Learning to drive at a young age was such an achievement, but owning a car and self drive at that age was levels – big deal – at least to me then in 2002. Yes, I am kinda ancient, but then I was a young handsome adult trying to figure out this thing called life.Continue reading “My first “owned-ish” car: the unforeseen costs & rewards of status with character development”
Author Archives: Val Ruta
Where did HE go?
The once respected solid, vibrant, and firm husband, brother, father, uncle, or boyfriend has suddenly disappeared. Even when he is in the room, his known enduring strong presence cannot be felt. Something has happened to him. Where did he go and why? Imagine taking a relaxing walk in a quiet street on a beautiful day.Continue reading “Where did HE go?”
A glimpse into my 25 years working and serving with…
On this date 6 February, in 2001, I started working for the United Nations (UN) at the then International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), in my hometown Arusha, Tanzania. Today, 6 February 2026, marks 25 years of working and serving with the United Nations. Then I was only 19 years old, fresh from high school,Continue reading “A glimpse into my 25 years working and serving with…”
Created in the image of God? Oops
Apparently, we are created in the image of God. In this article, I explore what I would discover to be a powerful and humbling phenomenon of what being “created in the image of God” both physically and in essence is. For starters, if I were to ask you to create an image of God inContinue reading “Created in the image of God? Oops”
Hello God! I have questions for you…
God, I have an urge to ask and need to question! Who is God? What is God? Where is God? How is God God? When did God happen? How am I related to God? Is there a relationship between me and God? In my previous article Thank you 42, I noted that I do notContinue reading “Hello God! I have questions for you…”
Sunday morning arguments with my mind
It is Sunday morning, and my mind is almost awake, but I am still fast asleep. I know this, as I am already negotiating with my mind to give me more time to sleep before it takes over my life. There’s a lingering feeling of that nice deep sleep that needs to be had, evenContinue reading “Sunday morning arguments with my mind”
Happy 1st Heavenly Anniversary, my sister Norah
Dear Norah, Do they even call you Norah in heaven? How is it there? Do you even see or recognise me anymore? Do you even hear me? Your death has been one hard piece of puzzle to put together, a year after. But one piece that came quickly and very clear to me is thatContinue reading “Happy 1st Heavenly Anniversary, my sister Norah”
Are you Alarmed or Excited to wake-up?
I think the first few hours of waking up, especially in the morning, should be deeply meaningful. Waking up in the morning is a powerful phenomenon in life that we should be excited about and not taken for granted. But do we really wake up excited in the morning? I don’t know if you haveContinue reading “Are you Alarmed or Excited to wake-up?”
Thank you 42!
It is written on my “earthly” birth certificate that, on 1 July 1981, I was born. On this same date in 2023, I contemplate me. I now have three white hairs (called “mvi” in Kiswahili) on my beard, two of which are only visible if I have not shaved. Some say it’s a sign ofContinue reading “Thank you 42!”
Healing from “emotional turmoil” (Part of 1 of 2)
Are you feeling emotionally hurt, disappointed, let down, or unhappy? Do you know why? Do you really know why? How do you heal from this phenomenon that I refer to as “emotional turmoil”? As humans, we think, imagine, and create our realities. In this “mtazamo wangu wa leo” (my today’s perspective), I unpack, from myContinue reading “Healing from “emotional turmoil” (Part of 1 of 2)”
Mtazamo Wangu 