Cynics

It's so disheartening to deal with stupid things in America, especially over money, when there are millions of people barely able to eat.

Sure, it is, in part, because of corrupt leaders but are we to simply NOT attempt to help others help themselves because of past mistakes and errors? Also, the children are certainly not at fault and if we help educate, feed and clothe them, then perhaps they will do the same for someone else and we make the world a better place.

I like making money and taking care of my needs, but not at the expense of failing to do good for others. I wish I had more so  that I could do for others. I can't change the world, but I CAN change the world for ONE child.

Yesterday, my family doctor sort of scoffed at my mission trip. I like him, but I don't think he is a believer. He discouraged me from going to Rwanda and then when I got back, he made the comment after I showed him a picture of child with a mouth full of food that he believes in "teaching a man to fish."

That was a pretty cynical comment, don't you think? Of course, I believe in teaching a person to fish for himself, but some cannot...yet (or ever) so what do we do for them? Throwing money at a problem is not going to solve a problem. Yet, some people don't do ANYTHING (give money or service); all they give is lip-service that something should be done or "they" should take care of themselves.

How will we be "judged?" Did we care of the homeless, the widows, the orphans? Did we give someone a drink when he was thirsty? Did we speak the truth in grace when necessary? Did we stand up against bullies and for justice?

I hope it is not said of me that I could or should have done more. I hope that I do all that I can for as many as I can for as long as I can. Not for any personal accolades, but for the good of others and the glory of God.

Blessings.

Second day in Rwanda

Yesterday, we had church and went to church where 10,000 people were killed in genocide! Very sad, but helped with perspective.

I will share more late, but just got Internet connection and now must leave for mission projects.

Imana ibana nawa

In 24 hours, Rwanda-bound!

Okay, so I have no idea what to expect.

I have my clothes packed, passport, shots, medicine etc. but I have never flown in a plane so far. I have never flown across an ocean.

I have most definitely never been to Africa. What am I getting myself into?

Please pray for the team. More on this later. For now, I have to meet with staff and get them ready for the two weeks, I will be away. I'm nervous about the things that need to be done while I am gone.

Murabeho,

Mark

ONE WEEK AWAY!!!!

Okay, I'm heading to Rwanda in ONE week!!! I will leave one day after my 27th Anniversary. Then I will be gone for about 10 days.

I have had no problems with he anti-Malaria medicine. I have my sweat-preventive underwear, camera, passport and I have had all the shots. 

 I am getting excited now that I have gotten through the last few weeks of intense work. I was in Canada last weekend for a deposition and fortunately I had some time  to go to Niagara Falls later in the day.

I left Canada at 4:00 a.m on Sunday, and got home about noon. Then I had to get ready for two days of depositions in South Louisiana. While there, we had time to have dinner with our daughters and sons-in-law.

David  and Jessica Elston, Erica and Michael Rhodes (Michael had just returned from a short mission in China)

We got back to Shreveport Wednesday night and yesterday I was called out to oversee the investigation of a fatality accident in north central Louisiana. Today I have been catching up with several projects and making plans while I am gone.

Finally, some things have slowed down, but this weekend one of my daughters (Jessica) will come in town on her way to Boston, where my son-in-law, David,  starts seminary and, hopefully, she will begin teaching. Pray she gets a job soon. They will be taking our bed and couches (we also gave them a car while I took the old Explorer). My wife, Joan, is having a blast looking for new couches and a king size bed.

So now, I am about to head out to Rwanda in a week. Amazing! Before recently, I have only been to Mexico and now I have been to Canada and I am going to Rwanda. I wonder if I will have chances to go to other countries?

The following is a letter I sent to the young man we sponsor in Rwanda:

Bite Emmanuel:

 I am looking for meeting you and your family this summer when I am in Rwanda in July (Nyakanga). I will be coming with people from our urusengero, The Simple Church.

I know you are now icume n’ gatandatu, but you will be turning seventeen (icume n’karindwi) in August (kanama), correct? Tell me about school. Wiga mu wa kangaha? Ni irhe some ukunda cyane?

Let me tell you a little about me. I am almost mirongwitanu (50) and ndubatse to Joan. I have kabiri children, Jessica and Erica. They are married too.

　

Do you like (nkunda) the soccer uniform we sent you?

Ukunda umuziki umeze gute? I like rock , praise, jazz and bluegrass music. Have you ever heard bluegrass?

I will try to bring some bluegrass music from some friends who are about your age.

Imana ibane nawa,

I will let you know more while I am there. At least I hope I will make the time to blog about the mission.

Murabeho

Imana ibana nawa

Learning the language and practing balloon animals.

A few years ago, I learned some basic twist techniques so to make dogs, giraffes,snakes and flowers AND some wild hats

.

I am going to try and do a little more of that when we go to Rwanda, but I've forgotten some of the techniques and I really need to practice, but I've been pretty busy lately. I'll try.

I've also been trying to learn some basic words and phrases. For a while, I was really into it and learned quite a bite, but again...I've gotten really busy. I wish I had just a bit more relaxation to get ready. Not gonna happen. You have to be ready at all times for opportunities.

It's just like what is going with our church. Just about the time, you get comfortable with the way things are going...BAM! Big change.  No time to sit back and soak things in. I'm sure it's good, in fact, it's great! Yet, things really move fast.

Less than Three Weeks to Rwanda!!

I decided to go in February, raised money to go and now the trip is almost upon us.

There are about twelve people  from the Simple Church in Bossier City, Louisiana going to Africa New Life ministries in Rwanda. I look forward to meeting Emmanuel, the boy my wife and I have sponsored over this last year.

I have learned a few words in kinyarwanda and I hope I don't look too foolish sharing those words.

Let me share some brief background on Rwanda and Africa New Life.

In 1994, the swiftest genocide in history took place in Rwanda. More than 800,000 people were killed in just 90 days. The brutality is unfathomable to us today.

Hutu and Tutsi, Rwanda’s two most dominant ethnic groups at the time of the genocide, warred against each other. During Belgian colonization in the early 1900s, the minority Tutsis were given favor and considered superior to the majority Hutus. Hutu resentment built up. In 1959, more than 20,000 Tutsis were killed by angry Hutus. Thousands of Tutsis fled Rwanda and settled in neighboring countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Congo, Burundi.

In 1962, when Belgium pulled out of Rwanda, the Hutus took over the government. With the Hutus in power, the minority Tutsis were blamed for every problem and crisis in the country. Political tension increased.

Tutsi refugees—with support from some moderate Hutus—in Uganda formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) with an aim to overthrow the then-current President, Juvenal Habyarimana, a moderate Hutu, and return to their home country. President Habyarimana exploited the RPF’s threat. As a result, Tutsis still living in Rwanda were accused of being RPF collaborators and were mistreated.

In April 1994, President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down. No one knows who actually ordered the assassination. Regardless, the assassination was then blamed on the RPF and the killing spree began. Overnight, roadblocks were put up and thousands were armed with machetes, guns and clubs. Three months later, 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus had been slaughtered.

Between 250,000 and 500,000 women were raped during the 1994 genocide, which is believed to be the cause of the AIDS epidemic in Rwanda. Due to the genocide and the ensuing HIV/AIDS epidemic, more than 600,000 orphans lived in Rwanda by 2001.

Since the 1994 genocide, Rwanda is rebuilding itself. Many people involved in the genocide were tried and put to death or imprisoned. The educational system is strengthening. The economy is rapidly growing. There is growing reconciliation in Rwanda.

exists to break the cycle of poverty in Rwanda by providing education, spiritual insight and basic necessities to poor children and families. Since 2001, Africa New Life has shared the gospel using two hands: the hand of compassion—helping to meet basic needs and give hope for the future to those living in poverty in Rwanda—and the hand of evangelism—sharing the freedom and hope found in Christ.

Africa New Life