A New Year Means New Adventures!

Today starts my journey to Rwanda! It's so hard to believe that it's finally here and I'm actually going considering 2 months ago I had no idea where Rwanda was located. It all started with Mara and Yoshi convincing me over Sukkot to look into applying for the position. I told Mara (another one of the volunteers and my friend in Rwanda) to stop. She asked if she was bothering me with all the talk of Rwanda. I said no and that if you keeps talking to me about it, I actually do it and that I'm not sure if I'm ready for a big move like...well I guess here I am, headed to Rwanda...all the rest is history...

I'm thankful to the JDC for giving me the opportunity to have this experience! They have been great. I will be working at a high school called the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village doing environmental education and farming. I know little more about what I'll actually be doing but I'm okay with that...just excited for the opportunity and a year of learning and adventures!

Since finding out that I got the position, I took out a map and found where Rwanda was actually located. After doing that, I read everything that I could find about the country. The history is not a pretty one. It's been a hard read. I've been thinking alot about hatred and what convinces one to kill another? After all the reading, I'm ready just to be there and see the hope and rebuilding taking place in the village.

Next big question...how do you pack for a year abroad? I have to say that it was not a fun process...should I bring this or will I need that? I think most everything I brought is camping gear so I might be wearing the same shirt many times but at least I'll be ready for any adventure!