7.28.2014

One week. That is the time remaining for living in Rwanda. We’ve pretty much wrapped up all the packing and logistics and now it’s just down to the hard part:  the goodbyes. Words really cannot describe or explain the experience we have had these past 26 months. Memories of leaving the U.S. to come to Rwanda came flooding back yesterday and it was really hard to believe that any time had passed at all. The best part is we really leave with a sense of completeness that now is the time we were meant to leave. The scariest part of leaving Rwanda is not knowing where or what we’re going back to. Of course we are excited to be reunited with family and friends, but five months of job hunting have led to very little at this point. The search continues, but could settle us in a few different spots. Hopefully, we will be able to update you on the final destination soon. Anyway, enough about going back to the U.S.;  since this will probably be the last post from Rwanda, let us give you some highlights from our time here.
1.       Living in Africa with Beau and having complete strangers act like he’s the first baby they’ve seen in a month. Beau has enjoyed this and will miss the attention  J
2.       Watching people dance for joy, because they are truly filled with joy
3.       Hearing about how lives have been transformed through simple ideas and God’s love
4.       The beauty that is the “Land of a Thousand Hills”
5.       Trips to Zanzibar and Cape Town
6.       Being the first “white” people to visit our guard’s village (and of course meeting his entire family)
7.       Having a nice tan year-round
8.       Freshly laid eggs from our chicken
9.       Passion fruit and really sweet, little bananas, huge avocados for 30 cents, fresh pineapple for less than a dollar, the list goes on…
10.   Exotic wildlife everywhere
11.   Seeing incredibly large objects being carried on the top of people’s  heads
12.   Garrett getting to play ultimate frisbee twice weekly and Rachael getting daily, long walks with Beau
13. Building unforgettable relationships with friends here
on Camp's Bay beach for a early morning walk
These are just a few, but hopefully they give you a little taste of our life here. Sure, there have been some hard things and hard times, but the good is what we want to remember and cherish. We feel so blessed by the experience we’ve been able to have here and want to thank you for sharing in it with us. Rwanda will always live in our hearts.
Our sweet baby Beau- 6 months old
we love Cape Town!

beautiful sunsets in Cape Town- an amazing first trip with Beau




Beau's first time in the ocean

Beau and Bernard's son, Fabrice meeting for the first time

Garrett with some kids from Bernard's village

making the long hike up to Bernard's house
the many kids who came out to receive clothing (in front of Bernard's house)
some of the kids from the village and their new clothes (that were brought over by Garrett's mom)
Garrett and family on safari


special mornings with his Muti, reading books 
Garrett's family (minus Graham) came to visit Rwanda!-- all of us at Inzu Lodge in Gisenyi

"day in the village" (through Azizi Life) weaving with a cooperative of women



Beau with our dear housecleaner, Clementine

with some of the local wildlife

Camp's Bay Beach with daddy
a beach baby


more fun in Cape Town