This morning (Wednesday) we started with some time at Ambassador Symington’s home (the U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda). We were greeted by his son, Stuart, and fed drinks and little foods. When the Ambassador walked in, the atmosphere changed, just from his dynamic presence. And he basically conducted a discussion. It was neat to see the perspective of someone as experienced as he is. If you want to learn more about him, look up Stuart Symington – the U.S. Embassy site has information, and so do other more or less reliable sources, I’m sure.
We talked about Rwanda in all sorts of contexts – education, faith, peace, business. Ambassador Symington recommended that our goal for our career should be to be able to say, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this.” That puts a nice view on it. He gave a lot of ideological insight – about the source of conflict, unity, what Rwanda needs, what the world needs. We went around the group and each said something we’d learned or seen. I said that I’d learned from Rwandans how to treat people. I see them treating each other with respect and love, and just naturally in community all the time instead of demanding their time for themselves. Some of that is just by the design of living situations, but it makes people interdependent so that they have to submit to one another in selflessness. There’s another thing for the U.S. to learn.
The Ambassador also asked Fred and Bosco what they wanted us to take away from this experience. Bosco said we should tell people how Rwanda is developing, as well as help others develop. He said he thought we had learned how to live with people (which is hopefully true). Fred also said to tell how Rwanda is developing, and that he thinks we have seen and learned how to care about people.
Ambassador Symington talked about peace, especially in Rwanda, and how people don’t really come together until they once again put their trust, lives, and honour in the hands of another. He challenged us to figure out how to create enough jobs for the upcoming generations. And basically he just generally inspired me to think more critically about the world. I’m going to have to review my notes from that time in more detail and concentration later and really think about how to respond.
During our lunch break, Kelcy and I got to pray with the man who cleans our room, Jean-Pierre. He doesn’t know any English so once again, French it is! Now I have his contact information. He said he sings in the choir at church and loves God very much, which he was very happy about.
In the afternoon we spent some time at Cards From Africa, a card-making business that only employs orphans. They make their own paper out of old paper that’s ready to be discarded, and from that they create cards, bookmarks, etc. It’s amazing and I bought several. They also do custom work, so if anyone wants to request some, go ahead! http://cardsfromafrica.com/
It’s fun how warmly Nick, as an African-American, is welcomed here. Several people have told him that he looks Rwandan. And one person at the card factory (not what we’d think of as a factory though) today told him that he was beautiful. I love that.
We went to the post office to buy stamps, and I forgot to buy Parker’s. I am confessing it here, even though he graciously said it was no big deal. I am sorry, Parker Willis, that I let you down. I hope I will not do so again.
Then we went to the market one last time, after which Bosco took us on a little tour around parts of Kigali. We drove by the president’s house again, and through other areas too.
Then some of us played Nertz, which I lost quite well. And then we ate supper in Heaven.
No really. It’s a deliciously expensive restaurant on a hill with a beautiful view of the city, very tall ceilings, and an atmosphere of niceness. Paul (not Kagame), Bosco, Fred, Austin, and Daniel all joined us for supper. Those of us sitting towards the middle amused ourselves with ridiculous conversation and games, such as one where you are given a certain scenario and you have to give a facial expression in response. Sometimes that can become ridiculous. I floated back and forth between about three conversations, maybe four. But it was great and relaxing. We were there for about 2 ½ hours, I think.
Things of note:
• After the visit with the Ambassador, Ms. Coldwell told us she was proud of us. That’s encouraging! As much as she says we’re annoying loud Americans, she was proud of us then. :) And yesterday at Eco-Tours, one employee knew we were from a Christian school because of how we behaved. I don’t think any of us knew that such a thing could be observed, but at least it was a positive observation. It shows that people really are watching you and notice what you're like.
• Ambassador Symington says, “You don’t have to work for the government to be a diplomat.” In case anyone besides me was wondering.
• Parker does a great Shania Twain impression.
• Every restaurant is basically a roof with a couple of walls, and then a couple of air walls. It’s kind of like eating on the deck every night.
• Reason to carry your passport at all times: intense security guard requires them before entering the Ambassador’s residence.
