Faithful Rwandans

I had my first rough patch here in Rwanda a few weeks ago….definitely a test! First I slipped on wet concrete while it was pouring down rain and injured my lower back. And then a couple of days later, I came down with malaria and was out for about a week. On top of my already painful back injury, malaria greatly affects the back and neck, so I was barely able to get out of bed for a few days. Although I was very ill, I never got the chance to get homesick and miss my “mama” because all of my faithful Rwandan friends were right there to take care of me. My housegirl, Jackie, would not leave my side and came in to cook for me every day to make sure that I was eating. She would tell me in a very stern voice “you not eat, you not my friend”. I barely had time to rest because of the teachers from Sonrise and my other friends in town calling to check on me. I literally had to turn away visitors so I could rest. I was quickly nursed back to health and definitely felt the love and loyalty of my friends here.