Friends of Rwanda Challenge,
I woke to a beautiful morning this Sunday, February 3. It was foggy early, so says Frank. Frank is a morning person. That could never be said of me. Though Frank and I are different in various ways, there is something we share in common. We are both concerned for the church of Jesus Christ, both here in Rwanda, as well as the United States.
Differences are fine. God is the creator of variety, whether it the color of skin, the various personality types we may have, or the gifts He chooses to give for ministry. We saw the God of variety yesterday as we went to Akagera and saw the difference in the animals God created. From the slow, graceful movement of the giraffe to the lumbering movement of the hippo; from the amazing running and leaping of the beautiful impala to the graceless exit of the not so beautiful wart hog; from the petite zebra to the massive elephant – each of these are a creation of and testimony to our Creator God.
Differences and variety are also seen in churches. Last Sunday at Zarephath we worshipped with around 300 people in a service with much singing, dancing, and celebration with the use of a variety of instruments. Today we went to Rusororo, a newer church with an attendance of around 50. There was less singing, an African drum for the instrument of worship, and a more subdued atmosphere. But in spite of the differences, there was a common thread in the two churches. Both demonstrate deep love for the Lord and the Word of God. Both churches desire to learn how to more effectively follow Christ. And both churches were very gracious and welcoming to two men from America.
I praise God for these two weeks He has given me to enter into the Rwandan culture and to be reminded again of how vast His church really is. As I leave my new found brothers and sisters in Christ this week, and return to my brothers and sisters, my church family in Washington, NC, I do so with faith rekindled and spirit renewed.
Your brother in Christ,
Gene
The Choir at the Rusororo Church
I woke to a beautiful morning this Sunday, February 3. It was foggy early, so says Frank. Frank is a morning person. That could never be said of me. Though Frank and I are different in various ways, there is something we share in common. We are both concerned for the church of Jesus Christ, both here in Rwanda, as well as the United States.
Differences are fine. God is the creator of variety, whether it the color of skin, the various personality types we may have, or the gifts He chooses to give for ministry. We saw the God of variety yesterday as we went to Akagera and saw the difference in the animals God created. From the slow, graceful movement of the giraffe to the lumbering movement of the hippo; from the amazing running and leaping of the beautiful impala to the graceless exit of the not so beautiful wart hog; from the petite zebra to the massive elephant – each of these are a creation of and testimony to our Creator God.
Differences and variety are also seen in churches. Last Sunday at Zarephath we worshipped with around 300 people in a service with much singing, dancing, and celebration with the use of a variety of instruments. Today we went to Rusororo, a newer church with an attendance of around 50. There was less singing, an African drum for the instrument of worship, and a more subdued atmosphere. But in spite of the differences, there was a common thread in the two churches. Both demonstrate deep love for the Lord and the Word of God. Both churches desire to learn how to more effectively follow Christ. And both churches were very gracious and welcoming to two men from America.
I praise God for these two weeks He has given me to enter into the Rwandan culture and to be reminded again of how vast His church really is. As I leave my new found brothers and sisters in Christ this week, and return to my brothers and sisters, my church family in Washington, NC, I do so with faith rekindled and spirit renewed.
Your brother in Christ,
Gene
The Choir at the Rusororo Church
RSS Feed