We all arrived safely Saturday night, then drove two hours north (with our driver Herman) to Musanze.  Sunday dawned very early (it seemed) with pastoral duties for the clergy.  Deacon Amanda preached at two services at Sonrise School, first the primary school children then the high school, and Fr. Jay preached the kinyarwanda service at the Cathedral, thanks to his interpreter Andrew (Bishop John Rucyahana’s son).

There is an energy around the worship that is particularly known in music. While the Rwanda Anglican church does employ a liturgy, the true liturgy of Rwandan worship is found in its choirs. For instance, at the cathedral, four different choirs sang as part of the usual three-hour Sunday morning service–and that’s fairly usual.  At Sonrise, there were five or six choirs at each service.  Their music is not only performance, but is aimed at leading participatory worship, with the congregation often leaping to its feet and joining in the rhythm. The music is sung, but also danced, with the movement helping to interpret the meaning of the songs.  If the choirs sing, and you are not moving your feet, you should check your pulse.

At the end of the service all the ministers greet the people as they leave, then gather together for post-worship prayer.  Amanda preached on Mark 4, with the encouragement to ‘not be afraid’ for her first sermon, and on God’s choosing, for the second.  Jay spoke on God’s mercy to the humble, that he sees the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar (Psalm 138).  Dan and Kari drove up from Kigali to be a part of the worship, with Dan sporting his new clerical collar, following his recent ordination as a Deacon. Thanks so much for the prayers and support for our ministry here in Rwanda this week…with Sunday being a highlight.