Traditional Wedding

Here in Rwanda weddings are a very big celebration. There are three parts: civil, traditional, ceremony (in that order).

Dorah's (my house-mate) best friend, Alice, had her traditional wedding today. I got a chance to go. This is when the groom's family asks the bride's family for her hand in marriage. They often offer cows, wine or money for the bride. They wear a traditional dress as well.

Me, Kaitlyn (an intern), Alice (the bride), Dorah (my house-mate)

Met some Kids!

I went to Kayonza that is the village where the school is going to go. I was able to talk to two families that have children with special needs. One child is deaf and the other is mentally handicap but high functioning. I got a great idea of who the child is and how they function at home.

The other kids in neighborhood are not nice to the children with special needs but in my short time there I was able to push back the stigma that having a disability is not bad. We are all created with a purpose and in God's image so be nice to everyone.


This is where the school is going to go!!

Tips for Moto Rides

There is public transportation here; bus, taxi, moto (motorcycle), bicycle.

The best way to travel to and from my house is by moto.

Tips:

1) hsss like a snake and wave hello like you would to a baby

2) try your best to pronounce the neighborhood you are going to

3) say 'you know ____' insert big land mark they might know

4) confirm cost (you can haggle a little)

5) take helmet and get on

6) hold on to the bar behind you (not the driver)

Because I am a female and I am white the moto drivers tend to drive a little safer with me on the bak but I do not mind that at all.

My Room

Here is a video of my room.

Click here: My Room in Rwanda

Enjoy!

Meet Dorah

This is Dorah. She is my house mate. Dorah is a few years older than me and works for the company in Rwanda that imports and exports goods. Along with her full time job she is going to school to get a degree in business. She attends the church I go to and really loves the Lord. I am excited (and lucky) to be her house mate.

Maddy Made it Safe!!!!

Maddy just called - she is safely in Rwanda - Picked up by Jen (thanks) and they took her many, many bags to her new home - Now they are at Church for end of Day camp!!!

Maddy will get a phone and internet soon - and will be posting then - but I wanted everyone to know she is there safe!!!! She slept a lot on flights and is not exhausted from travels so can enjoy the day!

Thanks everyone for all the prayers - it is hard to watch your daughter follow God so far from home but so proud of all she has done and is doing - Please post comments to her when you can so she knows how much she is loved and supported!!!!

Have a Happy Day! Sandy

Lots of Bags

~ 8 bags at 50lb each are being checked

~ 2 bags are coming with me

~ And pictures of my family and friends

I think I might be ready to move to Rwanda! Crazy!! I cannot believe it is already time.

I have been talking about moving to Africa since I was in 6th grade and in 10hrs I will be on my way. Africa...here I come.

One More Day!?

Thank you for all of the encouragement that you all have shown.

After two days of errands, one tank of gas, and five suitcases I am finally finished with my 'to do' list. Hurray!

Even though my stomach is in knots I am very excited to make the move to Africa!

Send Off

Today is a big day!

My church family prayed for what God is having me do in Rwanda.

Family and friends are coming over to say good bye.

It will be great to see everyone but will be hard to say good bye. With God's strength we can do it together.

Jr. Highers

The Jr. Highers at Bloomingdale Church are Awesome! They are very supportive of what God has called me to do in Rwanda.
Hannah and Kaitlyn even made pants saying they are praying for me!

Going to miss you guys!

Packing Already??

Yep, that's right!

I have stated packing for Africa.

It is a big task moving to another country and I am not sure if 2 weeks is enough time to pack but I will take what I can and leave or get ride of the rest.

Well, I have not actually put things into bags yet but I have started to stage my belongs to decide what stays and what goes......in other words I am making a big mess of all my stuff :)

Home Again

I am back home from Alaska and hit the ground running.

For those of you that do not know, my sister had brain surgery this past week. The doctors took out the part of her brain that was causing her to have seizures. She woke up after the surgery and is doing very well. After a week in the hospital she came home today!

There will be a recovery period; learning a few things over again but, she is doing great.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for her. Please continue to keep Mallory in your prayers.

Mallory and Me

Maddy Face

You may or may not know but there is a silly face named after me. Yep, that's right, it is called The Maddy Face.And after just a few days with Lexi she learned the Maddy Face! She is so cute :D

Up in the Mountains

This is the plane I got to fly in: My uncle flew it and I was the co-pilot. I even got to fly for a few minutes!
We flew through the mountains. It was beautiful!

Snow...

Grass...
Glacier...

It was so cool!! Thanks Uncle Steve!!

Ely the Eagle

This is my uncle's Golden Eagle named Ely. No, you cannot just go to the store and buy an eagle; you have to have a license and trap one from the wild. My uncle has had Ely for 19 years (that is most of my life). Today I finally got the courage to hold him!

That is right, I am holding a Golden Eagle named Ely. (he is 13lbs and standing on my arm!)

Lexi!

This is Lexi...She is my cousin Amy and Andy's daughter. She loves me! Lexi is 21 months and she can say my name!! It may sound like Manny but that is ok.

I love her :)

Off to Alaska

I am on my way to Alaska!

I have family and friends that live in Alaska. It will be nice to see them all!!

We get to spend 4th of July together.

Last Paper....Done!

I just finished my last paper for my online class!

This was the last portion of the training with International Teams and it is completed.

That means I am done with papers...at least for a while :) Woot!

June Newsletter

The June Newsletter has gone out. If you would like to receive newsletters via email let me know.

Shots!

I got my last shots for Africa!
No more shots for me... well... until 2013