As soon as Pastor Samuel arrived this morning with a driver and land cruiser, we headed off out of the city through the bustling streets filled with people wandering everywhere, with motorbike taxis weaving in and out of people pushing wheelbarrows or carrying all sorts of loads on their heads, to visit the parish of Rutunga.  From the chaos of the city streets we were soon once again out in the beautiful hills, for which Rwanda is famous.  We travelled along the road between steeply rising terraced slopes.  The valley floor was a patchwork of small paddy fields, all neatly tended with rice at various stages of development - some full of bright green young plants, others awash with water as the tiny plants were being transplanted in rows,  White Nile Egrets amongst other tall wading birds were probing the paddy fields, with their long beaks foraging deep into the water.

Soon we left the valley floor and began the steep climb on a dusty, rocky red road up into the hills, affording us a panoramic view of the piercing green rice fields in the valley below.  We arrived at Pastor Damascene's home and were immediately introduced to the two cows in the stalls behind their home.  Damascene's wife was keen to show us how these cattle were being used in new bio-gas project, which creates power for their cooking.  We all gathered round for an in-depth examination of cow dung and how it is transforming their world!

This gave us a great appetite for the second breakfast that the family generously prepared for us. Once again we enjoyed an egg-free meal!  We were treated to chapatis, bananas and passion fruit before heading off to find one of Damascene's churches to be greeted by his church council and members of 4 of his congregations, who were all seated in the church with chairs lined up at the front of the building ready to seat us.

Having introduced ourselves, Heather and Alan shared some words of testimony and encouragement and the congregation responded in their wonderful vibrant song and dance.  Unfortunately they were very keen for us to join in their exuberance, so some rather stilted 'English dad-dancing' ensued.  At one point Alan and Eleanor appeared to be performing synchronised front crawl (without the water!) But the Rwandans just smiled, clapped and praised God all the more! (Video taken of this extraordinary event is available from Andy for a small fee or a snicker bar.)

Lunch was prepared for us, and as we signed Pastor Damascene's visitors' book it was clear that this family had already prepared lunch today for two other sets of visitors as the archbishop had visited earlier with a representative of Compassion's child sponsorship from the USA.  Once again we were humbled by this family's generosity.

Since the team's visit last year, the rural parish had raised funds to begin to construct both a church and a school building, which is an impressive undertaking, and hopefully a great encouragement to their pastor.

On returning to the city we made many interesting observations along the road, including the unusual sight of many men roped together to carry a massive telegraph pole along the road side.  As Heather commented, 'I hope they don't have to turn a corner!'  Then in the city, the traffic came to a stand still as the entire Rwandan army seemed to be on the move!  Truck after truck of troops filed past us as all other traffic came to a halt.

In a bid to increase the variety of our diet, we visited a supermarket in order to feed ourselves this evening.  What a treat to be back in the city and actually recognise some familiar foods in the shops! Unfortunately we weren't necessarily that careful when counting the zeros on the prices and Heather got stung for a mere £10 when buying a packet of almonds!  ...they certainly saw that muzungu (white person) coming!

Our rooms at the guest house are positioned in a row on the ground floor, all opening onto a garden over looking the city.  This evening we sat down outside our rooms at a table with our relatively western purchases spread out, to enjoy 'bread and cheese' (albeit at bit squidgy and warm!) as the sun slipped behind the hillside and the lights of the city twinkled before us.

Give thanks for our time at Rutunga and the joy we shared in song and dance; for all that has been acieved in the parish over this last year.
Please pray for the Lord to continue to bless the work of Pastor Damascene and his congregations; for the practical needs of the people, all of whom are reliant on subsistence farming.