Two months...

I am approaching the two month mark of being in Rwanda! I am throughly enjoying life here though at times it takes some getting used to. Lately we have been without electricity and the running water comes and goes frequently. Here in Rwanda if you are renting a house and someone that rented before you has an outstanding bill for electricity or water, they can shut off your electricity until someone pays the bill. So apparently someone before us has a bill that was not paid and therefore we are living by candle light.

It really is not a big deal, it just requires some adjustment. If you want to read or study you just try to get that done before it gets dark around 6 pm. The other night I was cooking and as it was beginning to get dark I realized that I had not yet sorted the rice (you have to sort through your rice here before you cook it to take out any bad pieces or little stones). So I learned my lesson and will certainly make sure that I sort the rice before it gets dark. Sorting rice by candlelight is frustrating to say the least!

The lack of light has given us more family time though. All you can really do is sit around in the evening and enjoy each other's company. We sing and listen to the kids telling stories all while sitting in our outdoor kitchen area as someone is cooking on the charcoal stove. Sometimes it feels like camping! But, hey, I always did enjoy camping! It has been a full moon lately and so that helps give us a little more light. Life is different when you have no electricity. You have to wake up early and go to bed early to make the most of the daylight. Once again, I am reminded of the beauty of a simple life!