Friday we completed our sixth and final study for this trip with a group of twenty church leaders from Ruhengeri. Jean D'Amour, one of "the six," and Emmanuel were the hosts. I did not realize until Friday afternoon how significant this is for them to be able to invite church leaders from other denominations to this teaching.
Jean D'Amour shared in the teaching responsibility with Theophile and me. On Thursday he taught on community; the biblical vision of the family of God. I was amazed. He took the concepts he had learned from Rwanda Challenge and attached them to culturally relevant illustrations. As Theophile quietly interpreted for me what Jean D'Amour was teaching, my heart was rejoicing. He pressed hard the concept that in Jesus we are brothers and sisters in the same family; we have the same Father regardless of our race, tribe, economic situation, status, or class in life. As he put flesh on these concepts and I sensed how the teaching was being received, it was obvious; Jean D'Amour has the gift of teaching. All he needs is a deeper understanding of God's truth. I was reminded of the words of Gerard, one of the EACL group; "I can teach if I know the information." Jean D'Amour can teach!
Jean D'Amour shared in the teaching responsibility with Theophile and me. On Thursday he taught on community; the biblical vision of the family of God. I was amazed. He took the concepts he had learned from Rwanda Challenge and attached them to culturally relevant illustrations. As Theophile quietly interpreted for me what Jean D'Amour was teaching, my heart was rejoicing. He pressed hard the concept that in Jesus we are brothers and sisters in the same family; we have the same Father regardless of our race, tribe, economic situation, status, or class in life. As he put flesh on these concepts and I sensed how the teaching was being received, it was obvious; Jean D'Amour has the gift of teaching. All he needs is a deeper understanding of God's truth. I was reminded of the words of Gerard, one of the EACL group; "I can teach if I know the information." Jean D'Amour can teach!
Frank, Fabrice, Theophile, and Jean D'Amour in Ruhengeri
I also met a new friend, Fabrice, in Ruhengeri. He is a big man! I thought he ought to play in the NBA or the NFL, but he doesn't even play sports. However, he is a strong church leader in Rwanda and Theophile's cousin; his mother is the sister of Theophile's father which in Rwandan culture makes them brothers. Fabrice and Theophile have had more formal Bible training than the vast majority of Rwandan church leaders. Most have none. During our two days, Fabrice learned some concepts in a deeper way and was able to reinforce with the other church leaders the concepts being taught by Rwanda Challenge. The other leaders in the Ruhengeri area seemed to respect him. It was a joy to have him join us for the teaching.
One of the surprises of this trip is to experience Innocent's desire to know God's Word. Innocent is our driver on this trip. When he has work, he probably makes about $50 a week. He has fourteen children and five grandchildren. In our travels he has discovered the Kinyarwanda Study Bible and can't seem to put it down. Every day I find him in the car studying another book of the Bible; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Kings, Revelation, 1 Corinthians. I don't know how he chooses what he will study next. I just know he studies for hours every day. I keep warning him that he is going to know more about the Bible than his preacher. It is obvious to me that many Rwandans want to know the Bible, but they have never had the opportunity.
One of the surprises of this trip is to experience Innocent's desire to know God's Word. Innocent is our driver on this trip. When he has work, he probably makes about $50 a week. He has fourteen children and five grandchildren. In our travels he has discovered the Kinyarwanda Study Bible and can't seem to put it down. Every day I find him in the car studying another book of the Bible; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Kings, Revelation, 1 Corinthians. I don't know how he chooses what he will study next. I just know he studies for hours every day. I keep warning him that he is going to know more about the Bible than his preacher. It is obvious to me that many Rwandans want to know the Bible, but they have never had the opportunity.
Innocent is studying again
It is a blessing to be used by God to build up His Church in Rwanda,
Frank
Frank
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