2 months and counting in Rwanda

We are still in Rwanda and still so thankful to God for our house and for our health although the mundane reality of lockdown and home-schooling is definitely getting a bit waring. Rwanda still has no deaths from Covid-19 and less than 300 reported cases, with only 1 or 2 new cases each day. They have increased testing and 2 weeks ago the government started to ease lockdown.

This meant markets could re-open and buses could start to run, both at 50% capacity. Construction and manufacturing restrictions were also eased. Restaurants and shops have re-opened (until 7pm) and taxis are running (but not motorbike taxis until next weekend). Churches are still closed and Kigali airport is still only receiving returning Rwandans and residents. Schools will remain closed until September. Face-masks are mandatory, including for children. Most wear them, even if many prefer them on their chins rather than their faces.

We’ve made the most of the new normal by going out for pizza, burgers and haircuts and having Anthea’s colleagues round for lunch. We’ve also discovered that 2 or 3 of the houses across the road from us have swimming pools and so we are currently hatching a plan as to how we could make not-so-subtle enquiries about how we might be able to use them.

There was a sense amongst many Rwandans that the country as a whole, but the poorest in particular, couldn’t cope with lockdown being continued any longer. Many are fearful of Covid-19 but are perhaps more fearful of the grinding hand-to-mouth poverty that has increased during lockdown. From what we hear, there has been centralised food distribution over the last 8 weeks but more infrequent and inconsistent than required. For some communities it has only happened twice. With the easing of restrictions has come relief. Relief that people can travel without fear of being stopped. And relief that people can earn a living once more, although there are still many who have not been able to return to work and have no other source of food or income.

On top of this locusts are still a threat in the region and East Africa has also experienced torrential rain and severe flooding, with 360 deaths (55 in Rwanda), 500,000 people displaced and Lake Victoria reaching its highest level in more than 50 years. For an infographic overview of the current situation with locusts on the BBC website see, How a single locust becomes a plague.

Will we ever get to Goma?

This week we will extend our Rwandan transit visas and Anthea will apply for a work visa. Our DRC visas run out next month but we hope they will be extended in light of border closures. The land border between Rwanda and Goma is usually very busy, with people working on one side and living on the other. At the moment it has Rwandans and Congolese crossing, but mostly to return home. In Goma, although schools and churches are closed, much of the rest of life goes on as normal, with still only a handful of Covid-19 cases. Until today, that is, when Goma reported a significant increase in cases and imposed a 15 day lockdown in line with the capital, Kinshasa, where there are already 1500 cases.

Although it is unlikely schools in Goma will restart before September, we are still keen to get there as soon as possible. Restrictions on movement within Rwanda will be eased on June 1 and we hope this might pave the way for the opening of borders. Airlines are scheduling more international flights in June and July with this in mind. Also, we now have a more permanent house to live in when we get to Goma. It is a house that Tearfund has rented for many years which become available to us from July. It is on Lake Kivu, with a garden and room for guests. We are excited and thankful to God for his provision and I’m sure it will help us with settling in to life in Goma.

How can you pray?

• For wisdom for African governments in their response to Covid-19

• For the threat of locusts and the aftermath of flooding in East Africa

• For Martin’s Mum, Aileen, recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Pray that her treatment would be effective and that the nausea and tiredness would lessen.

• That we would remain healthy, positive and thankful, and that the teacher at Gordon Home-School would be blessed with supernatural patience.

• That we will be able to get to Goma soon!

Thank you for reading and praying!

From Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen