We were able to build two houses while we were in Bugenyuzi. So fun!!! Harvest for Christ is the group we were working with. They work really hard to be sure there is not a mentality of "the white people are here to save us!" I was taken back when we arrived to start the building. If any of us had a mentality that we would come in and be the hero, our egos were quickly shriveled. There were already posts in the ground. The building had begun long before we got there. The second day was the same. I have no idea how early they were up, but they had been building for a while before we got there. We were not there to build a house for them rather we were there to assist them while they built a house. I love that! So empowering for them and I am thankful knowing that after we left, they could continue to change their story.
The second day it was time to start putting up the tiles for the roof. They were all in a big truck that had to be unloaded. We started out with the tiles being handed off the truck to people who would then carry them down the hill to the house. I was leery of doing this because I had hurt my ankle a few weeks before and I was pretty sure it was not going to withstand the journey up and down. I offered to start a human chain. A few of us would be given the tiles off the truck and pass them down the line. As I began to look around, I noticed I was only being given three tiles at a time and those around me were given six or seven. I certainly did not want to be shown up so the next time I was given the tiles I stayed there to be handed more. They handed me another, then another and slowly but gently they handed me one more. I said thanks and passed them along. When I went to get more I was happy they were willing to trust me with six tiles at once. I took all six and passed them along. When I turned around this time I heard a bit of laughter. I took the tiles and there was more laughter. After a few rounds of this, I turned to my translator, who happened to be next in my line, and asked what they were laughing about. He replied, "When you take the tiles they say, 'A hard working white woman!' and they laugh." This continued until the tiles were all unloaded. "A hard working white woman, bwahahahah!" Grab tiles, "A hard working white woman! Hahahahahaha" My translator even turned to me at one point and said, "You really should tell your husband how hard you work." Ha, I think after being home with the kids for 10 days in my place he is pretty aware that he married a hard working white woman. :)
Bwahahahaha
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