On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 2, Fr. Samaga and I arrived in Kigali. On Friday the 4th we visited the child in Murambi whom the Church of Our Father has been sponsoring through Compassion International for something like 6 years. Saturday morning we left Kigali on a 6 am bus and returned to Tabora late morning Sunday the 6th (after spending the night in Nzega).
Rwanda was a total surprise for me and, I think, for Father Anthony, who came as my guide. I expected it to be dangerous, but it was amazingly clean and efficient, and saturated with a Christian presence. Kigali is a sprawling city of 1.5 million people, crowded and polluted, not what I’d ordinarily prefer, but it seems to “work” for the people who live there.
One form of public transportation in Kigali: the motorcycle taxi.
The country has undergone a redemption—a costly one.
The world’s somewhat belated response to the 1994 genocide has been a huge amount of development aid pouring in from government and Church donors. I saw projects being carried out by UN agencies, USAID, World Vision, and many others that I can’t now remember. I was truly impressed with the quality of Compassion’s work. They have 180 projects in the country, more than half of them located in Anglican parishes.
Tomorrow (Friday the 11th) I travel with the Bishop to the Urombo Deanery for a weekend of Confirmations and parish visits.
With Compassion staff and the sponsored 16-year-old girl.
In both directions, our buses carried "armed escorts" for a 30-mile stretch on the Tanzanian side of the border to protect us from hijackers.
Hi Father Chuck, We are enjoying your adventure as we read your weekly blog. We continue to pray for your safety and your mission. We pray that the time you are spending in Tanzania has been a blessing to you as it has been a blessing to all of us. Safe travels as we look forward to your return to us at the end of October. Many, many Blessings, Tony
ReplyDeleteHi Fr. Chuck:
ReplyDeleteIt's great to know that you are safely back in Tabora.
I came across this African Prayer for peace and thought you might enjoy it---perhaps you have even heard or seen it.
Almighty God,
the Great Thumb we cannot evade to tie any knot
the roaring Thunder that splits mighty trees:
the all-seeing Lord up on high who sees even
footprints of antelope on a rock mass here on
Earth/
You are the one who does not hesitate to
respond to our call.
You are the cornerstone of peace.
---Amen
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit
our sponsored child in Murambi. Now you will be able to tell us about her and she will seem like
the real person she is.
Sending you blessing of peace and love..
Mary Mac
Dear Father Chuck:
ReplyDeleteWe thank you for your vivid descriptions of your activities and travels. We are indeed thankful for God's protection and safety on your recent trips. Undoubtedly many of our concepts of what Africa is like are not fully accurate. We have our ideas, but long for your descriptions and suggestions for our role upon your return.
It is heartwarming to hear of God's growing presence in Rwanda and the aid and assistance that is occurring. I still vividly remember when I had a young Rwandan student and how helpless I was when she learned her parents had been killed. May Christ in the hearts of Rwandans comfort the memories of the past?
I hope your weekend of confirmations and parish visits went well. We pray for God to provide wisdom, guidance, rest, peace and protection in your daily activities.
Brad
Skipper Chuck!
ReplyDeleteI've been following your tales, adventures, and the stories of daily life in Tanzania, Africa, from halfway around the world at my desk at 309 Finney Road, Burke. Here in (NY's) Franklin County fall has arrived, after all it is September 18yh and I do live four miles from the Canadian border, here hard between the Awakwasasnee and the Ganneanka Reservations. No danger from the Mohawks, though, unless you wander into one of their casinos. I am amazed, dumbfounded and exaulted by what I read about your life in Africa. It is extraordinary. It is beautiful, it is heartbreaking, it is epic. But I must ask you, I have not seen another entry on you blog after September 10th. It is now, as I write, September 18th. Where have you gone? Are you well? Is everything alright? Are you just far from the Net? We miss your words, I mis them, and your obsevations and insights. Please STILL WRITE THEM SOMEWHERE. Please keep writing them down. You are creating a remarkable record. It should not be stopped, but continued, and then, I believe published. I think many people need to read these stories of life in Africa. Need to learn and understand and comprehend, at least in some small way, a part of this life-changing experience that you have been through-are still now going through. I pray you are alright, and wish you Godspeed. I will look to see your next chapter of Tabora Tidings. Emitte lucem et veritatem.
Dr. White
I am with Dr. White. How are you? The last entry was on the 10th and that was 11 days ago...
ReplyDeleteHere at home we are already talking about your return (to America). The Autumn weather has begun. The sign has gone up at Johnson's apple orchards. Leaf peepers have stormed the shore every day this week from the gleaming hulls of top heavy cruise ships. School has started and my three boys eagerly run to the end of the driveway so they can chat with the neighborhood children as they all wait for the bus.
At our Missions Meeting today Betty lifted prayers up for our new sister church, St. Andrews. Please let them know if you can that we are thinking of them.
Que Dios Le Pague,
Wendy
Fr. Chuck,
ReplyDeleteJust an added note. Thank you so much for all the postings. I have read over half (attempts to respond in early August failed) and have vowed to respond to each one even at this late date. This blog, the photos and descriptions have helped us to understand. You are a missionary there but you are teaching us as well. Thank you for all your efforts.
I will pray for discernment as your departure time nears and for your safety. I will also pray for those whose lives have been touched by your coming. You have been an encouragement just as Paul hoped the Thessalonians would be to each other.
Wendy