I tried really hard...!

I love Mondays!  I realize that is a strange thing to say, but it is true.  Monday tends to be a relaxing day for us here in the Ntiganzwa household.  Because of all the "work" at the church, Sunday is not so much a day of rest for us, so Monday is a welcome time of rest, getting things done around the house, studying, and preparing lessons (I teach English at the church and Appolinaire is teaching a Bible class).
So here's what happens when a pregnant woman spends the day at home studying Kinyarwanda all day and the electricity goes off (which means no fan!)...

I could not stand the heat in the house so I set up my little mat outside under the big tree in the front of our house.

A nice cup of juice with ice!

Okay, so I got distracted from studying a few times :)

Beautiful bush that the bees love!

I did get some studying done and I throughly enjoyed the nice breeze and the beauty of the outdoors in the process!  Thank you God for a beautiful day!

Random thoughts...

So I figure it is time for a new post.  But honestly, I am not sure what to write about.  All my thoughts have been rather random lately so this will probably end up being just that...random thoughts by Valerie.

Late Thursday night the electricity went out and so I barely got any sleep.  Since being pregnant, I have become rather dependent upon my fan for a good night sleep.  Even with the fan, I toss and turn and moan and groan with each turn...my poor husband!  I can hardly imagine what it will be like in a month or two!  Even with the size of my stomach now, sleeping is not easy...how will it be when I am really huge?!  Well, I will worry about that when the time comes I guess. 
The electricity stayed off until Friday evening, causing me to reflect on how dependent we (people in general) are on electronics.  We don't have a TV so that is not an issue.  It was during the day, so light was no problem.  I don't cook with electricity, so even that was not disturbed.  Do you know what gave me a tough time (besides my fan)?  The computer!  I hardly knew what to do with myself, not being able to do my ritual facebook check in the morning!  I felt a bit "disconnected" with the world to say the least.
However, by the end of the day I realized that I tend to be more productive without electricity.  My husband went to the church early in the morning and spent the whole day there.  I joined him for the service in the afternoon.  But I spent the whole morning at home, without electric, and I got so much more accomplished!  It turned out to be a great day, but I wasn't complaining when the electric came back on in the evening, in time for a good night sleep!
Next random thought...African women are amazing!  Since being pregnant in Africa, I have reflected a lot on the life of women here in Rwanda.  Can I just say, these Rwandan women deserve some kind of award!  Being pregnant is not easy on your body to say the least, and I watch as these precious women walk long distances carrying a huge jug of water on their heads while carrying a baby on their back.  One day I say a mama get off the taxi.  She was pregnant, had another baby on her back, a huge basin of tomatoes on her head and another sack of more tomatoes stacked on top of that!  I was exhausted just looking at her!  I feel so blessed that at least when I feel tired and my back is aching, I can lay down for a few minutes knowing that I have a helper at home who is cleaning my house and working on cooking lunch!  Thank you Jesus for that! 
Many many people here have house helpers.  It is a very common thing in fact.  But not for those who are poor or jobless.  I sat in the church yesterday, with tears in my eyes, looking around me at all the precious women who had come to pray.  They are poor, most of them are simple farmers, doing what they can to grow something to sell at the market or raising a few goats.  Three of them were holding babies and I knew they had other children, perhaps many other children, waiting for them at home.  You know the thing that gets me?...they are so skinny!  I watched this one sweet mama trying to nurse her baby and I had to wonder how she was even able to produce enough milk for her baby because she, herself looked rather malnourished.

Life is hard for  women here, especially those living in the rural.  The village where our church is has no good water source.  That is one of the reasons that we couldn't live there (besides we weren't able to find a house for rent there anyway).  The people have to walk very far, way down into the valley to get water.  And speaking of electricity... they have none. 
Anyway, all this reflecting has made me realize that I really want to help these women at the church to find a way to better their lives and the lives of their families.  I am throwing around all kinds of ideas...getting someone to come a teach them how to sew or make jewelry to sell (maybe to my family and friends in America next time we come to visit?), raising goats or rabbits, starting a garden or providing seeds for them to cultivate...so many ideas in my head.  I think I will try to meet with them soon and see what ideas they have. There has to be a way to "take a little pressure off" so to speak.  Especially for those who are widows and trying to raise children on their own.  There has to be some hope!  God help me to help them find some HOPE!

Enjoying the Goodness of the Land!

Chapatti!

Tomatoes with Italian seasoning!

Fresh Avocado!

Onions!

Gouda cheese...made in Rwanda!

Passion Fruit!

Small bananas...even sweeter than regular bananas!

We walked to the market today!  I absolutely LOVE buying fresh fruits and veggies! So this was lunch today...yum!

"Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food." Isaiah 55:2

Hidden Treasure... Michael

 Today I want to introduce you to a special young man.  His name is Michael and he is our house helper.  He is a sweet boy with a tender heart and a contagious smile.  If ever there was a hidden treasure, it is Michael!  When he lived in Kinyinya, people used to say that he was "crazy" which is the way they refer to someone who has some kind of mental problem.  He came to use when we lived in Kibagabaga looking for a job.  At the time, we didn't really have much work for him but we would let him cut the grass, do yard work, or other odds and ends of stuff.  He was a good worker and pretty persistent and determined to get a job working for us. 
Well, as my pregnancy progressed I began to realize that we were eventually going to need more help around the house.  I would get tired and dizzy easily and things like washing the dishes in basin on the floor became tougher and tougher each day as my little belly began to grow.  Sometimes cooking outside over the fire was almost more heat then I could handle!  So, we asked Michael if he wanted a job working for us.
He was thrilled!  Here, when you have a house helper (especially if they are a young guy or girl) they will often live at your home with you.  So Michael quickly went to the place where he was living and packed up a little suitcase of his belongings and came to live with us.
Michael doesn't have any parents.  We have tired to ask him about them but he is reserved and seems to not be ready to talk about it yet, so we just keep loving him, knowing that when he is ready to talk, he will.  He has had much pain in his short nineteen years of life but you wouldn't ever know that by his beautiful smile.  He was never able to finish school but he can read and write pretty well. 
He has simply blown us away by his knowledge of God's Word!  My husband was chatting with him one evening and suddenly he started quoting various scriptures, references and all!  A few weeks ago, we asked him to pray before dinner and tears stung in my eyes as he said a beautiful prayer to God.  He prayed for the poor and the street boys and those who didn't have food to eat.  His tender heart of compassion was so precious.  He has been coming to church with us since we moved and just yesterday, he started to sing on the worship team.  He is one of the most joyful, expressive, worshipers I have ever seen and it blesses my heart to watch him as he worships.
Pray for him as you think of him.  He is such a treasure and I just know that God has a special plan for his life!

Today I prayed a prayer you probably never prayed!

"God please help me to get to the church without falling in the mud!"

Let me first say that this post is not an exaggeration of the truth by any means!  I wish I had pictures to prove it but I left home with my camera case minus the camera!   I was hoping to post a  lovely picture of my mud-covered shoes and feet upon arrival at the church but alas, I am pregnant and what they say about being forgetful when you are pregnant is true!
So since I have no photos of this epic event, I will just have to paint a word picture for you...use your imagination...it was a pretty hilarious sight to behold I am sure!
The rain had begun to pour in the morning before we even left the house but we ventured out anyway trying our best not to be late.  We do have a car, for which we are very grateful, but because the church is so far from the main road and the path to the church is a "walking" path and not fit for driving, we typically park our car at the house of one of the church members who happens to live near the road.  The rest of the journey to the church we make on foot.  Today was no different, except of course, it was pouring rain!  So with our umbrellas in hand we began to walk to the church.
Now under normal circumstances this walk would take me about ten minutes, even given my tendency to walk slowly and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  Today, however, is not normal.  Of course for those who live in Ntunga and who have spent most of their life in the rural, this day is very normal indeed.  Rainy season means muddy paths.  For me, I can honestly say that I have never in my life seen so much mud, much less had to try to walk in it! 
As you are picturing what this scene must have looked like, don't forget that I am now 27 weeks pregnant and beginning to have quite a little belly!  I don't really have shoes for this kind of trek, so I am wearing the sturdiest pair of flip flops I can find.  I did think ahead enough to bring another pair along so that I could change once I got to the church, which is a miracle in itself considering how forgetful I have been these days!
My dear husband went on ahead, not wanting the pastor to be late for church, but not before making sure that Michael (our house helper) was staying behind with me to make sure that I did not fall (or maybe to pick me up out of the mud if I did fall, I am not sure which!).
I think Michael and I laughed the whole way to the church.  I knew that if I did not laugh I might just start to cry!  I almost fell countless times!  Poor, helpless Michael was walking behind me not sure what to do so he just kept on saying "careful" every time my feet started to slide.  Just to be sure you got the picture, I am carrying a big bag (bible, song book, water bottle, extra shoes, camera case, and wallet inside), an umbrella, and I have a bulky shaw wrapped around my shoulders in attempt to stay warm and dry.  I am also wearing a traditional igitenge (wrap skirt) which is giving me quite a hard time and feels as though it is coming loose (not a good thing!).  Even now, just imagining the way I must have looked brings a smile to my face! 
My feet slid with every step and my whole body was tense, just waiting to find my pregnant bottom planted in the mud!  I literally found myself praying for God to keep me on my feet and not allow me to fall.  Not only did I not want to be covered in mud anymore than I already was, but I was pretty sure it is not a good thing for a pregnant woman to fall period!
We finally did arrive at the church, after 45 minutes!  My poor husband had already been at the church for quite awhile and was getting a bit worried that his pregnant wife was laying in the mud along the path somewhere!  My feet were literally covered in mud by the time we arrived and my igitenge was quite a sight to behold as well.  The dear women from the church held back their laughter long enough to bring me a basin with some water to wash up a bit before switching into my other shoes.  Even now, I just can't keep myself from laughing!  It was quite an experience to be sure...and probably one that I will have to get used to in the future.  However, I must say that I will not be trying to walk to the church in the mud at eight or nine months pregnant, when I can't even see my feet!  And I am not sure what I am going to do when I have to walk to the church carrying a baby!  I will be praying that the rain doesn't come on Sunday mornings from now on!  Who knew you could write such a long post about mud!  Thanks for reading, hope you weren't too bored by my ramblings!

A Favorite Snack!

Mmmmm...roasted corn!  This is a favorite around our house right now.  When we moved in the landlord said we could eat his corn that was growing at the side of the house.  It is quite a big garden so we are getting our fill of roasted corn.  Usually sometime in the afternoon or evening we roast them up and have a little snack sitting on the front porch enjoying the light breeze and the birds playing in the big tree.  Life is simple and I think that's how it should be :)

Little glimpses of life...

Since my internet connection is pretty slow and it takes quite awhile to upload pictures... what you get are little glimpses of life here in Rwanda!  Here's a glimpse that put a little smile on my face today...

You guessed it...or maybe you didn't!  This is our church "parking lot!"  Yes, those are bicycles and yes, they are in the back of the church building...love it!

Come to Me and I will give you rest!

A precious little one sleeping on the floor in the church during prayer.

Eat to live or live to eat?...

Here's what I had for lunch today...

  

Of course, part way through my imaginary indulgence I woke up to the reality...

 Can I just say that being pregnant in Africa is not always easy?!  My body is still American and my brain apparently has not forgotten American food.   It's interesting the things that I find myself craving.  Most of which, I might add, I either can't find here, would be too expensive here, or would just be a disappointing copy of the real thing!  Today it was a sub and a milkshake.  But the list can include one or all of the following... McDonalds cheeseburger, coffee icecream, Hershey's chocolate bars, cookies, pie, Pizza Hut pizza, Stromboli, pickles, or even a good fresh salad! I wonder what African women crave? Beans, rice, hmmm?

It did make me think though...

Americans (myself included here) tend to be pretty obsessed with food.  We definitely tend to lean more towards  living to eat rather than eating to live.  Sometimes my husband amazes me.  I don't think I have ever seen him eat something in excess.  Even when I make a special treat or splurge and buy something yummy, he is perfectly happy with one cookie, one little piece of cake, or half a chocolate bar!  The trend here is more eat to live for sure.  "Food is food." If it fills your stomach, you are more than satisfied.  

Of course, I don't think it is wrong to enjoy food, or even to splurge once and awhile, but I do wonder if our intense love for food borders on "worshiping our stomachs"?  Hey just something I was thinking about...food for thought, you could say.  

On the other hand, I am giving myself some grace...I am pregnant after all :)

Sabbath Wednesday/Brag about my husband day!

Sometimes your body will force you to take a Sabbath!  Today is one of those days for me.  I was beginning to feel sick yesterday but I thought it was maybe allergies or just the dust in the new house.  Last night I barely slept at all and neither did my poor husband.  I was hoping that all my sniffles would not wake him but several time throughout the night as I was sitting up to blow my nose I felt his hand gently rubbing my back and heard him whisper prays of healing for me. 
I was wondering what I might feel inspired to write about today and I finally decided to declare it a brag about my husband day!  Of course he would probably blush (if an African can blush?) if he knew I was writing this so let it be our little secret :)
Sometimes my heart feels a bit sad because most of you who may be reading this post have never had the chance to even meet my sweet Appolinaire face to face.  There is one especially important person in my life (my sister) who struggles with this quite a bit.  I honestly don't know why God has chosen to have things work out this way.  You know I would surly have loved for everyone in my life to be able to meet and get to know the man who has stolen my heart!  I know the time will come and we wait and hope for that wonderful day!
In the meantime, allow me to give you the scoop on my honey!

Full Name:  Ntiganzwa Sekibibi Appolinaire

Nationality: 100% Rwandese though he was actually born in the Congo.

Birthday: April 21st, 1974

Favorite Foods: Fish, macaroni, rice, and fresh milk and tea!

A little background:  Both of Appolinaire's parents are Rwandese but they fled Rwanda in 1959 along with many others due to rising political unrest and danger.  They settled in the Congo in an area of primarily other Rwandese and that is where Appolinaire was born.  So though he grew up in Congo he still speaks Kinyarwanda, as well as Swahili, French, and English.  When he was only seventeen he lost his mother.  There was a time of drought in the area where they were living and his mother left on day to go to find food for the family.  He never saw her again and does not know for sure exactly what happened to her.  It is most likely that she was murdered because of the racial tension that was going on at that time.  The pain from that experience couple with the fact that they never found her body and so were never able to bury her properly was about as much as he could handle.  Not long after his mother died, Appolinaire's father abandoned the family leaving Appolinaire (as the oldest) to take care of his two younger brothers and two younger sisters.
Appolinaire came back to Rwanda in 1995, after the Genocide.  At that time, things had become quite dangerous in the Congo where he was living and it was safer for him and his siblings to try to return to Rwanda.  They ended up being cared for in an orphanage in Kigali which is where Appolinaire got saved.
Long story short, since then, his siblings have all gone back to the Congo but he has a good relationship with them to this day.  All except for his brother Mupenzi, who joined the army in Congo and we do not know for sure if he is still living or not because he has not been able to make contact with him for quite some time now.  Appolinaire went to study Biblical studies at Narobi Pentecostal Bible College.  After college, he was sent to a church in Kinyinya to be the associate pastor, which is where he was working and serving for the last four and a half years.  We just recently moved (last week) to Eastern Province to pastor a new church here.  So now he is the lead, full-time pastor of a small but powerful little church in a place called Ntunga.

More about him: He loves to read and study the Bible, he can spend hours on end searching the Word of God! He is a teacher at heart and especially loves teaching people the Word of God. I have never known someone who enjoys a cup of tea more than Appolinaire.  Though I have gotten him into drinking coffee in the mornings!
He is very gentle and quiet, a peacemaker for sure. He truly has the heart of a pastor and loves shepherding the people of God.  He loves kids too, and is going to be an amazing father! (By the way, he talks to my pregnant belly every morning and evening!  Even sang to it the other day!  He also loves to pray for our little boy).
Speaking of prayer, he loves to pray!  I am always inspired and challenged about this part of him.  His first response to almost every situation is prayer.  If I have a headache or am not feeling well, he automatically lays hand on me and prays for healing.  Anytime we encounter a decision or difficult situation, prayer is the first thing on his mind.  Sometimes I even wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of him praying.

I could probably go on and on here but this post is getting long :)  Let me just say, from the bottom of my heart, I love and respect this precious man of God that I have been called to walk through this life with!  He is not perfect of course, but he certainly is a true gift from God, and I am blessed to call him my husband!  I love you so much Appolinaire!

"Be weak"

I was reflecting on Psalm 46 today.  This is a familiar Psalm to many and it has been such a blessing and comfort to me.  But today I "discovered" something interesting...a hidden meaning perhaps.  Of course it is not new and it has always been there, just waiting to be discovered by God's people.  It feels as though I have stumbled across a secret of sorts.

verse 10: "Be still and know that I am God..."

Like I said, this is very familiar to many.  We say it, we sing it, we pray it...but do we really know what it means?  I decided to do a bit of a word search taking it back to the original Hebrew language.

The Hebrew word used here for "be still" is the word "raphah."  Here's what it means:
    "to slacken, cease, fail, be feeble, forsake, leave, let alone, be weak."

The last one is the one that got me... "be weak?"  The Psalmist is giving us the command to "be weak" and know that He is God.  Interesting isn't it...

Here in Rwanda, there is a common word/phrase that people use all the time.  "Komera."  It means "be strong."  They say it when someone is going through a rough time.  They say it when they are trying to encourage someone who is hurting or grieving.  They even say it if someone is walking and begins to trip!
Of course in English we do the thing.  We find someone who is hurting or grieving the loss of a loved one and we try to find words to encourage and lift them.  We tell them to be strong, hold on, don't give up... and perhaps those words have their place.

But what if we walked around and told people to "be weak."  It would be strange to say the least!  So why does the Psalmist here in Psalm 46 tell us to be weak?  What does he know that perhaps we have not yet learned?

Maybe he knows the key to real strength lies in being weak.  Maybe he, like Paul, has discovered that "when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10.  Or like Paul says in verse 9 of 2 Corinthians, " His power is made perfect in weakness."

So here's my thought for the day... be weak!  Don't be afraid of your weakness.  Don't be afraid to let go and admit that you are nothing and can do nothing without HIm.  Don't be afraid of trials, hardships, or persecutions, for when you feel weak, that is when He can show His strength most clearly.  Here we are forced to face the fact that we are finite and He is infinite.  And that is where we find strength!

Our New Church!

Our new church...very rural, no electricity, but lots and lots of Spirit and lots and lots of dancing!

Walking to the church in the morning, this is the view, though the picture hardly does it justice!  It is absolutely breathtaking!  Our creator God is truly amazing!

Goodbye Kigali...

Saying goodbye to my students at the nursery school...this is only about half of them in the photo!

                                                                                       

They prepared some gifts to say goodbye...here I am receiving the gift from the girls.

Receiving the gift from the boys.

Appolinaire and I went out for one last dinner in Kigali.  We decided to make it a pizza night!  I don't think we will be finding a pizza place in Rwamagana... :)

Baby boy Ntiganzwa!

Here is our little boy's latest photo from the ultrasound that I had last week (end of my 23rd week of pregnancy).  This is his cute little face and you can see his arm and hand on the right side.  I could be a little bias but I happen to think he is adorable already!

    First comes love...
 

     Then comes marriage...
 

                                                              

    Then comes baby...