We've now been in Kigali Rwanda for two days, and its been a very full time of reconnecting, and becoming reacquainted with Rwanda's unique and profound story of reconciliation. Church of the Redeemer has two families that live and serve here full-time (the Hanlons and Abrahams). These are dear people who are very much a [...]
I wrote about our Rwanda trip last year, that one has to go "through" somewhere. I meant, on the obvious level, that there are no direct flights from the US to Kigali, Rwanda. In a deeper and more symbolic way, though, a traveler must go 'through' in another sense, as well. Its a spiritual and [...]
Ok, so I'm admitting right up front that this post will have limited appeal. But if you're one of those who is curious about the thing behind the thing, then read on. Its no secret that Anglicans (and others) approach the visual side of worship in a way that can seem strange to free-church evangelical [...]
Well, here we are, headed out again on this long-standing cross continental relationship with Rwanda. Over the next two weeks we'll post information on our visit, sights and maybe some sounds, and reflections on what it means. Right now, after many months of leading a major transition at Redeemer, I'm planning to spend a long [...]
Our final two days in Rwanda were filled with meetings---important connections with leadership at both Sonrise School and the Diocese. I'm particularly grateful for the two hour meeting with had at Sonrise--with the deputy principals of both the primary and high schools, the business manager, and the two chaplains. With one or two exceptions, this [...]
by Katie Prudek I've now completed the rite of passage that is a Rwandan church service. Jay left the Bishop's house bright and early yesterday to preach at the cathedral's English service, before the rest of us had even come down for breakfast. Chantal and I dropped Amanda off to preach at St. Michael's (Sonrise [...]
Yesterday we came north to Musanze--two hours from Kigali on winding roads that climb several thousand feet over 90 kilometers. The vistas are beautiful as the hillsides pass by, cultivated to the very top with crops being watered by abundant rains in this season. We settled into the Bishop's home, and toured the cathedral grounds [...]
By Katie Prudek Although I am in East Africa, I sometimes feel like I'm back in the Czech Republic, where I lived from 1st through 12th grade. The shape of the door handles and light switches here, the way the narrow bathtub in my room at the guesthouse rises out of the floor at a [...]
Kigali in the Morning Kigali is a city of many hills--which means it is also a place of valleys. Our first day began with mists rising from the low places, as people, animals and machines awakened to greet the morning. The days are long here, with the Muslim calls to prayer beginning before [...]
Each time I travel to Rwanda I experience a movement of transition--the need to ease into a different place, and I'm learning that its important to do this well. Its a physical and time/space transition, but also a cultural one. A shift that is both external and internal. It takes a re-orienting of posture, perspective [...]
