Rwanda 2017 Trip Summary

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.     — Psalm 145:3

This was my 6th trip to Rwanda, “The Land of a Thousand Hills!”  As our friendship and partnership grows, each trip becomes more special!  This year was particularly marvelous as we partnered with Runda Parish, Church of Gikomero and Shyogwe Diocese to spread the Gospel.  The HOLY SPIRIT’s presence was poured out on everyone in a powerful way when the JESUS Film was shown!

We saw God’s faithfulness as over three hundred adults and children committed or recommitted their lives to Jesus in response to sermons and the showing of the JESUS Film in their native tongue. We showed the film three different times. 120 people attended the first showing at Runda Parish, RAC’s Sister Church and 20 people gave their lives to Christ.  The second showing was in the old church building in Gikomero, and over 1000 school kids jammed in to see it. They were literally spell bound!

 

Several of the kids openly wept at the trial and crucifixion scenes. In the evening, 300 adults and some kids attended. A Rwandan Campus Crusade worker narrated some key moments in the film and even led the crowd in cheers and hallelujahs! He then issued the invitations and both prayed with and provided followup instructions for those who had committed their lives. All of us were in awe of the effect of this movie! The JESUS Film project gifted the diocese with the projector, battery, solar powered recharger, screen and film (all of which fits in a backpack) with the agreement that the film be shown 150 to 300 times over the next three years. Bishop Jered Kalimba assured Patrick (Pastor of COTA) that this will be “no problem!” as they have the capacity and enthusiastic desire to do so. We were very encouraged to hear from one Zibrie, Accountant for Shyogwe Diocese, that she had given her life to Christ at age 7, when she had seen the JESUS Film! We rejoiced in God’s goodness and faithfulness, when Patrick and I preached on Sunday (he at Gikomero, me at Runda) as about 35 people responded to the invitation to receive Christ. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Wednesday we spent the day with Runda Parish and Muganza Chapel. I was in awe as the Catachist of Muganza Chapel, Athansia, led Pre-school children in reciting the entire story of the Bible; from Creation to Jesus return! 

Pastor Jean Baptiste gave us the following prayer request for Runda Parish.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

  1.   The Compassion International Project has 270 children.  They are in need of 2 more classrooms.

  2.   To generate income for the building of a new Church, they desire to build a Guest House for people from Kigali to conferences and meetings in western Rwanda.  This will provide jobs, generate income for a new Church and a salary for Pastor Jean Baptiste.  Currently his salary comes from Scripture Union organization.

  3.   Muganza Chapel’s desire to build a Church on the land RAC helped purchase.

A huge thanks to Redeemer for your prayers and support which helped make the 2017 trip to share time with our brothers and sisters in Shyogwe Diocese possible.  GOD’s faithfulness and steadfast love fills me with overwhelming gratitude.  Each day was a special gift and He receives all honor and glory!  Thanks be to God!

- Tersea

Rwanda 2017: Wednesday Update

Runda Parish

" I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel...I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace."      --Philippians 1: 3 & 5

We spent an incredible day spent with Redeemer's Sister Church, Runda Parish and their Chapel, Muganza Chapel.  When the team arrived at Muganza Chapel, people were already singing, dancing and worshiping Jesus Christ.  Inside we were greeted by women, men and a pre-school class.  The children sang sweet songs and recited the story of Creation to Christ return.  Praise God for Athansia, Muganza's Catachist.  She is a woman of God!

I had the blessing of presenting Pastor Jean Baptiste and Muganza Chapel with funds to help purchase a much needed key board.  They were overjoyed with Redeemer's wonderful gift!  I wish all of Redeemer could have experienced the love and gratitude Muganza feels for the gift. 

We were humbled to be invited to Athansia's (Catechist) home for tea and a meal.  Athanasia has been given the gift of hospitality. Afterwards, we went to Joselyn's home for a delicious lunch. Joseyln is Runda Parish's Catechist.  We felt very loved by these gifts of hospitality.

In the afternoon, the Team showed the Jesus film.  What an incredible experience to partner with Pastor Jean Baptiste in sharing the Gospel.  It was a powerful 2 hours!  Twenty people gave their lives to Christ!  Yesu ashimwe!  (Christ be praised)  We also fed everyone a basket dinner and they were thrilled to have a delilcious meal.  The people were nourished spiritually and physically!  Jesus is the Bread of Life! 

Our day with Runda began at 8:30 am and we returned to the Guest House at 9 pm.  We were tired, but energized by the power of the Holy Spirit, also!

Imana ishimwe (God be praised) for His many blessings with Runda Parish.  I am excited for Redeemer's partnership in the Gospel with Runda to continue growing, as we share the love, grace and mercy of Christ!

Imana iguhe umugisha (Many Blessings)

Tereza

Rwanda 2017: Tuesday Update

Muraho! Greeting with Rwanda!

We have continued our journey with Christ and our adventure in Rwanda with the Compassion children! Compassion is an international organization which seeks out children in need and couples them with a sponsor. The funds sent supports the child's education, health and overall creates a better quality of life. Currently, Compassion is serving over 85,000 children in Rwanda alone and is continuing to expand. 

 

Today we met with Teresa and the Wilson's compassion children. John and Barbara sponsor a young girl named Annunciata who is eleven years old. Teresa's children are named Fiston (4), Thirry (9), Solange (11), Alexia (14) and Gentile (18). We were able to meet all the children except for Teresa's oldest child who was away at boarding school taking exams. The children were very sweet. They sang and danced for us and even let us join in, which was a good activity to break the ice. Then, they each present their Compassion parents with a present and the parents gave their kids each a gift. It was like Christmas :) Each kid was given a backpack with notebooks, pencils, crayons and various toys to enjoy. Fiston in particular loved his toy truck and we enjoyed playing soccer with the rest of the kids. 

 

We visited with the Compassion kids for almost four hours, enjoying their company and their smiles :) It was sad to say goodbye, but it was a great visit. A little later we walked to the Zion Hill Projects and were greeted by a whole school of children singing songs to end their school day. We introduced each of ourselves and the children were especially happy with Patrick because there was a girl named Patricia in the group. They were confused when Chris told them he was ten years old, but they also thought it was very funny :)

Overall it was a great day :) Looking forward to the great days to come :)

Abigail Jordan

Rwanda 2017: Monday Update

 

Today we ventured to Kigali, where we met with Archbishop in the morning. In this meeting, he spoke to us about the various ways the Anglican church in Rwanda is working to train up their multitude of staff members. We also talked about the many differences between American and Rwandan churches, and how each country could learn from the other. After finishing up with the Archbishop, we traveled further into the center of Kigali for lunch. We had very delicious Sambusa along with many other delicious foods. Our final stop for the day was the National Genocide Memorial and Museum. At the museum, we were able to learn about the genocide, and understand further the horrors that occurred. Over 250,000 victims of the genocide are buried at the memorial, so we were also able to visit their memorials and pay our respects. As we rode back from Kigali, we began to prepare for the Compassion children's visit the next morning! 

 

Rwanda 2017: Sunday Update

Muraho to all!

Today we visited the Nteyno Parish and attended their Sunday service. We were welcomed into the service by one of the four choirs, and we were able to dance with many of the parishioners. At the service, Pastor Amos and Mattias, along with Patrick and Teresa all spoke to the congregation. Both Luke 8: 1-15 and Deuteronomy 28: 1-8 were preached on. After the service, we were able to meet many of the parishioners and speak with them before being given a tour of the primary school housed on Ntyeno's campus. The wonderful staff members of the school then hosted a wonderful lunch for us in one of the classrooms. We are so thankful to have arrived safely in Rwanda, and to have spent our first day in the country worshiping alongside many of our brothers and sisters in Christ! 

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