From Todd -- These are the items that tempt me and expand my diet beyond the typical rice, beans and vegetables of sub-saharan Africa. The Coke Light from Dubai is better than Diet Coke at home, but it costs about $1.25 for a 12-ounce can.  Ben and I go through a Hot & Spicy Pringles can every few days. It’s helpful to have these “vices” here to give us a taste of home.  Pringles have always reminded me of my Paw Paw Rand, as he always had these around his home when I was younger.  The nostalgia of those memories has never been stronger than it is now.  I’ve noticed the same emotions with music.  I’ve always been a big music lover, and I’ve recognized that the emotions tied to music have only strengthened since we’ve arrived in Rwanda.

 

We promised our kids a dog in Africa, and today we brought home “Beauty,” a one-year-old German Shepherd mix. They’re so excited...in their eyes, she is truly beautiful.

 

We have had so many new experiences in such a short time - in some ways it’s like going to college all over again - being bombarded with new sights and sounds in a quick succession. I’ve discovered that here I cling to the most valuable memories of my life at a deeper level than ever before. We’ve been here three weeks, but it seems like three months. It will be interesting to see what reminds me of Rwanda ten years from now.