March and April Happenings.

Many things have come and gone since my last posting -- our first kinyarwanda lessons, my birthday, spring break, Paul and Miriam Bock. Since I wasn't on the ball enough to post about all of these events at the time, here is a brief overview of the last six weeks.

LEARNING KINYARWANDA
We've started having two hour lessons on Monday mornings. So far I can't say much and it takes me so long to think of the words I want to say that I don't have too many conversations. Here are some words in Kinyarwanda:

• Muraho = hello/how are you (lit. Are you alive?)
• Muraho neza = Are you well?
• Amakuru = How are you?
• (Ese) umeze neza = Are you well?

• Ndaho (S) / Turaho (P)

• Yego = yes
• Nimeza = good
• Meze neza, ayawe = I’m well, how are you?

LEARNING TO PLAY THE GUITAR
There's an old guitar that someone left here a while ago. I replaced one of the strings, borrowed a beginner's book from David Thomas and started practicing. So far I can only play a few songs and four chords.

VALENTINE’S DINNER

For Valentine’s Day the students decided to treat their parents to dinner. The students made bread, spaghetti, cookies and ice cream. The parents enjoyed both the food and the program put on by the students. The program included readings of original works, songs, the playing of recorders, and much laughter.

OUR FIRST FIELD TRIP

We went on our first field trip in March. We visited a tea factory about an hour and a half away. There we were able to see how the tea was processed — from the picking of the leaves to the bagging of the tea.

SPRING BREAK

Because of the many visitors coming in March and April, we enjoyed a two week vacation. We were able to go to Kibogora on Lake Kivu once again. It was nice to read, rest and relax at such a beautiful place.

VISITORS

Paul and Miriam Bock came to visit the week of April 1 – 8 after spending a week in Burundi. Miriam’s parents were missionaries in Burundi, so she really enjoyed visiting places she remembered as a child, including the Friends cabin at Kumbya.

MY BIRTHDAY

Since my birthday fell during Spring Break (April 4), the students threw me a party on the last day of school. In honor of my 30th birthday, they all brought me 30 of something. Presents ranged from 30 roses to 30 pieces of rice to 30 rubber bands. On my actual birthday we went out for Mexican food, and one of my roomates Bethany made an amazingly delicious chocolate cake.

FIRST RIDE ON A MOTO

I rode on a motorcycle for the first time ever in March. Motos are a common, inexpensive mode of transportation. They’re quite fun too, as long as it’s not raining.