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Come
Sunday morning we were in our hired bus on the way from Kigali
to Ruhengeri through some stunning hill scenery. Anne and Hugh,
with their book of African birds, were really enjoying seeing
how many different species of bird they could spot, and we all
got the bug. We had time to unload our luggage at the guesthouse,
and it was straight off to morning service.
The
service was special. There was an evangelism weekend covering
a group of parishes, and the service was in the open air with
some 2000-3000 people present. It had started at 10.00am, and
we were a little late, arriving at 10.20. Even so we would still
be there for more than 3 hours. This may sound a long time,
but it did not feel long. There was music and singing, a charismatic
sermon from Bishop John, and always something to hold the attention.
We contributed to the service by bringing greetings from St.
Luke's, reading a letter from the Bishop of Liverpool, introducing
ourselves and praying for the 100 plus people who came forward
for the Bishop's "alter call".
The
scene was now set for the next 12 days, days that contained
many high points and some low points. Perhaps the worst experience
of the two weeks was a visit to a genocide site at which some
50,000-60,000 people were murdered in 1994, and then buried.
It was a school where people had collected for safety. Now the
classrooms contain mummified bodies that have been exhumed and
have been preserved for all to see. That night saw a very subdued
group of people collect for our nightly time of bible study
and prayer.
The
following day we met with Archbishop Emmanuel, who discussed
various issues with us for about 1½ hours, including his role
in the ordination of American bishops. Later we were to hear
similar views from Bishop John. We felt that the views they
express would be supported by the average person in the pews
of many churches in England, but do understand the difficulties
they create.
The
real purpose of our visit was to develop the link to Shyira
parish. We took the book of St. Luke's photographs to the parish,
as well as gifts for the hospital and primary school. The events
at Shyira have been recorded on videotape, and highlights will
be produced as a separate tape.
The
maternity hospital continues to be in a desperate state, having
no doctors and few qualified nurses. We were shown a baby that
was said to be dying, but one of our group diagnosed dehydration
and the baby was put on a drip. It went home two days later,
so some real good came from our visit. That story is told only
to demonstrate the really desperate state of the hospital. However,
little can be done until the building is made safe and secure.
It has damaged foundations and needs rebuilding - can we add
to the £6.500 we have already contributed, we wondered? Can
we provide sufficient to reconstruct the building?
Shyira
primary school was also devastated by the genocide and subsequent
incursions from Congo that continued until 1999. It has little
furniture and a damaged roof, but bright and lively children.
We were there in the school's holiday period, but the children
were waiting for us in uniform, and greeted us with songs. Mrs.
Nikuze, who introduced herself as "Headmaster" gave us a tour
of the school and accepted the gifts of pencils, pens, etc.
we took from here. Later that day we saw the children had been
given balls and pencils, which seemed a little strange to us.
However, we were later told that the gifts would encourage the
children who would take them home and put them with their school
things for next term. Be assured, everything sent will be put
to good use!
The
welcome from the church was quite amazing. Music, singing, dancing,
speeches, and gifts to bring home. We were quite overwhelmed.
We were introduced to Emmanuel, the pastor designate who is
to be ordained shortly, and have a video of an interview with
him. We also met the departing pastor, Jean Baptist, who was
dressed for his farming role - he needs to feed himself and
his family as well as providing spiritual care for the people
of his parish.
With
a visit to see the mountain gorillas, a chance meeting with
the commander of Rwandan Security Forces at Gisenyi, meeting
a Rwandan MP and a US Congressman, going to a refugee community,
and many more experiences, the visit to Rwanda was unforgettable
for all of us.
Harvest 2001
In
recent years St. Luke's school has undertaken a project at harvest
time. The project helps the children of the school to understand
some other part of the world, and raises money for the selected
place.
Gahini
diocese in Rwanda has a project to improve the fertility of
the soil, while providing nourishment and money for families.
Over 90% of the population are subsistence farmers, who have
a small plot of land and must sell some of their produce in
order to raise money for essentials such as clothing. Unfortunately
the soil has become impoverished in recent years, and there
is a need to improve it. In Gahini, providing cows for the poorer
families is doing this. Very often these families will consist
of a widow who will be looking after her own children and several
orphans.
A
single cow costs about £160, and provides:
- Manure for the soil
- Milk
for the family
- Money for the family from the sale of surplus milk
- A
first calf which can be given to another family
- Subsequent calves that may be sold.
As
a church we shall support the school in this project through
our special harvest collections.
Bishop
Alexis of Gahini will be bringing his choir to the church and
school on October 9th and 10th (providing they get visas). Perhaps
we shall be able to give him the money for one or two cows?
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