Community

We once heard an educated African church leader explain the sense of community in Africa with the phrase, “I am because we are.” A sense of community is the driving force in both the best and worst that Africa has to offer. In fact, as we were on furlough the things about Africa that we most missed related to the sense of community we shared. However, God brought us a wonderful new community at Oklahoma Christian and also through our new oversight with Quail Springs Church of Christ.

During our second week in Rwanda we were able to purchase a vehicle. It truly was a community event. We want to share the story with you.

First, though Rwanda has been more expensive than we anticipated, at this point we are afloat. Thank you so much for all of you that have been so gracious to our family and ministry. You are part of our community that has enabled us to come to Rwanda. In order for us to well function in Rwanda we need a 4 wheel drive vehicle. With the size of our large family we need one that will seat at least 7. Due to importation taxes and transportation issues of shipping vehicles from Japan and then deep into Central Africa vehicles are just expensive in Rwanda.

We priced new 4 wheel drive vehicles and found that we would need approximately $50,000 to purchase one in Rwanda. However, used vehicles are available in Rwanda. We found some that were about 15 years old that were asking closer to $6,000. However, there were several years we experienced in Uganda in which when we had an old vehicle and we spent $4,000 to $7,000 in repair costs per year. Buying used is not necessarily good stewardship. Also, the possibility of breaking down in the absolute middle of nowhere was something we wanted to avoid.

We came to Rwanda with a vehicle budget of $20,000. For this, we were very thankful to all our contributors who made the purchase possible.

As we were vehicle shopping we came across an auction for two used Rwanda government vehicles. They were standard model 2001 Toyota Land Cruisers. We went to view them. The person who showed them to us told us the starting auction price would be about $30,000. It was more than we had budgeted so it seemed out of reach. However, we thought we should go to the auction to learn and get a better feel for the price of vehicles.

The auction was done in Kiyanrwanda so we were tremendously disadvantaged linguistically. However, a gentleman at the auction offered to translate for us. We were surprised when the initial auction price started at roughly $18,000. We quickly decided to hop into the bidding. Dave was frantically working the calculator on his mobile phone trying to make sure that we did not bid above $20,000. To watch us must have been a truly humorous experience. In the end the vehicles were sold for just a little more than our budget. We had another Rwanda learning curve experience.

After the auction was over, one of the Rwanda government officials told us of another auction that would happen the next day. We went to the National Police Headquarters, and found approximately 30 vehicles. About 1/3 of them were absolute junk. They had bent frames and obvious problems. About another third were luxury vehicles. We found another third that seemed to be moderate in price, but still from what we could see functional. Of this group of moderate priced vehicles there was one 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser that we believed could meet the needs of our family and ministry. Its starting auction price was roughly $19,500.

The auction was the next day, and we knew that we needed to find a Kiyanrwanda speaker to stand with us. Dave called his friend, John Nkuranga to see if he could come to the auction with us. John was unable to come, but referred us to a friend, Emmanuel who was available. Emmanuel was in his early ‘30’s, married with 3 kids, university educated, and a former employee of the Rwanda Revenue Authority now trying to begin his own small business.

Now let us explain the events of community and reciprocity. Before Emmanuel and Dave arrived Emmanuel mentioned that when people saw an American at the auction a few might actually try to drive up the price. We expected that after years of living in Africa. However, the next bit that Emmanuel explained was surprising. He intended to visit all the other potential bidders privately, and ask for them to allow us to purchase the vehicle for the starting asking price.

When we arrived, Emmanuel’s predictions were right. There was a car broker eyeing the Land Cruiser. However, Emmanuel knew him and started a conversation. His name was Yusuf (the Muslim equivalent of Joseph). He had purchased 10 vehicles previously from government auctions, and intended to do cosmetic repairs, and sell it for a profit. Dave’s Kiyanrwanda is not very good, but he heard a few words. Later, Emmanuel explained the conversation. Emmanuel told Yusuf that by allowing us to purchase the vehicle he would be helping his country. We were missionaries here to facilitate development. Yusuf agreed to not bid upon the vehicle. (We can’t imagine this tactic working at an auction in the United States.)

The bidding started at approximately $19,500. No one besides us bid, and the vehicle became ours.

As we were leaving the auction we continued to visit with Yusuf. Our vehicle needed a paint job, and Yusuf offered the services of his garage. We now had a relationship debt to him, and realized that we would need to use his services when the time came to paint it. Also, in visiting with Yusuf we realized that he was the Vice President for the Rwanda Soccer Federation. Dave wanted to meet their leadership, and saw this as another one of our divine appointments in Rwanda.

We needed to pay for the vehicle in Rwandan Franks. The Rwanda Government did not have an account we could wire the money into so we needed to wire money into our personal account in Rwanda, withdraw it from the bank, then go to a Forex dealer to exchange the U.S. currency for Rwandan Franks, and finally deliver it to the appropriate Rwanda government office. (Yes. This involved Dave moving across Kigali with approximately $19,500 in currency.) As you can imagine Dave did not want to do the process alone and again called on Emmanuel.

After withdrawing the money from the bank we went to a Forex dealer that Emmanuel knew. On that day the current rate of exchange was 560 Rwanda Franks per $1. However, with such a large amount to exchange it was prudent to negotiate for a better exchange rate. Again, Emmanuel’s negotiation skills went into gear. Dave again heard him mention – missionary, development, relationship. The Forex dealer agreed to an exchange rate of 563 Rwanda Franks per $1.

Later in the day we drove home in our new vehicle. It has needed some minor repairs, but we are extremely thankful for it. This was a victory for our community in the U.S. and Rwanda.

So what does this experience teach us? Community in Africa involves reciprocity. At its best the community sacrifices for one another. Also, it recognizes that the business deals one makes are not just one’s personal business, but may affect many others within their community. We have heard older missionaries speak of similar experiences to ours of Africans giving a financial break to a missionary because they believed eventually their community would benefit. However, this experience in Rwanda was a very new one for us. We came away very thankful.

In return, we realize that already an expectation is being set for us. It will be expected that we use the services of those who have been gracious to us, and that our presence will benefit many in Rwanda.

We also can see that Rwanda’s best hope for development will involve the strengthening of the community. We must do all that we can to build community.

On the flip side, we can see how easy it is for the problems of nepotism and corruption to develop in a social system so geared away from individualism. Each culture comes with its own unique temptations. We pray that our presence will build upon the sense of community in Rwanda.

This past weekend, Emmanuel heard news that his mother is quite sick. As the oldest son he is responsible for her care. He has rushed home to help. We ask that you keep his family in your prayers.

Again, thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers,

Imana ikurinde (May the Lord Stay with all of you),

Dave and Jana