“Quel cadeau! C’est manifique!” (What a gift! It's magnificent!)

Le 29 decembre   Last week, I was told that I had a package waiting at the post office and had to go pick it up. Expecting the package my parents had sent for Christmas, I threw an extra bag in my purse and took the moto to the post. Inside the post box, I found not just one but a few slips for a package as well as a letter from my dear Trishy. Upon going inside the bureau (because that’s how it works in this country), I was completely overwhelmed by the boxes that were waiting for me. I fought back tears and just looked at the postal worker teary-eyed and said in a wavering voice “Ce sont de ma famille.” I then faced the problem of how to take them back! I only had space in my bag for one box, and surely on a moto I would not be able to take the others.

A few days later, I went with Sr. Gisele when she went to town and picked up the others. Among the boxes was the gift from my Barry Secret Santa – this year it was Ricky. Poor Rick picked the girl who was halfway around the world. Surely, he deserves some kind of award for that. I had fully intended to open it on Saturday – Barry Christmas – while on the phone with my family, but finding out yesterday that I will be in Kigali for the weekend, I decided that it would be best to open it up. You’ll never guess what was inside. A WASHBOARD! Ah, I can’t tell you how excited I was! I was telling my father a few days ago how I washed a load of dish towels in addition to my own clothes a few days back and that my knuckles were raw. I was so anxious to try it out that this morning I made a special trip to the laundry room to wash a few things. It surely says something about the way you’re living life when using a washboard feels like luxury.

Finding me washing, Sr. Ema exclaimed that she’d searched and searched for a washboard upon arrival in Rwanda without any luck. She showed me proper washboard etiquette and I was on my way. Ah, what a beautiful invention. “Quel cadeau, c’est magnifique!” (What a present, it’s great!) I have been able to show the rest of the sisters how to use it, and they’re also anxious to give it a try.  Rick, my knuckles and I can’t thank you enough.