Jean Gakwaya This Week's Guest Speaker

This week I believe we will have a special treat at CCR. Our Guest Speaker will be Jean Gakwaya. I had heard much about Jean from good family friends who I respect, Eric Munyemana and Bonita Baigana. Also, I was referred to Jean by Honorable Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Charles Murigande.

I recently met Jean and the visit was as delightful as the referrals. He has recently returned to Rwanda from a 3 year posting with DFID in Jamaica. Listening to Jean was a delightful dose of wisdom and joy.

I trust you will find listening to Jean this Sunday to be refreshing.

Imana ikurinde,

Dave

A New Journey

One of my greatest ministry joys for the last 7 years has been my friendship with media leaders in Uganda and Rwanda. I particularly treasure my friendship with those fascinated by the moral teachings of Jesus, but not yet convinced of His resurrection. For the last several years I’ve written a column for Focus, which I consider Rwanda’s best independent newspaper. I also do a little writing for other publications

I thought some of you may be interested in 2 items. One is the following column that was published this week in Focus in which I argue for giving church a second chance. The second is an editorial by my good friend, Andrew Mwenda in The Independent Andrew argues for the inclusion of Jesus’ moral teaching in dealing with political difficulties facing Uganda.

I hope you will enjoy the reading.

A NEW JOURNEY WITH AN OLD HUNGER

Published in Focus, 15 May 2008

There are some cravings of life that are inescapable. Air. Water. Food. Rest. Shelter. Reproduction. Yet, when our basic needs are met, something still remains. Holy hungers for something more than just the instincts of survival awaken our sleep. By nature we ask the questions. Where am I going? What is the purpose of life? Deep within ourselves we yearn for more in community. Can someone guide me along the way? Can I really disclose all that is inside me? Are you trustworthy? When the world turns against me, what will you do?

Approximately 2,000 years ago Jesus of Nazareth left upon this earth an infant organization made up of the dreams of his 12 protégés. The term they chose brand themselves was “those called out of the world.” They had few financial resources, no title deeds, little influence and power, a fractured network, and a ludicrous belief that Jesus had rose from the dead. Yet, these 12 protégés set in motion a chain of events that have since filled history books. The church was born from their odd beliefs and bold vision.

However, my guess is that if you are like me the history of the church is not your inspiration. Honestly, church has been a horrible disappointment. The bold visions of the 12 protégés seem to have been long forgotten. However, we still hunger for a community of nurture. So we must wrestle with our hunger and disappointment. Maybe, it is time to redefine “church.” She has not behaved like her original brand name of “those called out of the world.”

David Hansen, in his book, The Power of Loving Your Church, accurately diagnoses the problem with the phrase, “a religious organization that call’s itself a church.” Rwanda has suffered more than any nation at the hands of religious organizations that call themselves churches. Some are not fit to be branded “church.” A quick www.amazon.com search with the “Rwanda” brings up the titles such as Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches? The Angels have left us: The Rwandan Tragedy and the Churches; and Committed to Conflict: The Destruction of the Church in Rwanda. The only new bit of insight I can offer is Rwanda’s colonial architecture. Have you noticed when you go to the oldest portions of Rwanda’s cities there are three predominant buildings? They are an administrative center, a church, and a prison. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. It’s an architectural testimony of the church’s role in manipulation and control. Her messages have been repeatedly perverted. Forgiveness has been distorted so that that the violent and immoral are not held accountable. Absolute truth has been negotiated so that denial and lies are associated with Christian testimony. Accountability has been distorted as a means for cyclical revenge. If Jesus walked through these religious organizations that call themselves churches today, I believe he would kick over their tables and flog their pseudo-pastors just before he gathered the hungry crowd and gave nourishing words of comfort.

Aside from the worst travesties of religious organizations that call themselves churches is just their simple day be day self absorbed pseudo-service. James Wolfensohn of the World Bank summed it up well when he stated "half the work in education and health in Sub-Saharan Africa is done by the Church, but they don't talk to each other and they don't talk to us". Isolation and denominational protection stifle religious organizations that call themselves churches from becoming “those called out of the world.”

Still the holy hunger for community awakens our sleep. We hunger for a perfect bride to meet our deepest needs of intimacy. When our youthful enthusiasm grows weary we realize the bride called the church is full of imperfections. Cynicism reins in our hearts. Then our nights are awakened. In still moments we recognize that faith creates a fearless pursuit of truth that teaches us paradoxes of justice and forgiveness, transparency and confidentiality, covenant and creativity. Those called out of the world are the perfect communities to grapple with these paradoxes and find hope for a bright new future. Could it be time to give church a second chance?

My good agnostic friend, Andrew Mwenda has a phrase that sums up this dilemma of our holy hungers. He states, “Leaders make things happen, institutions make them last.” Jesus of Nazareth made things happen. How could a carpenter turned itinerant preacher in an off beat Roman province become the most controversial figure in history if he was not a fantastic leader? Yet in order for his reforms to last he needed an institution that fearlessly pursued world influence. It is this vision of world reform that we dare not deny. It is time to give church a second chance.

History will tell us that the people of faith have gathered together since the beginning of time. Frequently, they listened to voices that tickled their ears. In fact, many times a pseudo God spokesman told these confused communities that if they would just follow his magical formula all would be fine. Yet, true spokesmen arose who told them to put aside their foolish day dreams. Prosperity is built by hard work not wishful thinking. Families are established by nurture in community. If we give church a second chance it means settling down to the day by day realities of imperfect communities (Jeremiah 29:4-7).

In this process we build the institutions that serve as markers of community. These institutions range from churches to schools, parks to business centers, and stadiums to shopping malls. What they share is that the community meets there and seeks a better future. Hopeless romantics despise these institutions in their dreams of utopia. After all, the utopian wants a world with no mundane details and encumbrances to perceived freedom. However it is these institutes of brick and mortar that force us to bind together in a common vision. In simplest terms as we work together we become a united people. Without the trappings of the institution our philosophic discussions never are of any practical good. If we give church a second chance it means we build. Who else will take the risks that our community needs? If not those of faith who else will invest in visions without quick returns? Only those who believe today’s drudgery is of eternal significance can selflessly invest in generations not yet born (Ezra and Nehemiah).

After Jesus of Nazareth a new protégé arose. His name was Paul of Tarsus. His vision of those called out of the world was only matched by his work ethic. Every time he entered a city he left a community of faith. He never would have considered the option we moderns have of being a churchless Christian. If you have faith you have community according to Paul.

He made three arguments for the establishment of faith communities. The first was that we can only grow into personal maturity when we live in a community of accountability and nurture. He was a voracious writer. One of his most frequent phrases was “___________ one another.” He wrote, “Love one another, serve one another, submit to one another, etc… Our holy hunger longs for this care. Maybe, it’s time to give church a second chance?

His second argument was that only in a faith community could the life and mating rituals of human beings be solemnized (Ephesians 5:25-32). Pseudo-spirituality fears our sexual nature, but a true faith community celebrates it. Church is actually one of the most erotic environments we humans can find. Only in church do we celebrate and guide the life and mating rituals of humanity from the beginning to the end. Births of new children are dedicated. In adolescent years instructions on sexuality are given. Church youth programs in their basest form simply tries to prevent mating before our community is prepared to handle new life. They teach the value of keeping one’s commitments in this process. Without knowing that other humans are trustworthy all partnerships are doomed. When that time comes we celebrate marriage and the cycle continues. Finally, as life ends church gives meaning to our human life cycles. Can any organization not based on faith do such a marvelous job of guiding our created order? Maybe, it’s time to give church a second chance?

His last argument confronts our deep seeded prejudices. After all we tend to group together with those with whom we share some commonality. Yet, this can lead to perverted communities that are filled with hate. For those called out of the world there is no division based on gender, age, race, or ethnicity. All are welcome and incorporated into community. Maybe, it’s time to give church a second chance?

Are you ready for a new journey with an old hunger? Come run with me.

Dave pastors Christ’s Church in Rwanda in the Gaculiro Caisse Sociale Estate. For more discussion feel free to contact him at christchurchrwanda@gmail.com.

Rev. Nathan Gasatura Guest Speaker

This Sunday we will have a special treat. Reverend Nathan Gasatura will be our Guest Speaker and address the topic of Evangelism. Many of you know Nathan for the work he has done at African Evangelistic Enterprises, World Vision, and the HIV/AIDS Commission. His resume is impressive. However, the most impressive part of Nathan's life is his simple love for people. It is almost impossible to be with him and not find yourself smiling. It's this special love for people that makes it such a joy to listen to Nathan. I trust as Nathan explains to us the responsibility to speak good words for Jesus we will come away both inspired and informed.

For those of you who drive to the Gaculiro Estate each Sunday, I would like to remind you that this Sunday the Kigali Peace Marathon will be held. As a result the Nyarutarama Road will be closed. You will need to find an alternative route to church. My family will pass through Kacyriru and the lower Gisozi road as we go to church. I trust that you all will find alternative routes so that you will be able to hear Nathan.

As you do finish church some of you may want to make your way to Amahoro Stadium to share a cup of cold water with the finishers of the Kigali Marathon.

I trust you will have delightful Sunday.

Dave

Prayer Bulletin

Dear Family and Friends,

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you go “wow”? I admit; I don’t have them often. Most of the time I know clearly what the long term goal is, but in the details and problem solving of the day the small victories can easily be overlooked. Yet, I believe that God instructs us to see and remember these small victories. The Lord has been exceptionally kind to me. Our family has lived in a fascinating region of the world for 15 years. I’ve got a fabulous wife who makes so many things we touch flourish. My kids seem to all be born leaders and I can’t understand what I possibly could have done to develop such outstanding character at such a young ages. The church we are planting (CCR) continues to grow in an out of the ordinary way. However, life is still full of challenges that cause me heartache. Yet, this is a wonderful paradox of kingdom living. We can mourn and rejoice in the same day, and trust that though this world is full of injustice we serve a Sovereign Judge whose eyes are ever on the most vulnerable. This month I would request your prayers for the following matters:

1. CCR GROWTH: In the last 3 weeks, 4 people have been baptized and many are asking questions. Also, CCR had 201 in attendance this past Sunday. We’ve broken the 200 barrier on a “normal Sunday.” I can’t describe how thrilling it is to see what God is blessing in just 14 months of meeting as a church. Thank God for his grace to gather people to a new vision of church in Rwanda. May His favor continue to rest upon CCR so that we can be an agent of comprehensive renewal in Rwanda.

2. 40 GREAT YEARS: Jana turned 40 this past Sunday, May 4. We threw a surprise birthday party and showered her with the same playful affection and humor she has given our lives. It was the first social event we’ve ever planned without her help. Our oldest daughter, Sophia demonstrated that she has inherited her mom’s skills in social gathering and multi-task organization. Our most intimate friends gathered and we couldn’t believe how many people were in our home. They came from all sorts of belief backgrounds, nationalities, and working responsibilities. Many remarked they had never been to such an eclectic party and had such a good time. We took it as the Lord’s honor to Jana to have such good and diverse friends.

I had to admit that all the items that look good on my resume are really the results of having such a fabulous partner with me. She was with me when we initiated new missions in Uganda and Rwanda. She was my co-host when our radio program in Uganda became one of the more popular national weekend shows. All the surprising God moments in our lives really were just about Jana’s exceptional ability to make friends and serve people that put us in the right place at the right time.

Besides this how could we ever manage 5 school age kids in an environment as challenging as Africa? Truly, the Lord has given her 40 great years, and I’m extremely thankful he’s let me share 18 of those years together. May God continue to give Jana many more good years and multiply His blessings upon her life.

3. ORPHANS IN RWANDA: The most vulnerable have always tugged at our heart. We’ve done all we could through our own means to place the vulnerable in places where they would thrive. It’s this concern that led us in Rwanda to actively serve those responsible for creating the nation’s thought systems. We realized our efforts were most effective when they changed and developed systems instead of just the few lives we could personally touch.

Jana has been given a new opportunity to build and engage systems for orphans in Rwanda. She has been asked with our family friend, Bonita Baigana to open an office for Gladney Adoption Center in Rwanda. It’s a thrilling opportunity. However, it also comes with the entrepreneurial challenges of all start up activities. It will require much of the same skills that Jana has used in other start up endeavors. Also, as it is a new organization and opportunity there is great potential for misunderstandings. We trust the Lord will do the surprising and years from now we’ll have lots of “wow moments,” but today it can look insurmountable. We ask your prayers for Jana to have favor as she meets Rwandan government officials and explains this opportunity. We ask that our hearts will lay down our agendas of how to solve orphan’s problems, and truly hear what the Lord intends to do. We ask that the Lord will bring earthly fathers and mothers to the most vulnerable in Rwanda.

4. FURLOUGH: It is just 11 days away. We are trying like crazy to organize, but Rwanda still is a land of daily unforeseen opportunities (that on occasion seem like a crisis). May the next few days be ones of peace and calm. May our furlough be a season of rest, renewal, and reflection. May our travels be safe. May the Lord give us extra measures of wisdom and vision.

Again, thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement that empower us to thrive in Rwanda.

Imana ikurinde (May God Keep All of You),

Dave

P.S. Please also remember our CCR staff, Bryan and Holly Hixson; Moses Mbabaali; and Jane Naziwa Mukamongi who will be working overtime in our absence during these next few months.

CAN I TRUST YOU?

CAN YOU TRUST ME?

As newcomers engage the unique cultures of the Great Lakes Region we find that our expectations are adjusted as hope meet reality. For the wise, mythology is confronted, misunderstandings corrected, and we are invigorated by a clearer perception. One of the first areas that try our hope is the expectation of trust. We find that the trust we bring from our home culture is not the trust of other cultures. We may develop relationships that over time feel quite exploitive. On the other hand we may find that others look at us through eyes of mistrust and no matter how good our plans or intentions we are the subject of suspicion and intrigue.

If we don’t process our trust expectation we will leave telling the mythology of a people who can not be trusted. We inadvertently become the voice of prejudice when we originally started with altruistic motives. Also, we undermine our host’s trust as they continue to see angry westerners who only seem interested in them when we control the agenda. The infra-structure of colonialism is long dead, but the remnants of neo-colonial agendas seem to creep into many host’s perceptions.

It would seem that self-reflection about the issue of trust would be a good starting point before we accept prejudice as our method of operation. For those from a western culture we generally bring a neutral perception in the area of trust. We meet some one for the first time and ask a few basic questions that enable us to remember their name and a few facts about them. We generally assume the best until time proves something different. Our financial systems function with checks, credit cards, and loans all assuming that the majority of people we interact with have the resources to back up their commitments (or at least know where to find them if they have overextended themselves.)

For our host culture these assumptions may not be the starting point. As they read theology they may tend to emphasize the fallen nature of humanity over creation in the image of God. They expect for trust to be earned and are less likely to make relationship commitments until references and experience have shown that someone is worthy. Though they may be initially warm, sincere commitment is reserved. Thus their emotions are guarded until time says commitment is merited and advantageous.

The Nigerian Internet Conman has mastered this difference of cultural trust. His ethical cousins of pseudo-church leaders, brief case N.G.O. workers and fly by night businessmen all know that they can quickly enter into a relationship of trust and be gone with a pocket full of money and a funny story before the westerner knows what has happened. In fact the street conman masquerading as a legitimate friend may be the subject of a warm power point mythology back home. Yet, a few wise up and realize they have been had.

A good example of earned trust is in the marriage process. Boy may meet girl somewhere on their own, but when it is time to get serious you must find some advisors to guide the process. The advisors will initially make inquiries that are indirect, but understood. At first the inquiries are received with warm hospitality, but then a shift happens when the intention becomes clear. From then on it’s time to hop through hoops.

The first hoop to hop through is the one of relationships. Who do you really know? Who will speak for you? What is your heritage? The concerned bride and groom are almost irrelevant. Instead, the advisors must “introduce” everyone and navigate the process of earning trust.

If the process of marriage involves a community of advice and introductions it would seem that to adapt well socially in the Great Lakes Region we also should seek advisors and introductions. Thus we are less likely to find ourselves in exploitive relationships if we go through a process of checking references and building a wide network full of social debt. When we have done our relationship homework we will find that for someone to misuse our trust will start a cycle of communal embarrassment and lost opportunities.

Related to the trust we give to others also is the trust others will give to us. A frequent complaint of expatriate workers in the region is the amount of hoops that need to be hopped through for the most basic tasks such as registering a business, NGO or acquiring a visa. It would be wise to remember that the government official you are dealing with can not quickly type our social security number into a computer and find out our criminal and credit history. Instead if he is to be faithful in his responsibility he will need to find some other hoops to gauge our character.

For those of us who make our livings as public servants in government, religious organizations, or non-profit organizations we have grown used to a measure of respect that our job title confers. However, Rwanda’s history has seen our professions excessive failings and we must accept that in most minds we are unworthy of trust. Thus, unless we are exceedingly powerful and willing to intimidate to get our way we must be willing to start at the bottom and earn trust. If we try to short circuit the process we can count on passive aggressive behavior following our whole career in the region. So we go back to the simple parts of introductions, friend making, network building, listening, and appropriate engagement.

One of my career early mentors had some ground rules as he bounced offices to get established. First make a friend with someone who knows someone, and ask for them to introduce you. Thus you enter into the social system with a measure of trust. Another was to always dress professional. Look like you are a serious person. Another was to have business cards and written documents. Look like have put thought into what you intend to do. The last was to become friends with everyone possible. Take the time to ask about details of life. Find out about their background and family. Over the course of years you may find that someone you knew in humble circumstances will become influential. Lastly, find out about their hopes and do everything possible to support turning another’s vision into reality. It was by these types of actions that he established trust and over the course of time was able to be much more effective as he navigated.

Can I trust you? Can you trust me? To be honest the initial answer is probably not. However, if you are willing to put in the time and work process you will find that the Great Lakes region is home to deep friendships that last for a life time.

Why Church?

For the last several months I have been working with a calendar to find a two month period in which I could leave for furlough and cause the least amount of disruption in the ministry. (The addition of our co-workers Bryan and Holly Hixson, and our new Youth Minister, Moses Mbabaali, and Administrative Assistant, Jane Mukamongi gives us great confidence in the on-going work.) I've finally found the window. My family will begin our furlough on 17 May and return to Rwanda on 26 July. Though a portion of our furlough will be to rest and renew friendships with family and friends, it will also involve seeking more partners for our ministry and specifically seeking to discover the remaining resources to finish the purchase of our facility.

On Sunday, 11 May, I plan to participate in the Kigali Marathon. Thus this Sunday, 4 May will be the last one that I will preach at CCR for 11 weeks. When we have moments in life in which we know our words are limited we choose them with great care. We must speak to the issues that we believe are the most important. We must go to the heart of the matter and call humanity to be all that God intends. This Sunday I will tackle the question, "Why Church?"

If there is a key Sunday in which I believe those of you exploring CCR should be with us this will be the Sunday. Please make plans to attend.

My experience with humanity has shown me that we have two deep hungers. One is for eternity. We want to know where we will end up. Though an atheist may make arguments against faith, why should he even care to make the argument unless something inside him causes eternal hunger? The other hunger is for community of humanity. We don't want to be alone. I believe Paul of Tarsus would call it the hunger for a perfect bride. It was Jesus' intention that those who believed in his resurrection would gather in a community that we call church. Yet, we all see the imperfections of churches. In fact, many times church gets in the way of both belief and community.

Rwanda has seen the failures of this imperfect bride more than probably any place in the world. Have you ever noticed that the oldest parts of cities in Rwanda have 3 buildings? They are an administrative office, church, and prison. The architecture makes an indictment of the colonial effects of church in Rwanda. The church was an institution used for manipulation, control, and enslavement.

The churches compliance in the Genocide of 1994 is well documented and shameful. Surely, no honest seeker in Rwanda can deny the failures of churches.

In fact, as we travel the world the failures are abundant. The institution that should discover and expound truth hides from it. The institution that should hold authority accountable panders to it. The institution that should nurture the vulnerable exploits them. The institution that should model integrity is wracked with moral failures. Why should we care?

Why Church? Can't we just do better on our own?

Yet, we no matter what we still hunger inside for a perfect bride? To be honest, the perfect bride will be discovered when our hunger for eternity is fulfilled. Until then, we must allow Jesus, the perfecter, to mold the imperfect bride (made up of our human failings.)

My best agnostic friend, Andrew Mwenda has a captivating phrase in his writing, "Leaders make things happen. Institutions make them last."

This week we'll take that phrase and explore and drink deeply. Jesus is supremely our leader. Yet he no longer physically walks this earth. The responsibility of lasting endurance rests squarely on the back of the church.

So we'll discuss the roles of institutions in building community. We'll acknowledge that if we want to make a change we must cease criticism as outsiders and become responsible doers in community. We'll see that through out history faith is always nurtured as we over and over again see the needs of others over ourselves. Lastly, we'll see that our habits of either keeping covenants or breaking them choose our life path. If we live in community we'll be better spouses and parents and the generations that follow us will remember us with honor.

Please join our journey of community this Sunday.

Dave