Travel During a Pandemic

It has now been a week since we once again hopped on an airplane and flew halfway around the world.  However, this journey was anything but ordinary.  First, it was coming three months later than had originally been planned.  Of course, that’s what happens when you land in Canada for a home assignment right as a pandemic is exploding around the world!  Second, as we finally return to Rwanda six-and-a-half months later, the pandemic is still ravaging much of the world.

In the days leading up to our departure, many people asked us what it would be like to fly during COVID-19.  Naturally at that point, we couldn’t yet answer their questions.  We could tell them the many things we had to do before leaving, which included arranging to have a COVID-19 test done no more than 120 hours before departing.  (It turned out we had to show this document each step of the way.)  But, until we actually did the journey, we didn’t know for certain what the experience was going to be like – although we had some ideas of what to expect.

So now that we are safely back in Rwanda, it’s time to answer the questions.  Here are the types of things we experienced:

Masks…all the time!  From the time we entered the airport to go through security in Moncton, for the next 30 hours we had to keep our masks on.  The only time we could take them off was when we were eating.  That was a long time to wear masks continuously.  Our great respect goes out to front-line workers and others who are having to wear those little devices for long periods at a time!

Goodbyes had to happen in the airport parking lot

Masks on: Final goodbyes with Bronwyn & Caleb

Where did everybody go?  Unsurprisingly, the airports were not the teeming mass of people that they usually are.  It’s one thing to be sitting at home hearing about the lack of air travel going on.  But to experience it first-hand was quite amazing.  The airports were significantly quieter.  Our airplane from Montreal to Brussels was only partly full.  We ended up in a set of three seats with no one else, so we could spread out a bit with a seat in between us.  (That pleasant circumstance never seems to happen to us, so that made the trip a little more enjoyable.) In Brussels we usually have to switch terminals for the flight to Kigali.  But this time we didn’t.  Our guess is that the lower passenger volume made it unnecessary to be staffing an additional terminal. 

The Montreal Airport: Almost a ghost town

The Montreal Airport: Even Starbucks was closed!

Our gate in Montreal only 10 minutes before boarding!

Service with a smile, we think!  The flight attendants are obviously in a position of higher risk, having to interact with so many passengers in order to look after their needs.  So it makes sense for them to be wearing a higher level of protective gear.  But to know it in your head is one thing.  It is another to see the attendants on the Air Canada flights fully gowned up as they serve you a meal.  (We’re quite sure there was usually a smile behind the mask.)  Note: We were a bit surprised that on the Brussels Air flight from Brussels to Kigali they only had masks as their “extra equipment”.

Air Canada flight attendants serving a meal

Prepackaged everything!  Both times we stepped onto the Air Canada flights (in Moncton and in Montreal) we were handed a sealed plastic bag which contained several “necessities” in the context of the coronavirus.  There was a small bottle of water, a mask, a bag of pretzels, two alcohol swabs, a wet wipe and a small bottle of hand sanitizer.  All very handy.  And their meals were different too.  They were even more packaged than usual, with each item sealed individually.  And there was no choice either – "one size fits all".  Note: In contrast, the meals on the Brussels Air flight were the same as usual.

Cold meal in a box

Different strokes for different folks!  As it was in Canada, passengers respond to COVID-19 in different ways depending on their needs, personality, culture, etc.  The rules clearly stated that masks must be worn, which everybody did – though it must be said that some only covered their mouth with their mask, and at least one woman balked at having to wear it on the plane.  (Go figure!)  But for some people, a simple mask was not enough.  We saw everything from face shields all the way up to full body coverings!

Everyone turned to look at this passing group

New arrivals.  Our return to Rwanda was different from all previous arrivals.  We landed at 12:45 am early Sunday morning.  Once we had our visa and luggage, we were transported by shuttle to a hotel where a medical worker did another COVID-19 test on us.  We then went to our room where we had to remain in isolation until we received word of a negative result from the test.  Thankfully everything went smoothly and by 10 am on Monday we were finally home again – greeted warmly by our cat Messi and by all the unpacking and settling in needed after being away 6.5 months.

Laura Lee catching up on lost time with Messi

And then it's time to unpack

Wounded Healers

How often can it be said that the entire world is focused on the same thing at the same time – and all working toward the same goal?  Welcome to the world of COVID-19!  Aside from a few exceptions, the headlines of every country around the world are about the battle with this coronavirus.  The effects at a macro-level include truces being called between warring factions, air and water pollution clearing up, massive shifts in businesses and economies, etc.  At the micro-level, it seems that every family has its own unique story of how the virus has impacted them.

Difficult times such as this have a way of bringing the best and the worst out of people.  Some respond by slipping into a “protectionist” mentality which is committed to look out for oneself, one’s family, one’s people at all costs.  This is seen on an individual level (such as hoarding) and at a national level (such as has been seen in some global leaders).  But others choose to reach out to help others, even if it means putting themselves at greater risk.  Once again this can be seen in individuals (such as health care workers) but also in countries (such as when people are willing to pay the economic cost of supporting the most vulnerable).

This second response is definitely the one which should be seen among God’s people.  At the time of the early church, the region around Jerusalem suffered a famine.  The apostle Paul praised the churches in Macedonia (northern Greece today) because of the incredible way they responded.  They themselves were by no means wealthy.  And many of them were being cruelly persecuted for their faith in Christ.  But look what Paul says about them: 

“They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.  For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.  They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.”

2 Corinthians 8:2-4 (NLT)

A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit with our partner in DRCongo, the CBCA.   Their executive director at that time, Dr. Molo, challenged the CBCA staff to live as “wounded healers.”  We cannot wait until we are whole and happy and healthy before we reach out to help others.  Even as we suffer and struggle in our own situation, we continue to love and help others.  I remember looking around the room and thinking that this was not just a holy-sounding theoretical stance.  Those people were living it out on the ground.  They were ministering in practical ways in an area which has dealt with cruel rebel attacks, destruction from a volcano, high levels of violence against women, Ebola virus, etc.

 

In 2019, at the height of the Ebola Virus crisis in DR Congo, the CBCA
distributed hand-washing stations to organizations and communities

The CBCA used soccer competitions to teach youth about good practices
which prevent the spread of Ebola

I would encourage all of us, during COVID-19, to live as wounded healers.  We need to fight the temptation to look strictly inward.  Yes, we acknowledge and try to address our own struggles.  But we also look outward – to our neighbours, the community, even the world.  It is not surprising that the ones who are suffering most during this coronavirus are the most vulnerable in our society and elsewhere.  That is why CBM is promoting a special opportunity for people to contribute to the efforts being done by our global partners to reach out with Christ’s love to those who are suffering most due to the global pandemic.  If you would be interested in learning more about this initiative, please visit the CBM website at www.cbmin.org/covid-19-appeal/.  You can also find different ways to pray for our global partners as they seek to live as wounded healers in their own contexts.

Numbering Our Days

One of the members of our church here in Rwanda is a Senator with the national government.  Her name is Rose.  At the worship service a couple of weeks ago, she was asked to stand and greet the congregation with a few words.  Little did she know that her life was about to change in a significant way.  Four days later, on Thursday, her husband was killed along with six others in a terrible traffic accident involving a large truck, a bus and a pick-up.  The truck, which was overloaded with logs and had faulty brakes, lost control and crashed into the other two vehicles.

 

The truck with the logs on its side at the site of the accident
(photo: https://www.ktpress.rw/)

The funeral and burial were held on the following Sunday.  There were about 800 people who came to the outdoor service from their two large families, the church family, friends and government officials.  

People gathering for the outdoor funeral service

The casket and speaker's tents

It was sad but also deeply moving to see Senator Rose stand and with a strong voice declare confidently “God is good…all the time!  All the time…God is good!”  This was not denial of reality.  Rather it was a courageous facing of reality.  Many Bible verses were read and many songs were sung that reflected the reason for their hope in the midst of what appeared a “senseless” tragedy.  

One of several choirs to sing during the service

Rose, surrounded by close friends and family, sharing at the funeral

A number of people had the opportunity to share words that mirrored the thoughts of those who had gathered together.  Many roses were lovingly placed on the casket as it was lowered into the grave.  And we were able to witness it all.

 

Hundreds of people heading for the burial

Preparing to lower the casket into the ground

It was a long day, and because of language, there were many things said which we did not understand.  However, some important truths are able to be communicated even without words.   Here are some of the things which struck us through this experience:

• We literally never know what is going to happen in the months, weeks or even days ahead of us.  As Rose stood up on that first Sunday to address the congregation, she had no idea how hard she was going to have to lean on her trust and understanding of God in the days to come.  If she had waited “until she needed it” before she dealt with issues of faith, it would have been too late.  We all need to number our days, to use well what we have been given, and recognize that they will come to an end at a time we don’t foresee.  (*See verses below)

• Rwandans know the value of facing death head-on.  With the strong support of family and friends, they deal with the death that has invaded their existence, and then they go on.  Some people in this world, convinced that this life is all that we have, prefer to pretend that death is not part of our reality.  They would rather not talk about it, think about it, or be exposed to anything that makes them think about it at all.  Rwandans in general, and particularly Rwandan believers, are wiser than that.  Death is real.  The important question is what are we going to do about it?

• As we work here in Rwanda, we have a clear sense of our need for God’s protection in our travels.  Just the day before the accident, the two of us drove over seven hours.  Darrell especially spends a great deal of time on the roads, doing teaching and training in all corners of Rwanda.  That is a necessary part of the ministry but there is no denying the risk involved whenever one is driving on the roads here.  Each year this small country has about 5000 traffic accidents claiming the lives of over 500 people.  The combination of new drivers, poor mechanical condition of some vehicles, excess speed and the unsafe driving habits of certain drivers, makes this a dangerous enterprise.  Please pray for God’s continuous protection upon us and those we work with as we travel throughout the country.  Murakoze! [Thank you!]

 * Psalm 90:12 (NIV) > Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

    

    Hebrews 3:7,8,12,13 (NIV) > So, as the Holy Spirit says:  "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,"…See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

    Psalm 39:4-8a (NLT) > Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.  You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.  My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.  We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.  And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?  My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion.

    1 John 4:10 (NLT) > This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Where’re Ya To?

A number of years ago Laura Lee’s father, Don, went on a trip to Newfoundland.  When he came back he happily shared with us one of the favourite phrases he picked up while spending time on “The Rock” – Where’re ya to? [translation:  Where are you going to?]  Since that time, in our family it has become a saying that pops up from time to time.

As we begin 2020 and think about the ministry that is being shared with our Rwandan brothers and sisters (AEBR) this coming year, it is an appropriate time to step back and ask the question “Where’re ya to?”  So we want to take a moment and give you a bird's-eye view about the different ways that CBM and AEBR will be working together in 2020.

Peace and Reconciliation

Given the history of Rwanda, which of course includes the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, there is an ongoing need to promote peace and reconciliation in this country.  Through Peace Clubs in seven churches and six schools, the project is training people to be personally reconciled with others and how to be agents of peace in their schools and communities.  (These groups have “given birth” to 10 other groups in other communities as they try to spread the message of peace.)

 

Francois and Donatha are members of a Peace Club in Bugesera. 
Their family was driven to poverty due to the sickness of one of their children.

The members of the Peace Club in August making bricks for building a house for this
family. Jean Edouard, the Peace & Reconciliation Project Manager, is front right.

In November, the members of the Peace Club helped in building a house for
Francois and Donatha

Theological Education

This project focuses on three different ways to strengthen church leaders and raise up new ones.  The first is supporting the Baptist students who go to the seminary Rwanda Institute of Evangelical Theology (RIET).  The second is covering the costs to bring in guest teachers to the five different Regional Bible Schools found throughout the country.  And the third is called the Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI).  It is focused on 20 men and women between the ages of 25 and 40, who are demonstrating capabilities as leaders.  ELI is providing them with training in leadership skills and character to help them be in the best place to serve in AEBR leadership in the future.

 

One of Darrell's preaching classes at RIET

Pastor Cyprien teaching students at the Regional Bible School in Ngarama

Andre Sibomana (CBM Africa Team Leader) leading a seminar at the
Emerging Leaders Initiative

Guardians of Hope

Guardians of Hope (GOH) groups have been established in numerous AEBR churches over the years in order to reach out to, support and build capacity in families affected by HIV/AIDS.  As the members learn together, work together, and save money together, their lives have been transformed.  (For more information about these groups, read “Protectors of Hope” in the August 2019 blog post.)

 

Salome learned to sew as a member of a GOH group 

She makes different kinds of bags which she sells to support
her family.  According to Salome, this project has helped
her regain hope and a sense of value.

Church Roofing

With government regulations requiring good quality roofs on public buildings like churches, it became difficult for churches to pay for the metal sheeting used for roofing.  Over the last number of years, as some of the AEBR churches outgrew their current buildings or had to replace aging, leaking roofs, dozens of them benefitted from the church roofing project which provided the metal sheets after the walls and rafters where raised up by the church family.

 

Pastor Abed in front of his church (with a roof!) in Nyagasiga in eastern Rwanda

Literacy and Family Ministry

In 2020, the efforts to increase literacy will take a new approach.  In communities where illiteracy rates are higher (especially among women), churches will establish self-help groups where members are taught skills such as making baskets, sewing, etc. that can be used to generate some income.  But additionally, literacy classes will be offered to any of them who want to join.  It is hoped that this will draw out those who might be shy or embarrassed so that they can learn to read. (To read more, see the April 2018 post "Opening a New World")

 

Laetitia (L), the Literacy Project Manager, with Dorcas, a recent graduate
from the program

A literacy graduating class in the village of Kigarama in western Rwanda

Benefits being passed on, as the Literacy grads try to establish a reading culture
with their children

The family ministry portion of this project is a continuation of an initiative begun two years ago to bring basic training on marriage and parenting to leaders from every AEBR church and chapel.  With the first phase now complete, it has been decided to do another three-year program which will bring the next level of teaching in this area.  The focus will be on: 1) the role of husbands and wives; and 2) caring for your spouse inside and out.

 

Family ministry training with pastors and church leaders in Ngarama

Orphans and Vulnerable Children

There are many children in Rwanda who are orphans or who have a parent who is unable to properly care for them.  The Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Project will be reaching out to about 200 of these children, not only helping them be able to go to school but also providing support and training through mentors and seminars designed especially for them.

 

David, a member of an OVC group, has a disability
in his legs due to poverty and neglect as a child.

Through the program, he has learned how to make bags. 
When he's not in school, he makes and sells bags to help
himself and others with similar problems.

It’s going to be a busy year.  But through the partnership of CBM and AEBR, many lives will be transformed in 2020!  Each one has a name.  Each one is loved by God.  So it’s exciting for us to think about “Where’re we to?”