Day 2 – Jesus said: ‘Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel’
PURPOSE
We are here in Rwanda. 6am early morning devotion, a time of thanksgiving, consecration and declaration. The mosquito’s joined us in their droves but praise God we are all being protected. After breakfast we met in the lobby at 9.45am, prepared to join the Global Mission Church in their Sunday morning worship.
Today brought further clarity and a deeper understanding of the purpose for us being in Rwanda, for such a time as this. Today we gain invaluable insight and understanding of where the Rwandan people are at now, 15 years on, God in His grace revealed the hearts of His people to us.
We were told that the church was 10 minutes from our hotel and that we would be attending a Kinyarwandan service.
WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH
As we entered the Assemblies of God, Global Mission Church, although it was only half full, you could sense the joy and expectancy by both the group and the congregation of being met by God in a real and tangible way this morning. The building was simple, open doors and window provided effective ventilation. The area behind the pulpit was tastefully decorated with brown and white cloth. We were greeted by Rwandan Praise.
The rich atmosphere of worship was filled with Praises to our Lord and Saviour, Yeshua, the Messiah. The worship leaders ushered in the presence of God with melodic and sweet tones that rang across the local district. At the height of Praise, it was as though the surrounding hills clapped their hands in approval to people worshipping in spirit and in truth. Songs were sung in both Kinyarwandan and English for our benefit, however I observed some of the team singing in Kinyarwandan, this was a precious moment, hearts of two nations united in worship. Earlier during breakfast Pastor Dennis shared that yesterday he had told one member of the group on the flight to Rwanda, that he believed we were about to meet kindred spirits in the people of Rwanda, so when Eugene shared his dream with us yesterday, this was confirmation. (see day 1 for more information)
The team immediately entered into worship signifying many felt at home. We were engulfed by presence of God and the Rwandan people abandoned in worship all around us, it was overwhelming, a treasured moment. Some of the team let the tears flow in acknowledgment of the spirit of God and considering it a privilege to be amongst these people. A Kinyarwandan worship song ‘Mwani Yesu’ flooded the atmosphere with palatable adoration and praises. This was followed by a song called ‘Umvaivatumye mpinduka’ (Translations are in process). Despite the language barrier I discerned that ‘Hallowed be thy name’ was definitely central to the message of these songs. We were then treated to traditional worship and dance one of which, declared ‘God is Great’ Amen. The church was now full with outside seating to accommodate the overflow, some 315 people gathered together in worship. Alex greeted the church on behalf of compassion and introduced Pastor Dennis and the team. We were warmly welcomed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/TITHES & OFFERINGS
Announcement of men’s fellowship and a married and singles seminar were greeted with applause. Details of an award winning film which has received accolades in the United States will be shown next month, it looks at Rwanda – 15 years on, it is tackles the issue of reconciliation and that living together in peace and unity is possible for the people of Rwanda. Thus far, this appears to be a reoccurring theme at the heart of the Rwandan people, reconciliation, moving forward.
The Senior Pastor made an appeal for the building fund, he appealed for contributions to be made for the purchase of bags of cement, 1 sack costs 20,000 Rwandan dollars, the equivalent of $20 us dollars. Members of the congregation including the team from WWMF contributed the necessary money for the construction work to continue, Praise God. After the service the Senior Pastor invited Pastor Dennis into his office and showed him a model of the proposed plans for the new building.
The Gospel moving choir sung two songs they had chosen for us, again beautiful sober worship.
Here are the words of one song, which was a testimony:
Listen, why I changed and became a friend of God, it is because someone has put aside His beauty and wore the curse because of me. He loved me and I deserved not, I deserved death but He reconciled me with God.
RECONCILIATION FOR RWANDA
The same reconciliation they have received through Christ appears to be the pulse for the continued transformation and restoration of these people. As the choir sang I observed not only the external beauty of this race of people from a land located in between the east and the west coast of Africa, with facial features reflecting both areas but I also saw the internal beauty of hearts enthralled in worship. At that moment, in the midst of God’s presence, evidence of pain, torment and experiences of trauma were covered by the blood the lamb, Jesus exchanged for beauty and Joy. Natasha declared Isaiah 61:1-4 during our early morning devotion, The Good News of Salvation. This was a living church.
THE MESSAGE
The worship signified that a rhema word was about to come forth. I can confirm that the Pastor delivered this message directly from the throne room of heaven to the people of Rwanda and beyond. “Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel”. (Luke 10:1) A translator was provided just for us, thank you Lord. So we are able to share with you what we heard (Rev 2:7).
Pastor Kabare Jean du dieu, who is the chief inspector of police introduced today’s teaching ‘How can we reach the people of God?’ Before bringing the address the pastor prayed that the people would not just be hearers of the word but doers also.
Firstly, he spoke from Rom 10:1, 13. He explained that it was Paul’s desire to see all of Israel saved and like Paul it is his desire to see all of Rwanda saved. The congregation agreed with a loud Amen. He then referred to Paul revealing his debt to both Greek and non Greek, wise and non wise in Rom 1:14, the significance being the debt Paul had committed himself to following his recognition that he was a bondservant of Jesus Christ.
The pastor spoke about people receiving Christ and not sharing it with others. He reminded the congregation that the Lord commanded us to tell others about His saving grace, that is the great commission. The pastor asked a rhetorical question “How will they believe , if they have not heard of Him? His reply was that every member of the congregation is called to preach. Some he said will ask the further question how can they preach when they are not sent? (Rom 10:14) After the service Pastor Dennis explained that this was the third confirmation of a recent word.
Pastor Kabare expanded further, “many leave this responsibility to the pastor because no one feels they are sent”, the pastor responded to this by saying “I will solve your problem today, I am sending you”. Hallelujah! The pastor continued wherever you are is your pulpit, at home work, among friends, in your profession as a policeman, solider or tax collector (Luke 5:27-31) (John 1:5)
He told the church, at your birthday celebrations, share Jesus, when you are promoted on your job, have a praise party and invite your unsaved friends, share Jesus. Through Phillip sharing Jesus, Nathanel’s life was completely changed. Phillip sharing Jesus also led to a enunch being baptized and filled with the holy spirit. (Acts 8:26-31). Remember like Paul we have a debt to share Christ with people. He spoke about us making a choice to share Christ over useless words and conversations. This also confirmed the revelation Pastor Dennis shared with the church last Tuesday from the book of Esther about us being called to be effective in the marketplace.
The congregation were then all charged, to go into all the world the world and preach (Luke 10:1) He highlighted that Jesus called people in pairs, sending them two by two from house to house to heal in His name. There were no excuses. The pastor explained that next week he would be giving out ‘Time Management forms’ to help church members find time to witness. He stated “We cannot be rebels to the great commission of Jesus”.
He reminded the church that Jesus is coming back to earth soon, as predicted in the book of Revelation and it is not God’s will that any should perish. (2 Pet 3:9)
The pastor gave a great analogy that further signified the hearts of the people at this time. He referred to the media’s coverage of the death of Michael Jackson in comparison to the minimal air play the death of Jesus gets in our media and in our lives. We have something to speak about Jesus is Alive! Hallelujah. I had a moment of Clarity, these people are not dwelling on their plight but are standing on the power of the blood of Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Kabere was visibly broken for the people and encouraged us to stand and ask God for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses. He told the church to ask God to forgive us and where there is fear it is now time to rise up. The people prayed and cried out to the Lord, hearts were visibly broken as God poured out His Love, His Power, His Passion and His Fire into His people.
Please pray for Global Mission Church that many will come to know the Lord through this Church. Pray that God will favour them as they prepare to accommodate the harvest through the plans of the new building.
THE GENOCIDE MUSUEM
After lunch, the group visited the Genocide museum. The museum comprises of three sections.
- History of the Genocide in Rwanda
- Genocide around the world
- Memorial gardens housing mass graves
The grounds and the inside of the museum were impressive.
What we encountered inside can only be described as inhumane, the lowest level of human depravity, a glimpse of hell. The history recounted the grotesque devastation and disregard for human life through audio and visual aids. Most of which was chilling to behold. Written accounts and videos of testimonies repeatedly confirming the death, torture, mutilation and rape experienced by tens of thousands in Rwanda in 1994 and of a further tens of thousands more in the country who experienced machete cuts, bullet wounds, infection and starvation. In the immediate aftermath, it spoke of the streets being littered with corpses and dogs eating the flesh of their owners. The country smelt of the stench of death. One account stated “The genocidiaries were successful in their evil aims. Rwanda was dead.”
The purpose of the Memorial museum was to remember the victims and the past and to take active steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. We saw that in action today amongst the community at Global Mission Church.
An account of a Pastor of a church who slaughtered 2,000 members of his congregation shocked many to the core, other accounts of rapes occurring in church buildings heightened the atrocities experienced by the people. The works of Satan had defiled the sanctuary, God’s house, a place of refuge in the hearts and minds of the Rwandan people, If not the church, where could they run to? They had nowhere to run. I praise God that despite the enemies plans, Jesus Christ is a refuge, He is a strong tower a very present help in time of need to the Rwandan people. (Psalm 46) Please continue to pray for them.
The section for the children killed in the genocide was harrowing and overwhelming for many. Details were recalled of the types of death experienced by children of all ages, ranging from babies as young 9 months to 17 year olds. This information does not need repeating.
We met through written stories and photograph’s some of the extraordinary people who selflessness saved the lives and others who paid the price of death in the process. We heard of the orphanages that we set up and orphans taken in by family, neighbors and strangers, in the immediate aftermath.
The scale of the atrocities has left many psychological, physical and emotional effects of the trauma untreated. We have hope in the knowledge that God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the omnipresent and omnipotent great physician and healer, so please pray for this area as well. A room that displayed only the clothing of the victims, no signposting just the clothing allowed the imagination to visualize the ordinary people similar to ourselves that once wore them. The jacket belonging to a toddler struck home.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda are pursuing justice, their aim “The pursuit of Justice is necessary after the genocide, to end impunity, to ascertain who was directly responsible and to provide survivors with the dignity of seeing a fair and open trial” Please pray for the ICTR, that they will be governed by godly counsel, instruction and wisdom to achieve this aim.
After seeing accounts on the Holocaust and genocide in other countries, some headed outside the museum. The mood was somber and sober. On benches sat lots of people from locals to tourists. Some cried, some pondered and others just sat and reflected, Angela prayed. Compassion said that being in Rwanda including this visit would affect individuals in vastly different ways. Josephine shared the burden of responsibility we have to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, in line with the sermon at church earlier in the day.
Two things shared by Eugene spoke volumes to me, I’ll paraphrase ‘The removal of identity cards, no longer stating whether you are hutu or tutsi is an active sign of reconciliation’ and ‘Now that you have seen for yourself what happened in Rwanda you can tell others because, many of the perpetrators have fled the country and victims have relocated, some people around the world don’t believe it really happened’. In response to this we say “There is Hope in Jesus Christ for the people of Rwanda”.
The question really is “What are we going to do now?”
