Adventures In Rwanda

I thought I would give a little update about my out of work time. This weekend was quite interesting. I met a pastor, Pastor Emos, who invited me to visit his church as he helps to teach and support 52 orphans in the area. They call the area, Sodoma; it gets the biblical reference from the number of prostitutes, AIDS, and orphans living on the street. These were by far the most friendly and open kids I have met here. They sand me a song (indirimbo) and played a drum for me. Later this weekend, I went with a friendly neighbor to a night club down the street. Although there was no dancing by audience members, it was a bit of a variety show. It started with 2 young guys lip singing rap songs, then a girl showing her midriff (which is absolutely not done here) doing a bit of a dance, then a few duets, followed by some amazing traditional cowdances. After the traditional dancing, 4 guys dressed in drag lip sang and danced together (this in a country where homosexuality is illigal and assumed a myth), then we had the infamous country western themed sketch, with a very talented young guy, dressed in a cowboy hat, one pant leg rolled up, his bottom and belly stuffed with a pillow, and a WHITE FACE. Oh my goodness. I met the owner later in the evening. A friendly and kind man, who told me that the side of this club used to be his brother`s house. After his brother`s family was all killed in the genocide, he wanted to build a memorial made from laughter and love. He has succeeded. It was incredible.