As part of their UK Beauty
from Ashes tour, this morning we heard from Richard Wallis, Executive
Director of Mission Possible UK, on his last visit to Cyangugu in Rwanda, and also from Rwandan Bishop Nathan
Amooti.
Richard and Bishop Nathan are seen here with Pastor Jeff Steadman.
When Nathan last visited us a few years ago, his first church,
started under 3 mango trees, were planning their first church building. Nathan spoke about the importance of a church
building as a centre for worship, prayer and community. The Blessed Mango Tree Church (named by the
young people in the church) was consecrated in January 2012.
In December 2011, Nathan was promoted to Bishop in the
Rwandan Anglican Church, and now has responsibility for 96 Churches, 12 Schools
and one hospital.
Nathan told us how, following the genocide in Rwanda in 1994,
the Rwandan currency was devalued to zero and so many people had been killed or
fled the country that the hospitals and schools couldn’t function.
Now, nearly twenty years on, the Nation of Rwanda, one of
the most densely populated in the world, is back with a democratically elected
government, its flag acknowledged and its currency in use again.
Mission Possible and the local Church have been involved in
many projects to help rebuild the country, providing homes for orphaned
children, clean water, healthcare, food, electricity and a school which now has
over 700 pupils and 58 staff.
While in the UK Bishop Nathan participated in a tea tasting
of Rwandan tea, now in demand for import and used in making Yorkshire Gold Tea.
When the country was in turmoil, gardens and farms were not maintained and
people were dependent on food aid, but now the tea plantations are productive
again.
There is still a lot to do in rebuilding communities and
families, particularly as many of those jailed following the genocide are now
being released from prison at the end of their sentences. Nathan’s work in Rwanda is often focussed on
Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, providing training and workshops in
forgiveness and dealing with conflict.
Revenge is not the solution. He
also works 1 to1 with families where the person is repentant for their actions,
in resolving and reuniting parents, children and their neighbours and friends.
Bishop Nathan spoke to us from 2 Corinthians 5, of how
Christ’s love compels us to the ministry of reconciliation.
If you want to know more about Mission Possible’s
work, or you are interested in sponsoring a child at the Star
School in Rwanda, visit their website.
