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?”

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.