A tough beginning

Our visit to the Genocide museum was the first thing we did the first morning.  Needless to say we were enveloped in some very graphic words and images. Many difficult things to look at that included pictures of piles of people hacked to death.   From my reading before hand and my visit to the museum it was obvious to see the negative impact of the German then Belgian colonialism.  “The War” or the genocide was not the beginning of conflict but the culmination of decades of practices that were harmful to the social and cultural norms that had allowed Hutu’s, Tutsi’s and Twa to live together for generations prior to European influence that was divisive.  This included the influence of the Catholic Church.  We somehow think that the Africans just began to hate each other one day, when in fact the West had much to do with the conflicts. 

Of course there is never just one force at work in these things.  Lots of forces conspired to create tension and suspicion.  Also interestingly the same kind of Genocide happened in Burundi in the 1970s but with the tribes in the reverse from Rwanda. 

Over 250,000 people are buried at the site of the museum in mass graves.  One striking room is full of pictures of people who were lost along with items of clothes, personal items, and piles of skulls and femur bones.  A section of the museum relates many of the genocides that have happened in history.  Jews in Germany, Bosnia, and the Armenians are a few of these examples.  It is sobering to see what kinds of things humans can do to one another. 

I have yet to meet one Tutsi or Hutu.  The  common and emphasized practice now is to not differentiate between people groups.  All are Rwandans.  I only find kindness, care, and warmth.  Beautiful, striking, and lovely people.  I have been welcomed.  I have found peers in ministry.  I have found a vital church.  That is exactly what I expected to find.  Picturesl 1.  the museum grounds, 2.  Several mass graves, 3. Part of the name wall 

Shawn

Rwanda #3

The real highlight for me this trip has been to listen to former missionaries and EFM leaders who have visited the field a lot.  The history is very rich and full of miracle after miracle.   The danger and risk that is inherent while living in a country that is experiencing war is staggering.  I don’t think we heard half of the stories back home or really understood the depth of peril that the missionaries were in at times.  I am sure that they were trying to forget some of the trauma. 

Gary and Connie Young recounted many stories as we sat around the guest house in the evening or at the breakfast table.  I was struck by the many ways God obviously crafted an unforeseen way out, blinded eyes, or used unexpected relationships to smooth the way forward.  So many times of venturing into the unknown, uncertain about what they would find on the other end. 

Of course this is all centered on the continual message of God’s provision.  The stories make for great drama, but when it is your life on the line, the drama is so secondary.  With the stories came fresh tears,  and the repeated line, “God is faithful”. 

I was joking that my new business venture will be to lead tours of countries with U.S. State Dept. travel advisories.  I have appreciated the stories Matt Macy (Associate Director-EFM) and Dr. John Williams Jr. (Supt.-EFC-ER) have shared about various travels to mission fields.  They seem to have found some interesting and frightening situations, but true to form.  “God is faithful.”  How true.

Do I miss these God stories in my own life day to day?  I am so rarely in such dangerous situations or wondering about the threat around the next corner.  I am thankful for that of course, but it makes me wonder where I am tuning things out? What form does my faithfulness need to take in between those God sightings?  I am reminded that while my own story is very important, it is spiritually renewing to listen to, read and hear the stories of others who have seen God at work.  I feel like I have been immersed in those life-giving stories these past few days. 
Pictures are 1. Connie Young and Doris Ferguson(R) 2.  Gary and Connie Young 3.  Willard Ferguson.  All absolutely loving the time with old friends.

Rwanda #1

Day one,  Tuesday Oct. 9

I got in at 7:30 in the evening on Monday.  The two flights totaled 19 hours in the air.  I got to sit by a new young mother from Uganda-living in the UK.  She had her hands full with a 6 month old.  It took me back to the days of traveling with little ones.  Needless to say I got to hold Nathan quite a number of times.  He was very good and about as cute as they come.  Evening is a great time to arrive when traversing multiple time zones.  You can go to bed soon after arriving, which makes for an easier transition to the new zone-in my opinion.  The down side was I had to wait until morning to see any of the city. 

I found myself not feeling very culturally prepared for the trip.  I had read some about the country and know some of the history of the Friends Church, but as we landed it dawned on me that I was a bit too lassie faire in my mental preparations.  I travel enough that it doesn’t feel that odd to be on long flights surrounded by people speaking other languages.  I can too easily just roll my international experiences into how they are alike and miss how they are unique.  So as I deplaned and walked towards the terminal I reminded myself to listen and observe.   I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in myself for not doing better prep.  This is an observation I need to remember in the future, especially when traveling to places I have been before.  Continued below the pictures.  1. Katie, Kay, Doris, Logan, Rhonda, Michelle, and Janna all from Haviland.  They were there to lead the womans conference.  Several had never been out of the states before.  They seemed to have a blast. 2.  Ron Stansell, Sabino Chipana, Claribela Chipana, Lon Fendall enjoying lunch.  3.  Dr. John and Carol Williams teaching in the marriage seminar for pastors. 4.  One of the pastors couples during the breakout "talk to your spouse" questions.   

Things went smoothly in immigration.  When I mentioned that David Thomas was the contact person in the city, the immigration official told me he knew him.  Hard to say if that was true, David was a bit surprised.   All the bags came and David was there to pick me up.  We waited just a bit and also picked up Sabino Chipana and his daughter Claribela who is able to translate for her father who only speaks Spanish and Aymara.  I enjoyed the ride as David spoke in three languages.  I don’t think David’s son Aren gets to hear him speak much Spanish.

I am staying in a mission house with 6 others.  Dr. John and Carol Williams are here.  Dan Cammack, Matt Macy and Gary and Connie Young all arrive today and will fill out the house quite nicely.  The Thomas family lived here for awhile and I understand that Molly Black will live here when she returns later this fall.  Pictures on the wall show people I know.  There are people like Chrissy Muhr, Molly, Drew Miller, and Johnny Kaye to name a few.  The garden around is beautiful and the weather is warm but muggy. 

Shawn