First times

01/07/2012

The team was split into two groups this morning as they headed off bright and early to visit two different churches. Andy, Heather and Pete Ellis visited the church of in Nabyondo to visit Pastor Mark and his parish. Whilst Stephanie, Hazel, Pete Nadin and Lucy visited the church of Pastor Kazia in Bwanike. Stephanie’s team arrived at our designated meeting spot at 6.30 am in order to wait for 30 minutes for our driver Innocent, during this time we saw our breakfast being transported to our guesthouse!

After an hour and quarter in the land rover, driven by Andy, half the team (Pete and Heather) reached Nyabyaondo where we were greeted by Pastor Mark and his wife Specious. Following a welcome breakfast (as the team have not had opportunity to eat before leaving) we enjoyed a three hour service. It was great to see a church concrete floor finished, bench seats secured and a full house of people (around about 400). After the singing we were taken to inspect the water project which has now been completed with a 20,000 litre water tank, guttering from the roof feeding rain water in the tank. This has been completed and through the sale of water to local villagers, 32,000 Rwandan francs have been raised and enabled the church to pay for training for two catechists. Future profits from the sale of water will be used for training and evangelism and this is a huge encouragement to us all. After an interview with the Pastor and various photographs, we travelled in the Land Rover back to the guesthouses.

Stephanie, Hazel, Pete Nadin and Lucy arrived at Pastor Kazia parish on time for a quick cup of tea before the service began. Today was a special day for Pete Nadin as it was the first time that he was to preach! The service began like all services in Rwanda, with the sounds of a beautiful choir and many people dancing in such a way as to tell the story of the worship. This team was accompanied by Pastor Tadea who as always brightened up every aspect of the day. Pete Nadin was pleased with how the sermon went, but maybe not too sure how the congregation found it! There was more dancing and choir singing before there was a very long offering that made the service run over by only an hour.

Stephanie’s team then were set to leave the church and to get back for a well-deserved rest, however as all plans in Rwanda, nothing happens the way you think. The team were then involved in a meeting with all the church leaders, and then an interview with Pastor Kazia, then lunch at the Pastors house with the church leaders before Pastor Tadae had a nice talk in Kinyarwanda. Anyway God was good and was at work in not only the lives of our team, but also through us as the church of Bwanike declared they were blessed by our presence. Stephanie, Hazel, Pete and Lucy said their goodbyes as they set off on their way for another bumpy hour long drive with not enough room. Some of the team later that evening were privileged to eat at the bishops house (a beautiful house) whilst the other half visited Pastor Johnson’s house for a lovely meal.