 |
| Antoinette Kanyabutembo and me |
The
Lord gave me the privilege to pastor in Rwanda. With that came the experience of sharing in
the rituals of life – birth, marriage, sickness, and death. One great privilege was listening to the
bzee (elders) of Rwanda. We live
in a season of history in which those who experienced the East African Revival
will soon be gone from this created earth.
Now we have the opportunity to listen to their voices. Frequently this is at family gatherings and
even hospitals.
 |
| Prayers at the Banquet |
 |
| East Africa Revival Leaders |
Some of those who went, “disappeared.”
Factors like poor communication systems, distance, and political
instability resulted in their extended family being unaware of the outcome of
the “going” for generations. They lived out the words of our Lord,
“And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a
hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29. New Living Translation.)”
 |
| Jesus' Great Commission |
One of the privileges I had with the nation of Rwanda was
being with extended families when those who had left during the Revival
grandchildren returned. It was a privilege to see bzee meet their
nieces and nephews of departed brothers and sisters. The Lord’s words were true. They had received a hundred times return
plus eternal life. Some of those simple Rwandan missionaries of
old were buried in unmarked graves. They had little power of earth. Yet, few have their enduring influence.
Another part of my experience with the nation of Rwanda is
in my wife, Jana’s childhood in Kenya
(1968-89) and our young adult years in Uganda in the 1990’s. Though some may argue that Rwanda was peaceful in the 1970’s and 80’s not all Rwandans lived
in peace. Political nonsense created
refugee living.
Yet, our experience watched as agaciro (dignity) refused to accept the fate of destitution.
Like
Joseph of old, Rwandans excelled.
They were good students. Farms
and businesses that employed Rwandans thrived.
 |
| Joseph receive his brothers |
As we were “foreigners” and out of
place it was frequently these Rwandan refugees who gave us compassion and
wisdom. They gave key advice came at
just the right moment as we pondered new understandings and undertakings.
Our family was next door in Uganda when the Genocide began. We initially thought, “Surely not. This must be an exaggeration.” Then the bodies began drifting into Lake
Victoria. We did nothing. My
repentance has been a resolve to engage.
From 2005 to 2012 we had the privilege
to serve in Rwanda. We lived during a season that was much like the stories of Judah’s return
from Babylonian exile.
 |
| Rwanda Presidential Scholars Graduation 2010 |
As Ezra taught the law we saw the
building of educational institutions. University attendance boomed to over 72,000
students. New schools were built. Scholarship programs thrived.
With this came a compelling vision and
new policy framework. President Kagame
told us, “Others can walk. We must run.”
Like Nehemiah building the wall of
Jerusalem our security in Kigali was excellent. My beautiful
daughters were safe to walk at night. Roads, infra-structure, schools, churches,
hospitals, and businesses were being rapidly built.
It was a privilege to serve in such a
season of hope.
As my family prepared to go into exile
as missionaries to America it was the bzee of
Rwanda who blessed us. I had the
privilege to serve Mzee William Rugege
Holy Communion my last Sunday in Rwanda. As I walked him back to his seat he held me
close and whispered God’s blessings in my ear.
 |
| Mzee William Rugege |
As our family has returned to America
after 19 years of service in Africa the transition has been overwhelming. It is the Diaspora who nurtured us. They have called and asked those simple
questions, “How are you? What can we
pray for?” When we feel at loss we
remember we were blessed by Rwandan bzee.
The best advice comes from them.
They tell us heaven is home.
Everything else is temporary.
Yet, while on this earth we must make it as much like heaven as
possible.
As many of us at this Prayer Banquet are in exile what should we conclude about our temporary
stay?
Have you seen today’s USA Today
headline, “Hope Dims for Immigration Bill”? (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/02/06/boehner-immigration-prospects-dim/5257015/)
Can you imagine such a headline in New
Times? Can you imagine a Rwanda headline of dimming hope? Can you imagine a Rwanda that is unable to empathize with those living in
exile? Can you imagine a Rwanda
whose leaders don’t open a Bible to see
that all who follow Christ are described in terms like “foreigner, alien, and
refugee.”?
Our temporary stay in exile is about
being missionaries to America. You see
America needs Rwandan missionaries in her midst to become all God intends. I can quickly find five areas where Rwandan Diaspora must
speak to America as missionaries.
 |
| Boy Jesus at Temple with Bzee |
First, America’s bzee (elders) are
lonely.
Few listen to their wisdom. One joy I have repeatedly seen is Rwanda
youth taking the time to listen to American bzee. Few others do.
Second, in a fast paced America with many To Do lists Rwanda teaches America that children are a
blessing. We have time to be with
them. Their cries in our solemn assemblies
are actually the whispers of God that our community is alive.
 |
| Doreen Rwigambo |
Third,
I believe when we get to heaven we’ll see a Bible where the Lord chooses which
language best describes His intent. When God’s word says, “Made in the image of
God,” and English translates the concept as “dignity” God’s full intent will
best be said with the Kinyarwanda word, “Agaciro.” Humanity in creation is full of
dignity. All life is infinitely
valuable. Our human creativity and
labor reflect God’s intent from Creation.
Fourth, is Umuganda (community work.) I live in Chicago. We’ve had lots of snow. I can’t believe as I watch elders, widows,
and single moms try to shovel out of snow alone. Umuganda
tells me that when our community has a little hiccup of life all of us with
some measure of physical strength go outside, pick up a tool, and labor
together. America needs Umuganda.
 |
| Kinyarwanda dancing at Prayer Banquet |
Lastly, when I was a child in America I remember being told that the
nuclear family is the basic social building block of society. When I arrived in Africa I had a startling
realization. Africa sees the basic social building block to be the extended
family. When I read my Bible I realized
Africa was right. Why do we have all
these genealogies if extended family is not how we build society?
In the America I returned to I believe most Americans now
see the most basic social building block to be the individual. In the process
America has become a lonely polarized nation.
America needs Rwandan
missionaries to teach America about community.
 |
| Honorable Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana |
Thank you very much for this
opportunity to share my experiences with the fine people of Rwanda.
