Gisenyi, Rwanda January 2011

Through early morning eyes we walk toward the humble home hoping it belongs to Pastor Benjamin.  He was a crucial part of our success in Gisenyi so when he invited Tony and myself to his home we were happy to say yes.  He’s a quiet, humble man, the selfless sort often to a fault but not in a weak way.   If I remember right he’s running a household of 10 children of which at least 2 are orphans.   There’s no car in the driveway in fact there’s no driveway at all.  In it’s place just a pile of black rocks soon to be fashioned into a fence or short wall.  We knock and I’m relieved to see his silhouette resting on the fabric inside the bared and locked door.  A few rushed snaps and clicks and we’re welcomed inside with a warm smile.

Our luggage is somewhere in Europe, and our hearts are still in Rwanda.  Traveling from the Land of 1000 Hills back to the Windy City is exhausting, but I can’t stop thanking God for the sheer numbers of people He touched this week.

Well,after 4 flights and 36 hours of travel, we are back in the comfort of our own home, our own bed, familiar food and perhaps the happiest dog in town.  Strangely, in spite of the challenges we always seem to face when we bring the gospel, I can hardly wait to go again.   

Simon and Garfunkel play softly in my mind "Home, where my loved ones are waiting, silently for me".

The festival is over. And the work is just begun.

It is finished.

These were the last three words Jesus uttered before he gave up his spirit. I'm not saying that I could ever understand the relief he experienced in that moment. But I've come closer to it today more than any other day of my life.

Our destination was the highest and largest church in Gisenyi.  As we slowly drove up the hilly road I could see a steady stream of people headed in the same direction. 

We left late to go to the festival site for day 3, we were feeling down because for the 3rd day in a row, Rose Muhando is missing and our books for new believers are lost at sea. After Dana announced these 2 setbacks to the crowd, he then got up and gave the most powerful sermon I have ever heard in my life.

 
Randy and i visited an orphanage about 10km east of Gisenyi this morning and it was a very powerful experience.

Today I had the unique privilege of watching my amazing wife preach for the very first time.