from Michelle

Good morning from Rwanda, 

The vacation is over and work has begun. 

Yvon left on Monday evening and he is safely back in Canada. I'm pretty impressed

 he made all those connections and flights by himself!

Having him with me on this journey through Tanzania and Rwanda was all 

I could have hoped for and more.

In his own words" They say Rwanda is the land of a Thousand Hills

 but I think Rwanda is the land of a million smiles where the poorest

 take joy in helping you before helping themselves. "

The wedding on Saturday was an incredible 13 hour experience. 

Starting with a very traditional 3 hour ceremony of dowry exchange of 

cows (figuratively), gifts and representatives from each family ensuring

 the marriage was suitable. It was colourful, lively and very entertaining. 

Thank goodness for the people who translated everything for us! We were humbly

 treated as VIPs through the day. So wonderful to meet Christophe's family 

and his beautiful wife Solange.The rest of the day had many elements of a 

North American wedding....church ceremony with amazing music and then a reception. 

I was honoured to sit beside Christophe's grandfather at the reception.   

We could not communicate verbally but we danced and I taught him 

how to do " cheers" with a beer bottle.

I have attached a photo of Christophe's parents with Patty and 

Franco his " Canadian parents" who supported him with love and 

funding for education which helped him blossom into the wonderful young man that he is.

I am now helping deliver a brand new course developed to trial in 

Rwanda to educate health care professionals using Simulation. 

Day 1 was gruelling but amazing. 

It is warm out, the birds are singing.

Time to get a Rwandan coffee and go to work.

Big hug from Rwanda!

Michelle 

Franco, Christophe's parents, Patty

The bridal couple with Luke, Yvon, Michelle, Patty and Daniel

Solange and Christophe giving gifts at the dowry ceremony