GREAT LESSONS FROM THE GREAT LAKES
By JP Munene, Nairobi, Kenya
The countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and (DR) Congo are collectively known as the Great lakes region. JP Munene, (left) then in the teens ministry of the Nairobi church - he is now on campus - has been a long-time volunteer with HOPE worldwide Kenya and in 2004 got to travel through Uganda to Rwanda to do some work for HOPE.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," once said a wise man, though he never indicated the importance the first step has on all the subsequent ones. My conviction is that if you begin any task with all your mind, heart, body and soul, putting it before our ever-loving Father in heaven, God will do nothing but open wide the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it (Malachi 3:10). This is the attitude I possessed when putting before God my desire to travel around the whole world before I occupy my room in heaven. It has always been my desire since I was young to visit all the exotic places in the world and interact with different cultures with the intention of touching lives with the word of God. Ever since I was young, my dad would take us around Kenya visiting different wild and wonderful national parks, stunning lakes, great mountains, deep valleys and vast plains. This excited us all as a family and a longing to travel around the world took root in me.
When I became a disciple in May 2002 only 17 years old, one of the greatest hallmarks in my life, the dream lived on and I continued to travel to different disciple's rural homes and different places doing fun activities and I loved every minute of it.
In August 2003, I joined HOPE worldwide Kenya as a volunteer and that was a great time in my life. As I continued to interact with disciples from various ministries in Kenya and the different churches in East Africa, I developed a great friendship with Charles Omollo the then leader of the Kigali church. He told me fascinating things about Kigali that made me feel compelled to visit the place and the church there. I wrote it down in my diary that I had to visit Rwanda, and committed it to God in prayer. The prayer was answered in February of 2004.
The plans of HOPE worldwide Kenya had continued to expand and one of the biggest proposals was to open a branch in Rwanda. As the country is ravaged by pain, poverty, HIV & AIDS, and a legacy of trauma and bitterness following the 1994 genocide there, we felt the need for a cushion to help alleviate this anguish. Thus, my journey now had a complete task of going to help with registration efforts of HOPE worldwide Rwanda. I was beside myself with joy and could not wait for the journey.
As I embarked on my journey on a cold Wednesday night, the 28th of January 2004, went with the same attitude that Jesus had for the harassed and helpless in Matthew 9:35-38 as he went out into the villages. Though I cannot physically do what Jesus did, he has filled me with his Spirit, that is able to do even greater things than he has done for he went to his Father where he can ensure this (John 14:12). I was traveling by bus, which was long and tiring but wonderful too because I got to pass through Uganda and get a peek of the Pearl of Africa (i.e. Uganda). I got to eat roasted chicken at 1am at the Kenya-Uganda border, saw the River Nile in Uganda, which was breath-taking, and meandered through the numerous mountains in Rwanda.
On my arrival in Kigali, after sixteen hours on the road, I felt like a dove that had broken free from its cage. Although I was exhausted, just being in a new country and seeing different people, speaking different languages and practicing different customs revived me. Meeting the members of the church reminded me of what Jesus said about receiving hundred times, what we have left behind for his sake (Matt 19:29).
I fell in love with the city of Kigali and the whole country of Rwanda. Over the next few days I familiarized myself with the country, visiting disciples and learning basics about the language. The motorcycle taxis, which we would use to travel from place-to-place, were fast and thrilling. I got first hand information from the disciples on different accounts of the war and all the pain it caused. I climbed Mount Kigali, walked in the city, had a taste of the various rich foods, smelled the fresh mountain air at night, felt the warm air during the day and relaxed.
Church on Sunday was great! The Kigali disciples are so zealous in their worship. I had the privilege of sharing the communion message which focused on helping the congregation see the futility of living a life without God, for the places we are and the times at which we are in those places are all determined by God so that we and those around us in the same places and time as us may perhaps find him (Acts 17:24-28). Therefore, the call is for us to go make disciples of all nations, teach them to obey God and pray for them to be baptized.
I later visited one of the local universities, the Kigali Institute Of Science, Technology and Management, which was very impressive and accommodates quite a number of students. I spent much time with the campus ministry leader and got to attend a Bible Talk. It was conducted in Rwandese, and so if it had not been for my faithful translator I would have been off on another planet. It was an inspiring Bible Talk and I wished at that time that I had the gift of speaking in tongues so that I could powerfully study the bible with one of the visitors.
On Monday Charles and I began the registration efforts. We had to submit documents in French or the national language, Rwandese, and disciples from the church were more than willing to help translate my documents. I was encouraged by their giving hearts. Charles and I also had the tedious task of moving all over town to seek approval at town level, division level and district level, which is a legal requirement in Rwanda. We were also able to collect statistics from the local government authorities about HIV & AIDS prevalence and occurrence in the country. (A USAID report indicates that at the end of 2001 an estimated 500, 000 people out of a population of 8.1 million in Rwanda were living with HIV/AIDS and that Rwanda is one of nine African countries hardest hit by the epidemic.)
I got a chance to talk about HIV & AIDS at midweek service and it reaped some good fruit judging by the response and the questions asked after the sharing. On other occasions I had consultative meetings with the church's Bible Talk leaders, sourcing for ideas on different programs they could begin without funding that would attract funding and meet the needs of the community.
Charles and I met the Director of TRAC (the organization responsible for overseeing all opening and running of VCT - Voluntary Counseling And Testing [for HIV/AIDS] - centers in Rwanda) it was an introduction meeting where we presented to him HOPE worldwide, focusing more on Kenyan-run programs, and encouragingly after the meeting he told us that if we come up with a good program, he would see to it that we got financial backing. I was happy at the progress we were making.
I appreciate all the people in the church of Kigali for all they did for me, but what really stood out to me was the family that has been built and that continues to grow among and between the disciples. They are one in heart and one in mind, ready to pick each other up when one stumbles and quick to ensure that no one strays. I resolved to imitate this quality and practice it in my ministry back in Kenya.
Shortly before I left Kigali, I visited Kigali Memorial Centre, where the remains of thousands who died in the genocide have been buried. While the buildings exterior greets you with its architectural and scenic beauty, on entering the building there is an atmosphere of great sadness elicited by the different photos, reports, video footage and displays of personal effects left behind by the fallen. I felt humbled. The most amazing thing to me in seeing this and hearing disciples' own personal accounts was how loving and forgiving the disciples have become in face of bitterness and despair because of knowing God.
Just when I thought that the registration was going to take longer than I thought, we had a breakthrough on Thursday 12th February that shortened the process and increased our hopes. We visited the International NGO council where they told us that since we are an international organization we just register directly with them and avoid a complicated, drawn- out process. Some required documents from the Head Office in Kenya would facilitate that.
(Right, JP, in black, lieing on the grass, with the Kigali church)
The day I dreaded, when I would have to leave beloved Rwanda, regrettably arrived. Though HOPE was not fully registered, I left it in the capable hands of Charles - and the Lord, of course. There comes a time when we have to move on, not because we have completed the task at hand, but because there is much more ahead that we must still do. We leave capable men and women to bring the work to completion, and after all, didn't Jesus do exactly that when he left for heaven?
With a heavy, and yet happy and hopeful, heart, that is exactly what I purposed to do. On the bus out of Rwanda I reminisced about my time in Kigali and thanked God wholeheartedly. I bid my new friends farewell with a lot of sadness because I had to leave them, but also with a lot of joy because no one could take away the feeling that I had for them and the lessons I had learnt from them. No matter where I go, I will always carry them with me in my heart.
When I became a disciple in May 2002 only 17 years old, one of the greatest hallmarks in my life, the dream lived on and I continued to travel to different disciple's rural homes and different places doing fun activities and I loved every minute of it.
In August 2003, I joined HOPE worldwide Kenya as a volunteer and that was a great time in my life. As I continued to interact with disciples from various ministries in Kenya and the different churches in East Africa, I developed a great friendship with Charles Omollo the then leader of the Kigali church. He told me fascinating things about Kigali that made me feel compelled to visit the place and the church there. I wrote it down in my diary that I had to visit Rwanda, and committed it to God in prayer. The prayer was answered in February of 2004.
The plans of HOPE worldwide Kenya had continued to expand and one of the biggest proposals was to open a branch in Rwanda. As the country is ravaged by pain, poverty, HIV & AIDS, and a legacy of trauma and bitterness following the 1994 genocide there, we felt the need for a cushion to help alleviate this anguish. Thus, my journey now had a complete task of going to help with registration efforts of HOPE worldwide Rwanda. I was beside myself with joy and could not wait for the journey.
As I embarked on my journey on a cold Wednesday night, the 28th of January 2004, went with the same attitude that Jesus had for the harassed and helpless in Matthew 9:35-38 as he went out into the villages. Though I cannot physically do what Jesus did, he has filled me with his Spirit, that is able to do even greater things than he has done for he went to his Father where he can ensure this (John 14:12). I was traveling by bus, which was long and tiring but wonderful too because I got to pass through Uganda and get a peek of the Pearl of Africa (i.e. Uganda). I got to eat roasted chicken at 1am at the Kenya-Uganda border, saw the River Nile in Uganda, which was breath-taking, and meandered through the numerous mountains in Rwanda.
On my arrival in Kigali, after sixteen hours on the road, I felt like a dove that had broken free from its cage. Although I was exhausted, just being in a new country and seeing different people, speaking different languages and practicing different customs revived me. Meeting the members of the church reminded me of what Jesus said about receiving hundred times, what we have left behind for his sake (Matt 19:29).
I fell in love with the city of Kigali and the whole country of Rwanda. Over the next few days I familiarized myself with the country, visiting disciples and learning basics about the language. The motorcycle taxis, which we would use to travel from place-to-place, were fast and thrilling. I got first hand information from the disciples on different accounts of the war and all the pain it caused. I climbed Mount Kigali, walked in the city, had a taste of the various rich foods, smelled the fresh mountain air at night, felt the warm air during the day and relaxed.
Church on Sunday was great! The Kigali disciples are so zealous in their worship. I had the privilege of sharing the communion message which focused on helping the congregation see the futility of living a life without God, for the places we are and the times at which we are in those places are all determined by God so that we and those around us in the same places and time as us may perhaps find him (Acts 17:24-28). Therefore, the call is for us to go make disciples of all nations, teach them to obey God and pray for them to be baptized.
I later visited one of the local universities, the Kigali Institute Of Science, Technology and Management, which was very impressive and accommodates quite a number of students. I spent much time with the campus ministry leader and got to attend a Bible Talk. It was conducted in Rwandese, and so if it had not been for my faithful translator I would have been off on another planet. It was an inspiring Bible Talk and I wished at that time that I had the gift of speaking in tongues so that I could powerfully study the bible with one of the visitors.
On Monday Charles and I began the registration efforts. We had to submit documents in French or the national language, Rwandese, and disciples from the church were more than willing to help translate my documents. I was encouraged by their giving hearts. Charles and I also had the tedious task of moving all over town to seek approval at town level, division level and district level, which is a legal requirement in Rwanda. We were also able to collect statistics from the local government authorities about HIV & AIDS prevalence and occurrence in the country. (A USAID report indicates that at the end of 2001 an estimated 500, 000 people out of a population of 8.1 million in Rwanda were living with HIV/AIDS and that Rwanda is one of nine African countries hardest hit by the epidemic.)
I got a chance to talk about HIV & AIDS at midweek service and it reaped some good fruit judging by the response and the questions asked after the sharing. On other occasions I had consultative meetings with the church's Bible Talk leaders, sourcing for ideas on different programs they could begin without funding that would attract funding and meet the needs of the community.
Charles and I met the Director of TRAC (the organization responsible for overseeing all opening and running of VCT - Voluntary Counseling And Testing [for HIV/AIDS] - centers in Rwanda) it was an introduction meeting where we presented to him HOPE worldwide, focusing more on Kenyan-run programs, and encouragingly after the meeting he told us that if we come up with a good program, he would see to it that we got financial backing. I was happy at the progress we were making.
I appreciate all the people in the church of Kigali for all they did for me, but what really stood out to me was the family that has been built and that continues to grow among and between the disciples. They are one in heart and one in mind, ready to pick each other up when one stumbles and quick to ensure that no one strays. I resolved to imitate this quality and practice it in my ministry back in Kenya.
Shortly before I left Kigali, I visited Kigali Memorial Centre, where the remains of thousands who died in the genocide have been buried. While the buildings exterior greets you with its architectural and scenic beauty, on entering the building there is an atmosphere of great sadness elicited by the different photos, reports, video footage and displays of personal effects left behind by the fallen. I felt humbled. The most amazing thing to me in seeing this and hearing disciples' own personal accounts was how loving and forgiving the disciples have become in face of bitterness and despair because of knowing God.
Just when I thought that the registration was going to take longer than I thought, we had a breakthrough on Thursday 12th February that shortened the process and increased our hopes. We visited the International NGO council where they told us that since we are an international organization we just register directly with them and avoid a complicated, drawn- out process. Some required documents from the Head Office in Kenya would facilitate that.
(Right, JP, in black, lieing on the grass, with the Kigali church)
The day I dreaded, when I would have to leave beloved Rwanda, regrettably arrived. Though HOPE was not fully registered, I left it in the capable hands of Charles - and the Lord, of course. There comes a time when we have to move on, not because we have completed the task at hand, but because there is much more ahead that we must still do. We leave capable men and women to bring the work to completion, and after all, didn't Jesus do exactly that when he left for heaven?
With a heavy, and yet happy and hopeful, heart, that is exactly what I purposed to do. On the bus out of Rwanda I reminisced about my time in Kigali and thanked God wholeheartedly. I bid my new friends farewell with a lot of sadness because I had to leave them, but also with a lot of joy because no one could take away the feeling that I had for them and the lessons I had learnt from them. No matter where I go, I will always carry them with me in my heart.