Mother died giving birth to her youngest brother, Father is a complete alcoholic - he sold their house for $9 a couple of years ago and moved out to the village.

Isabel and her two young brothers were the first kids we helped in the street kid program to go into a 'family' home. Their father then decided he needed the kids back - in particular he needed a house girl.

That was over 2 years ago.

 In September 2010, Isabel decided she had enough and came back to the city. 

She is now back in one of our homes along with her youngest brother.

She's back in school - Grade 5, struggling but putting in effort - and being tutored by one of our interns.

And she's happy! The picture above was taken last week at Vincent's wedding. 

Oh... and on Sunday, she got baptized.

Isabel is 18 years old today and I am believing that she will continue to grow into the women she was created to be.

(PS She should have fun tonight.. the interns are taking her out for dinner!)