The last few days have been spent with our Redeemer Missioners to Rwanda, Dan and Kari Hanlon.  What a great time we have had reconnecting, learning about their life and work here, and experiencing the city of Kigali in new ways.  On my previous trips I have stayed at the Anglican Guest House and tried to navigate the city with various drivers and moto-taxis, never really sure of my bearings.  But as Dan and Kari complete their first year here they are immersed in Rwandan life, and their insights and experience offer unique entree to the capitol city.  While they work on language skills and continue to adapt, they have already learned much, and it has made this visit so different from previous ones.  It has also offered a deeper look into the relationship we have with Rwanda and the role of a ‘sending church’.  Today we learned that our flight home had been cancelled, and Dan helped us in communicating by phone and with rides to the airport to straighten things out.  I can’t imagine what a struggle it would have been if I were on my own.

Yesterday Richard Ndekezi came to visit, and it was a glorious reunion.  Richard graduated from Sonrise school earlier this year and is involved in a college prep program through Bridge 2 Rwanda.  He hopes to make application to an American university for a scholarship to study to civil engineering.  He is doing very well, and sends his love to all Redeemer folks.  Dan and I had a chance to meet some of his family when we took him home to the Kigali neighborhood where he lives with his older brother and family.  It was a real adventure navigating the steep, narrow and rocky roads in the dark—Dan should get a special award for that!

As Dan takes on leadership for education and training in the Kigali Diocese and Kari is teaching at KICS (the international school) it is deeply encouraging to see how God leads when we step out in trust, willing to risk.  They came here with many loose ends, and God has directed and provided in ways that could not have been anticipated.  As Redeemer’s Senior Pastor, I can only reflect that this last week has been a time of celebrating the things that God is doing.  We have entered into the life of the church here, and connected with our Missioners.  Rwanda is a vital part of the Redeemer story, and it continues to draw us forward in hope and anticipation.

Richard Ndekezi at the Hanlon’s