Flying over Rwanda is beautiful. It’s full of rolling hills covered in green tropical farm fields, forests, and criss-crossed with red dirt roads. The most beautiful part of the journey is flying along Lake Kivu’s coastline. Here the land mingles with the water like fingers interlace between two hands. Or multiple hands, since I could see at least 12 fingers of land stretching into the lake, plus islands. Moored on the shore are fishing boats – a series of 3 narrow canoes connected horizontally by an added beam, like a long rib. Off the front and back of each “canoe” is an antennae-like wood pole, curved like a long branch bowing from a weeping willow tree. Between these poles are strung the fishing nets. They are quite a structural masterpiece to see up close.
The guesthouse I’m staying at in Bukavu, DRC is right on Lake Kivu. There are balconies overlooking the green garden and the lake, and an outdoor veranda where we sat to eat lunch and enjoy the cool breeze. In the afternoon I took a nap to try and shake some of this jet lag and was woken up by this immense wind storm. A storm had brewed quickly over the lake, and as I looked out the window I could see white capped waves and shoreline eucalyptus trees bent in half. And then the torrential rain started. Quite intense really; I half expected a funnel cloud to drop down from the swirling clouds above.
It reminded me of the disciples’ fright during the storm on the Sea of Galilee. That must have been some storm, because these were experienced fishermen, used to witnessing the whims of weather on the lake. And with one statement, Jesus brought calm and peace (and some shocked faces too!)
My friend Lauren sent me this email prayer - May today there be peace within. (Peace for you when you travel and when you meet new people and discover your surroundings and the work you will be doing in the upcoming month.)
It’s going to be a busy month with hard demands. Please pray for peace and strength for me. Thanks friends!
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2 comments:
So, did you take the room with the bathroom in it? :-)
-E
Yep! I didn't even have to choose - it was the one that was offered to me! Except mayflies are still getting into the bathroom somehow! 30 were whirring around on the floor one night!
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