Musanze....

Got up quite early today to catch our 7am bus ride through the mountains of Rwanda again, but this time  it was much more pleasant.  The 2 hr bus ride was nothing compared to the 7 hr bus ride yesterday.  This bus driver didn't drive as crazy as the last one. We're getting much more comfortable with making our way around the bus station, with the all the people and craziness. We're learning to be much more assertive when it comes to telling some of the pushy people to back off.  Whereas in Canada, that would be considered so rude.  Don't get me wrong, Rwandans are lovely, welcoming people but a lot of the men on the street wanting to sell you stuff or get you a taxi , etc.... can be VERY pushy. However, once you say no and turn away, most times they back off.

The bus ride through the mountains was beautiful as always, with lush, green forest and loads of banana tree plantations. You can see the plots of farmlands with defined boundary lines, all over the mountains.  Where and how they farm, blows me away because they are literally plowing on the side of the mountains.  When you see the people farming they look like they are vertical. It seems like one little slip and they would go sliding down the side of the mountain.

In Musanze (in the province of Ruhengeri, in Rwanda) we're staying at this neat little hotel called Hotel Muhabura.  Apparently its well known for hosting Dianne Fossey, a famous women who spent years living with and studying gorillas, in the mountains of Rwanda.  She worked for National Geographic back in the late 70s and pushed to stop the poaching of gorillas. Unfortunately ,she was killed in 1985 in those mountains....more than likely by poachers.  

Shortly after we arrived in Musanze, we met with our Compassion Canada host John, to meet Mutoni Aime, which has been Chloe's sponsor sister for approximately 5 years.  It was so exciting!  First, we went to the church where each child, who is enrolled in the Compassion program, goes to weekly.  It's an amazing program that teaches life skills, monitors their health and makes sure they're keeping  up in school. Most importantly, they teach the children about Christ and the Word of God, along with good values, morals and work ethics. I was really impressed with the accountability.  They showed us Mutoni's file and her progress. We then went to Mutoni's home.  She immediately embraced us and her family was so welcoming.  Chloe and Mutoni hit it off right away. It was incredible to see them interact with one another. Mutoni showed Chloe her bedroom and we could hear them talking away, as if there was no language barrier... even though there definitely was.  Chloe gave Mutoni an english Bible with both of their pictures on the inside cover and a dress that fit her perfectly. It looked so lovely on her with her dark complexion (she's wearing it in the picture).  Mutoni lives with 4 of her 11 siblings! It was such a great visit and I believe it will develop a real connection between Chloe and Mutoni with future correspondence.  There is nothing like seeing for yourself, the difference you are making in someone's life, as opposed to just reading about it on paper.

We have 3 more days in Rwanda.  Even though this trip has been an incredible and unforgettable adventure, I sooo miss Dale and the kids!!!!