This trip has felt fast-paced for the first three weeks. I arrived on August 6th at 12:05 PM. The Equip the Next Generation group resumed their study of Luke on Monday morning. The next day, Tim Turner and Winfred Felton, preachers from Greenville, NC arrived. This was Winfred's first trip, so we introduced him to Rwanda and two genocide memorials. On Saturday, we shared in a trip to Akagera National Park.

​After team-teaching on Sunday (a great message), Tim and Winfred began teaching the church leaders the letter of Titus on Monday morning. Lessons had been prepared and translated along with the Africa Bible Commentary on Titus. When they finished on Thursday, the church leaders were excited about their new resources and understanding of this Pastoral Epistle. At 2:00 AM the next morning, Tim and Winfred departed for Togo to teach more African church leaders. This allowed me to resume Lessons on James which the church leaders had begun on the May trip.

Here is the idea. We had been studying with most of these church leaders since 2011. They have grown in their ability to interpret the Bible with the aid of their resources. So, in May we began an experiment; we divided the leaders into groups, and using their resources, they prepared lessons on sections of James. Then they presented the lesson to the whole group and I made comments (and a few corrections). Next, the entire group prepared a final lesson on that section. Stephen, my interpreter, and I then entered that lesson into the computer. Finally, after a week in May and six days in August, these church leaders went home with their copy of "Lessons on James," prepared by church leaders of Harvest Christian Church.

​In preparation for our journey to Rwanda, I read several books and viewed several movies and videos of Genocide accounts. Each account struck me to the core. When we arrived at the Genocide memorial, I saw clothing, remains, photographs, and the mass graves. All of this and a trip to Nyamata, just one of many locations throughout the country where mass killings occurred in a church building and surrounding community, and it is still nearly impossible for my head and heart to comprehend.   

God did not intend that we would hate, envy, destroy (with word or act), judge, or kill one another.  Yet I know we have all been guilty of these sins in whole or in part.  I know we are all capable of such disrespect of God, ourselves and one another. There was a quote at the memorial by Ntagengwa Feresiyani that has rattled around inside of me, "If you knew me and you really knew yourself, you would not have killed me." I cannot know myself without knowing who I am in Christ and who God desires me to be.  

Lord help me to grow nearer to you, until your reflection is seen through my life and the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ, so others may come to know Jesus and we love, not destroy, one another.

Before I share about the web-based teaching I want to say thank you for those who prayed for my health. I am doing much better. Theophile is better. Stephen, the interpreter, and Alex, the driver, is better. I have energy and my appetite is back. Thank you for praying.

The week has been a great success so far. On Monday Gene Andrews taught the Introduction and Chapter 1 of Philippians. I was able to give assignments for the Rwandan leaders in the morning. At 2 PM (Rwanda time) we connected with Gene in Washington, NC (7 AM in NC). In the two and a half hours we lost connection three times, but after a few minutes we were reconnected and Gene continued to teach.

Tuesday, day 2, Tim Turner taught chapter two of Philippians. I think we had an occasional scare, but only lost connection twice (at the very beginning and just before the conclusion). Winfred Felton sat in and briefly added to the teaching several times. Winfred will teach chapter four on Thursday. Gene will take us through chapter 3 today.

The Rwandan church leaders are very excited about this opportunity and what it can mean for them and the Church in Rwanda. We are praising God for a great beginning to the web-based teaching.

This morning we were teaching our second group in Ruhango. I had heard about a young man from New Hampshire who had become part of Manchester Christian after I had transitioned in 2010. So, who walks in? Ryan Sandford had a free day, traveled to Ruhango this morning to spend the day with us. He had worked at International Justice Mission (ijm.org) in D.C. for a year before transitioning to Rwanda to teach English for two years. Although this was our first time to meet, it was a joy to discover our common connections and commitments. I believe God will bless many in Rwanda because of Ryan.

When I departed New Hampshire on December 18th there were reports of sickness. It seemed I was coming down with something, but hoped to fight it off. Arriving in Poland I knew I was sick, but hoped it would not last the four weeks some were experiencing. Second day and I felt much better. I attended many meetings and spoke for several churches.

Then we arrived at the retreat in Wisla, Poland with Messianic Synogogue leaders from Israel. There was another sickness that was putting people in bed. By the time we left Wisla, it seemed I had it. So, once again, I boarded a plane sick, this time headed for Rwanda. We taught for five days the first week of January. Theophile did not feel well and went to a clinic. The test came back positive for malaria. Stephen, our interpreter went to the clinic. Test results were positive for malaria. Then our driver went to the clinic. This time the test results were positive for typhoid.

We cancelled preaching for last Sunday and rested. Now, we are in Ruhango where we will teach three groups in six days. We sent the driver home to rest. Theophile and I are getting better. I still have some sinus issues, but my energy level is increasing each day. I have two more weeks to teach in Rwanda after this Saturday.

Yes, it was a rough beginning, but I feel like I am almost back to my normal health and Theophile is doing much better. Thanks for praying. Please continue to pray for the remainder of this trip.

This will now, forever, have double meaning for the Reynolds family. At 2:33 AM (in Spain), this Christmas morning, Haizea was born (20 inches, 6 pounds). Rebekah, Ruben, Haizea, and Myra (who is there) are all doing fine. In Spain, Haizea is a girl's name.

On this Christmas morning, may you have a wonderful Christmas. I am celebrating this day in Poland with church leader families from Poland and Israel. Later today, and this week, I will share some lessons with these leaders. Then I will depart for Rwanda on December 30th to teach Rwandan church leaders for the month of January.

Before retuning to Boston, I will stop in Spain so Haizea can tell her Papa how much she loves him.

Merry Christmas to you and your family,
​Frank

The Next Generation finished “A Study of Genesis” yesterday. Tim Maness boarded his plane for the USA last night. Tomorrow I preach in Rusororo. Monday morning, we head south to teach the last two groups. Today I get to rest and reflect.

The first part of the trip has been great. The church leaders finished Acts and the younger group finished Genesis. We conducted our final experiment for Web-based teaching. I had the privilege of sharing the teaching load with Tim Maness from the County Line Christian Church in Axton, VA. God’s Kingdom was strengthened, community in Christ was shared, students (and teachers) understand their Bibles better, and everyone rejoiced.

Tim Maness was a blessing on this trip and he was inspired by the Rwanda story and the commitment of the church leaders. I think he was especially surprised by the younger group and their desire to go beyond the assignment to keep digging. When they were assigned the life of Joseph, Genesis 37-50, they probably put in an extra hour or more in their research. On Friday morning they presented great reports with good questions about the text. Then there are a few who stand out as leaders among a great group of young people.

Last Tuesday we had arranged our last experiment preparing for Web-based teaching in January. Gene Andrews was in his office in Washington, NC and twenty-one students were in a living room in Kimironko, Rwanda along with the interpreter. Picture and audio was great (no delay), and the teaching was very good. We are ready! In January, Gene Andrews and Tim Turner will plan to teach Philippians for four afternoons (North Carolina to Kigali, Rwanda).
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In my reflections today, I am thankful for partners like Theophile, Tim M, Gene, and Tim T. and the privilege to teach God’s leaders in Rwanda.

When Friday morning came there was definitely a change in the way the group was interacting. They knew that they had accomplished something very significant as they were about to finish a study of the book of Acts. This study had taken 4 weeks to complete. They had spent many, many hours digging into the text and making application. We were now approaching the last chapter.

We encouraged the leaders to make sure that even though we were about to complete our time of study in Acts that they should never consider their journey to be over. They were encouraged to read the entire book again and look for new insights. They were encouraged to share with others what they had learned.

I have great respect for each leader who has taken time to further their understanding of God’s Word. They want above all else to know more so that they can lead better. Thursday night and Friday morning, we asked them to spend 30 minutes looking over the text and notes. I noticed that they spent over an hour each time. Their devotion to their studies inspires me.

As we finished Friday around lunchtime there was reason to celebrate. We had been blessed with a week of great study and fellowship. Each student received a certificate recognizing their completion of this study. Frank and I were each given a staff as a sign of their appreciation. I am humbled by their care for us and their devotion to becoming better leaders. The leaders were already looking forward to their next time together.  I thank God for what Rwanda Challenge is doing here. This ministry is making a difference in the lives of both the leaders and their churches.

Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at a local church. Preaching through an interpreter was a different experience than I am used to. The members of the church welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home. They even gave me a Rwandan name. It is “Nshuti”. It means “friend”.

After the service we had the opportunity to share with a number of women who have participated in the micro loan program with Africa Hope Initiative. I am amazed at how a small ($50 US) loan makes such a major difference in the lives of those involved. I am glad to have met with them and to learn more about the life changing difference this program makes.
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Tim Maness

​The last few days have been such a blessing. Monday morning, as we approached the tent where the teaching sessions would be taking place, we were met by the sound of the Rwandan church leaders singing praises. Before we began to study, time was spent approaching the throne of the One who alone is worthy!
As we started to look deeper into the text of Acts it quickly became evident that these leaders were here to study. Their diligent approach to the Word is always coupled with insightful questions. They want to know more. They want to understand better. They want to be able to go back to their churches and teach in a way that will help others to grow in their knowledge as well.
Another thing that I have noticed among this group is the spirit of fellowship that they share. It is likely that many of them will not see each other outside of times like this. When they are studying in small groups or eating meals they are laughing and sharing together. There is a definite benefit to what takes place here. They are not only being strengthened in knowledge, but also being encouraged as well.
 
There have been several occasions in the last three days in which a particular teaching may have been understood by one (or more) of the leaders for the very first time. I can’t describe how it feels to see the look of joy upon their face as they understand the word of God more clearly.  God is doing great things in Rwanda! Thank you for being a part of it.
Tim Maness

Three church leaders arrived in Rusororo from three corners of Rwanda on Thursday evening. They had come for the express purpose of praying for the teaching time with Rwanda Challenge and for God’s Church in Rwanda. So, four leaders prayed for two days. We did not know this was happening. They showed up at the house early this morning and then worshipped with us. I thought maybe they had come early because of a funeral (normal in Rwanda). After the morning service, Tim asked why they were here early. They had come to pray – for two days!
While I have many responses and questions, I will use one word: Wow!