Stories from Jonathan

shared by Jonathan Heidengren

Our trip to Rwanda has been amazing, but it’s also been difficult. It has been hard because there has been a lot of time on buses while we travel from place to place. On the bus trips I have had lots of time to think about the people I miss back in the US and I become homesick and want to go back to Greensboro. However, the amazing times we have had with the people of Cyangugu and Karangazi have filled me with so much joy and then I don’t want to leave. I have made new friends and met brothers and sisters in Christ who have welcomed me into their homes and treated me like family.

This trip has been a new experience for me because the reason we have come is just to be with the people. It is not to accomplish some project or lead VBS or build something, but just to visit with the people. Bishop Alexis (Gahini diocese) shared with us that the people feel so loved that their brothers and sisters from America have travelled so far to be with them. At each church, they usually try to lead us to seats near the front that have been reserved for us, but Tripp always asks if we can sit with the people. As we come to sit with them, their faces light up with joy and we are welcomed into their midst as family.

My three highlights of the trip have been building relationships with three different people. The first is Bonnie, Bishop Nathan’s right hand man in Cyangugu. We are about the same age and are kindred spirits and I so enjoyed talking, laughing, singing, and getting to spend time with him.

The second is Asa, a young boy who I met at a church service in Karangazi. We spent the whole morning service together and I bonded with him as he sat on my lap and as we worshipped God together.

The third is Timothy, the young boy I sponsor through Compassion International. It was such a joy to meet him and get to know him a little bit. But we really bonded over the game of fútbol. We talked about our favorite players and teams and then we got to kick around the fútbol that I gave him. Later that afternoon we got to play a game of fútbol with the other sponsored children and their interpreters and we had a blast playing together! All three of them treated me as their brother and welcomed me into their lives with joy and love.

I am so grateful for this experience to meet my brothers and sisters through Christ in Rwanda and to celebrate God’s goodness with new family! And while I am very excited to come home and be with my family in Greensboro, I will not forget my brothers and sisters in Rwanda! I hope that I will have the opportunity to return and when I do I will celebrate being reunited with family!

Update 1

Greetings from Rwanda! All is well here as we are enjoying the incredible scenery and beautiful people who call this country home. We have been on the go since we landed in Kigali last Saturday (Or was it Friday? The whole time change thing is confusing). We have been many places and have made many new friends. In Kigali we were able to visit the Genocide Museum and Hotel Rwanda which gave us a better understanding of this country’s devastating past. From Kigali we left for Cyangugu where we were able to see the vibrant Christianity that is alive in the churches there. We had the privilege of witnessing many different savings groups started by Hope International, as well as many bible studies that are using International Cooperating Ministries’ Mini Bible College curriculum. The majority of churches we visited were founded by ICM—the members took great ownership and pride in their church. The other day we made the long trek from Cyangugu to Gahini where we are right now (I believe it was about 10 hours of driving). Here we are spending time with our sister church in Karangazi who we worshipped with this morning. It was an energetic service full of rejoicing and praise to our Lord.

Something that has stood out to each of us on this team is Rwandans’ generous hospitality. We have been welcomed so graciously every place we have gone with singing, dancing, and embracing. The people here are so quick to offer a smile and warm greeting. Our team has experienced the love of Christ through the underserved love the people have shown us here. It has been a blessing to see the unity Christ brings to his body while maintaining its diversity—every tribe, tongue, and nation shall glorify the Lord.

A quick example of this beautiful unity occurred last week while at an ICM church building site. My team was able to work alongside church members who are volunteering their time to construct their church. As we worked on moving dirt for the foundation we learned a song in Kinyarwanda and sang together. After our time at the building site concluded we hopped into our bus and went to a building where the congregation meets while their church is being constructed. Somehow our friends had beat us to the church and were waiting outside for us singing. We joined them in song and dance then they led us into the room where they meet. They proceeded to perform a ceremonial foot-washing, wiping us down from head to toe with colorful fabric. This was one of my favorite moments here thus far. My heart swelled as the Spirit’s presence united me with my brothers and sisters. That day we worked side by side and praised God side by side. Our love for one another was tangible in that moment. I hope to remember this all of my days.

I hope all is well in the States. We look forward to encouraging you with the stories we have shared in here when we see you face to face.

Kait, for the Rwanda Team