Team Tribe + The Muyimba Family
Our host for the month was Pastor Fred and his Jesus loving, beautiful family (some of which are pictured above). Throughout out time in Rwanda the Muyimba’s brought us into their family, studied the Word with us, served us so selflessly, and made us tacos several times. We were loved tremendously well.
One of the sweetest moments with the family was when Laura and I were invited to pick up the mom, Mary, from the airport. Since August Mary has been in India receiving medical treatment and spending time with one of their daughters. Laura, Fred, Lindah, Sharon and I piled into the pickup truck to meet Mary at the airport at midnight this past Sunday. It was beautiful to witness how (sleepy) excited the girls were to see their mom, and for Fred to see his love. It was such a special moment and blessing to meet Mary before we left.
Fred, Mary, Eva, Sharon, Lindah and Steven have a very special place in my heart.
Our Ministry
Fred is the pastor Awakening Healing Church in Kigali. In February the Rwandan government updated the building codes for churches resulting in the majority of the churches in the country being closed until they can meet the new regulations. Fred’s church has been closed for the past nine months, unable to meet at the church or even in homes of the congregation. We helped with the outside of the church, pulling weeds, planting grass and doing the sprinkler dance to TobyMac.
On days it was too rainy to plant, we went on prayer walks to cover the country, the government, young people and Rwandan churches in prayer.
We also had the blessing of being invited to the house our friend, Victor, to pray for his nine year old daughter, Esther. Earlier this year Esther and her twin brother were walking home from school when Esther was struck by a passing car. After being in a coma for six months, Esther is finally home from the hospital. Already surpassing expectations of her doctors, Esther is able to wave her hand in the air when her mom says “praise God,” and she is starting to talk again, too. In the sweetest little whisper, she says “I love you mama.”
The love and strength of that family is absolutely incredible and a huge testament to their faith in the Father.
Visiting the Genocide Memorial
In 1994 over one million Rwandans died in 100 days during a horrific genocide. I knew about the genocide before the Race and I thought I was prepared for the memorial, but it still broke my heart. They did a beautiful job of respecting those who died during the genocide and showed the incredible level of forgiveness and unity that the country has now.
Rwandan Love Language
Perhaps one of the most beautiful things about Rwanda, other than the beauty of the hills, the bright smiles, passionate worship, and giant avocados, is how cake is used to show love. You’re going to someone’s house as dinner guests? Bring cake. You’re celebrating someone coming home after a long absence? Buy cake. You’re sending off your World Race team? You get them cake.
And possibly the best thing about it is how you eat it. Cut in a grid. Eat with your hands. Get messy and thank Jesus for the ones around you.
I love this country. I love my Rwandan family.
