We are finally in Rwanda Sunday evening

Finally…..we are in Rwanda!  After quite a long journey ( two 8-9 hour legs to London and Nairobi with 6 hr. layovers in both places, plus delays, then another flight to Rwanda) we finally touched ground in Kigali, the capital city.  What a beautiful country!  Lush green, beautiful spring skies, flowering trees and plants, all exhibiting the vibrant colors of Africa.  Not only did Peace, our wonderful director of ministry for Central Africa, greet us, but precious PACWA women who minister with Peace (from Burundi) and Ruth here in Rwanda.  What a sweet welcome!  They insisted on hauling our bags to the bus and lovingly made us feel like honored guests.  As we drove to the hotel, we took in the sights, brilliant green terraced land dotted with homes.  Numerous buildings under construction show signs of an improving economy.  After a much needed opportunity to finally clean up and feel human again, we went to Ruth’s home to meet some of the widows, orphans, and families of the ministry program.  As soon as we drove to the entrance to her home, we were greeted by a crowd of children, widely smiling and anxious to shake the muzungu (white people) hands. We entered the yard to a much larger than expected gathering and a group of the young women dancing toward us to a chorus of praise music.  What a joyous celebration!  We were instantly buoyed up, forgetting for the while that most of us hadn’t had more than a few hours sleep in the last 48+ hours, as we were caught up in worship, dancing, and clapping.  Such enthusiastic worship!  It didn’t matter that we couldn’t understand most of the words; the spirit spoke clearly.  Group after group offered songs of welcome, praise, and blessing, just a taste of what it will be like in heaven when every tribe and tongue will be worshiping together!  It was a huge blessing, and we could not have had a more wonderful introduction to Rwanda.

This is the anniversary of the last genocide, and tomorrow is their national memorial day.  We are going to a special ceremony tomorrow at the site of a mass burial during the genocide for a time of honoring those whose lives were taken during the conflict.  The president of Rwanda is to be the key speaker with many special and surely sobering events to remind the country and the world of the horrible result of tribal/sectarian strife, in hopes that it will never occur again.  There are still areas of needed reconciliation.  We will have the privilege of praying for and with the Rwandan people for healing, forgiveness, and unity.

Everyone is weary, jet lagged, and very ready for some good sleep, but also grateful that we are here.  Pray with us tomorrow for this country which still bears scars from repeated waves of hate and violence.  Pray for unity, strengthening of believers, and for that oneness that Jesus prayed for all of us.