Rwanda in Review: Ginsenyi

The mission trip of a lifetime was only just beginning. I had met with my Compassion Child, and now it was time to rejoin my team and load up the vans for the 4 hour drive west to Ginsenyi, Rwanda, where we would be staying for a week. We would be joining other North Americans and Rwandans who would be serving for two weeks.

Here are some things I noticed along the way:

The countryside was beautiful. It reminded me of our family’s trip to Costa Rica in 2005. Very green, very hilly, and with majestic volcanoes in the distance.

No volcanoes in this picture, however.

 

There were people of all ages walking along the edge of the road. Lots of people, going in both directions. And with loads on their heads or their backs. And children with jugs for water.

My compliments to Tisee for this image.

Some people had bicycles. Those were also loaded with things that they were transporting. Someone on our team saw a guy one day hauling a dresser on his bike! Most of their loads consisted of bricks, sticks, water jugs, etc.

Their faces showed their concentration on their tasks.

But then when they would spot Torey, one of the guys from Alabama, in the front seat, and they would break out in the biggest grins and wave wildly, shouting “Muzungu! Muzungu!”. It was hilarious! Many of them had never seen a white person before.

The majority of the vehicles that were on the road were trucks, taxivans like ours, and motor taxis (motorcycles). There were very few personal vehicles, even in the city.

When our team arrived at the Peace Land Hotel there in Ginsenyi, we were greeted by the remaining team members from last week – all blowing bubbles for us! It was quite the homecoming.

We quickly got settled in and met the men and women who would be our ministry partners for the week.  Some were other pastors, two were mommies with young children, and several were college students from Kigali. All were passionate about spreading the Gospel and were a joy to work with.

Everyone was divided into seven teams, one for each mission point where we would be working. My team consisted of three North Americans: a delightful lady from Indiana on her 4th trip named Jeri, a guy from Alabama named Jeff, and myself, along with three Rwandans, who partnered with us and were the best interpreters ever. David and Denis are both college students and have both been doing these campaigns for a few years. Asnath is a young lady who works with e3.

After a restless night’s sleep (jet lag stinks!), we met for prayer and breakfast, then headed out to worship with our separate mother church congregations. You see, each mission point has a mother church to help establish the new church plant, or daughter church.

We were seated at the front of the church. Talk about intimidating! Several choirs sang to the beat of a drum and a few chords on an electronic keyboard.

Yes, you read that correctly.

A keyboard.

It was connected to a car battery.

The choirs sang beautifully. I wasn’t sure what they were saying, but I could tell that they loved the Lord. It was a precious time of worship.

The lighting inside wasn't the best, but here's a look at one of the choirs.

After two or three songs, the pastor introduced us and it was my turn to give my testimony, via my ministry partner’s interpretation. I pray that it was used by the Lord for His glory.

There was another song, and then Mrs. Jeri gave a word from Ephesians 6, about the armor of God. I especially appreciated the reminder to arm myself each day for the work ahead.

Another song, and then Jeff got up to share the Evangecube. He gave a great call of repentance at the close of the service, too.

Then the dancing began! And these people know how to dance!

Before we left, there was a group photo taken of all of us (our ministry team and the church). We even had to wait for the gentleman to load a new roll of film. It brought back memories of Christmas morning when I was a little girl. Anyway, my ministry partner and I were placed on the back row. Neither of us is over 5’4″. We saw a print of the picture later in the week and as we suspected, it’s like we weren’t there.

But I know in my heart that I was there, because it was an experience that I will never forget. It was a time of worship with other believers in a different language and culture. It was a tiny taste of heaven, when people of every nation, tribe, and tongue will praise the Lord together for eternity.

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