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. 

Missions Weekend

 

 

This past weekend, we were invited to attend First Baptist Church of Plant City's mission conference.  The theme was about being obedient and there were wonderful speakers throughout the days.  We had never visited this church before so we were blessed to make lots of new friends not just from Plant City, but from around the globe as well.  I think that is always my favorite part-meeting new people and learning about the passions that God has placed on their hearts.  From churches in NY, San Francisco and Miami to people ministering in some of the roughest parts of the world.  Although the times often seem dark,  it is always refreshing to be reminded of the love and grace and power of God and learn how He is very much at work!

After our weekend in Plant City, we met with a group from First Baptist of Bradenton, and joined them on our tour of the Wycliffe Discovery Center in Orlando.

                            

We always love the opportunity to share about Bible Translation and the ministry to which God has called us.  It is amazing to think that in the short time we have been with Wycliffe, over 700 new language projects have been started!  Our God is an awesome God!

A Visit to Tanzania's "White House"

We serve an awesome God! He is able to open any door he wants and close any door he wants. He is the God of relationships. Starting with the Trinity he uses these relationships to advance his kingdom and glorify himself. Over the course of our six years serving in DC, Tanzania and around the world, we have seen relationships orchestrated by the hand of God.

 It was about two and a half months ago when I (Craig) was reading The Citizen, an English newspaper in Tanzania, when the hand of God moved again. With surprise, I came upon a name I recalled from my time in Washington, D.C.

The article quoted the Chief Secretary from the Office of the President of the Republic of Tanzania. The Chief Secretary is responsible for every Permanent Secretary of every Ministry of Government in Tanzania. (The Permanent Secretary at each Government Ministry runs the entire Ministry.) The name I read was Ambassador Ombeni Sefue.  I met Ambassador Sefue nearly four years ago when I attended a program in Washington, D.C. about China’s expanding role in Africa.

At the time I first met him, he had just been appointed as Ambassador of Tanzania to the United States. We enjoyed several visits over the next year and a half in DC until he was appointed as Ambassador to the United Nations for Tanzania and moved to New York. We lost touch so I was surprised to read in the paper that he had been appointed to one of the highest positions in the Country of Tanzania- The Chief Secretary.

I have learned from my mentors Dave Farah and Ron Gluck it is the little things in relationships that count. So our leadership here in Tanzania decided it would be fitting to congratulate Ambassador Sefue in person and present him a language map of Tanzania produced by SIL. Our leaders (including Director Liz Thomson, Louise Nagler and Allen Mchake) had a great visit at Tanzania’s “White House” (the State House) and spending time with Ambassador Sefue.  At the end of our time we were able to pray for Ambassador Sefue.

Ambassador Sefue with UTB Director Liz Thomson

It was great for me to see Ambassador Sefue again and be reminded God is truly an amazing God.

Congratulations Ambassador and best wishes on your new position serving your country!

The task for reaching those without God’s written word in Tanzania and around the World is immense but with our God nothing is impossible!

Heading Home, but the Work is Expanding

Several months ago we wrote about our decision to return home to live, but continue to work with our Africa team remotely. Since that time, Craig’s assignment has expanded to include some exciting new opportunities.  Our dear friend, Alemayehu, has become the director of the newly formed Eastern and Southern Africa Area of SIL.  He has asked Craig to serve as his consultant for external relations and legal affairs.

This assignment will allow Craig to work directly with Alemayehu on issues impacting many different countries in East and Southern Africa.  This new position will allow him to pull from his past experiences working at both the international and in-country levels and it will also allow him to continue work that was initiated while serving in Dar. 

Just to give you an idea, in just over one year, Craig has had over 60 meetings with Government  Ministries of Tanzania and Regional/District  government officials , Non-Governmental organizations, Donor nations to Tanzania, National Networks, Church leaders and Universities to serve language communities seeking to bring spiritual transformation to their communities.  All of these opportunities were from the hand of God and we praise him for his faithfulness.

Our journey while here in Dar has allowed us to explore many different areas of this beautiful country in our short time here. Here is a list of places we have traveled: Iringa, Mbeya, Malindi (Kenya), Entebbe (Uganda), Arusha, Zanzibar, Nairobi  (Kenya), Bagamoyo , Musoma, Mwanza, Selous,  and Ruaha.  It’s been a busy but amazingly rewarding time. 

 The new assignment will begin on January 1, 2013. In the meantime, we are starting to pack and say our good byes.  It’s hard to believe we leave in less than 2 weeks.  (Craig will stay until September).  So, after our return (and catching up with much-missed family and friends!) we plan to take part in the Bell Shoals Missions Conference and then do some traveling to visit other friends and churches, and hopefully determine where we will ultimately call “home” for this next stage in our journey.   In early November, we will take part in a program Wycliffe has for missionaries returning from overseas assignments.

It seems like so much before the end of the year!  We are looking forward to our return and hope that we will be able to see everyone soon!  We know many of you have stood in the gap for us over many years and we are truly grateful and humbled by the support and partnership in the work.  Thanks for going on the journey with us!

“Rebecca, Translate the Bible”

“Rebecca, translate the Bible.” Those were the words Tanzanian Member of Parliament Rebecca Michael Mngodo heard 30 years ago when she was studying languages at the University of Moscow. Who spoke those words to her?  It was Cameron Townsend, founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International.

Cameron and Elaine Townsend were in Moscow at the invitation of the University faculty in the language studies department. (This was at a time when Russia was still a communist country!)  At the same time, Mngodo and her future husband had received scholarships from the government of Tanzania to attend school in Moscow.  Through a divine appointment, the two families met.   Mngodo was moved by Uncle Cam’s passion for getting the word to everyone in their heart language and they became friends. Ultimately, Uncle Cam (through a series of anonymous donors) raised money for her to go to England for an extensive 6 weeks course in Bible Translation taught at Wycliffe UK.

Mngodo later returned to Tanzania and had a successful career in TV production, was active in her church, and continued her friendship with the Townsends.  And, just last year, she became a member of the Parliament of Tanzania. Throughout this time, she continued to have the words burn in her heart, “Rebecca, translate the Bible.”

In June, she was in Dodoma for the session of parliament.  While at a gas station, she saw a vehicle with the name SIL on it. She met one of our colleagues and learned that SIL was working in Tanzania. The words of Uncle Cam hit her with such power when she saw SIL was in Tanzania! The colleague recently related this story of the meeting to Craig.  Then, Craig, along with another SIL colleague in Dar es Salaam, invited her to the office in Dar.

Last week she was able to visit and learn about the acceleration of Bible Translation in Tanzania and also tell the members of our office about her time with the Townsends. More importantly, she wanted to know how she could help. It turns out she is on the committee that relates with the key government ministry SIL is trying to work with! At the end of the meeting, the entire staff of the Dar office came and prayed for MP Mngodo and her work in Parliament. We praise God for this incredible divine appointment that happened at a humble gas station, and we ask you to pray about how MP Mngodo might be used by God to advance the cause of translation and fulfill the words of Uncle Cam, “Rebecca, translate the Bible.”