Leaving Kigali, Rwanda

In about an hour, I'll leave for the airport, flying home - thru Nairobi, Kenya airport (4 hour layover, cannot leave the airport) - 8 hours to Amsterday, with a 6-hour layover (going back downtown) - and then 10 hours to San Francisco, getting me home (God willing) around 2pm on Monday 3/17, and hopefully back to Sacramento in time to pick up the boys from daycare as a surprise.....

So here is my sendoff from Rwanda...............awoke around 6:30 to dogs and birds, but no military chants. After all, its Sunday....breakfast was served at 7:30, and during breakfast the sounds from the churches in the neighborhood started - music and clapping and singing and shouting, and I just had to go see. God is simply amazing...........

I ask our cook, who speaks very little English, if she is a Christian. She says yes, so I ask her if she would accompany me to a church where I hear the music, and she said yes. So we walked a few blocks, and into a side lot, through the rubble of building obviously incomplete in its construction, but adjacent to a 4-story apartment-like high-rise. We enter into a worship service, and again, the entire room turns around to see the two visitors. Maybe about 75 in total, seated in folding chairs, in a large cavernous open-air warehouse, no windows, no doors, no ceiling, cloths over some of the windows, forming a backdrop of sorts for where the head table/pulpit is located. There is a keyboard, mini-sound system, four microphones with cords frayed and hardly functional - but it works. And when they sing - whether purely African or something Amercian contemporary done in another language - the local rhythms are blended beautifully, and the voices are richly soulfull. And the clapping is totally unique, giving me a bit of challenge (on 1 or 2?)....

We are asked to sit up front, they make room, and a gentleman in a suit & tie comes and sits next to me, and begins to speak in beautiful english. Explains to me that this place - Solace Ministires - is the only one of its kind in Rwanda. While there are plenty of organizations targetted at the survivors of the genocide, this is the only one that is spirtually-based. It is led almost entirely by women - widows of the horror - and by teens and 20-somethings - orphans of the tragedy, and all are deeply spirtitual in their faith in God for having them in this place at this time, comforting each other, and helping each other move on each day.

They ask me if I would like to speak, and of course I say yes. I tell them of the Rwanda I have come to know after being here a week. I tell them there are many permanent impressions I take back with me, but God has brought me here today for one lasting impression. I tell them I know God is in this place, for he has brought you all together, and keeps you all together, to grow again in His light, just as the whole country is growing again. And that some things need time, and other things need people, and everything needs God. I tell them that I know that the bible teaches us that in those times, the teachers and communicators in society were women - the men were always at work or in leadership. I tell them I have seen God's work today, for the women are teaching and communicating.

The genocide was 12 years ago - but for many (as I am told), this is the 10-year anniversary for many, who literally went into shock for about 2 years when they lost their mother, father, siblings, relatives, friends, neighbors, towns, etc.....so for many, this is a time of reflection, not only as they began to realize their own survival, but for the recovery periods since, and the others each has helped to join this community of survivors.

They speak openly, and sing openly, of the horrors of death, but also openly of the joy of being in God's light, knowing he has them all there for a reason, and every day they live in purpose for God's plan. Just a beautiful service, warm smiles and hugs by many as I left.

On our way out, that gentleman who greeted me initially, gave me a brochure and business card - knowing that I am now engaged emotionally. I will attempt to honor that engagement. I believe I have realized yet another reason God sent me here. If and when I come back, I will bring my guitar and sheet music, and join in with this group's worship team. And I will hopefully be able to support and participate in this ministry, whether here or in California.

Off to the airport.....