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safe arrival and warm welcome

I’m incredibly grateful to God that the journey here was so straight forward – there were no significant delays, all connections were made, and both my bag and I made it safely. It’s really nice that Phocas (who I had dinner with a few weeks ago) has managed to come over for Christmas, and he met me at the airport with Syldio. I’m quickly learning what it is to be welcomed so warmly in an African way! Big smiles and hugs!

Syldio brought me to the Scripture Union office which also has some guest accommodation, where I’ll be staying for the next few days before the conference. Then I’ll join the regional staff for the conference. I’ve not been able to see very much of Kigali yet, but I can tell you it’s warm (25 degrees when we landed at 8:30) and hilly (yay!). The electric has just gone off, so I guess that’s my cue to sleep.

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As it happens, 10 minutes later a generator managed to get the power running again, but as I’d packed the laptop away I decided I might just head to bed. Woken this morning to a very sunny Kigali. One thing that lets you know you are somewhere different, even when your eyes are closed, is bird song. It sounds so different here, it’s hard not to have that inate sense of travelling excitement stirred, excited by what the day is going to hold.

The heating not working at home was, of course, fantastic preparation for being in Rwanda, in that the shower here does not seem to be working. So back to my stand up baths by the sink. It is nice being able to step out into warmth though. I’ve just enjoyed a breakfast of 2 finger rolls and – what I would call – fritered egg. I was so worried I was going to get fish for breakfast, I had another reason to praise God! :) Syldio will be here soon to collect me. I think we’re heading to the UGBR (IFES movement in Rwanda) office first, to meet the small staff team there (and hopefully get some internet connection), before hopefully meeting with Antoine this afternoon.

4 days to go

As preparations continue, I’ve been reflecting a little on one of the questions I’m expecting to ask people I have meetings with before the conference: what is so strategic about student ministry?

Why do so many people give up so much for the sake of the gospel, and for student ministry in particular? What is it that drives me in the work I do? Why will people be travelling so many miles to congregate in Kigali next week?

I’m convinced the answer is based on taking a long term view, and I hope to post more thoughts in the coming days.

In the meantime I’ve come across some notes from the talk Antoine Rutayisire gave at World Assembly, speaking poignantly on the base problem of sin.

“Sin leads to four levels of alienation: alienation from God, from self, from each other, and from nature/creation.”

“The cross of Christ is at the centre of reconciliation. And therefore, reconciliation for the Christian is a lifestyle, not an event.”

I still have very mixed feelings about the trip. I am on one hand very excited, and recognise what a privilege it is to be going to an event like this, in a country like Rwanda. On the other I am, in equal parts, both tired and anxious about all I need to do before I go. And it doesn’t help that the boiler is still not working in the house. I need to recognise God’s hand in the different ways he is teaching me things, and shaping me for the weeks to come. And I need to chill. I always do.