habari gani?

How's it going!? (habari gani)

Kyle and I have made it to GOMA!!! Rejoice!
Cassandra and Daniel warned us many times that Goma looked nothing like Rwanda. They told us it was ugly, ashy, and dirty dirty dirty. But no matter what they said, it didn't prepare us for when we actually crossed the DRC border. I have been to many poverty stricken, 3rd world countries, but I have never seen a place like this. In the natural, it is UGLY haha. There is a volcano in the city... but we're talking a volcano from the dinosaur age. Your stereotypical volcano with smoke constantly puffing out of it. The road is lava rock. The most uneven, bumpy, potholey roads I've ever experienced. Riding around on the motos (pikipikis) and mutatas (buses) are quite an experience haha. I'll video tape a ride so everyone can understand. And again... volcano.... so theres ash and dust everywhere.
However, despite the ugliness of Goma, Kyle and I are loving it here! It took a couple days to feel this way... but it's true. We have been riding motos everyday into Ndosho, where we have a school. We teach simple but meaty lessons to the children ranging from age 3 to 13. Plus, we meet with the teachers of the school, and give them lessons on how to develop their teaching methods. I absolutely LOVE these people. The first day we arrived, the kids saw us coming on our motos, and all 300 of them flooded the street screaming, yelling and jumping on us. It was the funniest most joyful event. They didn't know us yet, but that didn't matter. Cassandra is known as Sandra to the Africans, and sometimes the kids still get confused and think that Sandra means white person. So when any white person goes by they'll yell jambo Sandra! haha it's cute.

our living situation is actually super nice. The four of us rent out a house that is actually quite large, and very safe. It's comfortable, and has already become home to us. Unfortunately, we're moving again tomorrow into an even bigger house to prepare for the mission team from Bethel who arrives in about 2 weeks. We're excited about them coming!!!! Kyle and I are just ready to be in one place for a bit. ha.

Anyways, I have to go. We're off to Ndosho soon. I will continue to update whenever I can.

love you all
Katrina and Kyle