The baboons had other plans.
Yes, the baboons. I awoke early in the morning to the sound of them running on my roof. You see, during the genocide the lodge at Akagera was abandoned. No one hid there because it would have been too obvious and no tourists were coming in at that point. For about 5 years the baboons had the lodge to themselves. They have not exactly gotten the memo that they no longer run the place. The lodge is really open and they will run up and down the staircases, sit on balconies, and try to get in the rooms. In one room the ladies somehow did not shut their door the entire way. A baboon got in, but all he took was her nasal spray-I kid you not. The baboons even have their own pool, though they apparently like the people pool as well. There is also a swing set at the lodge, and some people say it was built for the baboons. The only issue is, these guys like shiny things. A number of the people on our team were chased by baboons who wanted their shiny cameras. And they are not sweet, but quirky little guys like Rafiki on The Lion King-they've got some pretty freaky fangs.
 |
| They don't keep their pool nearly as clean as the people do |
We ate breakfast at the lodge and then packed up to head back to Kigali. Along the drive back we stopped at a school that the pastor we met on Sunday runs, the market, and a vocational school where ladies were learning to sew and were finishing some bags we had ordered. Apparently they sell these bags in places like Macy's here in the US and they buy them from these ladies. It was really neat to meet them, see the process, and then have a bag I could take home.
After all of those stops we made it back to the hotel-3 hours late for dinner. We ate and then had some time of worship and prayer with our team as well as Justin, a really neat guy who lives in the Village of Hope, and the head chef from Hotel Des Mille Collines and his wife. One of the ladies on our team, Debbie, bought a foreclosed house with her husband a few years ago, fixed it up, and now has a Rwandan family living in it. The man's brother is the head chef at the hotel and so it was so cool to get to meet he and his wife. It was really sweet for Debbie.
Worshiping all together was amazing. Justin played guitar for us and sang and the other gentleman sang as well. I found myself crying when I heard Justin singing The Desert Song having heard a little of his story earlier. I was continually struck by the strength of the faith of some of the people that I met while I was there and Justin was one of them.
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hillsong/the_desert_song.html ]
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow
By Hillsong United
No comments:
Post a Comment