Students leave St. Michael's chapel after worship

What does it mean to partner with a church on the other side of the globe? Are we bold enough and humble enough to think such a thing possible? It’s this quest and all of the surrounding issues that brought us to Rwanda this summer, having been asked to enter a ‘sister’ church relationship with St. Michael’s, Musanze.

Information was not easy to get. We weren’t sure who to talk with, what was happening in that church and if they even desired such a partnership. I see now that these questions were meant to be answered, or at least encountered, face to face. The theme of ‘dance’ keeps coming up again and again, and you don’t dance from a distance.

I’m learning that there are many facets to St. Michaels, because it’s not really one church, but a space. I think it refers more to the building and the spiritual activity that goes on there. Formerly a magistrate court, the building overlooking Sonrise School was renovated as a chapel for the school. Where once people had judgment pronounced over them worshipers now hear the Good News; where they were sent into prison they are now released into hope. It’s a wonderful picture. Redeemer Church is being asked to step into the hope that is being offered in that place and through those lives. Before traveling there it was impossible to know what that might look like, as hard as we tried.

For one thing, St. Michael’s means the spiritual life of Sonrise Primary School that worships there several times during the week. We were blessed to be a part of that service on Sunday morning, to preach there and to worship with the children. Several people from the community came to pray with the children during their service from 7:15am to 9. It’s a dynamic and awesome environment and we are being asked to join with that work.

But there is more, and this we only learned at the last minute. We had heard that the community people also worshiped at St. Michael’s, and I had assumed that this meant in conjunction with the Sonrise students. But the community church is a new group that is being planted there, and they worship after the Sonrise students leave. We only learned this on Saturday night as we kept asking questions and gently pursuing clarification.

Pastors Jay and Emile

St. Michaels’ is a preaching point in a parish of seven locations doing work in a very difficult area. In fact, Ruhengeri (the district name) is one of the hardest areas in Rwanda for evangelism, as it was once a stronghold for tribal religions. Many believed that the spirits of the dead went to the volcanoes, and that it was a place of evil and demons. The old Tutsi kings used to send people there as a form of exile. It is a hard place for new church work. And the people are poor. The pastor, Rev. Mugisha Emile, works tirelessly against many obstacles to reach people for Christ in seven different locations, one of them being the St. Michael’s site. He does this with no transportation and very little support, and his wife has been very ill. We met him only an hour before we were to leave Ruhengeri, so we’re grateful that we made that connection, and we have committed to praying for him and his people, communicating with him, and returning in a year to spend some time in his parish.

In some ways, things at St. Michael’s were as we expected them to be, in others, totally different. It shows me again why we must enter the dance face to face. We have a lot to learn.

One of the great things about visiting Rwanda is the music–particularly in worship.  There are six choirs at Sonrise School, and they each sing at each worship service  (three each for the Primary and High School).  This is one of the reasons the services run as long as they do, and it gives an opportunity for as much active participation as possible.  Giving a nation back its song after it had been extinguished in genocide is one of the true resurrection stories of this place.

Worship music includes songs written by students, hymns, as well as choruses from the West  (these tend to be the praise choruses based on scripture that churches in the US sang in the ’70’s, particularly in the pentecostal traditions–they are livelier and fit the style here).  They also represent the music brought by the missionaries.  Today you can hear almost anything on the radio in Rwanda, and the diocese would like to launch a Christian radio station.  While I have some thoughts on that, I also remember that it was through radio, more than any other mass appeal, that persuaded Rwandans to murder their neighbors in 1994.  It is yet one more arena to be renewed.

Pray for the choirs at Sonrise School, and for the songs in this place.

Click on the link below to hear a brief clip of a Sonrise Choir.  The song is written by a student, based on Beatitudes.

sonrisechoir

Click on photos for larger format

Cameraman Mark was always a big hit

We are spending a few days resting following the time in Rwanda before we head home. This is not just “down” time or a chance to have ‘fun” (although I hope that will happen), but we have been drinking from a fire-hose the last week, and while it has been tremendously refreshing we’re trying to get a sense of what we might have missed, as well as coming to grips with where we have been and what we have seen.

I think I could write a book on Sonrise School following our visit, or at least several sermons, but I want to put down just a few thoughts to help bring you into the frame. Following our 2 hour ride up the mountains into some breathtaking and wondrous landscapes, we arrived at Sonrise School. Of course, I was asked to preach immediately, but following the long journey they agreed to have me share a greeting with the primary school children who were gathered for their usual time of fellowship and worship in St. Michael’s Chapel. As we entered in the back they began to sing and raise up their voices in welcome and greeting—I was met not only with friendly and eager faces but with rushing emotions.

Jason visits with Richard, the academic Prefect

The next day we toured the Primary and High Schools, meeting students and having a chance to ask questions of the administrators that took us around. One thing is crystal clear: Redeemer Church Chicago (as we’re known there) has been the key support for this school, in terms of not only ongoing operational funding, but relationally. We are known, and loved, and appreciated. As Jimmy, Assistant Principal of the Primary School introduced us to classes, he said the following : “We can call them our brothers and sisters, and that is true; we can call them our friends and those who love us, and that is true; we can call them our fathers and mothers, and that is certainly true, but we owe a tremendous debt to those from Redeemer Church who love us and stand with us, and have listened to God in being with us”. Put yourself in our place, at that time, and maybe your knees will be as weak as mine were. It was humbling beyond words.

Sonrise is a place of joy, but scratch the surface and you will find the stories of loss and tragedy. They don’t focus on it, but you cannot ignore these stories in a country that lost a million of its citizens in three months just 15 short years ago. We interviewed high school students that started at Sonrise in the beginning (2001) and are looking forward to graduation. These young people are mature and inquisitive and committed and fun—qualities that have come because of grace and the love and care of others, and their own determination and faith.  In contrast, the country is a home for the walking wounded who have never yet found a way out or through their torments.  In our first day in Kigali we met a young woman, the same age as these Sonrise High Schoolers, who continues to live in the despair of the loss of her family, and she can see no way out. There are so many like her who need so much. That’s the kind of healing and transformation that the school has provided, and it has not only made a difference for those attending, but for the whole nation, as it has become a beacon and example.

For example, the new head of the Rwanda Development Board (the man overseeing all new initiatives in this rapidly expanding economy) is an American–a Chicagoan, in fact:  Joe Ritchie.  Joe was drawn to Rwanda after his daughter Maggie spent a year with Bishop John working at Sonrise School.  We shared a lunch with Joe and his wife Sharon, and two of their children  (one of them a friend of my sons) at Sonrise on Friday. Chicagoans meeting on the far side of the globe.  During the Sunday morning primary service at St. Michael’s there were a number of special guests, including a young man who used to work for President Bush and is now with President Kagame’s office in Rwanda, and four young people who sing together and tour as a family.  Their voices blended beautifully as they sang Amazing Grace.  For a much-demanded encore they offered a family favourite:  the Lonely Goatherd.  Their names?  The Von Trapps.   Young Justin looked as if he had just stepped over the movie set from almost 50 years ago  (the Sound of Music). It’s probably the only time I will ever preach after such a rendition and selection!!  But that’s the kind of people that are drawn to this remarkable school.  And Redeemer Church has had the unique role of encourager and partner since before the beginning.   We were welcomed as beloved family, and its an experience I hope you will know, as we have.

Rev. Agnes and me following nearly six hours of church (2 services) on Sunday morning

The teachers and administrators here are heroes—they give everything to guide these students, and Sonrise has again reclaimed its place as the top school in Rwanda. This is remarkable, especially when you consider that a large number of the students are orphaned and have faced devastation. This isn’t a posh city school in the wealthy district of Kigali (there is one there) but a place of care carved out of the side of the hills, rocky in landscape, but fruitful and rich in love and joy.

Just a quick update on our journey… we made it to London this morning. I will be attending a ministry conference on the role of prayer in the mission of the church hosted by the Proclamation Trust UK. I’ll also be meeting with some church leaders and friends while I am here, and generally beginning to process my experiences in Rwanda.

Decompression time is very critical following a trip like this, and I would ask for your prayers that we are each able to continue processing our experience and making the transition back home. Specifically, I would ask that you pray that I will be able to put words to this. Thanks!

Arch. Kolini in a House of Bishop's meeting earlier this month. The House of Bishops of the Anglican church of Rwanda has elected three new Bishops and appointed them to serve in the Anglican Mission in the Americas. The election took place on Saturday 13 at the Anglican Diocese of Kigali.

NOTE:  The following news  happened while we were in Rwanda, so we have included it as part of the blog.  The man in the photo second from right, Grace Mugabe, was our host during our Kigali stay.

Meeting recently in Rwanda, the House of Bishop of the Anglican Church there elected new bishops for their missionary outreach in the United States.  The new Bishops are the Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter, the Rev.Canon Doc Loomis and Rev. Silas TAK Yin Ng . According to the communiqué the first two bishops will serve in US while Silas TAK Yin Ng will serve in Canada.  These new bishops join a group of overseers leading a church planting movement in North America that draws upon the vitality and vision of what God is doing in the Global South.

Due to the growth of the AmiA and its westword expansion, the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda has increased the number of AMIA bishops from seven to ten. The Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMIA) was formed on July, 28, 2000 to plant new churches that are vital and dynamic, drawing upon the rich resources of Anglican heritage.

For his part, the Primate of the Church of Rwanda, Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini vowed Rwanda will continue spreading a message of hope the world over in an attempt to preach the gospel, even as reconcilation efforts continue in Rwanda following the genocide of 1994.

In his message to the press, Bishop Charles Murphy, the Chairman of AMIA and the Primatial Vicar from America lauded Rwanda for what it has done for Americans. “Rwanda is a beacon of hope. It has saved Americans from a state of quagmire,” said Murphy, and added: “Our churches in America are canonically based in Rwanda; and shall therefore remain a missionary out reach of Rwanda in America.”

The Anglican Mission in the Americas has now grown up to 146 churches and is offering a blessing to the American religious landscape, according to Bishop Murphy.
–story by Grace Mugabe, Director Communications, the Anglican Church of Rwanda

Today, we spent much of our day touring Sonrise Primary School and Sonrise High School. The tours were thorough and informative, and it was exciting to talk with some of the staff and students about the impact God has made on them through Sonrise. We were especially grateful to spend some time talking in more detail with several high school students who began in the primary grades—most of them at the very beginning of Sonrise Boarding School. Each was surprisingly articulate, thoughtful and inspiring. Many of them specifically mentioned their thanks to those who have never seen them face to face, but nevertheless have expressed their love and care in so many ways. We intend to share more from these conversations as we have opportunity. We learned a lot. It is now after 9 p.m. in Rwanda and we’re moving toward sleep (whether we want to or not).

Watch a short movie clip of our journey to Musanze (Quicktime)

In this brief unedited clip you can get a quick flavor of part of the journey we took from Rwanda’s capitol, Kigali, to Musanze in the northwest, where we are currently spending time with those at Sonrise and St. Michaels. More on these things soon…

Flying over Kenya's Rift Valley

Taking a trip to the other side of the world is one of the best ways to have the phrase “You are Not in Control” uttered over you life, like a latent blessing. We’re thankful for safety, and that we did arrive pretty much on time in Rwanda…but we are learning again that we don’t control outcomes (even process) and we need others.

Kenya Airways treated us to a couple of great flights (with service to beat anything in the US) but then lost our baggage, so it tempers my enthusiasm for them just a bit. It was a fascinating lesson in negotiation to participate as one of those who had to report lost luggage. In the States, we would find the person in charge, produce our luggage claim tickets and expect them to find the location of the missing pieces by computer. NOT so in Rwanda. There was a group of about 8 of us—two Americans, the rest of African variety. At first it had to be determined if all of the luggage was actually off the plane. The attendant, who didn’t exhibit much air of authority, was reluctant to issue a ruling on that…so we waited. After a while, he declared that no more was coming. Then what followed was a rather confusing but somehow wonderful interchange. Every one (except for the Americans) entered into some kind of dance, to see who would go first, what should be asked, said and determined. There was much conversation (that I actually followed pretty well, given the hand movements of the baggage attendant) that the bags would likely arrive on a later flight. No one seemed to challenge this assumption, and no one suggested (as I was thinking) that perhaps he should just call Nairobi and see if they had them. “They will come” was uttered with great confidence. ‘When’ was not important, obviously.

We then each had to not only provide the tag number of the claim ticket, but identify each piece of luggage on a large chart the attendant had. This chart held the primary significance. We would point to a picture of a piece of luggage and say “that one”. If we seemed to hesitate, he was very concerned. It had to be exact—with the colour as well. I (quietly) watched about five people go first, then took my turn in the dance. All the others helped me, of course, although they had never seen my luggage, but you would not have known that. My French helped a little, and finally, the attendant had recorded the essential details, numbers and all. It was more difficult for Mark, as we couldn’t seem to locate a picture of a case for his camera tripod on the master chart. This caused a lot of “ahhing” and ‘Oomming’ until we found something close enough. The attendant seemed worried that it wasn’t an exact match. At any rate, we spent about 24 hours without our luggage, then it arrived, just as he promised it would.

The first night at the guest house there was a miscommunication about dinner, and we found ourselves alone, in a strange city, not speaking the language, totally unable to provide for ourselves. Archbishop Kolini just happened to show up and ordered dinner for us. But it was a reminder that on this trip we’re really helpless—totally dependent on others to provide and direct, and even to speak for us. Actually not a bad lesson at any time, or any place…but it’s pushing against our illusions.

We have not found it easy to get “online” to post to this blog, mostly due to the part of town we have been in. But we’ll try to bring things up to speed. I am learning, or re-learning, some very important things. One is that I came here with the idea of doing three or four things each day. I now know that it will only be possible to accomplish only one ‘task’ daily. I’m also seeing how important relationships are here. We say that Rwanda is relational, but we don’t really know what that means until we step into it here in this place. More about that later….

Peace.

We are now in London. Having rested some we are soon on our way to Kenya. It is so encouraging to know that you are praying for us and that God is with us. Please continue to pray for our journey and our families. We will try to post more from Rwanda in a few days.