Rwamagana Lutheran School

Today we went a visited Rwamagana Lutheran School. Our new friends, Pastor John and Robyn, started this boarding school. Actually it is Robyn's baby but John is behind her 100%. So we traveled the 3 hours to get to Rwamagana. We had seen the building under construction and really liked the design so we were excited to see the building complete. We weren't disappointed. The two story building is beautiful. Robyn spent time explaining everything from good architects to use, builders that we could hire --to tips of what went well and what did not as she navigated the challenges of construction in Rwanda.

RLS has started with two classes of senior 1 (seventh grade). They will slowly bring other grades in but have plans for a dormitory soon so that children can stay on campus and revenue can be brought in. Robyn would like to start an association of protestant private schools so that we can learn from one another and share resources like teacher training. It was a great meeting today and we are excited to present our plan to the District and get going on construction soon!

Painting Outside the Lines

Isaac and Serena Tyrrell (and their 4 yr. old Henry) have become our good friends in Rwanda. They run the Victory Orphanage 20 minutes outside of Kigali. Yesterday we spent the day helping them paint a couple of exterior buildings. They are leaving to visit America on Saturday and their "boss" is coming while they are gone. A paint job is the best way to make an old, tired building look decent. So we spent the day rolling some deep stucco'd exterior. Isaac had some business to attend to in Kigali so he showed up after lunch. Kelly, from New Zealand, and a couple of the children also helped us paint.

Race Day at Church!

Last Sunday, Nov. 14th we attended Christ's Church of Rwanda. We had been told of this great church by Mike, the guy building the girl's school past Nyamata. The trip to our first service was quite eventful. The Tour of Rwanda bicycle race was having their women's division start just as we were pulling out of the MTN Center's parking lot. We were stopped by a police officer and race official. Nobody spoke English so we spent the next 30 minutes trying to play charades and find out what was going on. We discovered as team cars zipped by with signs from neighboring countries and then bicyclist, that we were in the middle of a big race. So we sat back and enjoyed cheering them on. Apparently they were making laps past our spot, because we kept seeing the same racers over and over again. Finally the attendant told us that we could go. I think she may have been in error because no one else was on the streets but 1,000's of people who were there to cheer on their countries female racers all looked at us kind of funny as we sped past. We got to the end of the closure and over 30 cars were still being stopped and unable to travel on this main street,

We arrived at CRR probably 30 minutes late and were immediately struck at what a great neighborhood they were in. This was an upscale division with large, nice houses. We entered the church and were greeted by high school boys handing out bulletins. All of them were white and looked like our teens from our church. Before we made it through the lobby another man introduced himself as Bryan, the Executive Site Director. Long story short, Bryan told us all about the church, private school and briefly about CCR's vision of reaching the Rwanda "Thinkers". No sooner than we said goodbye to him did Pastor Dave Jenkins (American, http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com) come walking in. Apparently he out and about and just came back. He immediately made us feel welcome by introducing us to CCR.

By the time we made it into church we had missed 1/2 the service. But we found out that we were in good company. Everyone was late because of the road closures. The service was very comfortable and flowed beautiful. Music was lead by a Rwandan man named Moses. How can you go wrong with a man leading us named Moses?! We enjoyed singing English and Kinyarwandan praise songs as well as a hymn or two. The sermon was on Joseph and how complicated the relationships of his family were. The message really spoke to Andria and I.

Pastor Dave reminded me of a childhood pastor that had a huge impact on my life, Pastor Jim Hanson. Dave was very laid back and had a familiarity that was refreshing. Most of all you sensed God's Spirit speaking through him. We are returning there next week and will be inquiring about their school in hopes of receiving ideas about our own school start.

We praise God that he continues to lead us to meaningful relationships.

Going to Church

This morning we went to an Anglican Church. It was an interesting experience. Here are some random thoughts: The service lasted over 2 hours. The contemporary, English service was lead by Rwandans and another muzungu. The music was contemporary. The electronic keyboard player lead the music. It was familiar songs. The acoustics were terrible with a large sanctuary that echoed terribly. But the choirs and music were well done.

The sermon was all about who we are all called to bring people to Jesus. The bible reading was Daniel and the lion's den and how the King was brought to the realization of Daniel's God because of Daniel's witness. The sermon was well done and easy to follow. Looking around people really seemed to be enjoying their worship experience. There must have been over 200 people there. Children were dismissed 1/2 way through for Sunday school.

A funny side note was when the pastor said that we should bring all personal objects up with us for communion because there had been thefts of phones and purses. It actually was refreshing to hear the honesty of a messy and embarrassing situation. Everything was pretty much scripted out and was very similar to the Lutheran liturgy that I grew up with. You could tell from fashion and clothes that we were not in rural Rwanda. People dressed very nice. Men dressed in suites and ties.

The pastor made reference that Rwanda claims to be a christian country and yet the evil genocide would say otherwise. He challenged everyone to bear fruit that was good. Even today, the pastor said, people are not bearing good fruit and therefore he questions their faith. How can we say that we are a Christian nation and not have good fruit.

Theoneste the Contractor

When everything started falling apart in our newly rented house my frustration level went with it! I was so angry that no matter what I did things were not getting done and I was paying too much for nothing. Tom, who works for Food for the Hungry, said that their was a Kigali contractor named "The Teacher" who all the "muzungus" (whites) use for projects. I called "The Teacher" and, to make a long story somewhat short, I hired him. He is now working on our home as we are trying to get water to the house, electricity that works from our generator and a counter and sink for our kitchen.

"The Teacher" real name is Theoneste (ignore the "h" when pronouncing it). He is called The Teacher because of all the people he has taught vocational skills. He can do just about anything from refrigeration to plumbing. He often will use local help. This was good because it takes him over 2 hours of bus and motorcycle riding for him to get to our place in Gatagara.

Theoneste loves to talk. His English is very good which makes it a pleasure to converse. Today we spent a few hours with him. He has become a good friend over the past three weeks. He even helps us shop for items that we need. Like today he helped us buy car insurance and a tail light bulb for our Land Cruiser. As we were winding our shopping down he asked us if we wanted to go and see where he lived. We said "absolutely".

We ended up driving down a rough dirt road. This isn't unusual for any neighborhood. Almost all of Kigali is made up of rough, rutted dirt roads. Only the paved main streets are smooth and comfortable. We parked and Theoneste asked a friend who happened to be at a little shop there, to watch or vehicle for us. For the next 10-15 minutes we followed him through a path of mud brick homes. The path was rutted and adventurous. Theoneste joked "welcome to the Kigali slums". Kids and adults all waved and hollered at us as we made our way through the incredible maze of homes. The entire neighborhood was on a steep mountain which when it rained became quiet the system of small rivers. Homes were almost on top of each other with the steep slope. People looked quite poor but very happy as they greeted us.

Finally we arrived at Theoneste's house. He was so proud to show us the work he had done. As we talked he told us about how the Presidents Vision 20/20 (by the year 2020) would mean that this neighborhood would become a zoo! Yes, monkeys and large trees will be brought in and everyone will receive money for their property. Theoneste shared stories about life in Rwanda. How friends had been killed in the war. He brought out a photo album and explained how he met his wife and had two kids. He talked about healing and reconciliation in Rwanda and how important it is to have your heart with peace. Jesus is alive in Africa!

As I left Theoneste's house I thought about Jesus who was the ultimate "Teacher"! He discipled (taught) 12 men everything he knew. His life was a living example of how to love God and love others. Theoneste was following a great example. Jesus can transform lives!

As I left Theoneste I prayed that his vision of true reconciliation would be a reality. I prayed that his faith would remain strong! Joshua 1:9

Sling Box Anyone?

We are truly spoiled. Before we left America we heard from our friend, Ron Fedri, that there was a device called the sling box. It could be hooked up to someones cable TV and wireless internet system enabling someone to watch that TV from their computer! So yesterday we watched Oprah as she had on the cast of Sound of Music (we had Mike record it on his DVR). Some days the signal is too slow to even get five minutes of a program but yesterday our internet connection was pretty good.

The Sound of Music is one of those musicals that stirs the soul. As I watched Oprah and heard from the cast (it was the 45th anniversary of the musical). I was once again left inspired. There is something about music combined with a great story of someone who overcomes that brings me inspiration. In some ways we are Julie Roberts character who seemingly comes against a roadblock to her passion (the children). I think about the roadblocks we have been dealing with lately: An orphanage, finances, a country struggling to comeback after a genocide, living in another country trying to get a house livable....the list goes on and on.

I remember hearing an evangelist at North Heights Lutheran Church in Roseville, MN. He said that God took the negative of the cross (he pointed to the cross piece of the cross on the wall) and made it a positive (he showed how the cross is actually a "plus" sign). Lately I have been resting in the promises of God. God will not leave me or forsake me (Joshua 1:5). Jesus loves me and will provide for me. Promise after promise I read in the Bible that God always comes through! Obstacles turn to opportunities, negatives turn to positives if you allow God to bring faith and possibility into the situation.

As my heart was warmed by the Sound of Music I am even more inspired by God's Spirit living inside of me creating dreams, music and hope!

Inhaling Diesel Fumes

Here I sit next to our diesel generator. It is loud, smelly and vibrates the ground beneath it. Something has gone wrong with our wiring..again. And we are left with no power. So being "jack of all trades, master of none" I jump into action and wire up an outlet with spare wires. So we are left charging all of our things (i.e. computers, back up battery, cell phones) outside next to our generator. By the way, we bought a "extra quiet" generator so that we can't hear it when it is on...WRONG! The thing is quite noisy. I can barely hear myself think right now. Rwanda is full of fun experience every day. As I am sitting here I notice that it looks like rain so I would imagine I will be taking this inside soon.

There is a phrase used commonly by "amuzungus" (whites) is: This is Africa (TIA). While we certainly can't complain that we have a house, water, food and usually electricity, it is kind of amusing how we bring our American ideas of how things should get done over here. But then I am reminded as I sit next to my stinky generator: TIA!

As I look around our beautiful neighbors I am humbled and often times ashamed at my American attitude. How can I be complaining about generators and hot water when my neighbors struggle to survive. God has a way of refocusing me and letting me know that being a Christ follower is about sacrifice not comfort. So next time I complain about "This is Africa", remind me that I am serving a God who gave up everything on the cross so that I may have this life to live!