Our First Rwandan Wedding

 We gathered at school where the ladies got help getting dressed in our
imishanana. 

 We didn't leave until the groom called to say we should head to the event, so there was time for photos.

Sweet Presley draws a crowd. One of the gals in our van told us that people were saying in Kinyarwanda, "Come and see a really cute kid." And they did.

Presley wasn't sure what to think of all that attention.

Waiting...

 Things are about to get started. This is the groom and our friend Jill. 

He calls her Mama Jill and asked her to stand in as one of his family members for the wedding.

Let the festivities begin!

This is the gusaba - the dowery ceremony.

 We were in the groom's tent.
Jeph (the groom) is the one holding the furry cane. 

The bride's tent is on the opposite side,
so that each group is facing the other.

Two guys with microphones did a lot of talking.

Somehow, we ended up in the front row for awhile. That meant we got soda.

Now it is time for negotiations.

  Instead of cows, the groom gave the bride's family an assortment of yard tools, a big orange tub, and a brand new large jerry can. It's yellow. Jerry cans are used here by people of all ages. You can see even the smallest children carrying water in them to take home to their families.  

Now a "herdsman" from each party goes out to inspect the "cows" together.

 The herdsmen come back and sing about how great the cows are.

There was a lot of joking and laughter, but there was also a moment of making the bride feel guilty for leaving her family. Traditionally, the Rwandese bride is not supposed to show emotion during the ceremony. Our bride was teary, just for a little bit.

The groom had a few tears too, especially during this song.
Have a listen. You might love it.

We made it through our first gusaba.

Congratulations Jeph and Esperance!

Sorwathe Tea Plantation

  SO (society), RWA (Rwanda), THE (tea) - SORWATHE
 

 We visited the tea plantation with friends and had a fabulous time!

People along the way.

Sorwathe Plantation grows somewhere around 668 acres of tea.
Sorwathe Factory produces 15-20% of the tea in Rwanda.

 

Almost there.

 

Welcoming decor on the beds.

Views from the guest house balcony.

















Next order of business... hiking through tea leaves

 

It was difficult to climb with kids on our backs.
Plus, we were a bit nervous about snakes... but we never saw one.

Tea Time.

Then, we went exploring the property...all kinds of beautiful flowers to enjoy.

 

 

Aloe Vera Plant

Dinner

Play Time

Bed Time

DAY 2

 

 Off to the factory tour

 

 Unloading tea leaves

 

Hats and lab coats to protect the tea

Aren't they dashing?

So stylish.

           Once the tour began, no cameras were allowed. 

We learned about different methods of producing tea - orthodox and non orthodox. We sampled green tea, black tea, white tea, silver tips... The factory was warm and odoriferous. 

Our kids were definitely ready to be done by the end of the tour.

The boiler that provides power for the factory.

Tea production chart by year. Notice how in 1994 (the year of the genocide) only 424 kilos were produced, compared with 1 and 2 thousand kilos on the years before and after. In Rwanda, we are constantly reminded of the dark history the people endured 20 years ago.

                            

 We purchased some tea and then it was time to go.

In his book Shake Hands With the Devil, Rome`o Dallaire shares that Sorwathe was a haven for him when he was in Rwanda during the genocide.

On the other hand, he remembers this river being full of bodies - an atrocious thought.

How different and beautiful it is in times of peace.

 May God continue to bless Rwanda as she rises.

Musanze

 

We were so blessed over Christmas vacation to borrow a friend's car. We took this opportunity to visit areas of Rwanda outside of Kigali. This weekend destination was Ruhengeri, in the district of Musanze. Musanze is in northern Rwanda. It is home to the Virunga Mountains, where the famous mountain gorillas can be trekked.

 

Besides getting to see this part of the country, we traveled to Ruhengeri to visit the Miller family. We knew Matt and Andrea when we all attended Harding University, quite a few years ago. We weren't super close then, but we have begun a new phase of friendship, where our kids are pals and we can encourage each other in the mission that God has laid before us in beautiful Rwanda.

Musanze is about a 2 hour drive from Kigali. We arrived in the afternoon and headed out for a hike. It was the first time for Wyatt and Presley to go on such a walk. 

 The waterfall was fabulous and the fresh air was incredible. 

Wyatt, who happened to be the birthday boy, had a great time. 

Presley did a lot of falling, 

and wasn't too sure about this adventure, 

but she made it.

 

She was ready to jump in and pet these sheep, but they were not at all interested.

 

Afton and Asher

Anna Marie and Michal

Eucalyptus Trees are everywhere in Ruhengeri. 

Rub the leaf in your hand and you can carry the scent with you.

We got to explore the site where the Miller's new home is being built.
 

  We also visited their school - Virunga Valley Academy. 
It's in its beginning years, but God is opening up doors into the community through VVA. It is a great option for local families who don't want to send their kids away to boarding school.
  

Day 2. We had a great night's rest in the Miller's guest house.

 While the kids played together, Chad and I went for a walk through town.  
On our way, we ran into these guys...

  

 

Team Rwanda!

"Rising From Ashes" tells their story. You can get it from iTunes.
It was so cool to see them in person.

Now, we're off to spend the day playing outside.
 

 

McNatt kids,
three of the Miller kids,
and another friend who was visiting.

Play day!

 We spent the morning at a guest house that is located across the road from where the Gorilla Naming Ceremony - Kwita Izina takes place every summer.

This is Abby and Andrea Miller with me (Melia). 

We're standing in front of Mt. Sabyinyo, the Kinyarwanda word for Old Man's Teeth.

 After lunch, we headed up closer to the volcanos.


The rest of the pictures on this post were taken on the grounds of Gorilla View Lodge.

The Virunga Mountains are a chain of volcanoes that separate Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is made up of eight volcanoes. All but one are considered dormant.

Sometimes snow can be seen on the tops.



We were told that traditional dancers
would be performing at 4:30.
In keeping with African timing,
'they arrived closer to 5:30.

 It was worth the wait.

  

Intore - Dance of Heroes.
The guys with spears and grass wigs represent warriors returning from battle, celebrating victory.

The Intore dance ends with a hug to symbolize friendship.

 The ladies of Rwanda are graceful dancers.
This young girl is 10 years old and full of spunk.

In this dance, ladies represent cows and the guys are their herders.
Although that might seem insulting to girls from western culture, cows mean wealth in Rwanda.
The cow is thought of very highly.

These agaseke baskets are made all over Rwanda. They were originally made from the sisal plant and were only white and black. Now, some are made of different materials and can be found in a variety of colors.

 For many years, agaseke baskets have been wedding gifts. The bride's family would give them to the groom, symbolizing their daughter's purity.  The groom's family would present one to the bride for her to keep her husband's family secrets.

 After the show,
we got to join in too.
A good time was had by most.

We're so thankful for Micki's car, the Miller's hospitality,
God's astounding creation, and another awesome family adventure.

Oh yeah, and we saw a monkey on the way home, just outside of Kigali.