It has been a while…

Hey there. Sorry it has been a while since I last posted. I have been wicked busy. Here are a few highlights, with more detailed posts to come:

- I was asked to help present to a Clinical Officer (CO) class. Here, CO are the Rwandan equivalent of a Physician Assistant. They will be the ones on the front line, in the Health Centers throughout the country. I presented on 2 topics for about 2.5 hours on 2 different days. It was a lot of work and exhausting, not only preparing the lectures, but also presenting. I have a new found appreciation for teaching, and for those of you who are teachers. A special shout out to Scott Conard and Michael Wilbanks!

- I traveled to visit Laura at her orphanage in Western Uganda over 5 days. It was an awesome trip, playing with the orphans, especially the preschool aged kids, a new addition to the orphanage. Laura and the staff there continue to impress me with the level of care they provide, and how well the kids are taken care of. It is always good to go there, and take a break from cell phones, emails, etc., and just live. 

- I am working on making my house more of a home, i.e. gardening, decorating, etc. pics to come soon. 

- Work continues to be rewarding, and challenging. It has been slower than usual, with most of the wards at CHUB at about 75% capacity. I am sure it is the calm before the storm. 

- I am making friends, and I am bonding with my fellow musungus and Rwandans in Butare.

- I have been exercising 3 times a week at Gym Tonic, a hybrid cardio/calisthenic workout that lasts for 1.5 hours for ~ $ 0.75 per class. Pretty amazing stuff. 

Like I said, more to come soon, including pictures. 

Lastly, I miss the Fall: the cool nights, the colors, apple cider, really APPLES in general, and American football. The funny thing is, as much as I miss them, life still goes on, and I am learning to appreciate the wonders of my new home: warm days, coolish nights, the beautiful people, the work I am doing. 

Amahoro,

Craiger