A Summer break

A brief entry today as I'm busier than usual.....but not too busy for a five o'clock G n T.

So 19th June flew to Portugal with a stopover at Gatwick and early flight to Faro on the 20th, met by Kevin and Cynth and directly to begin renewing driving licence, then to DR then home. Phew!!!

Enjoyed 10 days at the house, continuing to pack stuff and visit with friends.  Had a lovely birthday and special lunch with dear friends.Then on 1st July to Gatwick for another overnight stop.  Rhon managed to join me for dinner and night, then I flew early to Malaga and Rhon returned home in time for hospital visiting time.

Hovered at Malaga airport until 3 of us heading for the retreat at Los Olivos met up and were taken to the Sierra Nevada.  Great retreat as usual with lovely people.  Last time at Los Olivos as the boys have sold the property, so a little sadness.

The Friday a late flight to Gatwick, another sleepover then a Bus to Bournemouth to spens a couple of days with my sister, which was lovely.  Tuesday bus to Gatwick and flight that evening to Kigali.

Confess to watching the Tour de France each afternoon, wifi permitting!!

Last piece of news.......I have sold the house, at least promissory signed and deposit received.  The end of another era, but looking forward to buying the house next to Sarah.

Must away, a church meeting in in hour or so.  Roll on 5 o'clock.

Busy and stressful 2 months.

You are aware I'm sure that I'm a person who doesn't usually get stressed, but April was really difficult.  The lease was due to end 31 May at the house in Nyarautarama, I couldn't afford to stay there so needed to find accommodation elsewhere.....fortunately, have become rather anxious I was offered a house share in a furnished abode, with staff to do everything except cook, lovely garden, big secure compound and across Kigali close to the Cathedral and All Saints Rebero which saves a lot on petrol.

The stress levels rose as I attempted to sell all the furniture, it is difficult selling stuff here and trying to get a decent price.  Several pastors are paying in installments!  Of course I have to send what is Marcie's to the US.  I'll send what's owed to her this week, and will collect what's due as and when the pastors have the money.....could take a while.
Meanwhile, I had to move the leftovers to my new house.  My good chum Theo found me a removal truck.

Apo at the old house kept changing her mind as to what she wanted to do after I left, this varied from staying put and working for yje owner to asking for 2 iron sheets to roof a house elsewhere, the latter grew like topsy to the expectation of me building her a house for £3000!!!!   I gave her the furniture I couldn't sell and a generous lump sum.

But there we are, such is life.  This house is lovely, good company here, there are 2 houses in the compound originally in '94 inhabited by an ambassador in one and the charge d'affairs in the other.  It has a huge verandah which is very pleasant, fibre wifi which is so good I can watch UK TV, and good hot water and is cheaper than the other house.

Lovely mature garden and Joseph the gardener picks a huge bouquet for us each week.

So what with moving  I haven't actually done much.  It being Kwibukah there are commemoration walks and services, I walked with Cathedral people round our area where several pastors and members of the cathedral were slaughtered in the genocide against Tutsis.  It was very moving, as was the service at which 2 young members of the cathedral spoke, 3 years old when orphaned.

A few weeks ago we had a special lunch at Rebero after the service with gifts for the departing clergy and to welcome Josiah and me.

The lady in blue is the head of laity 

We often have visitors from around the world who come to preach, which is great.   A couple of weeks ago we had a pastor from Canada, whom I had previously met at an Anglican Mission Conference in the US

A new museum was opened last December at the parliament building depicting the military offensive to free Rwanda from the genocidaires and government forces.  It is an excellent installation, as are all the museums here.  I went with my friend Katy and her husband,it took 2 hours to go round.  I wish I'd been aware of it when Wil was here.

In memory of all who perished

The parliament building still bears the wounds of attack.  The gun on the roof is a bronze of the one used during the defense.

Nakumatt, previously the major supermarket is under administration and has closed at City Tower, the branch at Union Trade Centre has hardly any stock and runs with 50% lighting.  The cabinets are empty, it's very sad.

We have quite a lot of visitors at this house, mostly involved with the university, so it's quite interesting, and we have a number of dinners with good conversation.

Tomorrow we have the enthronement of the new archbishop, have to be at the venue for 7.30 although the service doesn't begin until 9 and I guess it will last several hours.

On the 19th I'm flying to Portugal via London for a week or so, I have to renew my driving licence and see to a few things, then July 1st to Gatwick, July 2nd to Malaga, hopefully with Rhonwen for a week at Los Olivos Retreat, so a busy couple of weeks ahead.

Up to date.  Back soon.

Lions, eles and a leopard Part 2

Sarah and Wil returned by bus from Gisenyi on the Wednesday of Holy Week in time to have an enjoyable evening with Katy, they're talking of climbing Kilimanjaro next year and Katy's husband has a lodge there.

As you'd expect the next few days were mainly involved with church, also dealing with a flooded house.  The rains here have been dreadful with over 200 killed.  Our roof leaked quite badly so I'm glad I'm out of there now.
I did have some Easter things to put in the house so it looked quite joyful. 

Sarah cooked a delicious roast chicken dinner, it was so very good!  And enough succulent meat for sandwiches the next day when we headed for QE Park in Uganda with Peter Safari.

So another early start in the dark, I wondered where we were going as on the way out of Kigali I couldn't recognize anything!  Turned out instead of driving to Musanze and crossing the border north of there, we took a more direct road north and crossed at Gatuna.  Interesting to see the tea bushes run by local co-operatives, sadly looking rather poor compared to the big tea plantations.  We drove by the largest company's plantations which stretch for miles, and they use electric sheers to cut the leaves...I'll stick with Sorwathe who pick the best leaves from each bush.

We arrived in good time at Bush Lodge, a staff turnover since I was last there, really helpful and friendly staff who showed us a hippo who'd taken up residence at the lodge.

He was fast asleep thankfully!  Apparently he was the dominant male in the local pod, but

now injured and has been turfed out.

One of the staff took us for a wander to a hippo pool, lots of hippos enjoying themselves

Frankolin eggs, quite large for a small bird. Laid in open sandy rocky ground for camouflage.

So we settled into our tents then enjoyed some wine and crispy snacks on my verandah before dinner and watched the sunset.

 It was raining intermittently so dinner inside the dining tent, then to bed with wildlife noises during the night....hyena, bush pig, hippos, lion,cape buffalo.

 The following day, Easter Tuesday we left early with Peter driving and an excellent local guide called Iris, and once again saw eles  and then quite a few lions, both on the ground and in the trees.

An antelope skeleton I think

Locals carry very wide things on bikes

After the early morning exertions we were taken to a village for some tat shopping, African tea and rolex...these are chapattis with an omelette containing onion, tomato and pepper in. Omelette rolled inside chapatti.  Wil and I asked for one, Sarah stoutly declaring she didn't want one!  A third was brought, she was still saying she didn't want one.... but scoffed it faster than the speed of light!

Rolex maker

After dropping Iris back at the office we drove down to the start of the channel at Lake Edward, parked up and went to talk with the fishermen.  Hundreds of birds gathered along the shore snacking on the guts etc from the overnight catch.

Then back to Bush Lodge, a packed lunch and a quiet time before collecting Iris once again and heading back to the plains.  Iris was looking unsuccessfully for leopard, so we gave up and looked for lions.....plenty!  And we happened on a hunt between 5 lions and some buffalo. It looked as though the lions turfed the buffalo out of a wallow, but the buffalo turned on the lions and chased them, then the lions stopped and faced off the buffalo.  They all looked at each other for several minutes before calling it a day for the time being.  We watched them for ages.

Back to Bush Lodge encountering a number of elephants on the way.

We retired to the tents for the night, I was conscious of a chomping sound right at my tent, being alone I didn't venture forth, but when the chomping moved to the Wilcox tent Sarah and Wil went outside and found the hippo munching away.  He was so busy grazing that he paid no attention to them even when they took pics and the flash went off

The following morning we had a more leisurely start.

A drive to the Equator , naturally.

Then to a place where the Queen and Prince Philip toured some years ago, it was tipping it down which was a pity as we couldn't see the craters too well on this crater drive, but saw lots of eles in the distance.

Lunch at nice resort then boat trip down the channel.  Thankfully weather ok now, in fact hot and sunny. 

The boat kept going in close to pod of hippos and we felt distressed them.  This mum and baby took to the shore.  We weren't happy about the tactic.  Of course a number of tourists were cheering etc.

There were a lot of crocs on the bank, mouths open to cool themselves.  We also say several monitor lizards.

Fishing boats ready to sail in the evening.  Brown Ibis....noisy birds

Open Beaked Stork, yes that's it's name 

At last dinner outside, very pleasant evening.  The channel in the background.  It's natural not a man made canal.

Next day it was back to Kigali, and on Friday some final tat shopping for Sarah and Wil at Abraham Konga, one of my favourite shops.

Saturday was the first day of Kibuka, the memorial period for the Genocide against Tutsis.  We went south to a fish farm and delicious tilapia lunch.  It's a very interesting place to visit, learning how they harvest the eggs, fertilize and grown them on.

Sunday church as per usual, then after coffee at the Marriott to show Sarah and Wil the house I'm moving to.

Sarah and Wil left late the next evening.  So back to normal!

Lions, eles and a leopard

Sarah and Wil arrived earlyish on the 16th March, so having dumped the luggage we went to Java House for a hearty breakfast.  Then chilled because they'd had very little sleep, especially Sarah who'd been travelling since the 14th

Spent Saturday doing not a lot except sorting stuff to go to Akagera on the Monday As I mentioned in the previous post the church was closed, I had prepared for a service in case,so actually didn't have work to do.
I think we went to Sakae for dinner, which was nice but Wil didn't enjoy as much as I thought he would. 
Sunday we attended the Cathedral in the morning and had a jolly time at the Marriott enjoying coffee after the service then I left Sarah prepping our picnic etc for the next day whilst I went to take the service at Gikondo in the afternoon.
Sarah and Wil like to play cards so I was reminded how to play rummy and I enjoyed that, we played a lot during their visit.

Next day we set off for Akagera at 5 arriving nice and early and collected George our guide, it had been very wet and consequently everything was rather muddy, no sign of big creatures but the birds are always worth spotting, we did see a tortoise and mongoose plural? and eventually some elephants, but the lions and rhino are elusive as ever.  Peter did manage to get the car stuck in the mud!!

We did the sunset cruise, sadly no sun !  But an enjoyable time, just us and the very knowledgeable guide.
Pleasant evening, drinks and dinner.

Tuesday a later start after breakfast and a few hours safari drive with Peter, then a quiet time by the pool, Wil swam but Sarah and I just chilled on a sunbed with a cold beer and perfect chips!
Then a night safari, again just us.  Emmanuel the guide, we had a good sighting of a bushbaby. 

Then we got stuck in the mud up to rear axle. 

 Seeing we were looking for leopards I thought it was a bit dodgy getting out of the truck!  anyway an hour later help arrived and pulled us out.  Off went the helping truck and phoned back a leopard was on the road, we took off (in a big landcruiser safari vehicle ) in a start which wouldn't disgrace Lewis Hamilton, hanging on for dear life.  Reached the other vehicle and of course leopard gone, so back to the Lodge with Emmanuel saying we'd get a refund, when another call....the leopard's back shall we go?  Definitely!   Again at F1 speed we reached the other truck....leopard hiding....but then he wandered back onto the road and sauntered off ahead of us.  not brill pics, but we saw one at last.

Needless to say we declined the refund, I had more fun that evening than I'd had in a long time.

Wednesday we returned to Kigali which was uneventful, however the heads of African countries were here...all the roads were blocked, tried to get into town and ended up circumnavigating the city....ended up at the German Butchers for coffee and samosas (Wil's favourite) and came home.  
The next day managed to get into town and after visiting District office in Kicukiro to try and get church re-opened met up with Sarah and Wil at UTC for coffee.  Then to Davy to get my wifi sorted, to Ubwama Hotel which has a fab view over the city.  Then back to Davy and Got Wil sorted with wifi which he can use anywhere.

Saturday sent Wil and Sarah north with Eric for a few days whilst I concentrated on church.

I'll finish here and continue on the next post.

Oh dear! Tempus has well and truly fugited!

Apologies galore.  Time has well and truly got away from me.  I'll attempt to catch up.

Firstly, the Candlemas service and get together for the retired pastors.  I have to say they all enjoyed it, I had candles a plenty both in the service and at the lunch....and on the altar!  Don't usually have candles here.

Unfortunately the following week I was somewhat unwell, and decided to go to Portugal while Sarah was there.  I was really feeling stressed about several things, unusual for me, so the break did me good.  I spent the days clearing out my wardrobe and several cupboards.  A lot more to tackle though which I'll do in the summer.  A number of people have viewed my house, one offer of half the asking price!  I turned that down.

Then I went back to Hereford with Sarah to see the family and got caught in the snow!  Couldn't get to Gatwick but fortunately Rwandair transferred me to a flight the following week for admin fee of £50 so not too bad.

Then it it was countdown to Easter, I was preaching each week and teaching 3 days in Holy Week so rather busy preparing.....then ......the church building, along with about 7000 others in Rwanda was closed for a number of reasons.  Life was uncertain for weeks as I didn't know what I'd be doing and where.  I did hold 2 services in one of the churches allowed to remain open, but it was all a bit hit and miss!  Well at least I have next year's Palm Sunday service ready!  I gave out palm crosses which I'd made and everyone was thrilled and wants them next year.  I'd got the palms from Akagera Lodge when there with Sarah and Wil the previous week.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday I attended the services at the cathedral, getting very wet at the footwashing!  I was looking forward to Easter Day at the cathedral but at 9.15 the night before received a message to say the Mayor had called and the church could be used in the morning.  Thank goodness I was prepared!  However folk didn't know and I had 6 adults and 12 children, no Sunday school stuff, it was a difficult service you can imagine.

But I managed to get the Easter Day service from Sheffield Cathedral to watch when I got home....and finished with Thine be the glory....thank goodness.

I'm happy to say this Sunday's service was back to being normal with a good input from Friend of Jesus Choir.  And I had the lay leader preach as it was the first Sunday of Kwibuka, the time of remembrance for the genocide against Tutsi, and he did very well.

So Sarah and Wil have been with me for nearly a month and I'll write of our adventures in the following blog.

I have furnished accommodation in a great place to move to atthe end of April and then I'll sell all the stuff in the present house.

Keep tuned.

Tempus fugit

Oh dear!  Doesn't time fly when you're having 'fun' ?  So sorry for the delay in blogging, now where was I?  Goodness, 2 weeks ago!

Happily the first service at the new All Saints was ok, I mostly sat it out as a lay leader was preaching etc, without being critical I saw where slight changes could be made and implemented them the following week.  The pastor's fellowship in the evening was enjoyable and I had an excellent translator. Archbishop Rwaje was present, also retired archbishop Kolini and all of us were able to catch up with friends not seen for some time, in my case with Joas who greeted me enthusiastically....that means a huge hug, after 7 years.

I chose an assortment of hymns for the 14th, 2 unknown by the congregation, I'd downloaded to iphone and we plugged into amp and managed it reasonably well.  We used the same hymns this last Sunday also to familiarise them.  The choirs from the Kinyawanda service have been asked to attend the English service taking it in turns, but this Sunday the choir didn't show.  At present without the choir we have about 20 adults and 16 children... a lot of the children come on their own.  There are no facilities or teachers for Sunday School, but I've instigated an area in the church for the children to colour and do puzzles whilst the sermon is on and so far all is good.  The children end the service by shoing what they've done, not much telling as yet...they're a bit shy.  Then they sing a song, and this week as we finished a little early I taught them 'Thank you Lord for this new day'  Second verse next week.  I am thinking about which children's program is best suited for our situation.

After the service Marcie and I went into the parish house to measure etc, and came to the conclusion that it really isn't suitable for me, so I shall look for another house to rent after May....and as cheap as possible!

Marcie returns to the US this Thursday, and the other 2 midwives who've been staying here have one more week then I'll be on my own again for a few weeks. 

I'm quite excited today:  on FB there was a new closed group for crafters in Rwanda, naturally I responded, and have found a quilter already!

Today I have a meeting with the Bishop to finalise the service requirements for Candemas. 
Oh yes, last week our new Archbishop was elected, he is from  Musanze, Shyria diocese in Northern Province.

All for now....must leave for work.  Heavier traffic as the schools went back on Monday.

All Saints + All Saints = a lot of saints!

Well, here I am back in Rwanda, enjoyed a splendid 2 weeks in the UK and managed to see most of the family.  We had an early Christmas dinner on the 17th before Wil left for Mozambique the following day and Jack headed off to New York for Christmas.  Rhonwen travelled from Norwich to Hereford that day to spend just one night with me, it was great to have a good 'catch up', she left the next day, and after I'd had my hair seen to Sarah drove me to Bournemouth to see my sister and family. The next day we set off on the return trip to Hereford stopping at Tesco in Shaftsbury to buy another turkey etc ready for Christmas day dinner....we did contemplate having something different but the familiar won!
Wednesday we looked after the twins as Giv was working and took them to the garden centre, always popular as there are fish to look at.  Thursday  another splendid day; train to Birmingham, met up with Angela, potter around the German Market and a quick mulled wine.   Then to Purnells where we collected Kaye and Emily and enjoyed the most delicious and perfect lunch, well it does have a Michelin star .  When I said I enjoyed watching Glynn on Saturday Kitchen from the middle of Africa he just had to have his pic taken with us.

Left Kaye and Em in a bit of a rush as Angela, Sarah and I went to the Jersey Boys at the theatre, brilliant as ever....Sarah and I had seen it on Broadway, it's such a good show.  Friday I had a flu jab and then took the boys to see Santa, Max brave, Lincoln hid in mummy! 

Saturday we went to the Festival of Lessons and Carols at Hereford Cathedral, bliss.  So Christmas Eve we went to church 3 times!  Morning service, Blessing the Crib to which we took Max and Lincoln, Max quite interested until he discovered a toy corner!  The service lasted about 20 minutes which is perfect with little ones who are not used to church yet.  Then Sarah and I went to Midnight Mass

So to the big event, Christmas , which was reasonably chaotic as you'd expect, and little boys who wanted to unwrap everyone's pressies. The rest of the week was quite quiet thankfully as I prepared for my return to Kigali. 
You'll be glad to know that Tim and Tinker have settled in at Sarah's ok, although Tink still somewhat demented...they're not keen on Win the dog when he visits.

Kigali
So, a good trip back Bristol-Amsterdam, overnight in airside hotel, then to Kigali, and Bosco met me so soon arrived at the house. But oh dear a fuse had blown and the fridge was off, how long I don't know but I had to bin and clean it straight away.Being somewhat innovative I ran an extension in from the lounge and got fridge working again

Now I can fill you in on my new post.  I had to tell Sarah before going public.  The Bishop has put me in charge of the English service at a parish church across the city.   Naturally I shall work with the senior pastor who thankfully will handle all the legalities incurred when you are incumbent, as well as heading up the English service I shall be involved with the Kinyawanda service and anything else that crops up.

Must take a better pic, usually holds about 350 folk  with more chairs if needed.

Hence, the day after I arrived back we had the handover which lasted over 3 hours plus 1 hr travelling total and African timekeeping.  Sunday I went to Morning service at the cathedral, but stayed home in the evening when the watchnight service was on as I didn't fancy driving around Kigali in the early hours, also it was a filthy night with heavy rain for hours.
New Year's Day: English service at new parish, told to be there before 8....I was but no-one else!  Anyway eventually got started. and then archdeacon arrived and we had Kinyawanda service and Pastor Josias and I were inducted, glad to get home after 6 hours.

Tuesday, a meeting with the lay leadership of the church....4 hours! and all in Kinyawanda!
Then Wednesday a meeting with another group, or was that Thursday?  I have no idea!
Anyway the rest of the week I've been working at the cathedral on the Diakonia Ministry and nearly have that sorted. Tomorrow I'm preaching at the English service, assisting at the Kinyawanda, then we have a council meeting....how long I wonder!  Then to Cathedral for evening service and there is apparently a pastors' fellowship gathering to attend.  As it's the first Sunday in the month the main roads are closed from 7am so I shall have to leave the house at 6.30, I'll go to the Marriott for a coffee and Danish before heading to Rebero Church.

Marcie was supposed to arrive back tomorrow for a couple of weeks but her flight was cancelled due to the polar vortex, and she won't get here now till Wednesday.

Why the equation title of this post?  Well, having left All Saints in the Algarve, I find my new church is All Saints also.  Coincidence?