This is the five-minute video I presented
to the Princeton Theological Seminary community.
Enjoy.
This is the five-minute video I presented to the Princeton Theological Seminary community. Enjoy.
0 Comments
I hope that you enjoy this video I prepared for the AMU staff, children, and families that was shown at the Kid's Art Show and Performance. Peace, Love, and Blessings, Angie My experience in Rwanda has solidified in my heart and mind that the key to effective Christian witness, both locally and globally, is to show Jesus by serving through love. The role of the church is to help foster what Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King called the “Beloved Community.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King of the Civil Rights Movement understood the preciousness of every human life, the endurance of love, and the power of redemption. Although Dr. King exercised tremendous political astuteness in waging non violent strategies, he was predominantly a man of deep and abiding faith, guided by an intense, albeit high aspiration, to achieve the “Beloved Community” based on Godly agape love – he was a man of Christian witness. [1] Dr. King said that in the Cross resides the highest expression of divine agape through the “greatness of God and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.” [2] Dr. King said: I must continue by faith or it is too great a burden to bear and violence, even in self defense, creates more problems that it solves. Only a refusal to hate or kill can put an end to the chain of violence in the world and lead us toward a community where men can live together without fear. Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives. [3] I conveyed this message of love when reading the story of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King during one of my Saturday programs with the kids. What really stood out to the children was how much Dr. King loved people and prayed which was what I hoped the children would observe about the story. I also highlighted the importance of love in my third and final sermons preached in Rwanda. My scripture reference was John 13:34-35. I focused on our commandment to show love to others based on Jesus’ sacrificial love for us. I emphasized that to serve is a beautiful thing but to show love is truly Godly as God is love. I explained that in order to truly serve God’s own beloved, you must love God’s people. I further explained that it is only through love of our Father Jesus, that we are able to love others truly, and also be able to forgive. I was emphatic about being a force of love as Jesus cautioned us that it is through our love how others will know the Lord. As the scripture reference of my sermon pronounces, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” During my time engaged in ministry in Rwanda it was my sincere desire to be a beacon of hope and love. In terms of practical ministry, I feel that the basis of what we are called to do as disciples of Jesus Christ is to show love – a radical form of love in the way Rev. Dr. King stood for in the midst of intense hatred and racial oppression. Through love – true Agape love, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation are forging its way in the hearts of Rwandans - a people that I love so very much. [1] John J. Ansbro, Martin Luther King, Jr.: Non Violent Strategies and Tactics for Social Change, (Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2000), 187. [2] John J. Ansbro, Martin Luther King, Jr.: Non Violent Strategies and Tactics for Social Change, 15. [3] Martin Luther King, Jr., Martin Luther King, Jr., “Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom,” in A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr., ed. James Melvin Washington, (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1990), 56-57. Greetings from Home, Today marks two weeks that I have been back in the United States. The transition has been smooth for the most part and emotionally wrenching on the other hand as I so very much miss the families and children that I served and friends that I made in Rwanda. My last few weeks in Rwanda were so busy that I could hardly stop for a moment to update my blog. Suffice to say that during my last few weeks in Rwanda (I left on August 19th) I preached twice, prepared for the Kid’s Art Show and performances, visited Akegera National Park, the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, visited a Think Tank doing progressive Women’s Rights work, hung out with Mama Jean and Pastor John’s family, spent time with some of my AMU students and family, and had a farewell dinner…just to name a few items …whew makes me tired just listing it all! My time was certainly full – so wonderfully fulfilling! I updated the photo section http://angiesrwandajourney.weebly.com/pictures.html of this website, so when you get a moment please peruse and enjoy. I know that this will probably be one of my last entries on this blog so let me say to all of you who have sojourned with me on my Rwandan Journey – THANK YOU. I heard from so many of you how touched and inspired you were by my pictures and vignettes. It is my hope to go back to Rwanda soon to further engage in ministry and social development work. I hope to be able to bring many people back with me so stay tuned for information on a service trip to Rwanda (perhaps I will post on this blog again next year.) I would like to thank Princeton Theological Seminary and Association Mwana Ukundwa (administration, staff, and volunteers) for this tremendous opportunity to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in Rwanda. I am spiritually and emotionally emboldened by the work that AMU does to serve all the children and families in need. I would also like to thank all of the AMU children and families for allowing me into their homes and hearts. I am forever changed by my time in Rwanda where a large piece of my heart will always remain. My heart aches and rivers of tears flow often with every remembrance of the many moments I shared with AMU staff and beneficiaries. My new name given to me by the AMU children “Munezero” which in Kinyarwanda means “Happiness” I will proudly and fondly carry with me always. God bless and keep the AMU staff, volunteers, children and families. God bless and keep the country and people of Rwanda. Finally, thank you Lord for sending me and using me. To God be ALL THE GLORY! Peace, Love, and Blessings, Angie Greetings from Rwanda,
My time in Rwanda is drawing to a close in another few weeks and has been profound in so many ways. The resilience, faith, and love that I have experienced and witnessed in the lives of the Rwandan people has shown me that even in the midst of life’s most painful moments life does continue. During one home visit to a family where the entire household has HIV/AIDS (father, mother, and three children) the father joyfully expressed “Life Continues” with the help of God, AMU (and yes the medicine too.) Many of the women and children that I serve and have come to know have also shared with me that although they live a “tough life” that indeed “Life Continues.” Life continues for the young girl who told me how she witnessed her mother die at the hands of her father. Fleeing from her brutal father to save her young life she hid in the woods where she was sexually assaulted and as a result contracted HIV/AIDS. A few years later, in the shelter of a new family that loves and cares for her and the support of friends at AMU she knows now that God has a plan for her life. Life continues for the teenage boy whose stepfather will not accept him and as a result he had to live on the streets, rob, and steel for food. He has now found new life and purpose knowing that God has placed caring people such as teachers, counselors, and AMU staff in his life to encourage him to press forward in life and his studies. For the Mama who told me how her husband and all of her eight children were killed during the genocide and because her church was involved she became distant from God with her hope gone….life now continues. After finding solace with other women at AMU, she no longer felt alone and her hope in God became restored. This Mama now has three adopted children. Mama said that the more she trusted God, the more her joy and love for God returned. Life does indeed continue in Rwanda. Life continues in Rwanda because of the JOY and faithfulness that Rwandans have, the type of joy that comes from the fruit of the spirit. Seeking joy not happiness is the key to a fruitful Christian walk. Happiness is contingent on what is going on at the present time but joy is the fruit of the Spirit of the Lord (Galatians 5:22). Certainly the spiritual journey is filled with turbulent painful moments but it is not about being happy it is about having joyful contentment, the type of joy that produces a perfect peace – the presence of God within us is that Perfect Peace that surpasses all understanding. To experience real joy we must learn to fully surrender to God’s will, God’s love, and to God’s restorative power. As that Mama and the other women in the Bible Study group I facilitated expressed, it is prayer – prayer without ceasing – which reminds us that God is the source of our strength. The joy of the Lord is our strength. God bless and keep the precious, beautiful and resilient people of Rwanda. Peace, love, blessings and JOY, Angie Greetings from Rwanda, I see love everywhere. The look of love is upon the Rwandan hills, in the kid's artwork, and certainly in the sparkling eyes of a bride and groom. I am surrounded by LOVELY moments here in Rwanda. During the evenings I love to sit on my bed and look up into the hills of Kigali where I am staying. It is a beautiful and serene view, particularly as the sun begins to descend beyond the hills. Amidst the night cool breeze, I often hear the robin birds chatting to the setting sun. The sounds of flapping banana tree leaves and other botanical delights also abound. This is certainly the Lord’s creation – a natural wonder and work of love. As I gaze upon these Rwandan hills and consider the work I am doing here, I give thanks to the Lord for everything. As I look to the hills of the setting sun, I consider Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Selah! I also see the look of love in the beautiful art work that the kids prepared. I am working with a small group of older primary students who will help me with the other students as we prepare to make quilt blocks for a kids art show. The love for their mother country Rwanda was quite evident in their drawings of the Rwandan flag, use of Rwandan colors yellow, aqua blue and green, and making heart signs. Their love for the Lord was also shown in one child’s drawing of the Cross. I was even moved to see how one child wrote on his art piece “I love Ange” with teacher next to my name – so very touching. There is then the look of love in the eyes of newlyweds - my AMU colleague Chantale and her husband Elie. Their wedding was the first wedding in Africa that I attended and it was beautiful. The first part of the wedding was a traditional African wedding. Rwandans love their cultural heritage. In the afternoon was the wedding ceremony at a Christian church. Their love was consecrated in prayer and reverence to the Lord. With Jesus at the front and center of their new marriage I know that Chantale and Elie will enjoy many years together. So love has been and continues to be in the air here in Rwanda as I grow deep in love with living into my purpose. Peace, LOVE, and Blessings, Angie This young lady's mother died last month from HIV/AIDS.Her mom regularly attended AMU programs as a participant and she is being comforted by one of the women that was in her mother's group. This was her first time attending a service at AMU and she thanked everyone for their prayers for and support to her family during this difficult time. Greetings from Rwanda, I organized the AMU Women’s Worship Service which was held last Friday, June 24th. Once a month the women beneficiaries of AMU gather together for a time of fellowship and worship. The students in AMU’s vocational training program attended the service along with AMU staff and volunteers. The Praise and Worship portion of the service was dynamic and full of power and praise. It was the longest part of the service. Rwandans really do know how to do Praise and Worship! I taught and sang “We Need You Lord” with the help of my ipod (it had the song on it) which Rev. Samuel connected to a big speaker. The testimony section was very powerful. One of the women shared how she was spared by several poison attempts via the feed/water for her livestock (several of her livestock died.) Another woman mentioned how her home was preserved despite almost being damaged extensively by all the rain. Another woman explained how her mother just died (from HIV/AIDS) and was a participant in AMU. It was her first time attending an AMU Women's Worship Service and she gave thanks to God, AMU, and the other women for being an encouragement to her and her family during this difficult time. I preached with assistance from my faithful translator and supervisor Rev. Samuel. My sermon title was: God Sees Your Need and is With You!" and my Scripture reference was Genesis 16. My claim of the sermon was that God sees our need and knows how much we can bear, so we should trust in God, even in the midst of significant trials, seeking to stay in God’s will for our lives. After the sermon I prayed for the women who came to the altar for prayer, many of these women have HIV/AIDS. After the service I provided gifts made possible from generous donors in the United States. Each service attendee received a bookmark, a wooden key holder that says Jesus, Mary Kay lotion, and a hand spa packet. The women were very thankful for their gifts. After gift giving time the women enjoyed fellowship with tea and bread provided by AMU. The power and work of the Holy Spirit was so strong in this worship service, due in large part to the tremendous praise and worship that Rwandans love to engage in. I am reminded of an African proverb that one my PTS professors Dr. Powery introduced to me which is "The Spirit will not descend without the song." Well, I can personally attest to how the spirit seems to not just descend but dwell here in Rwanda as songs of praises are so constant and abundant. To God be the Glory for all that God is doing here in Rwanda. God bless and keep the people of Rwanda :) Peace, Love, and Blessings, Angie I climbed a mountain to visit with this 77-year old grandmother and her granddaughter. The grandmother is a widow and genocide survivor taking care of her granddaughter who was orphaned by the gendocide. Arin is living with HIV/AIDS. This grandmother has more faith, courage, and strength than I have seen in most. Faith and prayer are powerful tools :) Greetings from Rwanda,
It has been a little while since I have blogged - I have been so busy, a wonderfully good type of busy! I have visited several AMU beneficiaries at their homes to hear about their life stories and prayer needs. I have also visited two schools in the community as part of AMU's community outreach and education campaign about HIV/AIDS Awareness. I also visit weekly with one of AMU's women's microenterprise groups where women affected/impacted by HIV/AIDS work together to sew, basket weave, or farm to provide prayerful emotional and financial support to each other (AMU provides training, loans, land, materials, etc.) One of the homes I visited belonged to a dynamic 77-year old grandmother/survivor of genocide who is taking care of her granddaughter “Arin”who has HIV and became an orphan after the genocide. Arin comes to AMU programs. She lives in a home built for widowed genocide survivors. To get to her home we had to climb a hill, really more of a mountain which I would do again just to be emboldened by this grandmother’s tremendous faith and spirit! The grandmother explained to us how her family was once well off with many cows but after the genocide she was left with nothing but her faith remains strong. She was able to survive the genocide by God’s grace explaining that she faced many killers who said over and over, “this old woman cannot do anything” sparing her life. She is widowed and her daughter the mother of Arin and Arin’s older sister died in the genocide who she says she sensed was also HIV/AIDS positive. She had Arin since she was four months old and knew when she was around five years old after taking her to the hospital that she was infected. She said that with God she has been able to provide for Arin. Despite her challenges, this grandmother has more life, faith, and spirit in her than I have seen in most. I also visited two schools as part of AMU's community education campaign about HIV/AIDS. The kids are so beautiful, welcoming, and full of spirit. I accompanied Rev. Samuel and Chantal Utamuliza who is the Coordinator for AMU's HIV/AIDS project in Kigalito a school for AMU’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign. One of the schools we visited was the Bweriankori Primary School where I met the Headmaster, several teachers, and students. For their HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in the community AMU goes out to schools/churches to talk about prevention and also services. Another component of AMU’s partnership with schools is AMU’s provision of needed resources e.g. additional classroom space, bathrooms, water heating systems, school supplies, etc. The Bweriankori Primary School has been in partnership with AMU for around fifteen years in which AMU has added additional classroom space, additional bathrooms, and a water heating system. Rev. Samuel spoke to the 400 children (approximated) children in attendance and provided them with a powerful story about a wise man who lived in a village. This man was so wise he explained that everyone in the village sought his counsel. One time, however, one of the children, a small boy, in the village thought that they could outsmart the wise old man. So the boy put a butterfly in his hand and after making a fist to conceal the butterfly’s status, he approached the old wise man and asked him whether the butterfly which he could not see was alive or dead? The child thought they could outsmart the old wise man by either killing the butterfly if the wise man responded that the butterfly was alive, or even let the butterfly loose to fly away if the wise man said the butterfly was dead. Instead, the wise man responded with a clever response that outwitted the child in the end. He said, “The power is in your hands to kill the butterfly or to let it live.” With this response the boy knew that the wise man was indeed wise. Rev. Samuel used this story to explain to the young children that they have the power to choose life so they should take care of their bodies so that they may live. After Rev. Samuel I spoke to the children and continued this theme about protecting the lives that are in their young ands. I elaborated that with a butterfly, many people are often amazed with its beauty but do not realize that in order for the butterfly to reach that stage they have to go through a process. I said to the children that just like that beautiful butterfly they are also beautiful and in order to grow up to be adults they have to be healthy and strong in their temple which God has given to them. Going from young to older is a process that they have to cherish. As I spoke to them about protecting the precious lives from God that they have, which is in their hands, I asked them to put their fists (protecting their lives inside) in the air and say in their native Kinyarwanda language "Mfite Agachiro" which translates to "I Am Important!" They really responded well to the challenge. Afterward, Chantale spoke to the children, they sang the Rwanda national anthem, and I closed with prayer over the children. I also visited with a group of women served by AMU’s micro-enterprise program. The women (many of whom are HIV/AIDS affected) make various items, baskets, bags, earrings, dolls, etc. to sell and provide for their families. The group that I visited with was busy making baskets, pocketbooks and earrings. The ladies were very interested in knowing where I was from since I looked Rwandan. They asked why do I look Rwandan but do not speak Kinyarwanda? They then asked how many Kinyarwandan words I knew and they were gracious in teaching me even more words. One of the ladies taught me how to make an earring with the palm. Rev. Samuel and Chantale were there who helped with translation. It was a nice relaxed time of bonding with other women who seemed filled with purpose despite their diagnoses of HIV and/or AIDS. After spending some time, which I will do each Friday morning with a different group, I then concluded our time together with prayer as we held hands. What a powerful journey this has been so far. The stories, really the testimonies of God's Grace and the people's resilience have been so inspiring. More soon.... Peace, Love, and Blessings, Angie Greetings from Rwanda, I have been spending a lot of time with the children served by Association Mwana Ukundwa who are all just so precious. I continue to experience a range of emotions from joy to sadness - with the Lord's ever-present peace residing in my heart. This past Saturday in Kigali close to one hundred of the students attended the Saturday program which AMU offers for children impacted/affected by HIV/AIDS and also kids who live in their transition housing (for kids who formerly lived on the streets.) They come every other Saturday during the school year. They also come more frequently during the week when school is out and they are on holiday which will begin in late June. During my time on Saturday with the kids I conducted Bible study lesson on Waiting on and Working with the Holy Spirit given that on Sunday was Pentecost. The kids were familiar with Pentecost. I then read them a story about the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The children’s illustrated book is entitled “Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Bryan Collier.” Several of the kids were aware of the story of Dr. King. This is a beautifully written and illustrated children’s book which captures the heart and soul of this peaceful spiritual civil rights icon and leader. Prior to reading the book I provided the children with a short historical lesson on American slavery and how we came to the Civil Rights Movement. The book emphasized the spiritual countenance of Rev. Dr. King as a man of peace, who studied the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and, of course, Jesus. I expressed and even acted out the narrative of marching, praying, and singing. After reading the book I led the kids in a discussion. What really stood out to them was how much Dr. King loved people and prayed. After reading the Bible study lesson and storytelling time was “Gift Giving” time. With all of the wonderful donations I received I was able to purchase many school supplies and other gifts. Each child received a pencil, pencil sharpener, book marker with spiritual saying, stickers, erasers with smiley faces, and cross necklace. They were quite happy and pleased. It was a blessing to be a blessing. They call me Auntie “Anty” Angie which is a sign of respect and endearment. In my heart they are my beloved. I told them once before, when I first met them, that I saw them all in my dreams before I came to Rwanda, and loved them before I ever met them. Afterward another volunteer/former intern gave them other gifts and chalk to draw so it was really and truly a fun-filled day which I was happy to be a part of. A few days later, not on the same happy note, I traveled to Butare to meet with several children who are impacted and/or infected by HIV/AIDS. All of the children were age 14 or under and experienced great pains in their young lives. As they shared their stories, I learned about their challenges with poverty, physical and sexual abuse, parental abandonment, homelessness (living in the streets), and sickness, etc. Despite their painful histories, these children were filled with hope for their future as they have benefited from the help of Association Mwana Ukundwa and others. They consider this help to be from God. In my short time here in Rwanda, I have been so moved by the people. Their stories of pain, resilience, and hope leave me in awe of what God can do if even with just a little bit of faith and courage. My heart has found roots in this place. I could say that it has been stolen, but it would be more accurate to say that I have really freely relinquished my heart and love. I feel inextricably linked somehow to Rwanda and most of all to these children and families. I pray for God’s continued direction and strength as I serve these children and families. Peace, Love, and Blessings, Angie This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
Greetings from Rwanda,
Today was another productive insightful day in Rwanda with Association Mwana Ukundwa (AMU). This morning I met new attendees for a vocational training which AMU serves as a site for. Initially I thought I was there to just observe but no, here in Rwanda you are never just an observer, you are a PART OF the event. Almost at every gathering I have attended I have been asked by AMU coordinators to extend a greeting which I was more than happy to do. I extended greetings in the name of the Lord first. I then brought greetings from America and PTS :) Rwandans like to know who you are so when you greet them it is even better to share something about you. How wonderful it would be if we were always so warm and inviting as people. AMU Kigali Site Director Jean De Dieu then asked me to offer a song of praise which was also a delight to do. The coordinators know that I love to sing and so I sang. Rwandans love to sing, in fact they are wonderful joy-filled singers. I suspect I will be singing, teaching, and learning songs quite a bit - fa la la la la all day :) Later in the morning, my colleague Chantal Utamuliza who is the Coordinator for AMU's HIV/AIDS project helped with my Kinyarwanda vocabulary and then surprised me with an invitation to her wedding on July 9th. I am so very excited and honored to attend her wedding as Rwandan weddings are quite the event and her reception will be at AMU. They have several different ceremonies for one wedding and I will have to get a traditional outfit for one of the ceremonies which will be great :) Well I must get back to finish some work for AMU. Until the next time, God Bless and Keep You and remember to keep a smile and song in your heart always :) Peace, Love, and Blessings, Angie |
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October 2011
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