Round Up-Day 11

(From Patrick)

Day 11-I am sitting on an Ethiopian Jet liner in the 20^th hour of a 30 hour journey (counting layovers).  It is hard to find the words to sum up our sister church partnership trip so far.  It has been affirming, moving, joyful, transforming and challenging.  Our hosts have been so gracious, and it and it has been wonderful to see and experience the genuine warmth.  This was our churches 4^th trip, my third, several members second and a first for three of our team.  The change in our partnership has been remarkable.  Names are known.  Hugs and exclamations of delight punctuated each joyful greeting, as we hailed each one, recognizing faces and remembering names:  Gato! Betti! Bishop Jared! Pastor Ettiene ! Eugnee Felicima Venant!   And on and on it went.  “Mwaramutze (good morning), I Mana Abahe Umugeedzah! (May God bless you!)  Yesu Ashmwe!  (Jesus Be praised!)

Taylor and Sarah with our cook Favian

As I witnessed, experienced and pondered these loving exchanges, I became more convinced of the true relational value of partnership.  The NT Epistles are filled with such warm greetings and blessings arising out of genuine affection and mutual knowledge of our Lord Jesus.

I come away from this trip deeply touched by our brothers and sisters in Rwanda.  They are building a new church building which we were privileged to see progress this week from ground level to about 15-20 bricks high all the way around.  They told us they are renaming their parish “Gikomero Church of the Apostles” to reflect our brotherhood.  They said “in our eyes you are Rwandan.  Please tell the brothers and sisters at home that we love them and are praying for them.  Tell them they are Rwandans, too!”

Laying brick on the foundation of the new church building

I was also very glad to see that Pastor Etienne has become a very good and solid leader of his parish.  He loves his people, walks miles every day to encourage them in their cell groups and families, meets regularly with his lay leaders, visits the health clinic to pray with patients, and faithfully teaches/preaches The Word of God.  He was delighted to show me the effects of the water project and the running water in the clinic, at a community station and just outside his home.

Pastor Ettiene oversees the building project

Ettiene greets Teresa

Our group also was impressed by the compassionate outreach taking place at Gikomero.  The church consistently ministers to over 100 single mothers who have suffered stigmatization, abandonment, abuse, or rape.  These single moms are heroically working, providing and seeking the best for their kids.  The church is encouraging them with resources and the hope of the Gospel.

How I wish all our church could experience this partnership first hand.  I wish you could have met Alfred and his wife, Jennifer – a warm, loving couple who minster to youth, children, mothers, and prisoners.  Alfred was unjustly accused of participation in the genocide and spent 11 years in prison separated from his wife and children.  You would never know it to look at him.  He is filled with the grace and joy of Jesus and preaches the good news every chance he gets.

I wish you could have met the four children and one young man a few members of our group have sponsored through Compassion International.  They and their parents are so grateful for the chance to obtain education. The young man has obtained a vocational degree to operate taxis and small vehicles.  He was incredibly kind-hearted towards the younger children, sharing his candy (a gift we gave) with them, and playing soccer with them with his new ball.

I wish you could have seen the dancing at the church service yesterday as we all joined in with feet pumping and arms waving in raucous joy.  What a picture of the kingdom!  As I watched the children dancing and the adults clapping, tears came to my eyes.  This is what we are all destined for in the kingdom of God when the nations gather round to worship.  The tears came because I know these people.  I know their struggles.  I know their illnesses.  I am getting to know their fears.  I see their poverty and lack.  I’ve heard their stories of genocide.  Their dancing brings tears because it is borne out of hope for a better world.  Not just in the coming kingdom, but in the progress of the kingdom NOW!!

Let the dancing begin!

Eric just can't help himself!

Patrick too!!!

I wish you could have been here for there is more to tell than I can possibly write.  I hope this blog has been a blessing to you.  I hope the few pictures and stories we have posted have made it possible for you to share in the journey.  I hope you will press in further with our sister church and hold them in your heart and keep them in your prayers.

Imana Ibana amohoro namwe.  (The peace of God be with you all.)

From Lou White

We all matter to God…

“You’ve never locked eyes with anyone who didn’t matter to God.”

When I look into the eyes of these folks, I am moved beyond understanding.  I was talking with our group one night and was telling them this, and Eric gave us the above quote.  It really spoke to me.

I can’t imagine what they have seen and experienced, but I know they matter to God!!

Thank you Lord for allowing me to look into their eyes!

All The Single Ladies

Muraho (hello) from Sarah in Rwanda! Our trip has been full of adventure thus far and it is hard to think about leaving. On Tuesday we arrived at Gikomera ready to teach English. I had a backpack full of ESL materials and was ready to go! We met with pastor Étienne and he, and God, had different plans for me. He had 4 groups of people that he wanted us to meet with: 2 classes for English - One of primary (elementary) students and one of secondary (high school) students, a group of Christians for Eric to meet with, and the last group was a group of single women. I was chosen to spend time with the single women. This group was called ABISHYIZEHAMWE. In English this means “the people who decided to be together”. They have decided to be together because they have been rejected by their families. Each of these women have had children out of wedlock. Their families are ashamed and will no longer care for them. Their common ground is that they are on their own. Because of this they have decided to be together to encourage each other, pray together, and start a business to support themselves and their children.

Sarah and the "Abishyzehamwe"

I spent some time sharing about who I was and why I was there. I shared about the work that I am blessed to be a part of at House of Hope. Then I asked for questions. I wanted to talk about what they were interested in. We spent the next 2 hours talking about everything from how much God loved them to how to market their business and be a business woman. It was a wonderful time of encouragement and I had excellent aid in Bernard our translator whom we have dubbed “The Man”. But it was the very first question they asked me that will stay with me forever. The first question was what can I tell them that can give them hope? What a heavy question. My crowd was women who live in poverty that I may never experience, most of them have been raped, impregnated and rejected by their own. What can I tell them to give them hope? I immediately prayed and asked God for help. He gave me several scriptures to share with them but my favorites messages of Hope were from:

Jeremiah 29:11”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.”

Isaiah 61:1-3  “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring god news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to open the prison to those who are bound. To grant those who mourn in Zion a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the spirit of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called Oaks of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

After that several of them told me their stories of what had happened to them. I count it as one of my greatest blessing to be able to see these women face to face and tell them how much God loves them and how proud He is of them and that what happened to them is not right. That they are brave and beautiful. God has a plan for their lives and will bring them good things. We are for them and will pray for healing and blessing on these incredibly strong women who have decided to be together. 

Please decide to be together with me in praying for them:

• That they will daily feel God’s presence and safety
• That their skills will increase, and that God will bless their business
• Pray for resources to build their business and support themselves and their children

Eric and Betty who heads the HIV/AIDS ministry

Courtney Rocks! (Trying out the traditional method of transporting goods and materials)

Ladies in traditional dress await their turn at the Health Clinic

Lou White gathers a crowd of boys who want a glimpse of the digital photos of them that she captured

Bring justice to the fatherless… Is. 1:17

(Teresa) In January the Holy Spirit penetrated my heart with Isaiah 1:17, to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.  Today, Thurs., 6/13, Patrick, Eric and I had an incredible opportunity to spend 3 hours with the beautiful children we sponsor through Compassion International.  Three of the children came from the Shyogwe Parish Compassion Project and two children were from the Zion Compassion Project through Mt. Zion Church of the Shyogwe Diocese.

Patrick’s young man is John, 21.   He has completed Driver’s Vocation School and hopes to complete another year to be qualified for driving trucks.  Goreta, 13, is Eric’s young child and she came with her mother.  Belise, 15, Solange, 8 and Alexia 10 are my precious young children. 

Upon arrival, I was surprised to see Belise run out of the office to hug me as soon as I got out of the truck.  She said, “I love you!”  What an incredible gift Belise gave me at that moment.   As I was greeting Belise’s mother and sister, age 6, I saw a tiny little girl with another girl making their way through the group as they held hands. . Instantly I knew it was Solange and Alexia,.  Their mothers were not able to come, but I don’t know why.  My heart was sad for the girls, however, that didn’t seem to damper their sweet, lively spirits.  It was amazing to hold each child in my arms,  and say to each girl, “I love you and Yesu ishimwe! (Jesus be praised)  At that moment, I as overwhelmed with gratitude to our Lord Jesus for the wonderful blessing of meeting the young girls Craig and I sponsor. 

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We went inside the Zion Compassion Project for introductions.  John, Director of the Kigali Compassion Office, John Baptiste, Director of the Zion Project and Daniel, Director of the Shyogwe Project presented us with their Mission Statement and history of each project.  There are 200 Compassion Projects in Rwanda.  

Compassion has 4 areas in which the children are served; medical, cognitive, spiritual and academics.  The children attend Church at the Anglican Church in each Project.  Also, some sing in the Church choir.  Every Saturday the child comes to the Compassion Project Center to spend the day receiving the help they need and interacting with one another and the staff.  Compassion provides each child with medical care, which costs 3,000 Rwandan Francs and 200 Francs with each visit ($4.65 and $.31 respectively).

After all of the formalities, each child presented their Sponsors with a gift.  One of mine was a basket with two birds sharing a red seed, which represented a heart.  I was told by Belise that just as the birds were attached by sharing a seed (their hearts), she is attached to my heart as our sponsored child.  I assured Belise that our hearts are attached to hers!  Each gift was very special to me and each child was very proud of their gift!  Craig, the girls absolutely loved their backpacks!!!  They immediately had to put them on.  

As a last minute gift, I had purchased each girl hot pink finger nail polish.  What a hit that was!  We had so much fun as I painted my girls, Goreta and their mother’s finger nails hot pink!  After this we went outside to jump rope and play with John’s soccer ball.  John was such a kind, generous young man in sharing his new soccer ball and playing with the girls.  We were amazed at their athletic skills.  The jump rope skills each girl had was amazing!!  

We couldn’t believe our eyes when petite Solange took the soccer ball and began bouncing between one leg and then another.  Watching the joy and smile on their faces as they played and shared their gifts was incredible.  These children really know how to play with such simple toys!!  However, when I was asked to jump rope with them, I thought how am I going to keep my knees from showing and jump in this long skirt, but somehow I managed to jump a few times without missing a beat.  I did show my knees and prayed the adults didn’t see them!  J  While Eric and Patrick went to town to purchase food gifts for each family, the girls and I sang Jesus Loves Me.  I sang in English and they sang in Kinyarwandan.  I just know the Lord smiled down on us as He heard the different languages blending together singing of His love for us.  They sang several songs for me and then taught me to dance!  It was amazing! J I also had the opportunity to speak with Belise’s mother.  She shared with me that her husband passed away 5 years ago.  At that time, her husband’s family ran her off their land and took her home in Buture.  She brought Belise and her sister to Gitarama.  Now they live in a home which someone allows them to share, however, she is not allowed to have any animals to farm because the house isn’t hers.  Belise’s mother grows beans, cassava, peas and cabbage which she sells at the market when possible.   Eric and Patrick returned with a 10 lb. bag of rice and a gal. of coconut oil for each family.  Belise and her mother’s eyes were filled with tears of gratitude.

We had a group picture taken then stood in a circle with the children and mother’s in the circle and prayed.  Patrick and Pastor Alfred prayed for each family.  As we were driving away and waving good-by, my heart was mixed with joy and deep sorrow for Belise, Sogange, Alexia and their mother’s due to their extreme poverty, yet at the same time, my heart was overflowing with joy and gratitude at God’s goodness and faithfulness.  The Lord had answered my prayers and made the visit possible.  He also has blessed Craig and I with the sweet, rich privilege of sponsoring these precious girls.  Each of these girls has a piece of my heart which will stay with them in Rwanda. I pray the Lord will provide another opportunity to visit with them in the future now that our relationships are growing deeper.

It has been amazing to me as I have watched how the Lord has placed Compassion International in my life on this journey.  As we were boarding our plane in Ethiopia for Kigali, I saw some men with Compassion golf shirts on and asked them if they were with Compassion.  They were with Compassion International in Kigali.  John, the Director, knew my name when I introduced myself because he had planned our visit!!!  I couldn’t believe it.  They spent about 20 minutes talking with our team as we waited to board.  John was with the Rwanda Dept. of Commerce and Trade as well as the CEO of an Industry Company, left these high paying positions to become Director of Compassion International and a Pastor.   Our first Sunday as we worshiped with the Shyogwe Parish, a Translator sat down next to me, introduced himself as the Director of the Zion Compassion Project.  When I introduced myself, he also knew me because of organizing our visit to his Project.  After the service we were served lunch with leaders of the Parish and I was introduced to Daniel the Director of Shyogwe Parish.  Daniel expressed his gratitude to those at Apostles whom are sponsoring children of Shyogwe through Compassion.  Sunday evening we attended a Cell Group, similar to Apostles’ Community Group, and there was Daniel once again.  We spoke more and exchanged emails.  I was rejoicing and praising the Lord all night for these wonderful Compassion contacts He had arranged for me to meet in less than 24 hrs.

Bishop Jered shared with Patrick that 40 Parishes have Compassion Projects, approximately 1,500 children are educated.   Many attend University and return to mentor children currently being sponsored.

I can’t close this blog without telling you that the Lord Jesus blessed me with the opportunity to spend time with my dear, dear friend, Clementine and her husband Pastor Joseph.  Also, I have met their 9 mo. Old baby boy, Benaiah.  We have had several opportunities to spend treasured time together, which is more answered prayer.

This journey has been full of great joy and deep sorrow as I witness the suffering of our friends, but also such hope, faith and trust in God’s eternal Kingdom being spread here in the Land of 1000 Hills.  The Lord is breaking my heart with what breaks His.  I am deeply grateful and blessed to walk with my brothers and sisters in Christ of Rwanda.  Imana ibane namwe!  God be with you, my sweet friends and family!

If you want to learn more about Compassion please visit their website at www.compassioninternational.com

Please pray about becoming a sponsor of a child in severe poverty.

The Crown Class That Almost Was Not

(Sam Bass) My very first reaction to Eric’s phone call inviting me to join this year’s Rwanda team was decidedly mixed. I was honored to be considered, but at the same time fought back a healthy dose of ‘I’m pretty sure I have a conflict.’ After prayer and conversation with Sharon I accepted God’s call to go.

Part of my duties on the trip would be to prepare and conduct, with Taylor Waren, a Crown Financial group study for leaders in the Shyogwe Diocese. From the beginning there was very little, actually, no guidance from Rwanda on specifics like; who exactly would attend, how much time would we have, and how many participants would there be? The length of the course, for instance would change four times from as little as two hours to two days. I was told that it was normal to receive limited information so we would need to be flexible, both in design and delivery. We had no idea of just how flexible we would need to be and how much we would come to rely on the Holy Spirit, as our control slipped away.

On our first Sunday, after a truly wonderful three-hour church service at Shyogwe , we learned that the Bishop had added an extra full day to our teaching schedule and that we would be teaching about 20 ‘accountants’ as they called them. Accountants are the financial people in churches, schools, and program offices.

Bishop Kalimba’s vision is to equip his financial leaders to raise up teachers who will take the Crown study into their churches and community groups (known as cell groups). As the church in Rwanda is THE welfare system, it is the Bishop’s prayerful desire for his financial leaders to become godly stewards of the resources entrusted to them by the Church and the government. He also wants his ‘Christians’ (church members) to understand the importance of tithing, both for their spiritual health and to fund the vital services the church provides in their community. They are so very poor that they believe they cannot afford to give.

The Reverend Canon Immanuel Gasana

This past Tuesday our Crown class was to begin at 9:00 am with 15 to 20 accountants who would have only basic English skills. We had received no information about who our translator would be, but that there would be one. Just before the hour, two young women arrived and sat at the opposite end of a very long table we had prepared for the meeting. Taylor and I exhausted pretty quickly our supply of Kinyarwandan and realized that they weren’t going to help us much. We would spend a very long 15 minutes of intermittent stabs at starting conversation followed by stares at one another.

By 9:45 a steady stream of new arrivals started pouring in. One of them was named Marianne, who did some early translating for us. By 10:10 we had enough participants to begin our study.

It didn’t take us long to realize that our Rwandan brothers and sisters have limited cell phone manners. Phones must have gone off with their unique, and loud rings at least 20 times that morning. Each ring lead to answering styles that included; the hand-muffled conversation in place, scraping chairs on a tile floor to move away from the table, walks over to the window, and leaving the room entirely through a noisy door - all while new arrivals dribbled in. We have since learned that cell phones in the area do not have voice mail. In a culture where relationship is so integral, an unanswered phone call is hurtful.

About an hour into our chaos, Eugene (pronounced U-G-nee), our official translator got up with her cell phone in hand and told us she had to leave, saying that Marianne would take over. Taylor and I looked at each other once again, wondering what challenge would visit next. The timing was especially bad because we were about to enter the important and complicated topic of debt. We knew we were in trouble almost immediately when Marianne said ‘excuse me, what means debt?’ With our loss of clear translation, we quickly began to lose the last modicum of control we thought we had.

Members were quiet and respectful when the scriptures were read in Kinyarwandan, but conversations began immediately afterwards as we attempted question and response. The questions were in English as we had not had sufficient coordination with the Diocese before the trip to get them translated, and there was some suggestion we should leave them in English to promote fluency.

As Taylor and I led the class we each prayed that our group would begin to work together and gel. Our first answer to prayer came when Patrick joined us. He contributed some great stories that we hoped would improve the understanding we hoped for before. Samuel, a man sitting close to me attempted to fill in the gaps of Marianne’s translations as best he could. No sooner had our momentum shifted favorably, a class cut-up, we will call Jean, began asking disruptive questions. The woman beside him, who had been an active participant before his arrival became his conversation and joke partner as control once again evaporated.

Our lunch break came none too soon for everyone in the room, and the meal was delicious. It provided Taylor and me the opportunity to mix with the participants on a less formal basis and to begin to break the ice a bit. After a few warm conversations over lunch it was time to return. I’m pretty sure most did not want to go back in – I didn't.

Soon after resuming, another gift from the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a tall, commanding and gifted translator named Bernard. Patrick had excused himself earlier to arrange for Bernard to leave his wood and metal-working factory to help us. Communication improved between us and our Rwandan participants immediately, but the our principle disruptor continued his efforts to to destroy the experience for everyone in the group.

After the conclusion of the first day as we recounted our trials, our team realized the seriousness of our situation. That night the team circled us with prayers of protection for Taylor and me, as well as prayers for Jean. The next day would be nothing short of miraculous.

After Morning Prayer, Taylor and I headed to our meeting room wondering how many would show up. We expected there would be three for sure – the two of us and our new, but fantastic translator, Faustin. We agreed to abandon our table format to form a circle of chairs. It wasn't long before our prayers of the night before and morning were rewarded as some of the more engaged members of our group trickled in to join our circle.

With six participants, Taylor began to lead our small group on the topic of Work which begins with the memory verse from Collossians 3:23-24.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men . . . It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

For the next 10-15 minutes our circle of chairs would double. Every person who had been with us the day before, including Jean, returned, including a couple of new faces. During our break a ‘God moment’ occurred when Taylor crossed the room to shake the hand of Jean and then to give him a huge hug and said, “I am so glad you are back!” He beamed at the welcome. From that moment on our class was transformed, it was redeemed. Satan had been defeated and everyone there knew something was remarkably different.

At the conclusion of our study I asked our group of brothers and sisters in Christ if they had experienced a change in their views on money, giving, work, and ownership. As Faustin translated, every head in our circle nodded emphatically, “yes.” I then asked for a show of hands of those who would commit to lead a Crown study in their cell groups.

Jean’s hand was the very first to go up! Most of the other hands then went up. As I could tell that some of our stalwarts were reluctant to commit, I asked Faustin to tell them we would make sure they received translated copies – there was immediate and loud applause, as the remaining hands went up. Praise God!

There are no words to express how grateful I am to God that I said yes to His call through Eric in March and to each of you for your support. Blessings from Rwanda. 

We Are Now Brothers and Sisters

(Courtney)

My time so far in Rwanda has been so wonderful and so filled with activity that I can’t begin to describe it in enough detail. We have limited internet also, so I haven’t read the other blog posts. Hopefully there is not too much overlap! One of the most important things that I would like to share is how deep the partnership is between our church and the church at Gikomero. Before I went on this trip I didn’t really understand the depth of the partnership. Yesterday when we had lunch at Pastor Ettiene’s house he told us that we were no longer friends, but we are now brothers and sisters. He didn’t just mean us. On the wall in his house he has a giant photo of our congregation standing in front of our church building. He has your faces on his wall. I would love it if we felt so connected to them in America.

We got to spend some time with Bishop Jered the other day, and he shared with us that his life motto is “build your kingdom here and now!” This is one philosophy that leads him to greatly value our partnership. Together we are working to build God’s kingdom throughout the world. We will be with our Rwandan brothers and sisters for all of eternity, but our partnership builds God’s kingdom NOW!

Another thing that I would like to express how evident God’s presence is here. The people we have met have strong faith. They have been through things so horrific that we could never imagine. Yesterday Sarah met with a group whose name means “the ones who have chosen to be together”. They are single women whose husbands died, or who got pregnant out of wedlock who have been shunned by their families. In Sarah’s words these women have been stolen from and trespassed on and it is not ok. There are many women like this, and many broken families. The church (through God’s grace and guidance) has played a huge part in helping the people continue. For example, the Mother’s Union was started as a way to empower women to improve their skills and start businesses to help support their families. These people love each other and they love God. So many terrible things have happened, but there are so many stories of forgiveness and reconciliation. God is doing great things here, and we have the incredible opportunity to be a part of it.

Today was a blessed day. We spent some time teaching English to high school students today. 

Hillary and I were in the same classroom that we were yesterday, but today went more smoothly. Mostly this was due to our translator, Bernard, who we are so thankful for. We taught the children two songs, which they loved. We also read part of Psalm 136 and had them repeat “His steadfast love endures forever.” When we talked about ways to respond to the question, “How are you?” they wanted to know how to say “I have sorrow” and “I have fear”. We were able to point back to Psalm 136 and remind them that throughout this God’s love endures forever. I hope that in some way God spoke to them through our time together. At break time they asked us to play games with them. They taught us some games, and we taught them some games. It was just a really fun time!

I am having a wonderful time. Part of me could stay here forever, but a very big part of me misses everyone at home and I can’t wait to see you all and tell you all about my trip J

(From Eric Bolash)

A Pastor and a King

Bishop Jered Kalimba told us Monday night that he grew up in a nearby village taking care of cows and working with his father, a carpenter. He knows how to build things. He knows the people. He grew up with them. He knows how the live. He knows their needs. He has compassion for them.

Bishop Jared taking us on a tour of the building of the Diocesan Training Center Dormitory

He told us, “I am just a pastor.”

On the other hand, Bishop Jered told us, “I am a king.”

He didn’t mean that in a power-hungry, prideful way. He simply accepts God’s call to lead the churches. To raise up young pastors. To build a three-story training and retreat center. To encourage churches like Gikomero to trust God for a water well and a health clinic. To always seek to “train the trainers.”

He is a caring pastor. And he is a bold king. He is a bishop. The boldness may come from things like hearing something drop from the trees to his feet and realizing the next morning that the Lord had saved him from a live grenade. He knows Jesus saved his life. And he knows Jesus saved him from his sins. The Lord kept him alive to serve him.

So he loves the Lord, loves the pastors, loves the people and leads them to dream big.

Our team has wrestled with that. Do we dream big as a church at Apostles? What might the Lord lead us to follow him into that could not occur without his power and leading? How might the Lord give us bigger plans the require him to come through? What would take us more deeply into the vision he has given us?

We are curious to see what our King will lead us into to build his kingdom.

The Avocado tree planted by our 2012 team at Gikomero

Images from Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Let's go!

Our home in Rwanda, the guest lodge at Shyogwe Diocese headquarters

We were greeted by some of the school children on our visit to Gikomero on Monday

This reminds us of the kids at Apostles climbing the crepe myrtle outside our main entrance

We visited the school children of Gikomero

Courtney has struck a good friendship with Eugenie the diocesan adminstrator

We have started to call Courtney "Junior" since some of the people thinks she looks like a white version of Eugenie!

Eric and Betty. She runs the Aids/Hiv ministry of the diocese.

Hillary's a natural with the kids!

(From Hillary Dotson)

My Beloved bring me awake, Take me up to your resurrection place

My Beloved bring me awake, ‘Cause I want to feel Your light upon my face

Awake or asleep? Great question for each member of the team as we waited, endured, or sleepwalked through the five hour layover in Addis Ababa’s one-room airport. In the wake of our 14-hour flight, we all attempted to bring some semblance of life back into our tired, smelly, confused bodies as we used toilet-paperless bathrooms and brushed teeth with the dregs of water bottles (as faucet water from here on out is highly unrecommended). However, in His sovereignty, the Lord had another means of refreshing and awakening in store...

My Beloved take me away, Over Jordan up out of this place

My Beloved, for You I wait, With You here ‘til forever face to face

So as we waited to be freed from that crowded place, the Lord brought us face to face with two new friends: Laura, a girl from California, and her friend Austin, from Raleigh. Yes, Raleigh, NC…he happens to live down the street from Teresa.

Austin 

Some members of our team excitedly engaged and encouraged these two college grads as they talked of their upcoming plans ministering to youth in Tanzania and Kenya. And then there were others of us simply trying to stay awake...thankfully Sarah called me over as Laura began to share more of her personal story. Laura Chance reminds me greatly of Philip from Acts chapter 8. Never before have I met a person more Spirit-led. Throughout her story, she attentively listened to the Lord and acted in obedience. All the while allowing Him to dictate each step, not the world or the opinions of others. As Laura finished speaking with Sarah and me, she asked to pray over us. So, in the middle of the Ethiopian airport we stood and prayed. She voiced specific hurts from our past and anxieties about our future—things Sarah and I had just shared and discussed with each other over the past 14 hours. I had never met her before and had not spoken with her for more than 7 minutes, and yet she knew. And I was reminded that my Heavenly Father also knows.

No more sorrow, no more pain, No more darkness weighing down on me

No longer blind now I can see, Forever light, forever free

This is what I know: God is real. God sees me as His beloved. God cares deeply for me. He cares enough to bring a random stranger across the world to pray over me. He desires both joy and freedom for me. And finally, I know that I “belong to God, so that I may declare the praises of Him who called me out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (I Peter 2:9) Forever light, forever free.

Safe in Rwanda!

(Sam Bass) We arrived at Kigali, Rwanda at 1 pm, 27 hours after leaving RDU. Our first greeters, Rwanda's customs agents, were quite warm and courteous. After a quick picture and thumb printing, we were off to claim our bags with a prayer that our luggage followed our “four-transfer” journey.

Almost immediately, our bags began appearing on the conveyor before us. One by one we confirmed that this would not be a repeat of last year's teams' unfortunate four days without a change of clothes. It would not be the case for a young missionary named Abbey, whom we met at the baggage claim. Her luggage had not come before the conveyor stopped. She was there to produce a documentary on the area. We joined a circle and prayed for her protection and that she would soon be reunited with her supplies. 

As we made our way into the airport lobby, the veterans of our group quickly recognized Pastor Etienne and Bernard. They greeted each and every one of us with a warmth and affection that did not vary, regardless of acquaintance.  Remarkably, they had arrived at the airport three hours earlier, because of a schedule mix-up, yet they showed no sign of frustration.  

Our luggage pile was twice that which might be expected for a group our size, as we carried medical and other supplies for the clinic at Gikomero. The small pickup that Pastor Etienne brought was soon piled high with bags that were lashed down with care and skill.

It wasn't long before we were winding our way through the busy and crowded streets of Kigali, Rwanda's capital city. The sights, sounds, and smells were typical of a city, but new, exciting, and uniquely African, at the same time. Cars, bikes, scooters and pedestrians squeezed onto roadways and sidewalks that were too small for their volume, but each remarkably continued on course unaffected by the others, if only by millimeters sometimes.

After a quick stop to change our dollars for Rwandan francs we were on our way to the Shyogwe Diocesan house and dorm, where we would headquarter for the next week. We wound our way out of the city into the suburbs and more expansive fruit and produce markets along the river. The congested curvy streets soon gave way to less crowded, but increasingly narrow roads. Diesel smoke was eventually replaced by the heavy blue smoke of wood cooking fires as the pace of life slowed dramatically.

In stark contrast to the peaceful countryside, our driver seemed to increase his speed as the roads became trickier. On the rare straightaways he seemed intent on finding just how many rpms he could get from that old van's motor, bound and determined to arrive before his friends in the luggage truck.

When we arrived, about 4pm we were greeted by Pastor Prosper, Claudine (8 months pregnant) and Clementine who showed us to our rooms in the dorm wing of the Diocesan house, just recently completed. We had time just enough time to wash our hands before being ushered into the dining room where we were served a hot feast of chicken, peas and carrots, rice, plantains, and potatoes.

Soon after 7, (1PM our time) 32 hours without horizontal sleep) we met with Bishop Jared Kalimba, Eugene Kagwera, and Pastor Prosper to go over the week's schedule. The meeting was informative and filled in some blanks, but left more questions unanswered than some in our group would have preferred. HOwever, there was unanimity over our disappointment that we would be leaving too soon. 

We concluded with prayer and hopes to get into bed, only to be informed by the bishop that a supper had been prepared to honor our arrival. Everyone, to the person, put on the best face and gratefully accepted Bishop Kalimba's kind invitation to eat...once again! By 9PM the halls became very quiet as we retired before starting our first full day as emissaries from Apostles to our brothers and sisters of the Shyogwe Diocese.

Saturday Morning from Addis Ababa

Blog Entry from Addis Ababa Airport (Taylor)

Before we boarded the plane for Ethiopia, Patrick led us in a devotion of Philippians 2:1-11.  One take away for me was the reminder that Jesus did nothing out of selfish ambition but everything for the glory of God the Father so that he might be exalted to the highest place.  So also are we to glorify God by being like-minded and being one in spirit and in purpose - because this makes God's joy complete.  This means laying aside our needs to serve the needs of others . . . easier said than done . . . especially when you're tired and hungry and in need of a shower and a toothbrush!  Prayers that the Holy Spirit would unite us in spirit and in purpose as a team and as a partnership with our brothers and sisters in Rwanda are much appreciated. 

About the flight . . . It didn’t feel that long.  Most of us were able to get a decent amount of rest . . . Others continued gabbing ;-)  But the Lord sustains and strengthens.  There was enough leg room to not make the ride feel cramped and the adjustable foot rests made all the difference!  Always see the blessings :-)  The coolest part about the plane was the lack of window shades which were replaced with dimmers controlled by the flight crew to make the plane feel as though it was night time even though it was broad daylight outside.  This really helped the adjustment to RWANDA TIME!  

As I’m writing this blog a friendly couple in Addis Ababa has approached our group and we just found out that the gentleman spends lots of time in Brevard, NC!!  Of course I had to share some sweet memories of my precious grandparents and mom who hails from Brevard.  :-) 

We will be boarding our last flight in about an hour so I will be signing out for now . . . Until our next blog post - Imana Ibana nawe (God be with you)

Day 1: First leg from Raleigh to DC

(Patrick)

Up at 3:00 AM!!! Jim and Ann Dotson came to pick me up while shuttling their sweet daughter Hillary to RDU. So at 3:45 I kissed my lovely wife (who I am already missing) and said “goodbye” to Charlie, my yellow Lab who just can’t seem to understand why I was not feeding him breakfast at this early hour. Met the rest of the team at RDU at 4:10. They were amazingly chipper. 

Our first flight was on a Q400 Turbo PROP plane. The largest propeller plane I have ever seen! And yep...it flys! (Though I think “400” stands for how many feet it flys above the ground.) In flight, Sam, Eric, Lou and Taylor all conked out. Hillary and Sarah (who says she’s ‘not a morning person’) gabbed the whole way to Washington DC, Dulles. Poor Courtney Williams was the only team member to get a lone seat...next to a balding businessman. Guess that’s what happens when your group has an odd number and your last name starts with a “W”.

The bumpy turbo prop flight, in tropical storm induced rains made me reflect on the goodness of God’s promises as I read Psalm 33:18

“The Eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.” Hopeful for spotting His good blessings on this trip.

s

Sarah and Hillary, gab-meisters!

Rwanda entry #1

Greetings! Imana Ishimwe! (God be praised!)
Thanks to all who are reading this blog. Welcome. I hope you will both enjoy this blog and receive true blessings from it. In addition, may the LORD move you to respond in prayer for us that we might shine His light and carry His glorious presence with us as we meet with our brothers and sisters in Rwanda.

Photo from the 2011 Rwanda trip.

History

Our partnership began about five years ago when we made a request to the Anglican Mission to be partnered with an Anglican congregation in Rwanda. We were assigned to the Gikomero Parish of the Shyogwe Diocese. The parish is located in a rural setting almost two hours from the capital city of Kigali. Rwanda is a beautiful country with rolling hills, green vegetation and many tile roof houses. The people of Rwanda are quite friendly and greet you by smiling and waving both hands in the air. The friendliness makes it hard to comprehend the horror of genocide that rocked this small country in 1993. Over 900,000 people died in the ethnic cleansing and almost as many in the years that followed through war-related wounds and infectious diseases. Yet, the people of Rwanda display a remarkable resilience. Many have found the grace to forgive their enemies while others silently suffer the wounds they received. It was not uncommon to speak to someone who had lost every relative in the killings. We were deeply touched by the Rwandan Christians and their quiet faith and joyous dancing in their worship services. 

Our relationship with Gikomero and the Shyogwe Diocese can happily be described as warm, loving and growing. This is now our fourth trip to Rwanda while we have hosted the Bishop Jared Kalimba and some of his staff on two visits to Raleigh. On our first trip we learned that they were hoping to build a well in the valley and pump water to the top of the hill a mile away where the church, its' school, and medical dispensary are located. The well and pump would enable Gikomero to turn the dispensary into a health clinic. The clinic would serve close to 30,000 people in the surrounding community. By God’s grace we were able to raise over $80,000 to complete the project and the well is fully functioning today! 

Its about relationship

Yet, the partnership is more about relationships then projects. We have taught English, preached sermons, brought gifts and provided scholarships and child sponsorships, but our greatest focus is on developing friendships based on our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We were very sad when Reverend Martin, the pastor of Gikomero died in a motorcycle accident. Our relationship with his wife Dancille and her three children continues to this day. We have been helping support her through medical school where she will soon receive an advanced nursing degree. This will enable her to support her family and carry out a much needed vocation. 

We are also growing in our relationship with Reverend Ettiene and his family. He replaced Pastor Martin. He is an enthusiastic leader and prays for our congregation quite faithfully. Bishop Jared Kalimba is one of the most gracious and humble man of God you could ever meet. He loves the people of his diocese and has a great vision for church planting, economic development, education, leadership development and pastoral care. 

Some boys from the 2009 trip

This Trip

So we hope you will be in prayer as we prepare to leave early Friday morning. (We have to be at the airport at 4:00 AM!) Our trip will focus on furthering our relationship, deepening in understanding and prayer, learning from our hosts as well as providing some teaching on biblical basis for strong marriages, financial stewardship principles and an English as a Second Language intensive course. We also intend to visit the church, worship twice with them, exchange gifts, visit several compassion sponsored children, and bring back a report of the ministries and missions of our sister church, as well as determine if there is another mutual project with which we can partner with Gikomero. Please pray for safe travel, team unity, spiritual growth, health and that we be good representatives of Apostles and our Lord. Stay tuned as all of our team will be making entries over the course of our trip!

In Christ,

Patrick

2013 Team: Courtney Williams, Hillary Dotson, Taylor Warren, Teresa Kincaid,  Sarah Hughes, Eric Bolash, Lou White, Sam Bass, and Patrick Dominguez