(sent in email form on Thursday, May 5)

Muraho (hello in kinyarwanda),

I write to you this week one week older, wiser, and more acclimated to life in the capital city of this tiny east African country that I now call home. A week seems so long, yet so short, and I feel like I have nothing to share and everything to share at the same time. So instead of waxing poetic I will share what is on my heart, what I have been seeing, and how I desperately need your prayers.

Last Friday we (the HOPE Rwanda team and myself) completed the training of Anglican clergy and sent them back to their respective homes. Not only was this training eye-opening and inspiring to me personally, it seems to have made an impact on these leaders. Please pray for them as they go out to preach a message of hope and restoration through both word AND deed to their parishioners using their new training to start savings groups in their communities.

The early week was spent partly resting and recreationing (not a word?) with the HOPE staff. I will briefly introduce you to them:

Malu Garcia: Malu is a former Chalmers Center (at covenant college) employees, a filipono, a mother of three, husband to Pastor Benji (one really cool dude), and an expert trainer and practitioner in savings-led microfinance. She is committed to be here for one year to train Rwandans in the Anglican Church to train others in microfinance. She has told me that I am a member of her family for the summer, and has really followed through on this claim.

Emmanuel Karegyesa: Emmanuel, or Eman for short, is the development officer for the entire Anglican Church. He is on loan to HOPE full time to take over the promoting of savings groups here in Rwanda once Malu has returned to her home. A recent graduate of Uganda Christian University, he has truly been a good friend to me here and shares the struggle of a long-distance relationship with me as well. (this is quite a camaraderie-builder I must admit).

Uwimana Marie Jeanne: This amazing women survived the genocide (though her husband did not) and has battled to provide for her family and is/was the head of the women’s development program for the Anglican Church. Her testimony is great, and being a teacher has made her a effective (and respect-instilling) trainer.

With these dear souls and Malu’s family we spent ½ of a day at a nearby game reserve seeing some animals and praying for the summer and the work before us all.
As far as my research is concerned, I expected to begin my interviews on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, due to some lovely bureaucratic issues, I have still not received official approval from the diocese to begin my research. Until I receive the go ahead from them, it will be very disrespectful for me to begin interviewing leaders and members. Please pray that before you’ve even finished reading this email I might receive word of approval. I am trying not be frustrated or condescending, so you can pray for that also, that God would protect my heart from thoughts of condemnation.

I have enjoyed getting to spend time with my roommates and their friends around town. Loneliness has not been an issue at all and this is certainly a testimony to your prayers.

Now for some prayer requests:

1. That the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ would continue to pervade my thoughts and attitudes. That I would hunger for His word and truth in my life.
2. That I might receive immediate approval and support from the Anglican Church to move forward with my research.
3. That the people of Rwanda might experience true healing and restoration. (this week I have learned more about the rough edges of current Rwandan culture, and it has caused me to yearn for the Gospel to bring true healing and reconciliation between the different peoples here)
4. That I would be able, in the next week, to develop a tentative schedule for my trips and interviews around the diocese. I have to coordinate with different pastors all around and will certainly need the Lord to do a mighty work for details to start coming together in such a short time.
5. That the Rwandan government would allow the new vehicle that HOPE International purchased for their savings-lead program to be tax-exempt. They have most recently said that we must pay a $20,000 tax which we definitely don’t have.

Thanks for your prayers. I cannot express to you how much it means to me for you to lift up these requests to our Father who hears them all.

Now for a new top 10 list: (except only five for this week).

Top Five Things I Have Heard in Rwanda:

5. Crazy mixes of African and American pop music being sung along to during my rides in the bus to and from town. Chris Martin being sung with an African accent is brilliant!

4. The choir at my church singing old maranatha praise songs. Also brilliant, and encouraging as well.

3. Walking around the big market in town and seeing vendor dude with big ol’ sunglasses on bouncing his head up and down to “my love” by Justin Timberlake. I gave him a serious “whats up” when I walked by. We had a real connection.

2. Hearing mice in the roof of this hut we were in in Akangera (the game park). They were squeeking ever so loudly and I was really freaked out seeing as how my head was not too far from the thatch of the roof.

1. This dude Fidele, at the training last week, telling me the details of the woman I must bring him back from America. It would likely outrage any reasonable female, but regardless it was hysterical.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now folks. Thanks for hanging in there with me and keep praying!

Also, if any of you know someone that is not receiving these updates but would like to, please send me their address.