Improvement

Life seems to be getting into a pattern. We’ve been here six weeks, and less things each day take us by surprise. Last week was pretty good – fairly social with two birthdays, a new acquaintance (a missionary G.P. from Kigali) who joined us for dinner twice – once on the balcony and once in the kitchen, a couple of British med students working at the hospital, and the arrival of Bishop Nathan back from America.

Also, our Visas were approved! We went out to dinner to celebrate. Being legal in the country feels like quite a milestone, and after talking to others we get the impression that ours came through relatively easily (only five or six visits to Kigali – a two hour drive each way, and a single late fine).

Yesterday we went for a long walk and got a lovely surprise when a local troop of monkeys crossed the road before us. They were very cute! Especially the little ones. When we looked up we noticed that a whole crowd had gathered…to watch us. We felt a bit like monkeys then! We continued down one of the ever bending roads, all of which skirt around Rwanda’s thousand hilltops, taking in the stunning, lush green scenery.

Some days this week I felt really happy, walking around with a spring in my step and a ready smile. Others I’ve felt quite low. Today is a low day when things seem harder than they are. Six weeks down, how many more until the emotional roller coaster of this move to Africa levels out? Quite a few months more.

Meanwhile, I am learning a couple of things. To be thankful that God is constant in the midst of so much change. Will loves that too. It makes him smile. And now that so many gaps have been made in my ‘friend life’, it’s a good time to fill that up somewhat with God. I should have prioritised Him better before, but I didn’t. And the thing about relying more on God is that the foundations of my life will be so much firmer. No matter where I go, or what happens to me, He will stay the same and His part in my life will be the constant. I miss my family and friends. I will never have to miss God.