Lost in Translation

We've completed our first day with readers in Kigali, Rwanda. Our day starts as a driver comes to pick us up from the missionaries' home which is about 15 min. from our work site. On Sunday and car came to the gate and honked, so like the good workers we are we followed directions and got in the car with the driver assuming he would take us to the church for worship. He did not. Instead, he took us to the Hixson's house located near the church. Unfortunately, in our jet-lagged state neither Chuck nor I knew where to go or how to communicate with our driver that we were in the wrong place. Did I mention I left the cell phone at the house (classic Emily style)? Just then, Bryan Hixson (missionary) drove around the corner to our rescue. When he saw the driver that we assumed he had hired Bryan exclaimed, "Who's that guy?" Apparently the original driver had to leave the country and had this other fellow drive in his place. It was all very humorous.

This morning we almost made it to the church as scheduled. I had noticed our driver was driving VERY SLOW. Other cars were whipping around us honking to inform us that our speed was inadequate. I was suspicious at this point. As we drove up the hill to the church the driver randomly came to a stop and then looked at us as if to say "ok, get out now." We pointed up the hill, so he put the car (which had died) in reverse...rolled backwards...turned a bit and then stopped. He turned around once more and very sheepishly said, "Problem", as he pointed to the hood of the car. I was impressed as that was the only English word he had said thus far. Thank God for the blessing of legs and feet. We walked the final 2 blocks up to the church and "randomly" happened to run into a fellow worker form North Richland Hills Church of Christ. God seems to be taking great care of us while making many allowances for laughter in the mean time.

We started out our morning with Psalm 121, and good meditation and prayer verse. It is a huge blessing to remember the Creator of the Universe is protecting us while we are so far from familiar things.

Our reading sessions went well. The readers seem to be very motivated to learn and discuss the bible. Many of them are young men. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work powerfully through us in each of our reading sessions. The sessions start at 8am and end at 7pm. We have a 30 minute lunch break at which time we walk across the street to a school where a meal is prepared for us and other volunteers and church workers.

Bryan and Holly Hixson have told us many stories of how the genocide in Rwanda has altered so many lives. Many of our readers lost family members, and some lost their entire family. If you are interested in reading about the genocide, I'd suggest "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza. I know Katie is reading the book, and Bryan Hixson offered me his copy to read.

We are very blessed to be here!

-Emily

p.s. - I tried to upload a photo of Chuck and his reader without any luck. : ( I'll try again later.