I am headed back to Rwanda for a second time. The aim of this trip is to finalize plans for the team that will be sent later this year. A team from Midland, MI will be helping pour some cement floors and initiating some ministry with high school age students. I will also be working with national leadership to finalize logistics and see what needs to be done to obtain necessary visas.
This trip will span two Sundays, which means I will have an opportunity to worship with those I have prayed for over these past 14 months. This is one of the benefits of this type of ministry. It doesn’t matter where I go, it is always fun for me to catch a glimpse of what it will be like when the church is ultimately united with Christ. This has been one of the things that leaves a lasting impression on me and I am very excited to have this chance.
There will be one other objective to my presence in Rwanda. As I have been in churches or other venues speaking about LIVEº there is a photo I have continually used when explaining the probable ministry in Rwanda. My desire is to know the story behind the face in the photo.
Here is the face I will be seeking out:
Check back for the story.
Comments
I really appreciate so much this kind of care. You have a heart of gold! Rwanda is a country that often feels forgotten when you compare the number of missionaries in neighboring countries which are well prospering than Rwanda has so far.
I am a Rwandan citizen living abroad. I spent three years in Rwanda trying to help rebuild our lives, my impressions were that Holistic ministry is the only hope for the nation because I believe that the socio-political structures (that are quasi-colonial) are not designed to accommodate lasting reconciliation. The church has a sole opportunity to bridge the gap and make a difference in people’s lives.
When next you are in Rwanda, could you join normal families and ask simple questions about how they felt their lives are now. What are the biggest challenges they face. It would be interesting to hear how they compare their lives from ten years ago and now. If the challenges are that they need to improve their livelihood, here is the challenge of the church. How can Christianity from the West build into the Church capacity without getting entangled with the state’s structures?
Here is your opportunity to learn the pulse of the people and respond in a way that is healing and that brings hope. May God lead you, May he anoint you for the healing of this nation that is lost on many human hearts but very much on God’s own heart
Christiaansen | June 28, 2008