Happy Belated New Year!

Happy 2013 to you! We love and miss you all.

Here is what we've been up to lately. As most of you know, we spent our Christmas together in Zanzibar (an island off the coast of Tanzania).

Couldn't have been more perfect!

Burning through the sunscreen

Zanzibar was absolutely incredible. It’s a must place to visit you ever get the chance (or desire). This vacation was one of those vacations where relaxation was the primary focus. Rachael loves the beach and that’s where most of the time was spent. We did make the effort to walk around historic Stonetown, venture out to “The Rock” restaurant, and go on a highseas Dhow adventure that included seeing dolphins, having a seafood bbq feast and snorkeling. It was also a tale of two hotels. Both were good but they were very different from one another. The first was the Melia (you have to say it with a high brow accent of some sort to get the full effect). It was very nice and this is where we spent Christmas Eve and day. In addition to five restaurants, pool, tennis court, and spa, the Melia had its own private beach. How nice! Yet somehow they didn’t have wi-fi access in the rooms. Oh well, I guess why would you spend your time on the internet while in paradise, unless trying to contact family, on the most important holiday of the year. Fortunately there was internet in the lounge area and we were able to wish both families Merry Christmas over skype and even got to watch them open some presents. Our second place of stay was at the Dongwe Ocean View Hotel. It was not the Melia. However as it turns out, was much more quiet, the staff was friendlier and more personable and we had an equally nice stay. They had Maasai warriors on staff and we were treated to a traditional dance show. Overall, this trip was incredibly refreshing and was a great way to spend a week away, especially not being able to be with friends and family.

Part of the "Lindi" crew...Jambo

The New Year back in Kigali started with a dance party at our friends’ house.  Sharing the dance floor with former Westmont professor Carter Crockett was quite a treat. There have been promises of more dance parties to come! Danny, the Rwandan HOPE Intern and Bridge2Rwanda scholar has moved into the Fujiwara house and we’ve enjoyed having him with us. HOPE also hired a Director of SCA programs, Phil Smith, which should help the overall HOPE SCA network run more smoothly, efficiently, and effectively. Phil has already made it to Rwanda to visit the work of the program. I even had the opportunity to go to Bujumbura, Burundi for a day. After seeing Tanzania and Burundi, I realize how different neighboring countries can be, both culturally and topographically. Erisa is taking a well-deserved extended leave and so that means I’m manning the office with Danny. No fires to put out yet, so I’m thankful for that. Rachael is still at Hagos, but is actively looking for a nursing position once the school year finishes. I’ll let her comment in her own post.

Just your friendly Maasai warriors

Wild Jack...Jackfruit that is 

Oh you know, just us and an old stone fort

Stonetown is known for its ornate doors

Ahhhh

In our home church we are covering the topic of hearing God’s voice/call. At the time confirming the call to come to Africa seemed like a delicate process. Being here now for several months, it seems like that was easy compared to challenge of continuing to hear God’s voice. In some senses it is easy to be in constant communication (like emergency prayers for safety, access to communication, etc.). Yet, these prayers are not the ones where we take the time to be in intentional communion with our Lord. It’s extremely hard to desire that communion when you see so much brokenness all around. The hardest of this was my first visit to the orphanage, where Rachael and our friend Lindsey have been going for a few months now. I had to hold back tears as I wondered how God could allow such beautiful and innocent children to have nothing without any hope of change. I suppose that is why Jesus said to “feed my sheep.”   

Rachael's new friend (wandering around our hotel)

Please continue to pray for us in 2013. Pray for renewed vision and passion for the work God is doing here in Rwanda. Pray that Rachael is able to find the right position. Pray that God really does more than all we can ask or imagine. Thank you so much for your steadfast love, encouragement, and support.