Well, my 32 and final night here in Kigali will arrive in about 3 hours. It is mid-Saturday afternoon, and for the first time in 32 days, it has been nice to have nothing that had to be accomplished today. Frank and I had a leisurely morning before heading out for some light shopping and our last "self-serve" lunch. Tonight we pack. Tomorrow we both speak at a Kigali church and then head for the airport for our 26 hour journey home. We hope it all goes smoothly, especially my now 1 hour tighter turn around in DC.
Yesterday was our final day at Masaka with the Pastors. It was rushed day to get through Revelation by 12:30 so we could begin the closing celebration. After 30 days, they were still eager to learn the Word. The closing celebration was both a bit chaotic and also tremendously special. Each pastor received a Certificate of Completion (you would have thought they were getting diplomas), a new bible, their notes from the month bound up in booklet form, 10K franks (about 17 dollars) for beans back in their village, and a 25 kg bag of rice. We also arranged for mini-buses to drive them the 20 minutes to the main bus depot in Kigali. Several Pastors here in Rwanda, who were not a part of the training, said they had never heard anything like it ever happening in Rwanda. When you add in the new suits and the Proclaimers they received earlier, they left feeling very blessed, which was a blessing to us. Frank and I got our picture taken with each "graduate", so it was special, very special. We were proud to represent so many good folks who made this all happen through their time, gifts, and prayers.
I want to say a special word of thanks to each one who traveled here to be a part of Good Rain 11. They were a lift of encouragement to me, a blessing to the Rwandans, and marvelous ambassadors for our Lord and Savior. Thank you John, Tom, Lisa, David, Frank and Christina. I don't think our new Rwandan friends will ever forget it. And we pray they will not forget what they learned, but will transform it into much deeper teaching in the churches.
Blessings from Rwanda,
Mugiraneza Neal
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
March 10
From Neal - While Frank taught today, I was in the city with Pastor Theophile making the final arrangements for the Certificates of Completions we are going to give the Pastors as well as making sure all their notes would get put into binders. What we could have gotten done in 30 to 60 minutes, probably in our own church office, it took us almost 5...and that in a driving rain. It just goes to show the difference between Africa and the USA as well as how much work Theophile has put in to make this all happen on his end. Tomorrow we finish the teaching with Revelation and then have our closing celebration: give each pastor a Certificate, a new bible, a big 25kg bag of rice, 10,000 franks ($15) for beans, their bound up notes, and of course our prayers. Thanks for yours.
From Frank - While Neal was sightseeing in the city today with Pastor Theophile :-) I was attempting to teach 1 John under a tin roof in the pouring rain. At one point the rain was so loud I could not hear myself talk. But once the pastors realized what John was actually saying in this letter they were rejoicing. They get excited when Jesus is glorified. One of the things that has impressed us the most is how eager these pastors are to study the Bible and yet their lack of any study tools. They work hard, get little to no pay, have great hearts, and desire to serve faithfully. It has been a humbling experience to serve them. As you pray for us, don't forget these pastors.
From Frank - While Neal was sightseeing in the city today with Pastor Theophile :-) I was attempting to teach 1 John under a tin roof in the pouring rain. At one point the rain was so loud I could not hear myself talk. But once the pastors realized what John was actually saying in this letter they were rejoicing. They get excited when Jesus is glorified. One of the things that has impressed us the most is how eager these pastors are to study the Bible and yet their lack of any study tools. They work hard, get little to no pay, have great hearts, and desire to serve faithfully. It has been a humbling experience to serve them. As you pray for us, don't forget these pastors.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March 9
Another day, another good day. The teaching time on 1 and 2 Peter went really well. And as usual there were many good questions and a few questions that take you by surprise. One of those, when speaking of Peter's teaching on women in 1 Peter 3, asked me why Adam was created before Eve? I hadn't gotten that one before. So I will just add it to the list.
I would ask you to pray for a man in Masaka named Victor. I met him in the local mini, mini market where I get a somewhat cold drink after lunch (Rwandans like them room temperature or hotter), I met him He was having a cold beer. He told me he wanted to stop drinking and asked for my advice. I told him he needed a changed heart to go along with a change in behavior and recommended the local church we are meeting at. I asked him if he read the bible but he said he didn't have one. I will give him one on Friday and have already introduced him to the local Pastor. Hopefully, a new birth in Christ will be the result.
We also busy making preparations for our final day on Friday. While Frank teaches 1, 2 and 3 John tomorrow, I will run errands with Theophile. As a part of the closing celebration on Friday each pastor will get a certificate of completion (we typed in all their names tonight into our template...spell check was having a fit), a new bible, a 25kg bag of rice, and 10K rwanda franks (about $15) to buy beans when they get back to their village. It should be a precious time.
Today they also hinted they would like to go a 5th week, but I told them that I was more than ready to get home to my "weaker vessel" (1 Peter 3:7). They laughed! They have truly become brothers in the faith.
Keep up the prayers so we will finish strong.
Neal
I would ask you to pray for a man in Masaka named Victor. I met him in the local mini, mini market where I get a somewhat cold drink after lunch (Rwandans like them room temperature or hotter), I met him He was having a cold beer. He told me he wanted to stop drinking and asked for my advice. I told him he needed a changed heart to go along with a change in behavior and recommended the local church we are meeting at. I asked him if he read the bible but he said he didn't have one. I will give him one on Friday and have already introduced him to the local Pastor. Hopefully, a new birth in Christ will be the result.
We also busy making preparations for our final day on Friday. While Frank teaches 1, 2 and 3 John tomorrow, I will run errands with Theophile. As a part of the closing celebration on Friday each pastor will get a certificate of completion (we typed in all their names tonight into our template...spell check was having a fit), a new bible, a 25kg bag of rice, and 10K rwanda franks (about $15) to buy beans when they get back to their village. It should be a precious time.
Today they also hinted they would like to go a 5th week, but I told them that I was more than ready to get home to my "weaker vessel" (1 Peter 3:7). They laughed! They have truly become brothers in the faith.
Keep up the prayers so we will finish strong.
Neal
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
March 8
Today brought a host of changes. David Smith departed this afternoon for the USA. Despite a down computer system at the airport, he managed to finally get his bags checked and begin the 24+ hour journey back to Boston. I didn't get to be with him since I was teaching all day out at Masaka. From the reports I got, he had a nice day snagging some great photos around the city and finally picking up his altered shirt. As I write this, he should be in Addis Ababba waiting on his flight back to Washington with a fueling stop in Rome.
The day at Masaka, as always, was crammed packed. Teaching the New Testament over a 1 month period sounds like a long time, but with the translation it seems you are always cramming in everything you can. Today was James and Jude. I (Neal) taught James from 8:30 to 4 and Frank picked up there with Jude and finished at 5:30. As has become the norm, there were some great moments of insights for the Rwandan pastors. For instance, we only got through the first two chapters of James by the time we stopped for lunch at 1:30 PM. They really took to the spiritual truths of growing through trials, how we are to respond to God's Word, and James idea of justification by faith in contrast to Paul's. It was a rewarding time.
Preparation for our closing day on Friday are well under way. We have purchased 55 25kg bags of rice to give out, bought each of them a new bible, secured enough Rwanda Franks to give them money to buy a bag of beans in their how villages, and finalize arrangements to bind up all their handouts into a booklet they can keep, complete with a harmony of the Gospels. We are also arranging transportation for them back home.
Pray for them. They are eager students but are physically fading as a result of the long days, long weeks, sleeping conditions and the heat. Sometimes they spirit is willing but the flesh is sleepy! Also pray for the translation. We have had several different translators over the weeks (Theophile can't be in two places at once) and some make things go better than others.
Tomorrow is 1 and 2 Peter taught by Neal. Thursday is 1,2,and 3 John taught by Frank and then Friday we finish with a bang in Revelation supposedly taught by Neal. So as you can see, prayer is definitely needed.
Thanks for following along. Seeing the volume of people who have checked out the blog is encouraging!
The day at Masaka, as always, was crammed packed. Teaching the New Testament over a 1 month period sounds like a long time, but with the translation it seems you are always cramming in everything you can. Today was James and Jude. I (Neal) taught James from 8:30 to 4 and Frank picked up there with Jude and finished at 5:30. As has become the norm, there were some great moments of insights for the Rwandan pastors. For instance, we only got through the first two chapters of James by the time we stopped for lunch at 1:30 PM. They really took to the spiritual truths of growing through trials, how we are to respond to God's Word, and James idea of justification by faith in contrast to Paul's. It was a rewarding time.
Preparation for our closing day on Friday are well under way. We have purchased 55 25kg bags of rice to give out, bought each of them a new bible, secured enough Rwanda Franks to give them money to buy a bag of beans in their how villages, and finalize arrangements to bind up all their handouts into a booklet they can keep, complete with a harmony of the Gospels. We are also arranging transportation for them back home.
Pray for them. They are eager students but are physically fading as a result of the long days, long weeks, sleeping conditions and the heat. Sometimes they spirit is willing but the flesh is sleepy! Also pray for the translation. We have had several different translators over the weeks (Theophile can't be in two places at once) and some make things go better than others.
Tomorrow is 1 and 2 Peter taught by Neal. Thursday is 1,2,and 3 John taught by Frank and then Friday we finish with a bang in Revelation supposedly taught by Neal. So as you can see, prayer is definitely needed.
Thanks for following along. Seeing the volume of people who have checked out the blog is encouraging!
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 7
Monday March 7
The Lord continues to lead us and guide us in every detail of the day. We thank you for your prayers and support as the work of Christ's kingdom is advancing here in Rwanda and around the world. Today Frank tackled the book of Hebrews in teaching from 8:45 to 5:30. The pastors had some good questions from Hebrews 6 for Frank along with Mechizadek. Frank enjoyed the teaching and prepared well for the day. To God be the glory for the teachings of His Word to the pastors in Masaka! David enjoyed a day of travel around the city picking up some souvenirs and seeing the business district of Kagili. David and Neil enjoyed lunch with Eric the national director of the PEACE plan through Saddleback Church in Rwanda. Pastor Theophile also joined us for a 4 some at the Africa Bites Restaurant. It was an inspirational time of sharing how the Lord is working in Rwanda to care for the poor and needy especially thorugh the microseeds program that Pastor Theophile started called Africa Hope. We praise the Lord for some negotiations to purchase 55 twenty five KG bags of rice from Tanzaniia for the pastors today. We got a really good price and saved over $150 on this purchase. We were able to purchase 55 really nice Bibles for the pastors from the Rwandan Bible Society today 54 in kenyrwandan and 1 in french for the pastor from the Congo. Everyone continues to be in good health and David and Neal were able to get out yesterday and go for a two mile run. Tonight is my last night in Rwanda and last blog. Tommorow afternoon I'll start the long trek home from Rwanda to Ethiopia to Rome and Washington DC to Boston. I willl not be getting out of the plane in Rome just stopping for fuel. Please continue to pray for Neal and Frank as they finish the New Testament this week and head home next Sunday afternoon. Yesterday all three amegos (Neal, Frank,David) preached in a couple differnt churches. The welcoming of our team by the precious Rwandan believers is overwhelming. I've never been greeted before by a troup of dancing girls before coming into church. It is impossible I was told for Rwandans to show joy and happiness without dancing. Its the end of a full and blessed day. We just finished our dinner and time to turn in at 10:30 PM . Tommorow starts another day. Thanks for reading these blogs. We have had over 2,000 visits on our blog site. Thanks for taking the time to read them and especially for your prayers.
Grace and peace,
David Smith for Frank and Neal
Bye Bye
The Lord continues to lead us and guide us in every detail of the day. We thank you for your prayers and support as the work of Christ's kingdom is advancing here in Rwanda and around the world. Today Frank tackled the book of Hebrews in teaching from 8:45 to 5:30. The pastors had some good questions from Hebrews 6 for Frank along with Mechizadek. Frank enjoyed the teaching and prepared well for the day. To God be the glory for the teachings of His Word to the pastors in Masaka! David enjoyed a day of travel around the city picking up some souvenirs and seeing the business district of Kagili. David and Neil enjoyed lunch with Eric the national director of the PEACE plan through Saddleback Church in Rwanda. Pastor Theophile also joined us for a 4 some at the Africa Bites Restaurant. It was an inspirational time of sharing how the Lord is working in Rwanda to care for the poor and needy especially thorugh the microseeds program that Pastor Theophile started called Africa Hope. We praise the Lord for some negotiations to purchase 55 twenty five KG bags of rice from Tanzaniia for the pastors today. We got a really good price and saved over $150 on this purchase. We were able to purchase 55 really nice Bibles for the pastors from the Rwandan Bible Society today 54 in kenyrwandan and 1 in french for the pastor from the Congo. Everyone continues to be in good health and David and Neal were able to get out yesterday and go for a two mile run. Tonight is my last night in Rwanda and last blog. Tommorow afternoon I'll start the long trek home from Rwanda to Ethiopia to Rome and Washington DC to Boston. I willl not be getting out of the plane in Rome just stopping for fuel. Please continue to pray for Neal and Frank as they finish the New Testament this week and head home next Sunday afternoon. Yesterday all three amegos (Neal, Frank,David) preached in a couple differnt churches. The welcoming of our team by the precious Rwandan believers is overwhelming. I've never been greeted before by a troup of dancing girls before coming into church. It is impossible I was told for Rwandans to show joy and happiness without dancing. Its the end of a full and blessed day. We just finished our dinner and time to turn in at 10:30 PM . Tommorow starts another day. Thanks for reading these blogs. We have had over 2,000 visits on our blog site. Thanks for taking the time to read them and especially for your prayers.
Grace and peace,
David Smith for Frank and Neal
Bye Bye
Sunday, March 6, 2011
March 6, 2011
The last several days have been full here in Rwanda Mediterranean outside on the ground and we walked through Paul’s second missionary journey. We stopped teaching about an hour early because the Rwandan pastors wanted to honor David before he returned to the USA
The Rwandan celebration of David’s ministry was special. We, including David, sang and danced. The Rwandan pastors expressed their thanks for David and gave him the gift of a Rwandan shepherd’s staff.
On Saturday we left at 5:45 AM for Akagera National Park Cape Buffalos
This morning we were preaching again in two churches. Rwandans are amazing in the way they welcome us, worship, and express thanks. They greeted us outside by dancing. Once we are in the church building, they continue to greet us with song, words, and dancing. After we preach they have an extended time of expressing thanks. Their exuberance of worship and hospitality is truly an inspiration.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 3
March 3, Thursday
Hello again or should I say "Muraho" Today David taught the pastors at Masaaka 1st and 2nd Timothy and Neal taught the book of Philemon. Neal is getting ready to teach one of his most favorite books next week in 1st and 2nd Peter and one of his most challenging books in the book of Revelation. Today Frank met with Eric the national director for the PEACE plan and made arrangements to return in June in teaching pastors part of the purpose driven life book by Rick Warren. David had a lot of fun teaching today and pretending to be a televengelist who preached positive self affirming messages to go along with the 1st Timothy passage where in the end times people will gather around themselves the kind of preaching that their itching ears want to hear. Pastor Theolphile was his translator and he really acted the part well right down to the cadence of the voice of a man from America called Rev. Dollar. The pastors seemed to enjoy this part and clearly accepted the call of God to preach the Word in season and out preaching sound doctrine. The pastors love to fire tough questions at us and so we addressed their questions on what it means to be the husband of one wife. Can a woman be a pastor? what does 1st Timothy mean when it says that women will be saved by child bearing, What does it mean that women are to be silent in church? We enjoyed some great singing and the pastors tried to teach David to sing and to dance at the same time. He seems to have two left feet and is 2 or 3 steps behind everyone else but it adds some humor to the group. Neal and David enjoyed a great lunch with the pastors of rice, beans, fried potatoes, meat with sauce probably beef. And a tonic and sprite. David had some of the fresh cucumbers and tomatoes hopefully he won't pay for it later. David enjoyed playing some volleyball with the pastors after his teaching and before Neal taught on Philemon. Neal did a great job tying together the call for forgiveness and reconciliation from Philemon and the Genocide here in Rwanda. The pastors love to grab our bags and carry them for us saying that it is part of their culture. Pastor Theophile doesn't like it when we sit in the back of the jeep giving the front seat to him but that's what we did this time. It was fun giving him the seat of honor that he keeps insisting belong to us. I am amazed at the hunger these pastors have for learning God's Word. It continues to be a humbling experience to play such an important role of teaching them the Word of God and learning from them new applications of God's Word for our own lives. ITs now 7:45 PM Rwandan time and we are waiting for the cook to cook us some fish on the charcoal fire outside. Thank you so much for praying for us! We feel your prayers everyday in the teaching and in the details of this mission trip. Please pray for Neal as he is very much wanting to go to Florida after he returns to the States to join his wife and family to see his son play baseball for Gordon College. He is trying to find an affordable flight at a suitable time. Tomorrow Frank teaches 2 Thessalonians and David will teach 1st Thessalonians. One of the pastor's prayed for all our family back home and for our churches. They know that you are praying for us too. Bye for now, David
Hello again or should I say "Muraho" Today David taught the pastors at Masaaka 1st and 2nd Timothy and Neal taught the book of Philemon. Neal is getting ready to teach one of his most favorite books next week in 1st and 2nd Peter and one of his most challenging books in the book of Revelation. Today Frank met with Eric the national director for the PEACE plan and made arrangements to return in June in teaching pastors part of the purpose driven life book by Rick Warren. David had a lot of fun teaching today and pretending to be a televengelist who preached positive self affirming messages to go along with the 1st Timothy passage where in the end times people will gather around themselves the kind of preaching that their itching ears want to hear. Pastor Theolphile was his translator and he really acted the part well right down to the cadence of the voice of a man from America called Rev. Dollar. The pastors seemed to enjoy this part and clearly accepted the call of God to preach the Word in season and out preaching sound doctrine. The pastors love to fire tough questions at us and so we addressed their questions on what it means to be the husband of one wife. Can a woman be a pastor? what does 1st Timothy mean when it says that women will be saved by child bearing, What does it mean that women are to be silent in church? We enjoyed some great singing and the pastors tried to teach David to sing and to dance at the same time. He seems to have two left feet and is 2 or 3 steps behind everyone else but it adds some humor to the group. Neal and David enjoyed a great lunch with the pastors of rice, beans, fried potatoes, meat with sauce probably beef. And a tonic and sprite. David had some of the fresh cucumbers and tomatoes hopefully he won't pay for it later. David enjoyed playing some volleyball with the pastors after his teaching and before Neal taught on Philemon. Neal did a great job tying together the call for forgiveness and reconciliation from Philemon and the Genocide here in Rwanda. The pastors love to grab our bags and carry them for us saying that it is part of their culture. Pastor Theophile doesn't like it when we sit in the back of the jeep giving the front seat to him but that's what we did this time. It was fun giving him the seat of honor that he keeps insisting belong to us. I am amazed at the hunger these pastors have for learning God's Word. It continues to be a humbling experience to play such an important role of teaching them the Word of God and learning from them new applications of God's Word for our own lives. ITs now 7:45 PM Rwandan time and we are waiting for the cook to cook us some fish on the charcoal fire outside. Thank you so much for praying for us! We feel your prayers everyday in the teaching and in the details of this mission trip. Please pray for Neal as he is very much wanting to go to Florida after he returns to the States to join his wife and family to see his son play baseball for Gordon College. He is trying to find an affordable flight at a suitable time. Tomorrow Frank teaches 2 Thessalonians and David will teach 1st Thessalonians. One of the pastor's prayed for all our family back home and for our churches. They know that you are praying for us too. Bye for now, David
David and Pastor Theophile teaching at Masaka
Pastor Theophile's wife Miriam making us dinner!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 2
As usual it was another good day. And as usual it was full of lots of good teaching, good questions, and running errands. Due to problems with our larger vehicle, Frank and David headed out to Masaka with their translator Peter. And then when the car returned Theophile and I headed into Kigali to get copies, connect with the translator of the outlines, and then head out to Masaka. By the time we got there it was 11 AM.
The morning started with Frank finishing Ephesians 6 on the armor of God. David then flew through Philippians and Frank then pushed through Titus after lunch. I think the question of the day was in context of one of the qualifications of being a church leader you had to be the husband of one wife. The question that flowed from that was could other Christians who weren't leaders have more than one wife. This lead to a lengthy discussions...you just have to stay on your toes. Next up is 1 and 2 Timothy and then Philemon.
To give a feel of our day....we rise about 6:45, leave to teach at 8ish, and and get back sometime between 6 and 7, and then have dinner about 9. It is a long day!
Thanks for the prayers.
Neal
The morning started with Frank finishing Ephesians 6 on the armor of God. David then flew through Philippians and Frank then pushed through Titus after lunch. I think the question of the day was in context of one of the qualifications of being a church leader you had to be the husband of one wife. The question that flowed from that was could other Christians who weren't leaders have more than one wife. This lead to a lengthy discussions...you just have to stay on your toes. Next up is 1 and 2 Timothy and then Philemon.
To give a feel of our day....we rise about 6:45, leave to teach at 8ish, and and get back sometime between 6 and 7, and then have dinner about 9. It is a long day!
Thanks for the prayers.
Neal
Monday, February 28, 2011
February 28, Monday
Greetings from Sunny Rwanda,
Today we saw off three of our team members at the airport to head home to Massachusetts, Christina, Tom, and Lisa. Neal and Theophile saw them off this afternoon. We had a good time of prayer together after a breakfast of fresh pineapple, bread with honey and coffee. David and Frank went to Masaka for the first time to begin their teaching. David had a particulary restless night last night and was only able to sleep about 45 minutes all total. The music from the outdoor bar next door kept him up until 3:00 and then the misquitos after that. The team prayed for David to be able to concentrate as he would be teaching all day the book of Colossians. Frank and David arrived at the pastor's training center in Masaka and were greeted in typical Rwanda style as celebrities. The teaching went very well and the pastors had some very good questions very similar to the kind of questions that we discuss back home. After a good meal of rice and beans with some meat with sauce and spinach we tried hard to keep the pastors from dozing off. When Neal arrived with pastor Theophile around 4:00 the Rwandan pastors honored our team by giving each of us a suitable Rwandan name. Neal was honored first given the name Mugiraneza which means good labor. Neal was honored as the good laborer that he is in organizing the trip and calling together this team and in planning future return trips to Rwanda. David's new name is now Micomyiza and it means kindness. I thought they might have chosen either grumpy one or sleepy one from the 7 dwarfs but they assured me that this name suited me well. Frank is now called Rukundo which means lovely one for his love for God and the Rwandan people is so clearly shown. Lisa, John, Tom, and Christine were no longer here but they wanted to honor them and give them Rwandan names as well. Tom is now Umuhuza which means Ambassador. Christina is now Gisubizo which means Answer to our prayers. John is now Kwizera which means faith. Lisa is now Mugisha which means blessings. She has been such a great blessing to the Rwadan midwives. I think of the movie Dances with wolves where Kevin Costner received his new native american name. Except our names were chosen by these deeply appreciative servants of God who celebrated our ministry with them with a special dance and song in a ceremony of new name giving. We finished our time of ceremony with a special toast of Fanta sodas outside the meeting hall under a beautiful cloud filled skies as the local children spied from behind the bushes. I thought that I'd try to learn a little kinyrawandan and pointing to a papaya tree said in English this is papaya what is it in kineyrandan? The men said with a smile, Papaya. Hey I'm learning some Kinyarwandan. Thank you for your prayers for our whole team. We stopped on the way home to get some fresh papaya for our breakfast. why not? The house is so quiet now as just Frank, Neal and David are here. Frank is getting ready to teach Ephesians tommorow. David hopes to meet with Eric and Bonita tommorow, two friends of the coopers back inHarvard, Mass. Frank also was planning to meet with Eric from the Peace Team to play another trip of his own with his wife this June. He might be teaching either the purpose driven church or purpose-driven life teaching in June. Better sign off before I fall asleep on the key board zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Whoops too late.
Grace and peace for the whole team,
David Smith
Micomyiza
Today we saw off three of our team members at the airport to head home to Massachusetts, Christina, Tom, and Lisa. Neal and Theophile saw them off this afternoon. We had a good time of prayer together after a breakfast of fresh pineapple, bread with honey and coffee. David and Frank went to Masaka for the first time to begin their teaching. David had a particulary restless night last night and was only able to sleep about 45 minutes all total. The music from the outdoor bar next door kept him up until 3:00 and then the misquitos after that. The team prayed for David to be able to concentrate as he would be teaching all day the book of Colossians. Frank and David arrived at the pastor's training center in Masaka and were greeted in typical Rwanda style as celebrities. The teaching went very well and the pastors had some very good questions very similar to the kind of questions that we discuss back home. After a good meal of rice and beans with some meat with sauce and spinach we tried hard to keep the pastors from dozing off. When Neal arrived with pastor Theophile around 4:00 the Rwandan pastors honored our team by giving each of us a suitable Rwandan name. Neal was honored first given the name Mugiraneza which means good labor. Neal was honored as the good laborer that he is in organizing the trip and calling together this team and in planning future return trips to Rwanda. David's new name is now Micomyiza and it means kindness. I thought they might have chosen either grumpy one or sleepy one from the 7 dwarfs but they assured me that this name suited me well. Frank is now called Rukundo which means lovely one for his love for God and the Rwandan people is so clearly shown. Lisa, John, Tom, and Christine were no longer here but they wanted to honor them and give them Rwandan names as well. Tom is now Umuhuza which means Ambassador. Christina is now Gisubizo which means Answer to our prayers. John is now Kwizera which means faith. Lisa is now Mugisha which means blessings. She has been such a great blessing to the Rwadan midwives. I think of the movie Dances with wolves where Kevin Costner received his new native american name. Except our names were chosen by these deeply appreciative servants of God who celebrated our ministry with them with a special dance and song in a ceremony of new name giving. We finished our time of ceremony with a special toast of Fanta sodas outside the meeting hall under a beautiful cloud filled skies as the local children spied from behind the bushes. I thought that I'd try to learn a little kinyrawandan and pointing to a papaya tree said in English this is papaya what is it in kineyrandan? The men said with a smile, Papaya. Hey I'm learning some Kinyarwandan. Thank you for your prayers for our whole team. We stopped on the way home to get some fresh papaya for our breakfast. why not? The house is so quiet now as just Frank, Neal and David are here. Frank is getting ready to teach Ephesians tommorow. David hopes to meet with Eric and Bonita tommorow, two friends of the coopers back inHarvard, Mass. Frank also was planning to meet with Eric from the Peace Team to play another trip of his own with his wife this June. He might be teaching either the purpose driven church or purpose-driven life teaching in June. Better sign off before I fall asleep on the key board zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Whoops too late.
Grace and peace for the whole team,
David Smith
Micomyiza
Sunday, February 27, 2011
February 27
The team in Rwanda Trinity Church in Bolton , MA ) and myself, Frank Reynolds (Manchester Christian, NH) arrived in Kigali Weymouth , MA ) along with Christina Davidson and Lisa Aubin (Hope Chapel, Sterling , MA
Today we divided into three teams. Neal Davidson preached at Harvest Christian Church in Kinyinya. Tom preached for Harvest Christian in Masaka. David and Frank shared God’s Word at Harvest Christian in Kigali
After lunch, the whole team experienced the Genocide Memorial. It is difficult to explain the contrast between the beauty of worship in Rwanda Rwanda
Keep us in your prayers.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
February 26
The training of the midwives exceded any expectations. All 40 midwives were present over the 4 days, and each received delivery kits consisting of baby blankets, gloves, soap and gauze. The government has now provided cell phones to the midwives in attempts to mobilize local transportation for women in labor, but sadly do not provide latex gloves to them to prevent transmission of HIV/ disease. Many of the women in labor don't make it to the health centers, and do deliver in their homes by these midwives. We requested the director of the health center provide latex gloves to them. So God willing, they will. Christina and I learned many Rwandan words, like " push" and the "baby is coming" but I don't know how to spell them.
The directors of both health centers requested that we come back soon, because there are many more midwives that need training. So please keep that in prayer.
We also had a great opportunity to pray with the midwives, and tell them that we were here because we are servants of the Lord and we came to show them Christ's love. The midwives would break out in song when the day came to an end. A song that wished us " God's blessings" and that we would " come back soon."
I thank God that everything went pretty much as planned, and I pray that the training will be effective, both spiritually and physically. God Bless, Lisa
From the Pastoral Training
The week ended very strong. As expected, the issue centered books of 1 and 2 Corinthians provoked a firestorm of questions for Tom, who did an excellent job fielding them I am sure it felt like to him that he was riding a bucking bronco and we pretty tired be the end of Thursday. He is headed out to Masaka, tomorrow, Sunday, to preach. Should be a great day.
Friday finally saw the arrival of the shorter books with Galatians being first up. It was great to spend the whole day going verse by verse with the Pastors. They gleaned a lot of new background information as well as depth of understanding, which was a joy to see. God has been good.
Today, Frank Reynolds and David Smith arrived, and just like all of the rest of us, they were pretty tuckered out. Tomorrow they will be off to the church in Kimirunko for worship. I think they are still discussing who will get to preach and who will have to do the dancing. On Monday, David will launch out with Colossians. Should be a great week for them both.
Blessings. And thanks for the prayers!
Neal
The directors of both health centers requested that we come back soon, because there are many more midwives that need training. So please keep that in prayer.
We also had a great opportunity to pray with the midwives, and tell them that we were here because we are servants of the Lord and we came to show them Christ's love. The midwives would break out in song when the day came to an end. A song that wished us " God's blessings" and that we would " come back soon."
I thank God that everything went pretty much as planned, and I pray that the training will be effective, both spiritually and physically. God Bless, Lisa
From the Pastoral Training
The week ended very strong. As expected, the issue centered books of 1 and 2 Corinthians provoked a firestorm of questions for Tom, who did an excellent job fielding them I am sure it felt like to him that he was riding a bucking bronco and we pretty tired be the end of Thursday. He is headed out to Masaka, tomorrow, Sunday, to preach. Should be a great day.
Friday finally saw the arrival of the shorter books with Galatians being first up. It was great to spend the whole day going verse by verse with the Pastors. They gleaned a lot of new background information as well as depth of understanding, which was a joy to see. God has been good.
Today, Frank Reynolds and David Smith arrived, and just like all of the rest of us, they were pretty tuckered out. Tomorrow they will be off to the church in Kimirunko for worship. I think they are still discussing who will get to preach and who will have to do the dancing. On Monday, David will launch out with Colossians. Should be a great week for them both.
Blessings. And thanks for the prayers!
Neal
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 23
As usual God is good. We had another satisfying day being of use to God here in Rwanda. I heard from the Lisa and Christina that they had a great time with the 10 mid-wives they trained today. All the ladies showed up early, were very eager, and asked many questions. I understand that Christian gave birth 11 times...10 mid-wives, 11 births, must have had twins! Afterwords that got to visit in the homes of several of the ladies and meet their families. They were very pleased.
Here in the Kigali area (we have actually been teaching in Masaka) it was another day of challenges. I completed Romans 1-11 today and then Tom marched into 1 Corinthians. As always they are full of questions. Here are a few examples: Why would God harden Pharoah's heart? Why did God hate Esau and love Jacob? Who did Adam's sons marry and where did they come from? What do you do with a person who comes to faith in Christ who already has two wives? Should you baptize in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Can a Christian lose their salvation? If a Christian dies while they are in sin, do they go to heaven? Should they let a woman who would gets pregnant outside of marriage stay in the church or should they kick her out and never let her back in? Why don't we worship on the Sabbath? What laws do Christians have to keep to keep their salvation? And some other easy ones like that. No wonder were are tired at the end of the day!
Keep up the prayers!
Here in the Kigali area (we have actually been teaching in Masaka) it was another day of challenges. I completed Romans 1-11 today and then Tom marched into 1 Corinthians. As always they are full of questions. Here are a few examples: Why would God harden Pharoah's heart? Why did God hate Esau and love Jacob? Who did Adam's sons marry and where did they come from? What do you do with a person who comes to faith in Christ who already has two wives? Should you baptize in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Can a Christian lose their salvation? If a Christian dies while they are in sin, do they go to heaven? Should they let a woman who would gets pregnant outside of marriage stay in the church or should they kick her out and never let her back in? Why don't we worship on the Sabbath? What laws do Christians have to keep to keep their salvation? And some other easy ones like that. No wonder were are tired at the end of the day!
Keep up the prayers!
Tom Teaching and Pastors playing with Soccer Ball we bought.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
February 22, 2011
This Word From the Mid-Wives Training near Kinigi
We had a great day today. Lisa was in her element. We had 10 midwives and 1 social worker. The women were receptive and excited to do the training. Lisa went over childbirth basics and steps to prevent bleeding and infection. There was alot of learning and laughter. At one point it rained and hailed violently and water was coming down the wall and collecting in a big puddle on the floor, but Lisa never skipped a beat. :) one day down, three to go! Please pray that they will practice and teach other midwives in their villages.
From the Pastors Training
We had a good day today. All the Pastors were back after some of them went home for Monday to participate in the national elections. Due to the elections, we only had a half-day yesterday, even though we taught to 6:30 PM and finished in the dark. Tom Dagley finished up Acts by 11:30 AM (we started at 8:30) and I launched into Romans. By 5 PM we had made it to Romans 5:11 and we called it a day. It seems they are picking up the fundamentals of salvation theology as they are even asking how they can correct their prior teaching to their churches.
Our translator has been a young Pastor named Allen. He pastors a church in a neighboring community and is filling in for Theophile as he is with the Mid-wife excursion. We went to Allen home today after teaching and met his family. They live in a very small home made out of mud block. It didn't have any windows or running water or toilet facilities, but it did have a a few electrical lights and outlets. His parents who are ill, along with his younger sister and brother live with him, his wife and two children. It is a busy home. He has a serving heart and it has been nice to work with him. We are clearly building relationships, which is a real blessing.
It is a real challenge communicating complex theology across a language barrier, especially when the translators grasp of English is less then complete. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to provide clarity.
One little tidbit. The pastors were delighted today when we bought them a soccer ball to use when class is over. It is nice to see folks delight in simple pleasures.
From the Pastors Training
We had a good day today. All the Pastors were back after some of them went home for Monday to participate in the national elections. Due to the elections, we only had a half-day yesterday, even though we taught to 6:30 PM and finished in the dark. Tom Dagley finished up Acts by 11:30 AM (we started at 8:30) and I launched into Romans. By 5 PM we had made it to Romans 5:11 and we called it a day. It seems they are picking up the fundamentals of salvation theology as they are even asking how they can correct their prior teaching to their churches.
Our translator has been a young Pastor named Allen. He pastors a church in a neighboring community and is filling in for Theophile as he is with the Mid-wife excursion. We went to Allen home today after teaching and met his family. They live in a very small home made out of mud block. It didn't have any windows or running water or toilet facilities, but it did have a a few electrical lights and outlets. His parents who are ill, along with his younger sister and brother live with him, his wife and two children. It is a busy home. He has a serving heart and it has been nice to work with him. We are clearly building relationships, which is a real blessing.
It is a real challenge communicating complex theology across a language barrier, especially when the translators grasp of English is less then complete. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to provide clarity.
One little tidbit. The pastors were delighted today when we bought them a soccer ball to use when class is over. It is nice to see folks delight in simple pleasures.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
February 20
This is Pastor Tom from Community Baptist - stepping in for Neal today. Christina, Lisa, and I arrived yesterday tired but ready to go. After bailing Neal out of jail, we proceeded to the imiruno, a district of Kigaili, where we are all staying in a local house. It has a great community feel to it, as we share meals and prepare for our different ministries.
Today we were able to attend Harvest Christian Church which is led by Pastor Theophilius, who is serving as our host and guide. The service was amazing, with singing and dancing going on for over an hour. At one point they pulled us out of our seats and made us dance, bringing back horrific high school memories that had taken years to repress. Neal's dancing caused the pastor to think that he was having a seizure, and emergency crews were called. After order was restored, we were asked to preach. I think the main reason was to get us to stop dancing.
I had never spoken through a translator before (unless waiting for my mother to explain what I just said to my father counts) and it was a great experirnce. Although a little unsettling at first, once we established a rhythm things seemed to go well. Neal preached a great message from John 2, one in which the local pastors struggle through as to the relationship of Christians and wine. He redirected them nicely to the main point of the passage that the old way of the Law was passing, and He was offering the new wine of life through Him through grace. It was very powerfully received.
After visiting with a woman who is involved in the MicroSeed program, we were able to go shopping and finally get back to our house to prepare for the next day. Tomorrow, Lisa and Christina are heading out to Kinigi to work with the mid-wives. They will be training them on delivery and post-delivery care (which is a major issue with these women).
We will also be visiting the Genocide Memorial and then Neal and I will be heading back to teach the pastors in Masaka. Please pray for me as I lead them through the book of Acts, one that is very timely for this country at this time. They have the fire, but need the context of Scripture to wrap it in. As Christ Himself said, "If you follow my teachings, you will be My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." These people need to know the truth so that they can be truly set free from old mindsets and ways of life.
Again - thank you for your support and prayers. I can tell you that Neal is very conscientious about every dollar that is spent. If you gave money, believe me, it is in good hands and is being used in a way that is truly helping the Rwandan church.
Today we were able to attend Harvest Christian Church which is led by Pastor Theophilius, who is serving as our host and guide. The service was amazing, with singing and dancing going on for over an hour. At one point they pulled us out of our seats and made us dance, bringing back horrific high school memories that had taken years to repress. Neal's dancing caused the pastor to think that he was having a seizure, and emergency crews were called. After order was restored, we were asked to preach. I think the main reason was to get us to stop dancing.
I had never spoken through a translator before (unless waiting for my mother to explain what I just said to my father counts) and it was a great experirnce. Although a little unsettling at first, once we established a rhythm things seemed to go well. Neal preached a great message from John 2, one in which the local pastors struggle through as to the relationship of Christians and wine. He redirected them nicely to the main point of the passage that the old way of the Law was passing, and He was offering the new wine of life through Him through grace. It was very powerfully received.
After visiting with a woman who is involved in the MicroSeed program, we were able to go shopping and finally get back to our house to prepare for the next day. Tomorrow, Lisa and Christina are heading out to Kinigi to work with the mid-wives. They will be training them on delivery and post-delivery care (which is a major issue with these women).
We will also be visiting the Genocide Memorial and then Neal and I will be heading back to teach the pastors in Masaka. Please pray for me as I lead them through the book of Acts, one that is very timely for this country at this time. They have the fire, but need the context of Scripture to wrap it in. As Christ Himself said, "If you follow my teachings, you will be My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." These people need to know the truth so that they can be truly set free from old mindsets and ways of life.
Again - thank you for your support and prayers. I can tell you that Neal is very conscientious about every dollar that is spent. If you gave money, believe me, it is in good hands and is being used in a way that is truly helping the Rwandan church.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
February 17
Greetings from Rwanda - Neal has asked me to put in my two cents. It has been a long and good day and I think Neal actually needs a bit of a rest so I will do the blog report tonight.
Neal took about two days to get into his rhythm, but he now has the Pastors spell bound.
As we have gone through this process, we have found that these mostly rural Pastors have a real heart for the Lord, but no formal training on the bible or how to read and interpret the text. They have developed no context for how the Jews lived, or history of the region, or understanding how to use the similar accounts in multiple Books to pull out new information. That is the challenge and opportunity. What the group confessed is that they simply avoid sections of the Bible that they do not understand.
Yesterday, we saw a monumental change in these students of the Bible - their eyes were opened to the new possibilities, you could palpably feel the growing hunger/thirst for seeing how these the stories and words that they love, contains so much deeper meaning, and in fact sometimes a totally different meaning than they had previously held. There were also unexpected challenges: during one question we found that there are translation errors in their bible.
Neal is aggressively telling these folks that they have a responsibility to God to make sure that what they are teaching is correct biblically - and being a Pastor is a job of life long learning. Let me tell you, they are responding to the Good News that Neal is presenting. This morning they were firing off questions - hard questions - they are engaged. And frankly, Neal is having a blast, he is in his element!
The teaching area is about 40ft long and 20 ft wide. The day starts with Bishop Theophile and Neal sitting at a front table There are six rows of students, 10 chairs across. When there is a breeze, it is quite pleasant, without the breeze + humidity, it deadly - water dripping, but no one seems to mind. Of course there is evidence that the Pastors are discussing what they are learning long into the night - there have been a few people nodding off during the day. But I must tell you, Theo and Neal are quite the show - both excellent preachers, very lively and animated. When they both get going the place rocks - people don't sleep when this team is on fire! As I said, the teaching starts with both Theo and Neal sitting - that does not last long, they are up on their feet, emphasizing the messages with their hands and arms swinging with passion. The only thing more energetic are the songs that start each session - I will bring you a short clip next Sunday, it is a wild thing to experience is all I can tell you now.
I have met several of the Micro Seed women, they are truly blessed by this meager money. And don't tell Peggy, but I have purchase several baskets for her.
The suits have been distributed, they were all received with joy and thankfulness. I have taken pictures of the happy recipients to be shown at the church - your gifts were appreciated.
Neal and the teams that will be coming to Rwanda ARE a real blessing to these people. You should all be very proud of your support!
Neal took about two days to get into his rhythm, but he now has the Pastors spell bound.
As we have gone through this process, we have found that these mostly rural Pastors have a real heart for the Lord, but no formal training on the bible or how to read and interpret the text. They have developed no context for how the Jews lived, or history of the region, or understanding how to use the similar accounts in multiple Books to pull out new information. That is the challenge and opportunity. What the group confessed is that they simply avoid sections of the Bible that they do not understand.
Yesterday, we saw a monumental change in these students of the Bible - their eyes were opened to the new possibilities, you could palpably feel the growing hunger/thirst for seeing how these the stories and words that they love, contains so much deeper meaning, and in fact sometimes a totally different meaning than they had previously held. There were also unexpected challenges: during one question we found that there are translation errors in their bible.
Neal is aggressively telling these folks that they have a responsibility to God to make sure that what they are teaching is correct biblically - and being a Pastor is a job of life long learning. Let me tell you, they are responding to the Good News that Neal is presenting. This morning they were firing off questions - hard questions - they are engaged. And frankly, Neal is having a blast, he is in his element!
The teaching area is about 40ft long and 20 ft wide. The day starts with Bishop Theophile and Neal sitting at a front table There are six rows of students, 10 chairs across. When there is a breeze, it is quite pleasant, without the breeze + humidity, it deadly - water dripping, but no one seems to mind. Of course there is evidence that the Pastors are discussing what they are learning long into the night - there have been a few people nodding off during the day. But I must tell you, Theo and Neal are quite the show - both excellent preachers, very lively and animated. When they both get going the place rocks - people don't sleep when this team is on fire! As I said, the teaching starts with both Theo and Neal sitting - that does not last long, they are up on their feet, emphasizing the messages with their hands and arms swinging with passion. The only thing more energetic are the songs that start each session - I will bring you a short clip next Sunday, it is a wild thing to experience is all I can tell you now.
I have met several of the Micro Seed women, they are truly blessed by this meager money. And don't tell Peggy, but I have purchase several baskets for her.
The suits have been distributed, they were all received with joy and thankfulness. I have taken pictures of the happy recipients to be shown at the church - your gifts were appreciated.
Neal and the teams that will be coming to Rwanda ARE a real blessing to these people. You should all be very proud of your support!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
February 16 - After Day Three Teaching
What a day. Yesterday we studied the Gospel of Matthew and it was a bit of a struggle. But today was such a different experience. They had talked the night before about Matthew and still had lots of questions for me. And then we dug into Mark. I could tell some lights were going on and that they were finding truths and insights they had never seen before. What a blessing to be a part!
At one point one the pastors, one you could tell who longs to be a good pastor, said he would not want me to come to his church because his teaching is very shallow. Then he asked me to come back again beyond this month, because he knew it was going to take more than this month to grow in his teaching as he should. In terms of their teaching, I could tell they were like sheep without a shepherd, and they are trying to be the shepherds! It is humbling and gratifying all at the same time. It made me feel just a shallow for wondering the other day if I could really take being here for 30 days!
John was great today. He organized the distribution of the suits. While I taught inside, he stood outside in the sun and patiently worked to make sure every Pastor got a well fitting suit. They were delighted. They came back into the room after their turn with big smiles on their faces. When we came back from lunch, they were all trying on their suits again. It was a pleasing sight. John has been such a great blessing to have along. A good friend, good insight and a servant heart.
And today, we learned God still does miracles. I drove the car that has been rented in rush hour traffic in Kigali and we all survived. Our assigned driver wasn't available this afternoon and by early evening we were without any driver at all. So since Theophile doesn't drive, and the Luke copies needed to be picked up, off we went. Actually, it wasn't all that bad!
Keep us in prayer as we plow through Luke tomorrow and John begins his time with the MicroSeeds people here in Rwanda. Should prove to be another eventful day here in Africa.
Neal
At one point one the pastors, one you could tell who longs to be a good pastor, said he would not want me to come to his church because his teaching is very shallow. Then he asked me to come back again beyond this month, because he knew it was going to take more than this month to grow in his teaching as he should. In terms of their teaching, I could tell they were like sheep without a shepherd, and they are trying to be the shepherds! It is humbling and gratifying all at the same time. It made me feel just a shallow for wondering the other day if I could really take being here for 30 days!
John was great today. He organized the distribution of the suits. While I taught inside, he stood outside in the sun and patiently worked to make sure every Pastor got a well fitting suit. They were delighted. They came back into the room after their turn with big smiles on their faces. When we came back from lunch, they were all trying on their suits again. It was a pleasing sight. John has been such a great blessing to have along. A good friend, good insight and a servant heart.
And today, we learned God still does miracles. I drove the car that has been rented in rush hour traffic in Kigali and we all survived. Our assigned driver wasn't available this afternoon and by early evening we were without any driver at all. So since Theophile doesn't drive, and the Luke copies needed to be picked up, off we went. Actually, it wasn't all that bad!
Keep us in prayer as we plow through Luke tomorrow and John begins his time with the MicroSeeds people here in Rwanda. Should prove to be another eventful day here in Africa.
Neal
Monday, February 14, 2011
Post First Day of Teaching
John Scudiere and I have had a couple of truly meaningful days. Yesterday we had the privilege to worship with a local church here in Kigali. A group from the youth choir serenaded us as we arrived. We sat at the head table and took in a wonderful time of worship as choir after choir sang and danced. John shared a very powerful testimony from Matthew 5:3 about the pour in spirit, recalling a time in his life when he was especially aware of his need for God in his life and his families and how God had honored that. As I had a full view of the congregation, you could tell it was powerfully received.
I also had the privilege of sharing a Gospel message. And then, just like back home, got to participate in a baby dedication. It was cool to hold in my arms this cute little Rwandan child and pray for her and her family. There is certainly one thing we learned from Sunday and that is John in the better dancer!
Today was the first day of what we really came here for...teaching the Pastors. We think there were 56 allow we were expecting only 55. We are meeting in a small church building in Masaka. It has several lights, a cement floor, use to have some glass in the windows, and has a tin roof. It is made from mud block. And yes it has old fashioned outhouses. I made my first trip to them today. The pastors are an eager group. We started about 2 hours late as some of them had difficulty arriving, but then we got it going. They embraced the biblical background information eagerly and with tons of questions. It is a good sign...they have 4 weeks ahead of them. We delved into preaching the word, and they confessed they have difficulty in doing this with and depth...a nice confirmation of why God has brought us here. If I can figure it out, I will post a picture or two.
Pray for several things...1. That God would give us words when we get asked questions out of the blue, like the one today as to why Christians don't have Mosques like the Muslims. 2. These pastors are sleeping, learning and eating in the same place...alertness can be an issue as the room gets hot. 3. That they can absorb more information than normal...that God would heighten their learning capacity.
Blessings,
Neal
I also had the privilege of sharing a Gospel message. And then, just like back home, got to participate in a baby dedication. It was cool to hold in my arms this cute little Rwandan child and pray for her and her family. There is certainly one thing we learned from Sunday and that is John in the better dancer!
Today was the first day of what we really came here for...teaching the Pastors. We think there were 56 allow we were expecting only 55. We are meeting in a small church building in Masaka. It has several lights, a cement floor, use to have some glass in the windows, and has a tin roof. It is made from mud block. And yes it has old fashioned outhouses. I made my first trip to them today. The pastors are an eager group. We started about 2 hours late as some of them had difficulty arriving, but then we got it going. They embraced the biblical background information eagerly and with tons of questions. It is a good sign...they have 4 weeks ahead of them. We delved into preaching the word, and they confessed they have difficulty in doing this with and depth...a nice confirmation of why God has brought us here. If I can figure it out, I will post a picture or two.
Pray for several things...1. That God would give us words when we get asked questions out of the blue, like the one today as to why Christians don't have Mosques like the Muslims. 2. These pastors are sleeping, learning and eating in the same place...alertness can be an issue as the room gets hot. 3. That they can absorb more information than normal...that God would heighten their learning capacity.
Blessings,
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Day Two
Somethings just take getting used to. You cannot imaging how long it could take to locate 55 hangers for the suits that we brought for the Pastors. It takes some time to get use to Africa time.
John and I had a chance to view the place where we will be teaching next week. It is pretty primitive. It is about 1000 sq ft with a tin roof, cement roof, three small light bulbs, and a combination of wood benches, plastic deck chairs and a couple of basic tables. The Pastors will learn, sleep and eat in the same room for the whole month. There are a couple outhouses as well as several stalls where the wash up using a bucket. It is a privilege to get to work with such folks.
I will preach tomorrow at a local church. John will also be sharing in some way. We will also get to go to the Genocide Memorial. Also, it seems we are going to help a local pastors kid who is going to attend school in Montana with an internet transcation...they don't have a credit card and that is all the US Embassy site will take.
Thanks for following along.
Neal
And its pouring here. When it rains in Africa, it really rains.
John and I had a chance to view the place where we will be teaching next week. It is pretty primitive. It is about 1000 sq ft with a tin roof, cement roof, three small light bulbs, and a combination of wood benches, plastic deck chairs and a couple of basic tables. The Pastors will learn, sleep and eat in the same room for the whole month. There are a couple outhouses as well as several stalls where the wash up using a bucket. It is a privilege to get to work with such folks.
I will preach tomorrow at a local church. John will also be sharing in some way. We will also get to go to the Genocide Memorial. Also, it seems we are going to help a local pastors kid who is going to attend school in Montana with an internet transcation...they don't have a credit card and that is all the US Embassy site will take.
Thanks for following along.
Neal
And its pouring here. When it rains in Africa, it really rains.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Safe in Rwanda
Well day one in Rwanda is over. John Scudiere and I made it in fine. All the luggage arrived safely, despite the fact we made a stop in Uganda that wasn't on our original itinerary. The travel was about 24 hours. We were greeted at the airport by Pastor Theophile, his wife and 6 pastors complete with a bouquet of flowers for each of us.
The house that was rented for us is fine. It is gated as expected. It is fairly large for Rwandan standards. When we arrived the power was out. There is as single, dull ceiling bulb in each room for light at night. The water works, but no hot water. We fill a bucket, heat it up with a heating stick that we place in the bucket and then plug in. When it is warmed up 10 minutes later, you pour the water over yourself one cup at a time to take a shower. It works. But sleeping is no problem. I slept twelve straight hours the first night after being up for 30 straight hours.
John is going to be great. He is very inquisitive, asking lots of great questions, and sizing up how he can serve. He will be great for the Micro Seed ministry as well as doing some of the teaching.
Our first day was uneventful. We did some studying, explored the city some, had a nice meal out compete with french fries, and began gathering materials for the one month seminar. We also bought a cheap Rwandan cell phone ($20) to communicate for the month as well as a data modem that we can use for our trips over the next few years. As I write, several women are making a meal for us in the outdoor kitchen. I think it will be rice, beans, and a bit of chicken. I am not sure I am going to lose weight on this trip as hoped.
More later. Keep the prayers up.
The house that was rented for us is fine. It is gated as expected. It is fairly large for Rwandan standards. When we arrived the power was out. There is as single, dull ceiling bulb in each room for light at night. The water works, but no hot water. We fill a bucket, heat it up with a heating stick that we place in the bucket and then plug in. When it is warmed up 10 minutes later, you pour the water over yourself one cup at a time to take a shower. It works. But sleeping is no problem. I slept twelve straight hours the first night after being up for 30 straight hours.
John is going to be great. He is very inquisitive, asking lots of great questions, and sizing up how he can serve. He will be great for the Micro Seed ministry as well as doing some of the teaching.
Our first day was uneventful. We did some studying, explored the city some, had a nice meal out compete with french fries, and began gathering materials for the one month seminar. We also bought a cheap Rwandan cell phone ($20) to communicate for the month as well as a data modem that we can use for our trips over the next few years. As I write, several women are making a meal for us in the outdoor kitchen. I think it will be rice, beans, and a bit of chicken. I am not sure I am going to lose weight on this trip as hoped.
More later. Keep the prayers up.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Pre-Trip Message
Hey, thanks for checking out the Good Rain '11 blogspot. I will do my best to up-date it with thoughts, experiences and things while in Rwanda. To get you up to speed I before I leave, check out the following:
Prayer Needs:
Safe Travel
Health...it is hard to teach if you cannot stand up!
Discernment...in a different culture it sometimes hard to tell if you are being effective
For the Rwandan Pastors to learn a ton.
For God to save lives through better trained Rwandan Midwives.
Here is a copy of the itinerary, so you can be in prayer.
Prayer Needs:
Safe Travel
Health...it is hard to teach if you cannot stand up!
Discernment...in a different culture it sometimes hard to tell if you are being effective
For the Rwandan Pastors to learn a ton.
For God to save lives through better trained Rwandan Midwives.
Here is a copy of the itinerary, so you can be in prayer.
GOOD RAIN ‘11
Detailed Trip Itinerary
Feb. 10 (Thurs) - Neal Davidson and John Scudiere arrive in Kigali on Ethiopian Air Flight 807 at noon time (12PM).
Feb 11-13 Make final arrangements for NT Survey Class, visit with Churches, etc.
February 14-18 Week One of NT Survey
Monday: The World of Jesus and the New Testament/ Begin Matthew
Tue/Wed: Matthew/Mark
Thursday: Luke
Friday: John
Feb 18 (Friday): Lisa Aubin, Christina Davidson and Tom Dagley arrive in Rwanda (Ethiopian Air 807 at noon)
Feb. 19 (Sat) Visit Genocide Memorial, visit with MicroSeeds Loan recipients
Feb 20 (Sun) Worship with local Churches, various
Lisa Aubin and Christina Davidson depart for Kinigi with translator
Feb 21 (Mon) John Scudiere departs to return to USA
Feb 21-24 (Mon-Th) Lisa and Christina conduct training with Rwandan Mid-Wives in Kinigi area clinic
24th - Lisa and Christina return to Kigali in early evening
Feb 25 Lisa and Christina visit with MicroSeeds Loan recipients
Feb. 21-25 Week Two of NT Survey in Kigali
Monday - Acts (Tom)
Tues - Romans (Neal)
Wed - 1 Corinthians (Tom)
Thursday - 2 Corinthians (Tom)
Friday - Galatians (Neal)
Feb. 25 David Smith and Frank Reynolds arrive on Ethiopian Air Flight 807 at noon
Feb 26 (Sat) Team visits the Ackerga National Game Reserve - leave from and return to Kigali in some kind of a Safari SUV
Feb 27 (Sun) Worship with local Churches, etc
Feb 28 (Mon) Lisa Aubin, Chrstina Davidson and Tom Dagley depart for USA on Ethiopian Air flight 806 at 4 PM
Feb 28-Mar 4 Week Three NT Survey Teaching
Monday - Colossians (David Smith)
Tuesday - Ephesians (Frank Reynolds)
Wednesday - Philippians (David Smith), Titus (Frank Reynolds)
Thursday - 1 & 2 Timothy (David Smith), Philemon (Neal)
Friday - 1 Thessalonians (David Smith), 2 Thess (Frank R)
March 5 Visit Genocide Memorial, etc
March 6 Worship with Local Churches, etc
March 7 David Smith departs for the USA on Ethiopian Air flight 806 at 4 PM
March 7-11 Week Four NT Survey Teaching
Monday - Hebrews (Frank R)
Tuesday - James (Neal), Jude (Frank R)
Wed - 1 & 2 Peter (Neal)
Thursday - 1 & 2 & 3 John - (Frank)
Friday - Revelation (Neal)
March 12 Open Day
March 13 Worship with Local Churches
March 14 Neal Davidson and Frank Reynolds depart for USA on Ethiopian Air 806 at 4 PM
Good Rain ‘12 - Some time after 1/1/2012
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)