The Final Post

It’s really good to be back home and there are all sorts of things that we have to get used to all over again; cold and wet weather, lots of traffic, people in a hurry to get anywhere, freely accessible clean water, more palatable food and drink and so the list goes on.

Unusually, we cleared customs last night around 9.15 and picked up our bags without any delays at all. After being greeted so wondefully by Harrie and Gill, the drive back from the airport was a quiet affair as we were both very tired after our long journey home and all I wanted to do was sleep.

Driving is interesting after being in a left hand drive car for three months and the speeds are far higher. We so appreciated Harrie being at the wheel as It would have been lethal for either of us to attempt it.

The first day back has been a combination of washing and tidying things away and re-establishing relationships with those that we love and have missed; catching up on news and getting back to ‘normality’.

Just buying some basic shopping puts things into a different perspective; freely available pasteurised milk, fruit and vegetables without worry of contamination or harmful bacteria. Tea and coffee without ‘bits’ in and made with neutral tasting water. Carpeted floors which are warm and inviting.

Each new experience focuses our minds on our friends in Rwanda as we are reminded how truly blessed we are living in this place; we don’t go hungry or face the cold without heating and have more than adequate and secure homes with lighting, running water and secure locks on doors and windows.

I’m sure that over the coming weeks we will grow more used to the familiarity of our former daily lives, but my hope is that our experience will be a perpetual one.

Yesterday has already been consigned to the past and it’s our future that will define who we are and what we can yet achieve through our fellowship with Rwanda.

With our Lord’s guidance we shall surely grow in Him and He in us.

Luke 12:33

“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.

UK Here We Come

We have arrived at Kigali airport waiting to board our aircraft for the first leg of our journey home. We will be taken to four International airports; Bujumbura, Nairobi, Schipol and finally Heathrow.

It’s Mark’s birthday today and we plan to have a pint to celebrate it after we leave Rwandan airspace. As you may be aware, we took an oath not to drink whilst in Rwanda to set an example to our brothers and sisters here.

We can’t believe our journey to Rwanda is finally at an end and it is so difficult to describe how we feel at this moment.

First and foremost we are so glad we came to this beautiful if troubled Country and there will always be a part of Rwanda which will forever live with us.

Quite how much will probably be revealed after we have spent some time in the UK.

We have been asking God the same question for several weeks now. Have we changed as a result of our journey here? The simple answer is always the same – wait until you return home.

‘Home’ is such a simple word which has much greater meaning for us now. A place of safety, refuge and familiarity, amongst friends and loved ones. A place where we belong.

We have been living in another Country for the past three months but now is the time to leave and greet those who have loved and supported us throughout our time here; the congregation of St Winfrid’s, our children, our wives and partners, our friends; without them and the love of Christ Jesus, none of this would have been possible.

We stil can’t quite believe it’s over but it will finally become a reality once we have cleared customs in Heathrow and embraced Harrie and Gill who are coming to welcome us home.

We give thanks to our Lord and Saviour who made all of this a reality.

1 Peter 5:4

And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Journey’s End – Or Just The Beginning?

It’s hard to believe, but this is our final day in this most beautiful Country and we have travelled so much further than the physical distances we have covered on our travels; we have also developed spiritually and grown in our relationship with God.

Our aim was to strengthen the existing relationship with our link parish of Kibuye and to bulid a new one with Gahogo parish;We believe we have achieved this through our obedience to God.

However, like all relationships, it will require effort to maintain and then continue to build on what has already been achieved through Christ Jesus.

We have not done this alone, as each and everyone of the St. Winfrid’s congragation has played a part; from the money freely given; running the church in Mark’s absence; giving words of encouragement and prayers to support and strengthen us; all have played a crucial role.

This has not been the work of just a handful of people, but a whole church back in the UK. All who came here were truly blessed to come, but it grew out of firm and grounded relationships which started back at home.

Without commitment and a desire to see them succeed, relationships whither and die. They need food; to be nurtured and developed over time; trust needs to be earned and the motive for offering the hand of friendship needs to be tested and explored.

St Winfrid’s is a church built on relationships and this is what we have shared so readily with our Rwandan brothers and sisters.

We have shared the love of Jesus that lives in us and through us; but more than that as we have shown an honest and open willingness to get involved on the ground;working side by side and in partnership and an equal footing with them. They have truly appreciated this approach.

But what for the future? They will still have the same daily struggle for survival in a regime of uncertainty, poverty and fear; the same need for education to provide an opportunity to grow and be less reliant on western handouts; an opportunity to have lasting hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”.

We have sown seeds in this place and have been challenged and changed by what we have seen and grown our relationships with the testimony we have shared with many on our travels; to deepen the roots of friendship.

As we prepare for our journey home, our final prayer would be that our time in this place is instrumental in cementing the foundations for future growth; that relationships are strengthened in breadth and length and depth; that our obedience to God bears the fruit of His efforts through our relationship with Him and our unwavering faith in Jesus.

Romans 4:13

Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.

Umaganda

A quiet start to the day as it was ‘Umaganda’ which refers to a cultural ideal suggesting that progress and beauty are everyone’s responsibility.

The 4th Saturday of every month is set aside for ‘Umaganda’, and is something of a national clean-up day when everyone attempts to dedicate their morning to picking up rubbish, filling in potholes, and building up their communities

It is considered very rude to venture out during these times, even for European visitors, so it’s best to just sit, relax and just take it easy. Nothing is open to visit anyway!

It reminds me of a time when a Rwandan pastor had finished the chocolate bar he was eating and threw the wrapper out of the car window. It’s about establishing priorities I suppose and although litter proliferates in Kigali it’s not as great a problem in rural locations.

I suppose that Mark and I are ‘clearing up’ our own personal affairs at the moment; seeing what will fit into our cases within the required weight limits and leaving behind what’s unecessary or no longer required for use at home.

Mark is also getting his beard shaved off today so it will be odd to see what he looks like without it after all of this time.

As we venture back to normality, having tidied our lives ahead of our return, we wonder how much of the litter from Rwanda will have stuck and found it’s way home with us. Only time will truly reveal this.

Luke 11:9

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

Farewell Shyogwe

Today we set out for Kigali and our final place to stay in Rwanda at Solace guest house, before our flight home on Sunday night. It is a beautiful and bright sunny day and seems so fitting to leave under such glorious circumstances.

We are compelled to reflect on our leaving party last night and the amazing generosity of our hosts, which so reflects the heart and soul of the Rwandan people.

We were presented with so many wonderful gifts, both for ourselves and our partners as an appreciation for all that we freely and unconditionally gave.

It was such a humbling experience to be taken through the fruits of our labours in this place and the beginnings that would surely flow from the seeds we had planted in Jesus name.

The most wonderful thing though is the impact that our work has had amongst those gathered and within the community as James writes at verse 2:14 and was stated by the head of the committee:

‘What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?’Faith without works is useless’

That has been the essence of our entire journey, to physically do something of value for our Rwandan brothers and sisters and it’s surely by the grace of God that we have realised our ambition.

As we travel to Kigali on the final stage of our journey before we leave on Sunday night, we are inwardly reflecting on all that has happened on our time in Rwanda and the difference we have made by coming to this beautiful place.

It’s still not finished, but we journey ever closer to our homes and families and are strengthened by that thought and our unwavering faith.

Isaiah 53:3

With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.

Friends of Shyogwe

Pastor John Wesley came to see us this morning as he had arranged for a member of his staff to go to Kigali and reconfirm our return flights to the UK.

Apparently, If you don’t do this in person the ticket agent often ‘forgets’ to record this if you simply rely on contacting them by telephone. This could then cause significant problems on arrival at the airport.

It’s rained a lot here the past couple of days and this morning brought the first glimmers of the sun returning, which is a very welcome sight and I’m sitting in the sun as I write.

Our hosts have arranged a small leaving do for us tonight in a similar vein to the one they gave when Antony and Mike left after just two days of staying in Gahogo.

It’s very much a cultural thing to say farewell in Rwanda and that includes saying the same to your immediate neighbours guests as well, who may not have necessarily visited your home.

They definitely don’t like saying goodbye as Bishop Jered confirmed when he came to see us last night ahead of his trip to Ruengheri and the consecration of another bishop. More of a ‘farewell and see you soon’ approach which is appreciated.

We helped put labels on jam jars at the RDIS centre earlier today, the place where they make pineapple products, which this was a nice relaxing thing to do on our last day here. We were assisted by two members from the transform team and it was nice to just chat in the sun as we completed our task.

On our final visit to Elaine’s house, it is obvious that such wonderful progress has been made as can be seen from today’s picture; but as her trip to the hospital today confirms, her HIV+ status brings sharply into focus her daily struggles with the virus. Our prayers are with her and her family at this difficult time.

We will be sad to leave our friends here in this place but the relationships we have built are not fragile and easily broken, but have value and merit as they were forged through the love of Christ Jesus.

John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid”.

Thirsty Work

We visited a water storage facility today that was being refurbished as the flow from one of the tanks had significantly reduced due to blockages.

The tank we saw stores about 50 cubic metres of water (50 tonnes) and serves a population of some 13,000 people, so not a lot of water per head of population.

The tank was built in 1992 and the British embassy have paid to have it refurbished.

We ventured inside the tank to see workers throwing cement at the sides, in exactly the same way that they build houses. They did however have trowels to smooth the sides off afterwards.

However, the main difference here was that the sand, cement and water were in much higher proportions and sieved to remove larger particules to improve its strength.

Clean water is always a problem in developing Countries and it’s interesting to note that the water isn’t filtered at any point and is simply collected ‘run off’ from the surrounding hillside.

It’s then pumped to the local school and homes in the area that can afford it, which seriously reduces the numbers of people that can access it.

Clean water is something we take for granted in the UK and acute diseases from contaminated water are a real problem in Rwanda.

It’s interesting that in Rwanda where there is very heavy rainfall that a lot more isn’t collected from it, but we also have this complaint of the apparently sophisticated water companies in the UK.

Isaiah 41:17

“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.

The Beginning Beckons

We travelled back to Gitarama today in Gahogo parish and the realm of Pastor John Wesley, where our journey began what seems like a lifetime ago now.

Every day we take a step closer to home which is very focusing for the both of us, but very exciting too.

Our poor little car won’t have to endure too much more abuse as it has scaled some very rough terrain, climbing to the church at Kibuye on several occasions, fording boulders and riverbeds, potholes and the attention of many children.

We found some ‘drawings’ that kids had etched into the paintwork the other day – bless them!

It has broken down a few times, struggled with the excessive weight it has carried but still it goes on. More akin to Mark and I’s journey than that of just a car.

It’s just a few days until we return to Kigali and Solace guest house and our long journey home and we are both very tired emmotionally. It has been quite a treck, but a thoroughly worthwhile one.

It rained very heavily for a while and today’s picture bears witness to that. Perhaps Rwanda is attempting to become like the UK to make us feel more at home.

We stopped off on the way back to pick up some clerical shirts that Mark had paid the mothers union to make and they were wonderful if a tad bright. Be prepared to wear sunglasses during the sermons in future!

It’s now time to rest after yet another car journey mainly uphill and down dale but once again we have arrived safely. Not long now is our quiet unspoken refrain.

Acts 14:26

Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed.

Seat of Learning

We ventured out to two local schools in Kibuye today to take photographs and meet one of the headteachers called Collette on behalf of Harrie who is hopeful to build relationships with the pupils of St James.

Her school was located right out in the country and she had to walk the 4 miles or so each way every day, come rain or shine and the school lessons start at 7.20 am and continue through to 5 pm.

Four miles up hill I might add and we got there with the help of a 4×4 as we would have taken considerably more time than an hour to reach it if we had walked.

The school was made up of a number of years from P2 to P6 which would be similar in age to our primary school.

In Rwanda children are held back a year if they don’t meet the required standard. Consequently, the age range in classrooms can be surprisingly large.

We took it in turns to talk to the classes and for the first time we experienced some friction and resistence from two of the teachers who definitely didn’t welcome our presence in their school. This hasn’t been our experience to date I might add.

We discovered a lot about the school, it’s lack of electricity, it’s reducing pupil numbers in later years caused by children staying at home and looking after the families animals.

Harrie would have really enjoyed to be there with us and I’m sure she would have asked far more searching and relevant questions.

But at least we got the pictures she wanted in order to give her pupils a better understanding of the conditions that children face in school and what they have to deal with on a daily basis.

It was a wonderful end to our time in Kibuye and focused the entire Rwandan plight on the critical importance of education to deal with a variety of acute problems found here.

Proverbs 18:15

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

Farewell To Friends

It was both a wondeful and very emmotional service today and one which gave glory to God and enabled us to truly share fellowship with our Rwandan friends.

We were once brothers but have now been elevated to friends and this is such a wonderful blessing to the both of us.

I have not mentioned Audrey in the blog until now as it didnt feel right to do so, but I am compelled to share this with you all to witness how this has affected not only Mark, but a great many people here too.

Mark had a very emmotional part in the service when he talked about Audrey dying and being united with Jesus.

Mark had hard boiled some 40 eggs and dressed them in little chick shaped jackets that Audrey had made, so that they could be given to the children. The kids absolutely loved them!

Audrey had made these every year since the death of her daughter Denise (Mark’s first wife), to raise money for cancer research.

The eggs symbolised new birth and it seemed appropriate to draw the parallel with Audrey having a new birth in Christ Jesus.

It was wonderful, heartfelt and well received by all of those present who could feel the pain experienced by Mark and his family in the UK.

I could really feel for Mark as we have talked about the impact that her death has had on Lydia and Dan.

As a parent, I can feel for him so profoundly and my heart goes out to them, her immediate family and especially Audrey’s husband Dai at this time.

We comforted him with prayer and saturated him with the obvious love that was present by all gathered around him. I confess to not having a dry eye as it was extremely poweful and truly touched by the Holy Spirit.

God bless you Audrey. You are in a far better place now and relieved of any pain. For those left behind who grieve for you, I pray that they take comfort in the knowledge that you are with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 3:4

A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.