Last week we finished our first week in “A Study of Acts” with the “Equip a Church Leader” group. We teach this group for one week on every Rwanda Challenge trip. In January we finished the first part of the Luke-Acts study when we completed “A Study of Luke.” On that January trip Theophile and I made the decision to begin a second “every trip” group inviting younger potential church leaders mainly from the “Equip a Church Leader” churches.

It is with great excitement that I share we began the first day with the “Equip the Next Generation” group yesterday. I had great expectations as we waited for the group to begin to arrive from all areas of Rwanda on Sunday afternoon. Several appeared timid, but glad to be here. Their ages ranged for twenty-one to thirty-one.

On Monday morning some of the group staying in the house began to arise about 5:30 AM and prepare themselves for breakfast (bread and chai) and their first morning of teaching. Some still seemed a little timid, but ready to begin. Soon others began to arrive from Kigali. The final student arrived on Tuesday morning.

We began the class on Monday morning with an introduction to our future journey together and the gift of a Kinyarwanda Study Bible for each student. Theophile always takes time in the first two days to introduce students to the KSB. Most church leaders in the world would be thrilled to have a Bible resource like the KSB. Our young students seem to be aware of the privilege and responsibility that comes with the gift.

The first day of teaching has come to an end and now we have been experiencing an hour or so downpour.  After church yesterday (4/20), we enjoyed a good meal at Aroma Café.  K enjoyed a steak and cheese panini while Frank and I (Spencer) enjoyed some Sambosa (chopped meat fried in a wonton type crust).  We also enjoyed some “chips.”  Chips in Rwanda means any size of fried potatoes.  We get them for every meal in the house and luckily Frank brought his own Ketchup to share.

Last night and this morning, 24 church leaders arrived from various locations throughout Rwanda. Several of the leaders were delayed in transit because the buses and public transportation were busy with students being returned to boarding schools after a 3-week break.  The break corresponds to the remembrance of the Genocide of 1994 that Rwanda experienced 21 years ago.  It is challenging and convicting to see a country in which everyone has a story and was affected by death or was involved in the deaths of fellow Rwandans. A country where forgiveness and reconciliation must occur for progress and a bright future.  The church is leading the cause with Hutu’s and Tutsi’s sitting in the same churches, in the same rows, holding hands and praising Jesus who gave us the ultimate example. There is much all of us can learn from this situation and can apply to our own lives. We have no reason or excuse for forgiveness and reconciliation not to occur.  No disagreement or argument compares to the killing of families, friends, and neighbors.

Spencer and Kiersten DeLong flew out of Chicago early Thursday morning and met me (Frank) in Toronto. The three of us boarded our second flight of the day and sat for two hours because of a problem with ground control. By the afternoon on Friday (Rwandan time – six hours later than EDST) we had landed in Kigali, connected with Theophile and were moving into our “Rwandan home” for the next several weeks. Yes, we were both excited and exhausted; to meet new friends, to meet old friends, to take in a new culture, to experience the new changes since my last trip, but ready for bed after being up for thirty plus hours.

Saturday (today) was our first morning in Rwanda. After the delights of a Rwandan breakfast (Rwandan coffee, fresh bread with Rwandan honey, fresh bananas, and fresh pineapple) we were off to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali for the morning, the Bourbon Café for lunch, and then the memorial in Nyamata for the afternoon (I will let Spencer and Kiersten share that experience later). Our evening was spent enjoying more of Rwanda’s special diet (brochettes, Sambusa, and chips), reflections about the genocide, and discussing the next two weeks.

In short, God blessed our first full day in Rwanda.