From the Ashes

Map of Rwanda

     As I (Craig) stood outside the Kigali National Genocide museum in Rwanda in early September, I was reflecting on the tragedy that happened there just a little over 20 years ago (from April to July of 1994).  That was a terrible three months where nearly one million Tutsi and moderate Hutu were slaughtered at the direction and planning of their own government. Near me were the remains of 250,000 people killed during that horrible time-- buried in a mass grave at the museum.  However, juxtaposed with this horror of years ago is the radical transformation of a country that is spiritually and economically growing into a successful country in Africa.

National Genocide Museum

     I traveled to Rwanda for meetings with potential partners, including the Rwanda Bible Society and other national church denominations, to discuss issues of literacy and scripture use. We were very encouraged by what God is doing in that country. One of the most interesting meetings we had in Kigali, Rwanda  was with the Pentecostal Church of Rwanda. There are 2 million Pentecostals in Rwanda alone and the national church has been recognized twice in last two years with the UNESCO literacy award for excellence.

     Kigali is one of the cleanest cities I have ever visited in Africa. It has also dramatically reduced corruption and has created a culture of accountability from the top down. Each year Rwanda has National Accountability Day.  The leaders go before the people to report on how they have down on their accountability agreements with the people. This has live twitter and Facebook feeds where citizens can ask tough questions regarding the leaders' accountability. Also, the Church is continuing to grow and Rwanda has become a leading country in Africa for foreign investment.

View of Kigali, Rwanda

     One of my real enjoyments of the trip was visiting with one of the young faith leaders in Rwanda. Daniel was a fellow student and graduated with his Masters in International Development from Eastern. Daniel just recently accepted a new position at Opportunity International where he will be helping them to measure the spiritual transformation from micro finance projects that are faith based in Africa.

   

Craig and Daniel

Please be in prayer for possible partnerships in Rwanda and for the country’s continuing transformation from the ashes of tragedy. 

Burundi

   

                            It is often natural for people to focus on the needs of a country and its people rather than the assets God has given them. Burundi is no exceptions to this. As a country of nearly 12 million people, Burundi is ranked in the human development scale as one of the most impoverished countries in the world. Its illiteracy rates are the highest in the world. Therefore it would be natural for those from the outside, including the church, to figure out how we can address all the deficits of this country.  However, when we focus on addressing the deficits first, we marginalize further a already marginalized a group of people who have suffered from genocide as well as 7 years of civil war.   

                          My purpose of coming to Burundi was, thankfully,  not to figure out how to fix all the problems of the country, but to celebrate the assets God has given these people,!  These include a vibrant church and key visionaries who long to use the God given assets to assist all people in Burundi to flourish as beings created in the image of God. 

                          I was surprised how much Burundi had accomplished on its own without very much foreign aid or outside investment. One of the most powerful institutions in the country is the Pentacostal Church, with nearly 1 million members. The church is engaged in holistic ministry which includes education, health care and literacy. This church, with virtually no outside assistance, is funding over 1,200 literacy centers that are helping people to learn to read and write in Kirundi. 

A large church in a rural area of Southern Burundi that has planted nearly one hundred other churches. 

                    
             I was most impressed with a small group of Christian leaders that had the vision to be a bridge for all the denominations, which over the years have become fragmented and fractured from each other. Partners Trust International is helping to equip and empower people- through leadership training change agents who go back to their respected denominations- to urge the denominations to unite on issues that impact governance and poverty alleviation issues in Burundi. 

                Even in some of the most improvised communities I visited in Burundi, hope is coming through dynamic partnerships. We learned that SIL has the potential for several exciting partnerships in the area of literacy and scripture use and we look forward to further meetings with potential partners. 

       I was also honored to be part of a team with Nurses International and the start of a new BA in Nursing that Partners Trust International will begin to run in the next year. God is moving in Burundi and I praise God for getting a glimpse of his vision  for Burundi. 

Lake Tanganyika is the second largest fresh water lake in the world. 

September Celebrations

September always brings about multiple birthday celebrations for our family!  We are so blessed by our wonderful family!


Carolyn's Dad turned 90 this year!

The girls had a great time with their friends.

And Craig's mom had her birthday!