The Timothy Project: Joining Hands to Build Leaders

During the last week of October, I (Darrell) was able to be a part of an exciting example of international cooperation.  The Timothy Project is an effort which is currently training 100 church leaders in the western part of Rwanda called Kibuye.  Our Rwandan partner, the AEBR, also work with the Danish Baptists (BUD), and Timothy is one of their projects that comes out of that partnership.  When the project began, since its focus was church leadership development in the AEBR, I was invited to be a part of it (with CBM’s blessing).  The first Timothy Project ran in the southern part of the country from 2015-2017.  The next phase (which in the office we like to refer to as “2^nd Timothy” J) is in the western part of Rwanda on Lake Kivu, in a village called Bumba in the area called Kibuye.  It is wonderful to see Rwandans, Danes and Canadians all joining hands and working together to build up and encourage the Baptist church leaders in that part of the country.

The church in Bumba, Kibuye (yellow building) nestled high up in the hills
(the edge of Lake Kivu on far right)

Each time they meet, there is a different emphasis on leadership.  The third module, which just took place, was focused on communication.  We discussed such things as “Why is Communication Important?”, “Communication and the Bible”, “Conflict and Difficult Communication” and “The Five Love Languages”.  Besides myself, the other faciliators were Jonas Mortensen (BUD) and Nathan Ndyamiyemenshi (the project manager from AEBR).  

Leading a morning devotion

Jonas (BUD), Nathan (AEBR) and Enias (Sub-Regional Pastor for the area)

Teaching about the 5 Love Languages

Jonas teaching about adapting your communication style

Each church that participates sends four or five leaders as a team.  Usually that includes the pastor and the heads of women’s ministry, youth ministry, and deacons.  For two-and-a-half days we sang, learned, discussed, danced, shared and prayed.  

Enjoying a moment of fun

A spontaneous dance of joy by some of the women

It is always so rewarding to see people who are willing to travel long distances (often walking), stay in less than ideal accommodations, and sit and learn for many hours in order to take advantage of an opportunity to grow as a leader.  They are always so incredibly grateful.  And it is so exciting to hear how they are taking what they are learning back to their churches and using it as they seek to be faithful leaders of God’s people.

Practicing some new communication skills

Everyone taking a few minutes to try new techniques

The only thing that makes training leaders more exciting is to join with others to do it!  One of the great blessings of serving internationally is the opportunity to be reminded of how wonderful it is to be a part of God’s family which extends around the world.

Protectors of Hope

What would you do if you received news that radically changed your life for the worst?  How would you respond if you were teetering on the edge of despair, when any hope for the future was reduced to the tiniest flickering flame, ready to go out at any moment?  That was precisely the situation that a woman named Donata found herself in, back in 2005.

Living in the little Rwandan village of Kigusa, when her husband died she discovered that it was due to AIDS.  He had contracted the deadly disease through an amateur dentist, and then had unknowingly passed it on to her.  At that time, HIV/AIDS was not only a death sentence which would slowly destroy a person physically.  It was also a disease which carried with it a terrible stigma, isolating a person from all friendships and relationships.  Even Donata’s doctor at the time advised her against telling anyone!

She felt like her life was over.  And what about her children?  She was terribly fearful that the deadly virus had also been given to her youngest, who was breastfeeding at the time.  What was she to do?  Despite being encouraged to stay silent, she made the decision to talk about it.  She joined a small group being organized by the local Baptist church, fittingly called Guardians of Hope (GOH).  The members were all people who were battling HIV/AIDS.  Donata admits, “It took a lot of courage to join the group and be open.”  But it was the best decision she could have made.  That tiny bit of hope she had been clinging to was safely protected.  She truly experienced the Guardians of Hope.

Visiting Donata and two of her children (R) in their home
with some members of a team from Westview Baptist Church, Calgary.

Before the GOH groups were formed, AEBR (CBM’s Baptist partner in Rwanda) gave training to their pastors about how AIDS works and how to address the needs of those who have been infected, which included treating them as people who are loved and valued by God.  According to Jean Marie, the pastor in Kigusa, when their GOH group started, people in that village with HIV/AIDS were extremely isolated and lonely, suffering both physically and emotionally.  They reached out to those throughout the community who were infected and began bringing them together.  They were provided with health kits and taught how to care for themselves.  They were encouraged not to be ashamed of making use of the medication being provided by the local health clinics.  Training was provided to help them learn skills for generating income.

The GOH group members in a meeting under the trees
- a traditional sight in Rwanda

Today, life is very different in Kigusa for the members of the GOH group.  Their health has improved so much that they have only had two of their 32 members die, and those deaths were not due to AIDS.  What a contrast to the way it had been.  Pastor Jean Marie says, “Without GOH’s help, they would all have been dead by now!”  There has also been a radical change in the way others view them.  For most people, there is now no longer any stigma with the disease.  In fact, there are now people wanting to join their group who don’t even have HIV/AIDS! 

Ildephonse (L), GOH Project Manager for AEBR, speaking to
the group members in their pineapple field

As a group, they currently own about 30 goats.  From that flock, each member has been provided with a goat.  And whenever new people have joined, they also receive a goat.  Their dream is that eventually they can build up to the point where each member will have their own cow!  They have also worked together to buy two pieces of land.  One of the plots is used for growing pineapples.  The money from the crop goes toward helping the members.  On the other piece of land they are building a house.  Once it is finished, they will either sell it for a profit, or they will use it as a location from which to start a business.

The house being built by the GOH group - and their cassava planted next to it.

Group member Concilia:  At first she thought her life was ending and was so scared
of others finding out about her AIDS that she would skip her meds.  But today she is
confident and strong, raising animals and pineapples, helping her children go
to school and even vocational school.

Group member Xavier: Because of the disease and its stigma
he despaired that he would be able to send his children to
school.  But the group supported and challenged him.  They
ended up paying for half the school fees and Xavier, through
skills learned as part of the GOH group, was able to pay the
other half.  He is grateful to the GOH group as well as CBM
which made it possible.

For this group of people, there once was a time when the future looked dark and despairing.  But God’s people chose to extend love to the vulnerable and suffering by starting a Guardians of Hope ministry with the help of CBM.  And today hope is burning brightly in the village of Kigusa!

In front of the Baptist church in Kigusa (L to R): Pastor Japhet, head of
AEBR's Dept. of Evangelism & Church Life; Pastor Dayle & Dawn Medgett 
from Westview Baptist Church; Pastor Jean Marie from Kigusa

Anti-virus of Another Kind: Serving God in the Midst of Ebola

Last week (July 22-26), I (Darrell) travelled with Terry Smith (CBM Exec. Director) and Andre Sibomana (Deputy Africa Team Leader) to Goma, DRCongo to spend time with our partner, the CBCA.  However, it was not a normal visit.

Since August 2018, the area north of Goma has been battling against a terrible outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.  It is the second worst outbreak of Ebola in history, the worst ever in DRC.  In 11 months, it has killed over 1700 people.

The CBCA had invited us to take part in a conference for all their pastors, held every five years.  There was concern that after 11 months, the situation with the Ebola virus had not improved.  However, things got even more complicated when, just a couple of days before we were to go to Goma, the first case of the virus was diagnosed in the city.  This resulted in government warnings from both Rwanda and Canada.  When we reached the border, three questions were occupying our thoughts:  1) Could we get across into Goma? 2) Should we be trying to cross into Goma? And 3) If we do get in, what will happen when we try to cross back over into Rwanda?

We prayed that God would open and close doors to make it clear to us what we should do.  After we talked to some people in Goma as well as officials at the border, we decided to go for it.  And we made it through with no problems at all!  There were medical people present to take everyone’s temperature and direct them to a hand-washing station, but that was all.

For the next two-and-a-half days, we were able to worship and learn together with the 800 CBCA pastors.  Terry was the speaker for one of the main sessions and I was asked to lead the Thursday morning devotion time.  There were also guests from Switzerland, Tanzania and Norway.  It was a rich time of fellowship.

Terry speaking on Discipleship in Canada

Andre helping translate my Thursday morning devotion

A rich worship time together

It was challenging to hear of the different ways that the CBCA are seeking to serve God faithfully in the face of this epidemic.  One of the greatest challenges in the affected areas has been the amount of misinformation about the virus and the mistrust toward government officials and medical workers.  In a few cases, medical centres set up to help those with Ebola have even been attacked and destroyed!  To counter these challenges, CBCA has been working hard to spread accurate information about the virus.  Their pastors have all been trained and mobilized in community health practices.   And in Butembo, they even turned over a hotel and large vocational training school in hotel management to the World Health Organization (WHO) where they have set up their regional Ebola crisis headquarters. 

Leading up to the conference, they required that every person who was going to attend receive a vaccine and carry proof at all times.  And at the conference, instead of the usual enthusiastic hugs and handshakes, everyone chose to greet one another by touching elbows, in order to reduce physical contact.  There was also a hand washing station set up and the government had medical personnel on-site as a precaution.

Andre and Terry using one of the washing stations

Medical personnel ready in case they are needed

The "anti-virus" greeting

      In the midst of an atmosphere of uncertainty, misinformation and great fear, our sisters and brothers in the CBCA are doing their best to help people understand the truth: truth about Ebola, truth about the medical workers, and truth about their Saviour who offers hope, peace and love in the middle of the “valley of the shadow of death”.  They are truly shining brightly in these dark times, “like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” (Matt 5:14)  For that reason, it was a privilege to also witness the signing of a new three-year agreement between CBM and CBCA.  May God continue to bless this partnership which is transforming a broken world through word and deed.

Dr. Samuel and Dr. Terry sign a new agreement

A celebration dinner with CBCA leadership

Valuable Colleagues, Part 2

One of the lesser known reasons for the significant impact of CBM around the world is the work of its National Field Staff.  Many people are familiar with CBM’s Global Field Staff, such as ourselves, who are Canadians serving  internationally.  Working alongside those Canadians in many places around the world are the National Field Staff who are serving in their own country.  With their knowledge of the local language and culture, their ministry and insight greatly enhances the effectiveness of CBM’s work.  In this two-part blog, we are privileged to introduce you to CBM's Africa National Field Staff.

Andre Sibomana

After serving as Project Manager for the Guardians of Hope and Food Security Projects, Andre Sibomana began working for CBM as National Field Staff in 2011.  As Integral Mission Coordinator, his primary responsibility was coordinating the visits of short term teams from Canadian churches.

Andre and his wife Therese

During Gato’s tenure leading the AEBR, Andre served with him as the Head of AEBR’s Department of Community Development.  Among his many responsibilities was the oversight of CBM and AEBR’s numerous projects, including Literacy for Women, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Theological Education, Food Security, Guardians of Hope (with HIV/AIDS sufferers and their families), Capacity Building for Church Leaders, etc.

Teaching emerging leaders

Gato and Andre trying bowling for the first time
in 2013 in Nairobi

Last September he began a new chapter of ministry when he was appointed as CBM’s Africa Deputy Team Leader, giving support to CBM’s African Partners in Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan and DRCongo.  This exciting new direction will allow Andre to expand his leadership role, combining his years of experience working as CBM Field Staff with his knowledge of various African cultures.

A special prayer: representatives from CBM's 4 East African
partners (along with Aaron Kenny) pray over Andre in
his new role as Africa Deputy Team Leader

Our two families Christmas 2018 (missing Andre
and Therese's oldest daughter)

Just like CBM’s Global Field Staff need individuals and churches to support them, the National Field Staff also need people who will stand beside them, both with prayers and finances.  If you would be interested in supporting Gato or Andre, either one time or regularly, we would encourage you to contact Barb Keys (bkeys@cbmin.org or 1-905-821-3533) at the CBM office and she’ll be happy to help you.  Or you can visit www.cbmin.org.

Valuable Colleagues, Part 1

One of the lesser known reasons for the significant impact of CBM around the world is the work of its National Field Staff.  Many people are familiar with CBM’s Global Field Staff, such as ourselves, who are Canadians serving  internationally.  Working alongside of those Canadians in many places around the world are the National Field Staff who are serving in their own country.  With their knowledge of the local language and culture, their ministry and insight greatly enhances the effectiveness of CBM’s work.  In this two-part blog, we are privileged to introduce you to CBM's Africa National Field Staff.

Gato Munyamasoko

Our colleague, Gato Munyamasoko, is an amazing, yet humble, man.  Even though he is Rwandan, he was raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a refugee.  His family had fled there years before to escape the brutal attacks in Rwanda against Tutsi people.  In Dec. 1995, he moved to Rwanda and immediately began to demonstrate his leadership skills as well as his passion and ability in the area of peace & reconciliation.

Gato and his wife Anne Marie

In 2007, Gato was hired by CBM as National Field Staff, eventually serving as a Peace & Reconciliation Specialist.  That was the role he was in when we arrived in Rwanda in 2012.  However, in a few months time, his focus of ministry took an unexpected turn.  In early 2013, CBM’s partner in Rwanda, the Association of Rwandan Baptist Churches (AEBR), asked Gato to consider leading the denomination as their Legal Representative (ie. General Secretary), a request which he accepted.

During his five-year term, he faced many, many challenges with patience, wisdom, vision and integrity.  As a result, these are some of the changes that took place in the AEBR under his leadership:

• Four fully functioning AEBR departments were established:  Community Development; Women and Family; Education and Youth; Evangelism and Church Life.
• Major partnerships (such as with CBM) grew from two to six.
• Staff (in the office and in the field) expanded from 19 to 33.
• During the five-year period, over 39,000 people were direct beneficiaries of the various projects that were done through the different departments, many of which were through the support of CBM.
• In 2013, when he started, AEBR had 37,941 members.  As a denomination, it was struggling, losing more and more people.  In just five years, AEBR had turned around and was steadily growing.  It had added 15,156 members for a total of 53,097 – a 40% increase!

In 2015 his work for many years in the area of peace & reconciliation was recognized when he became the recipient of the Baptist World Alliance’s Human Rights Award.  The following year, in 2016, Acadia University awarded him with an honorary Doctor of Ministry.

Gato receiving BWA's Human Rights Award

Dr. Gato featured on Acadia Divinity College's magazine

Last year he finished his term as Legal Representative for the AEBR and in October was re-appointed as CBM National Field Staff.  He and his family have recently moved to Uganda, where Gato is now serving as CBM’s Peace and Reconciliation Specialist, working alongside CBM’s new partner, Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity.

Our two families together this past Christmas

With our friend and brother, Gato