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Pondering the Rwandan Genocide in a COVID-19 World

4/8/2020

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Yesterday, April 7, 2020, was the 136th day since the earliest reported case of COVID-19 and the 26th anniversary of the beginning of the Rwandan genocide.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 80,000 deaths in 136 days.                
The Rwandan genocide claimed over 800,000 lives in 100 days.
Some estimates are as high as 1,000,000 or more deaths.

Today, most of the world is intensely aware of COVID-19. In 1994 most of the world, and especially the United States, had little to no awareness (or interest) of what was happening in Rwanda.

My intent is not to undervalue 80,000 deaths resulting in countries shutting down and borders being closed.
But I do intend to help us to pause and reflect on 800,000 to 1,000,000 deaths when the U.N. and the U.S. stood by and did nothing (except to debate the definition of genocide).
A Point to Ponder
Because every life is sacred, every life (or death) matters; whether 1 or 1,000,000.

​In 1994 did Rwanda matter to me?

​In this current pandemic will I, will you, pause to “remember” with our brothers and sisters in Rwanda?
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"Before the week, I was in a tomb, but after the teachings, I was resurrected.”

6/10/2019

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As I reflect upon the teachings from this past week, I am in awe at the work God did in these leaders’ hearts and minds.  As we wrapped up on Friday, several of the leaders spoke about what they had learned this week. And then this morning, several of the Equip the Next Generation leaders shared more about what they had gained from last week.  Here are what a few of the leaders said (with interpretation by Theophile):

Oscar (Equip a Church Leader):  “I am now armed with power to stand before those who deny the existence of God… I now have a box of tools to respond to questions.”

Eric (Equip a Church Leader): Before this week, “personally I was lazy in my thinking.  I thought that thinking a lot was not good...I meet many people who deny God’s existence.  I now have a full box of materials to defend the existence of God...I will share these teachings to my congregations.”  

Betty (Equip the Next Generation): “If I had not been here last week, I would have lost the best opportunity of my life...My life was rescued. I was wounded for a long time...I would be happy around people, but when I was alone, I was not.  Last Thursday, I shared everything from my heart in our small group, and I am now free. I plan to take the 1st step ... to tell the people who hurt me that I forgive them…. Before the week, I was in a tomb, but after the teachings, I was resurrected.”

Moses (Equip the Next Generation): I learned that “Everywhere God puts you–if you can approach it from God’s truth–you can be a good servant in that area.  Where you’re working is not about your salary but how God is using you there...If we apply what we learned, we can change Africa, not just Rwanda.”
​


As these leaders shared with the group, I could only express gratitude to God that he would use me to bring about the transformation these leaders had experienced.  Frank put into words what I was feeling: “This is God’s Church, and these leaders deserve better than us; BUT, we are here. God has put us here.”  God has prepared a way for me to be here and teach.  I am brought to tears that the God of the universe would use a broken vessel like me to train up these leaders.
​

As Oscar expressed, these leaders are being “armed with power!”  Yes! God is raising up an army of church leaders here in Rwanda who are ready to give a defense for the hope they have (1 Peter 3:15).  And amazingly, he is using imperfect people, like me, to raise up this army. Part of God’s mysterious ways in working in the world is to include us in the blessing of bringing His kingdom here.  
​

Let us give praise to God for the transformation he brought about in the leaders’ hearts and minds this past week!  

Alison


“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done” (1 Chronicles 16:8).  

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“Are you raising up an army?”

6/8/2019

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​The two groups on Friday celebrating after a week of “An Introduction to The Christian Worldview.”
This past week was the first time the church leaders (EACL) and the next generation (ETNG) joined together for a week of teaching.  Alison DeLong introduced the two groups to ten major categories of a Christian worldview; interpreting every area of life (philosophy, ethics, science, law, etc.) through the lens of God’s truth. This seemed to be a new approach for the entire group.  The approach of considering how the Bible applies to every sphere of life was different than studying the life of Christ, the journeys of Paul, Galatians, etc. Also, this approach heightened their realization of living out what they claim they believe. There were expressions of confession and repentance. It was truly a powerful week. They requested future weeks where we go deeper in politics, economics, sociology, the place of mind and emotions, etc.

Alison and I rejoiced with the many things they expressed and how the Holy Spirit was working in a powerful way. However, one of their questions caused us to pause. One of the church leaders was expressing his excitement about what he was learning and how this was different from how they had ever approached the Bible. Then he asked a question about the Church in the United States. Are you raising up an army to teach this? I understood him to mean, raising up an army for Rwanda, Africa, and the world to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
​
What do you think? Are we raising up an army?
Frank
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EACL and ETNG groups under the tent with Alison, Theophile, and Frank
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Untie the Cords of the Yoke

5/31/2019

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PictureThe pastors split into groups to engage and discuss 2 Thessalonians. They studied the text, African Bible Commentary notes, and the study notes in their Kinyarwanda Study Bible in order to gain a deeper understanding of the passages.
We as Americans can never fully understand the true feeling of poverty.  If I were to have any trouble here in Rwanda, I am grateful to know that I have many people back in the United States who would help me financially and make sure I return to the United States safely.  If the extremely poor in Rwanda (or other countries) were to be in trouble, they do not have these people or resources in which to turn. I mentioned in a previous post that the poverty in Rwanda is less about the physical condition and more about the emotional conditions that may result from low-income.  There is a feeling of voicelessness or hopelessness as they have few places to turn to help them out of dire situations. Grudem and Asmus write in the Poverty of Nations that “while poor people mention having a lack of material things, they tend to describe their condition in far more psychological and social terms than our North American audiences.  Poor people typically talk in terms of shame, inferiority, powerlessness, humiliation, fear, hopelessness, depression, social isolation, and voicelessness.” While we may have anxiety in the United States over our finances, there is still some sense of control, that we can do something to get out of the current situation.  For those living in true poverty, there is a “lack of freedom to be able to make meaningful choices–to have an ability to affect one’s situation” (When Helping Hurts, quoting economist Amartya Sen).
​

Just today, I have felt annoyed and frustrated that I have not been able to access the Internet.  I sense a minor feeling of helplessness, as much of what I need to do is contingent upon having Internet connection.  And this helplessness is minor compared to the feeling of powerlessness in not being able to provide for one’s family or have a safe place to live.

With this understanding of poverty in mind, it is important that when we seek to help others, we affirm people’s dignity and help them “contribute to the process of overcoming their poverty of being” (When Helping Hurts).  If we are giving them everything they need, then there is still a sense of powerlessness as they are dependent upon us.  Instead of a hand-out, let us give them a hand-up in order to use their own God-given gifts and resources to improve their situation. An example of a hand-up ministry is Theophile’s organization, Africa Hope Initiative (AHI).  With the financial partnership of Christians in the US, AHI gives women, who were formerly prostitutes in order to provide for their families, microloans to start their own businesses. These women pay these loans back, and now they have power and a voice to change their situations, stepping out of fear, hopelessness, and desperation.  In the context of Rwanda Challenge, we teach the Church leaders so they can pastor and lead the congregations. We are not leading the Rwandan churches; we are empowering the church leaders to use their gifts and abilities to lead and teach. I love being a small part of a ministry that is producing dignity and confidence within Rwandan pastors.

​Alison


“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6).   

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Questions and Hurdles: The New Rwandan Laws

5/29/2019

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PictureChurch leader Augustin shares with the other pastors his group's thoughts on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17.
As I have been here the last few days, Frank and Theophile have been updating me on the new Rwandan regulations that the government put into effect last year on the churches.  The new laws having the greatest impact on Rwanda Challenge say that if the church leaders do not have some kind of theological degree or certificate from a higher learning institution, in four years they will no longer be a “preacher” in Rwanda.  

I wanted to include what the new Rwandan laws actually say, so that you can have an understanding of how many of the statements need more clarity: 
​


"CHAPTER IV: PREACHER AND PLACE OF SERMON
Article 22: Requirements for being a preacher
A preacher must:
1° be of majority age;
2° be a person of integrity;
3° fulfil the requirements of an organization for being a preacher at that level;
4° possess a statement testifying that an organization authorizes him/her to be a preacher;
5° not have been definitively sentenced to a principal penalty of imprisonment equal to or exceeding six (6) months which was never removed by amnesty or rehabilitation;
6° not have been definitively convicted of the crime of genocide, genocide ideology, discrimination or sectarianism;
7° possess a degree of a higher learning institution in religious studies or any other degree with a valid certificate in religious studies related matters delivered by a recognized institution."

​
Reading the requirements leaves several questions: What is considered a “valid certificate”? What is a “recognized institution”?

Nevertheless, even though the statements are vague, the standard of education that this law sets for pastors is extremely difficult for the majority of pastors to be able to accomplish, especially in four years.  It is believed that about 10% of pastors have completed a high school education. In order for them to receive a theological degree, they first have to finish a high school education. In the United States, we have a GED program for those adults wanting to finish high school, but in Rwanda, there is not a program that offers the same kind of opportunity for these pastors.  For those pastors who do have a high school degree, the challenge is for them to be able to afford or have time to complete the certification needed. In order to obtain this certification, they also need Bible resources in Kinyarwanda, which are few and far between.

The challenge becomes even more concerning when you realize that if the pastors that Rwanda Challenge has been working so hard to teach do not have the education needed in four years, these pastors will no longer be able to lead and preach in their churches.  

Rwanda Challenge has options for how to help the pastors reach the necessary education standards, but they come with seemingly impossible hurdles. As we discussed the options and the possibility of meeting with Rwandan government leaders for answers, it is very evident that prayer is necessary.  If a solution is not found, in four years, it appears that only 5% of pastors in Rwanda will be able to continue preaching. We certainly agree with the government that Biblical education and training is vital for a Church pastor–for that is indeed the reason why we are here–but how can we make this possible for them?  

​Will you pray with us that church leaders are able to have a reasonable and possible way to receive the Biblical education they need? Will you pray for the Rwandan government leaders that they will humbly submit to the will of God and offer wise guidance and decisions for the Rwandan churches? Will you pray for Rwanda Challenge that God will use Frank and Theophile to be a part of the solution?



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A Beautiful Country

5/27/2019

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PictureThe chicken being prepared for lunch (picture taken on my first trip )
Six years ago, after my junior year of college, I traveled to Rwanda with Rwanda Challenge to assist in teaching church leaders and help with administrative work.  Since this time, I have received my Masters and am now teaching at a Christian school in Houston. During this time, I have been having literal dreams of returning to Rwanda. During the dreams, I would be on the plane or about to board, and then I would wake up disappointed that the dream was not reality.  Rwanda captured my heart six years ago, and it is an immense blessing to be back, and not just in my dreams.

These past few days, I have been appreciating the differences between the Rwandan and American way of life.  When I rode to Theophile’s home the first night here, I had an “African Massage.” This isn’t a nice massage from a spa but rather the bouncing of your body against the seat as the car tries to drive on the extremely bumpy and rough terrain.  Then at Theophile’s home, without running water, my shower consists of heating a bucket of water; I then pour cold water into the bucket until the water is the right temperature. I then use a cup to pour this water over my head. There is no continual flow of water, so one hand scrubs and one hand pours.

One aspect of being here that I greatly appreciate is the houseboy.  Theophile’s houseboy, Dusenge, makes my meals, cleans the bathroom and floor, runs errands, and provides anything else I may need.  Having a houseboy or housegirl in Rwanda is very affordable for a middle class or upper class family, as the cost of labor is very low. These are normally younger men and women who will serve for a few years and then continue onto a different career in the future.  And then, we have the fresh food here that far exceeds the produce and frozen meat we have in the United States. On Saturday, as I sat on the porch, I watched Dusenge come back from the market with a live chicken he was carrying by its feet; not more than two hours later, that chicken was sitting on my plate ready to be enjoyed.  The bananas here are delicious as they were picked when they were yellow and ripe, not when green to be shipped overseas.

​As I join in on the Rwandan way of life again, I am reminded that happiness is not reserved for those in developed countries, that joy is not found in having running water, paved roads, or even a houseboy, or fresh chicken.  I plan to write more about the nature of poverty in the days to come, but for now I will say that even in less than ideal conditions here, I sense a beautiful side of life that is often missed in our non-stop, iPhone-centered, individualistic culture.  We have much to learn and gain from our brothers and sisters in Rwanda and throughout the world.

​Alison


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Reflections from Gene Andrews

9/1/2018

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This is Gene Andrews' fifth trip with Frank to Rwanda. Below is an August 30 article from "Intersections: Where Life Meets Faith," by Gene.
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                 Rwanda Challenge 

Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:8-11

___________________________________________________
Muraho (that is, hello). Amakuru (how are you?). Greetings from Rwanda.




​Meet, Theophile Rugubira, the Rwanda director of Rwanda Challenge. Over these past few years as I have taught church leaders in Rwanda with Frank Reynolds, the U.S. director of RC, Theo has been a gracious host. He has a passion for the church of Jesus Christ in this small, east African country.

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The challenge of Rwanda Challenge is to train Rwandan church leaders in the word of God as well as basic theology. This week, for example, we are teaching a group of 22 leaders for the first time. This teaching is on the Holy Spirit, as there is a lot of confusion of this topic in this country. Another challenge RC seeks to meet is that local preachers and church leaders do not have access to Bible study tools. Therefore, each student is given a Kinyarwanda Study Bible we purchase from the Rwandan Bible Society.  
 
Theo was born in the Congo (DRC or Democratic Republic of the Congo). He has lived in France. He is fluent in the language of Rwanda (Kinyarwanda), as well as French and English. There are a few more languages in which Theo is also conversant. He is one of the interpreters we work with on these trips.
 
In conversations with Theophile, I have learned a little more about the church in Rwanda. The structure differs from what we are used to in the states. Because of past abuses by some missionaries as well as native evangelists there are certain regulations the churches need to follow.
 
One is that a church cannot just start and exist on its own. There must be a recognized body to which the church is accountable. Theo is the overseer of a group of churches called Harvest Christian Church. He functions as the bishop for these churches, representing them before the government. There are 65 churches in this fellowship.
 
Today Theo has left Kibuye where we are teaching to attend a national conference of these church bishops before the government in the capital, Kigali. The bishops are seeking clarification and input on some things the government is saying. Be in prayer for these church leaders, as well as the Rwandan government, as they work through these matters.
 
Another difference in Rwanda is how a church is planted. Theo and I were talking at his house Saturday evening and be spoke of a new church being started in one of the villages by Harvest Christian Church. I asked him how they planted churches here.
 
He said they would determine an area for starting a new church, then find someone who was willing to go there and lead this effort. The proper papers are filed for this church by Theo. Then the person planting the church would find a place to meet and tell people in town there was going to be a new church starting the next Sunday. By word of mouth others would learn of this. On Sunday, a good size group of people would be present to check out this new thing in their village. The next week the word of mouth of those who had attended led to more people coming.
 
I thought how different that is from the American culture. To plant a church in the United States requires many months of planning. Mass mailings are sent to people in the area. Sound boards, a drum set, guitars, ear buds so the musicians can hear each other, and lighting equipment is purchased so the stage can be set to appeal to this video and entertainment culture. Thousands of dollars are poured in before opening day.
 
I am often conflicted about the way churches are planted and sustained in the American culture. I realize that in some ways we are prisoners of our culture. To reach the culture we have to be aware of the ways of the culture. I fear, though, at times we can seek to become so culturally relevant that the most important thing, the message, is drowned out.
 
I don't know the answers to the questions I have. I do pray, though, for the continued work of church planting both at home in my native land as well as here in Rwanda and in places around the world. It is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known
 
Jesu ashimway (Jesus be praised),
Gene
 
P.S. I brought the consistent rains we had been experiencing in eastern NC with me to Rwanda. Every day and night we have had rain. Sometimes it has been extremely heavy. Monsoon season has arrived a month early here.
                                                                                        
P.P.S. If anyone is reading this who knows the Kinyarwanda language, please excuse my spelling of Kinyarwanda words. I am spelling them like I am hearing them. 
_______________________________________________________
 
© 2018 Gene Andrews. All rights reserved
 
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture from The Holy Bible: New International Version, 1984.
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A Great Day on Sunday

5/10/2018

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Picture

Full house on Sunday at the Zarephath Church

This past Sunday I preached for the Zarephath Church in Kimironko. There were some worshippers from five other churches because of the closing of over 7,000 church buildings (due to safety issues) in Rwanda since February. One of the groups was the choir from the Hermon Church. They had rented a bus to travel to Zarephath. This solution is too expensive for them to do every Sunday.

After the service I was able to meet with the choir to encourage them and deliver $500 to Eric, the Hermon preacher, for microloans. Many U.S. partners have contributed to provide these loans. Partners do not ask for the return of the loans, but the women do pay back the loans, which are then recycled into ongoing loans.

Most of the women who receive loans at Hermon are prostitutes because of the genocide of 1994. With the destruction of the infrastructure and the loss of their husbands, many struggle just to feed their children. These microloans provide a way for these women to start a small business. It is truly a hand-up, not a handout and offers dignity out of a life of shame.
Picture
Frank, while meeting with the Hermon choir,
delivers microloans to Eric and Theophile who will oversee the distribution of these gifts.
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"Equip the Next Generation" Exhort One Another

4/29/2018

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This past week the “Equip the Next Generation” young people resumed their study of Luke. They continue to show growth in using their resources (Kinyarwanda Study Bible and Africa Bible Commentary).
On Thursday afternoon they were given a brief break. Instead of taking their break, I found them exhorting each other and organizing their group.

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Final Two Weeks in Rwanda for This Trip

9/5/2017

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I am scheduled to be in Rwanda for five weeks on this trip. August 7-11, we studied Luke with the younger group (Equip the Next Generation). It will take several more trips for this group to finish Luke. Then they will begin Acts. Tim Turner and Winfred Felton taught "A Study of Titus" with the older group (Equip a Church Leader) August 14-17. Next, this same group finished lessons they prepared on James (August 18-25). 

Now, for the final two weeks, Theophile and I are teaching four groups of church leaders in the Kigali area. Two of these groups are new and two have studied with us once before. We studied "Three Lessons on the Holy Spirit" with a group of nineteen leaders in Nyanza/Kicukiro last Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, we taught a new group in Kanombe (near the airport) "Five Purposes of the Church." 

The Pentecostal Church is the largest Protestant Church in Rwanda. So, in most groups we teach, there are some Pentecostal leaders. Occasionally, the group is entirely Pentecostal leaders (our first group last week). The first day is filled with questions (not arguments) when we study "The Gift of the Holy Spirit" (singular). What they see in the text does not match many of their assumptions. By the third day they are excited about the clarity they have concerning the gift, gifts, and fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecostal Church Leaders Excited about
​Three Lessons on the Holy Spirit

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The second group last week said they had been to seminars before, but nothing changes. They expressed their thanks for the practical material provided by Rwanda Challenge. The first group last week said they had taken the teaching from their last time with Rwanda Challenge, applied it, and have already seen results.

Second Group of Church Leaders Celebrate
with Two Leadership Tools, a Deeper Understanding of God's Church,
and Their New Kinyarwanda Study Bible
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This week will be a repeat of last week; "Three Lessons on the Holy Spirit" and "Five Purposes of the Church." We are in the second day with the first group. Not all these leaders are Pentecostal, but ten are leaders in the "Pentecostal Power Church in Africa." Yesterday was filled with questions (not arguments). Today you can see their excitement concerning the things they are learning.

Most church leaders in the world have no Bible resources and no formal Bible training.
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