Valentines Day at Christ Church Rwanda

The next few weeks are going to be exciting ones at CCR. This Sunday we'll be continuing our discussion of our freedom in Christ and I think coinciding with Heroes Day will be particularly insightful. Freedom always comes with a price and our heroes remind us that sacrifice is a requirement for freedom.

After worship we'll offer our Beginnings Class for those considering joining our CCR vision. We'll provide a light lunch and childcare.

Now, for the really fun event - On Friday, 13 February CCR will host a Valentines Dinner and Dance. (Yes, I can't believe we'll host a dance at church, but I guess we're discovering freedom and trust the Lord will be honored through a celebration of love. I'm a horrible dancer, but I know that some of the best dancers in Kigali come to CCR) We hope you will feel welcome to attend and invite friends who are looking for some extra excitement in relatively dull Kigali. The cost will be 15,000 Rwanda Francs per couple. Tickets can be bought this Sunday after worship and will continue to be sold through Sunday, 8 February. If you need more information please feel free to call my wife, Jana at 08-641-781.

I look forward to sharing the next few weeks discovery with many of you.

Dave Jenkins

Prayer Bulletin

Dear Family and Friends,

We can’t believe it has been three months since we last wrote our “monthly” prayer bulletin. Rwanda’s President Kagame states, “Others can walk. We must run.” It has been three months of running. We’ve had a few minor crises such as Caleb having a concussion. We’ve had computer and internet issues. However, we’ve also had many out of the ordinary opportunities (that sometimes masquerade as crises.) God has been good. We thank him for His care. Also, we thank you for your prayers, concern, and support when our lives become too chaotic to request. May God continue to richly bless you for your gracious encouragement.

This month we ask your prayers for the following matters:

1. Thanksgiving for our children’s faith discovery. On Sunday, December 14 our oldest son Caleb chose to be baptized. On Sunday, 25 January our next son, Ethan also chose to be baptized. We continue to delight in the goodness of God expressed through our kids. (Dave particularly wonders what he ever did to deserve such great kids. Or maybe it is just pure grace.) We had a delightful holiday season full of many good memories and also traveled to our old stomping grounds in Uganda for a week of reminiscing. May God continue to lead our children to greater discoveries.

2 Thanksgiving for Christ’s Church in Rwanda growth. We can’t believe how quickly CCR is growing. Things really took off during the Christmas Holidays. Our youth program is thriving. Attendance is now ranging on Sundays between 250 and 300. Many of those attending are in the leading offices of Rwanda. Each month usually has 4 to 6 baptisms. God is doing something out of the ordinary.

3. Wisdom in transitions: Last week, Jana was laid off due to the Global Financial Crisis from Gladney Center for Adoption. It was a wonderful job that she’ll miss. Also, with last year’s 21% inflation in Rwanda and Gladney’s Health insurance the job kept us afloat. However, we trust that God has something good for us. We ask your prayers for greater measure of wisdom as we navigate transitions.

A. Vulnerable Children: Jana continues to be drawn towards providing leadership for practical ways to empower Rwanda’s vulnerable children. Adoption is close to our hearts. We suspect that the Lord may want our attention to be drawn towards leading CCR to be leaders in this area. May we hear God’s voice clearly in this matter.

B. Teaching Opportunities: In our last Prayer Bulletin we asked for prayers for opportunities to teach widely. Some of what we guessed about has yet to materialize. However, some other opportunities have developed that we did not anticipate. Dave has been asked to be one of the Key Note Speakers in May’s Shepherd Leadership Conference in Rwanda. He has been asked to speak on Integrity. The conference will be attended by representatives from at least 15 different Christian organizations and churches and will likely have approximately 500 in attendance. The other speakers are quite well respected, and Dave feels very humbled to be in their company. May Dave’s words be the Lord's.

Also, Dave received a surprise phone call two weeks ago from the Engineering Faculty at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology to co-teach an Ethics Course. Dave has done this every year since we came, but in 2008 it seemed to be winding down. Instead, in 2009 he will now be lecturing to over 200 university students in their final year. We are praying that this will be an opportunity to begin a more active campus ministry for CCR and that our presence on campus will strengthen Rwanda’s future leaders.

Again, thank you for your gracious support of our family and ministry.

Imana ikurinde (May the Lord Stay with All of You),

Jana and Dave Jenkins

P.S. Our family seems to be new Face Book addicts. Feel free to look us up and see some photos.

Journey to Freedom

Approximately 150 years ago slave traders began to enter the Great Lakes region. They found a unique phenomenon of large well organized kingdoms. Though many of the kingdoms had shared language, history, and culture they also periodically engaged in war among themselves. As the slaver traders entered this world of kingdoms they found that the climate of war provided an opportunity for great profits. Warring kingdoms were willing to trade their poor for guns so they could press on to a new battle. The economic reality of war and slave trading continued in kingdom after kingdom.

Then the slave traders came to the border of Rwanda. Again, they found a large, growing, and well organized kingdom. However, instead of finding a people eager to betray itself for a profit they found a people willing to pay the cost of freedom. The slave traders were met with arrows and spears, and chose to go to other regions.

Freedom comes with a price.

Though the reality of slave labor has long departed from our region there is a human tendency to embrace slavery. Some of us struggle with slavery of addictions. Some struggle with loneliness and will agree to the slavery of unhealthy relationships in the hope of finding approval. Some are so consumed by the pursuit of wealth and power that they become slaves of corruption. Sometimes the pursuit of freedom leads to lonely, desolate desert experiences.

Some find that parts of faith such as mystery, waiting, and exploring are too difficult. They embrace the slavery of religion. Jesus brings freedom from our slavery, but sometimes we turn back to religious slavery. After all, faith in its purest form is unpredictable. It can not be contained, controlled, or completely explained. Slavery can be a comfortable place where we hide from the cost of freedom.

For those of us who come from religious traditions of Revival we have likely observed the slavery of religious rule keeping when our faith is handed from one generation to another. What once stirred internal passion and compelling action now is reduced to childish rule keeping.

For the next several months at CCR we will explore this journey to freedom. We will look at the Apostle Paul's letter to churches in the region of Galatia who are being seduced by spies to return to slavery. This letter will read like the writings of a king who refused to sell his people into slavery. It is a passionate, uncomfortable journey, but that is the cost of freedom.

CCR has committed to be a church of freedom. We intend to explore and discover with an open bible and loving community. Sometimes that becomes controversial as we are difficult to control.

I hope you will join us on this journey. After worship this Sunday if you have even more questions I hope you will join us for our Beginnings Class. It will take about 3 hours to finish. We'll provide lunch. If you need child care let me know and we'll find it. In our Beginnings Course we'll in detail discuss the CCR Vision, how you can become involved, and join us in this passionate journey of freedom.

Imana ikurinde,

Dave Jenkins

Emily Shaffer at CCR

In a short time one of Kigali's most delightful people will be leaving to take another post. Many of you know Emily Shaffer, the Consular at the U.S. Embassy. I rarely give an "American" editorial at CCR, but Emily deserves one. I've lived in this region of the world for 15 years. During that time I've never had a Consular who made me as proud of my home country as Emily Shaffer. I don't know how she does it, but she is always warm, kind, and thoughtful. She remembers names and details. She is aware of cultural and life complexities. She is a treasure of wisdom and grace when ever you interact with her. I know that my American community will miss her, but I believe many from Rwanda and other nationalities will also miss her.

She is one of those unique individuals whose parents and grandparents have deep roots in this region. Not only am I thankful to be associated with Emily, but I've noticed that several times her family's legacy is remembered and appreciated throughout this region of the world.

Emily will share with us this Sunday at CCR and I think you will find it a real treat. She will share her testimony of why she is a Christian. Emily takes her faith very seriously, and has thought through the issues. This Sunday is one that I hope you will be able to attend.

If you are committed to a belief in Jesus of Nazareth's resurrection I think this Sunday you will discover firmer reasons for your faith. If you are exploring who is Jesus of Nazareth I trust this Sunday you will go farther down the path. If you have a friend or family member who is exploring, I can't imagine a better Sunday to invite them to attend CCR.

Imana ikurinde,

Dave Jenkins