It's Official- Put a Ring on it!

I am officially going!! Asst 1 here- reporting from the battlefield of my email inbox that just informed me last night I have a spot being held for me, a paid for, ring on it, SPOT IN RWANDA!!!!!!! I can't believe it's officially official now. As a sidenote, Asst 2 gets paid tomorrow and will be paying for her spot too =)

Upon making it official I sent out a mass email to my friends and family. I wanted to wait until I had really put the money down (350 bones to be exact) to hold my spot in the program. I knew I would hear back from some people, well wishes, etc. But I literally was not prepared for the responses I would get. I want to put some of them in this email - because these people have played and continue to be such big parts of my life that I can't help but share.

Here are a few things that inspired me:

"THIS IS BEYOND AWESOME! So proud of you girls!!!!!"

"I am SO proud of you, this is going to be an experience that is going to totally change your perspective on life... you have such a big heart, i know that the Rwandan's will cherish all of your help."

"I'm so very proud of you. let me know if I can do anything!"

"You, my dear, are courageous and stalwart to undertake such an enterprising adventure at this point in your life….better now than when you become completely settled and complacent. Congratulations on this new pathway that will take you very far……in terms of growth and maturity"

"You will make such a positive impact on so many lives!"

"I hope that you follow all your dreams where ever it takes you. I will pray that God will keep a covering over you and your friend. That he will keep you safe from harm and provide your needs."

"I'm so glad you're going to participate in some service for that part of the world, which needs so much."

So now that we're becoming more official by the day we've been reviewing our travel options - weighing prices. We've decided that we're going to do British Airways from Chicago to London (11 hour layover there British friends!!!) to Entebbe, Uganda. In Entebbe, we're going to catch a 9-hour bus ride into Kigali. We've been reading reviews of past volunteers and this seems to be a pretty common way to get to Kigali. Here's a review we found about the bus trip using "Jaguar Bus":

"A journey not recommended for those who like to travel in comfort and style, but one that will take you through the heart of East-Africa on a road less-travelled."

We also got a glimpse into what our home life would be like in Kigali in the guest house:

"You will be provided with two meals a day, breakfast and dinner. Breakfast will include bread with jam, fruit, and tea. A typical evening meal in Rwanda consists of heavy starches such as yams, rice, or potatoes accompanied by a savoury stew. Little meat is eaten normally however there will be abundance of vegetables and fruit."

Along with the food, we discovered that mosquitos are a legit concern! We have to work on acquiring a mosquito net and in case you were wondering- mosquitos are worst at dusk and twilight.

Signing off for now!