Land of 1,000 Hills

Rwanda has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth... “The Land of a Thousand Hills” it’s called with every home, business, government building, shop is built on the side of one hill or another even in the capital city of Kigali.  It’s toasty, though, and rains keep it lush and green with beautiful foliage and trees all over.  The government, you may remember, has really done a pretty amazing job at putting their country back together after the genocide.  In addition to the strictly enforced laws of no labeling by tribe for each other, they’ve done a lot with the funding coming in from all over the world to develop their country.  For example, trash Day is EVERY Saturday where everyone is required to pick up trash in, on or around their place and street.  Even last Saturday the guys were late picking us up for the training because all of the government workers were required to go plant so many trees that morning.  Next Saturday even regular citizens are required to participate!  Can you imagine?  Of course, there is a downside, too, to this much government control.  They are making it more and more difficult for churches to register legally.  As a result, many pastors are wondering how and what to do.  Some are looking at simple church as a solution. The trainings went really well throughout the weekend.  It was a blast to have Dawson and John along from Kenya.  Not only are they very fun to be with, but they add so much to the discussions by sharing their own experiences and practical suggestions to the dynamics of African culture. One day we spent in town with about 20 men and women and the next two days we went out to church planter/trainer Justin’s place, about 30 minutes on the outskirts of town, where he can find rent to house his family a lot cheaper than in the city.  An interesting ride getting there and back both days.  The first day it was POURING rain and we had a matatu (public van) just for those of us around the city going out there.  Now the van was packed, I thought, with about 15 of us jammed tight with rain dripping onto the passengers smashed up against the windows, which I happened to be one of!  The next day was hysterical...I’m serious.  There were 21 of us packed into the van!!!  No rain, no leaks...but, there were 18 men and 3 women, plus one child, making 22.  The day before just me and the guys!  It wasn’t so bad either day til we got on the red dirt roads with deep ravines in the long, long stretches going either up or downhill on either side of the trip...to our place and to Justin’s place.  Only slight bruising and a new appreciation for deodorant and American’s love of space! Old Kigali mixed with new: Dawson, Justin, John, Roger