Post No. 3

Howdy!

This weekend we got to take some time off and explore some more of Rwanda. That being said, we are always thinking about our next steps and dinner conversations are often filled with a clutter of logistics. On Saturday, we took a bus to Lake Kivu. The countryside is beautiful with impressive terraced farms that climb up the steep hillsides. We found a beach by the lake and sat down for lunch. Listening to the crashing waves we became immersed in card games. It was four hours later when we finally got up from our chairs to explore more of the city. Rubavu was amazing and where, like all other Rwandan cities that we have seen, it is filled with a swarm of "motos" (motorcycle taxis). We returned to our beds late that night, after a relaxing and rejuvenating day. 

On Sunday, we took part in Jacques's church service in Cyanika. (Jacques is one of our main partners from our NGO partner, Village Makeover: he helps us buy materials and organize transportation and labor. He is also a pastor in Cyanika.) We arrived to find a group of kids and young adults singing and dancing. The church is one of the newest buildings in Cyanika but still very modest with unfinished walls and a concrete floor. The service was three hours long and was composed of singing, dancing, preaching, and reading excerpts from the Bible. During the service, Jacques brought us up the front and introduced each one of us individually. Before we went back to our seats, a couple community members greeted us. One of these members was Ignase, a village chief, who promptly lifted Carlo up by his hips and swirled him around. After the service we had a 2-3 hour lunch in Jacques house. The day was long but fulfilling. 

On Monday we got to return to Kibya. I kept sifting the surrounding soil for gravel for the concrete. And the others dug holes for the tank and column foundations. There was a breeze today which sprinkled us with the black volcanic soil from the site. By the end of the day we were caked with dirt and our eyes were itchy. But it was a great day and we are hoping to start mixing and pouring concrete tomorrow!