Not the Rwandan Story...Soon

Today was baking day in the Teacher house. Allen, our school cook, came over to bake cakes for her daughter’s 5^th birthday. We made 4 cakes and a batch of cookies. Multiple cakes were needed for the different school, church, and family parties.

Shout out to Debbie Booth who is my sister-in-law’s mother. Debbie – we used your chocolate cake recipe…..the one that is in Sue’s new cookbook. Funny thing, I thought I bought buttermilk…but it turned out to be more lardish than milky….so I attempted to make my own buttermilk. Hopefully no one will suffer too much from eating that cake. The amazing chocolate icing should cover any weird aftertaste.

When we were half way through the baking, I noticed that Allen still looked so clean…..on the other hand, my clothes were dusted with flour, coco, sugar and imitation buttermilk. How does this happen?

Since the many cakes and cookies were too many – I gave Allen a ride home. She proudly introduced me to her neighbors and showed me her home. Then we did the usual Ugandan three-shake-handshake to say good-bye. I smiled then gave her the usual American goodbye – a big hug. Weird for me – I know, I am not a huggy person…I think maybe it was all the female bonding and laughing over flour, sugar and a hot oven…..

Oh, and Allen invited me over to have dinner with her family - I can’t wait!

Once Upon a Time, In a Land Far, Far Away....

A few months before I left the States, I watched the movie “Hotel Rwanda” which depicts events surrounding the now infamous Rwandan Genocide (R.G.). I’ll be totally honest – I had heard about the R.G., but I couldn’t tell you when or what about it. The R.G. happened during my lifetime…I was finishing up the Seventh Grade and getting excited about our upcoming family vacation to the Florida Keys with Aunt Pat and Uncle Ralph. My brother and I were following the scores of the 1994 World Cup. But, I don’t remember hearing or learning anything about over half a million people being murdered in a small country called Rwanda. I never even learned about the R.G. after the fact….until I watched “Hotel Rwanda” and began searching the web for any bit of information about the R.G. I was ashamed with my ignorance.

One thing was for sure – I had to visit Rwanda.

There is something about Rwanda. Is it belated attention resulting from the Genocide? Is it the Hollywood movie Hotel Rwanda? Is it the French speaking native Rwandans? Is the physical beauty? Is it the cool climate? I’m not sure – but there is something different about this country.

Rwanda is storybook Africa. It is Africa idealized. The “California” of Africa. My personal tale of three young maidens’ journey to this land far, far away will be posted soon…. Until then…..I’ll leave you with this:

Once upon a time, three youngish missionary maidens set off from one magical land in search for adventure in a land far, far away…a kingdom known as Rwanda. It has been said that the journey was just as important as the destination, but never would anyone have imagined a journey such as theirs….