So here we are, packed (just about) and ready to go to the airport to catch our flights back to the UK.

This morning we thought we had a fairly clear day with time to pack and relax. Our hosts had other ideas!

We were taken to see a Peace-building, Health and Reconcilliation Programme that provides training for people to learn a new skill and begin to earn a living. They learn to make clothes as well as bags and crafts. The quality of the products is very good and the programme gives back dignity and self-worth to those who have struggled with life.

We then made a quick visit to two more parishes within the diocese. These are both in the very poorest areas amongst the slums of Kigali. The government has a policy of clearing these areas in order to build new and expensive houses and apartments in an attempt to make Kigali an 'attractive city' for investors and businesses. It simply pushes the slum areas further out into the rural areas around Kigali creating more problems for years to come.

Now some of the churches that served these poor areas are left isolated with new buildings going up around them and pressure from the government to 'smarten themselves up' or be re-possessed. We need to pray for the Lord to give his Church courage and guidance as they seek to stand firm in the face of pressure.

Yesterday we spent a few hours with Archbishop Rwaje and two senior staff to de-brief on our visit and discuss future possibilities for our partnership. It was a useful time and we can look to the Lord to confirm his plans for us.

We also visited another group of widows and mothers who were making baskets, bags and bead-work in the parish of  Kacyiru. It was all a very high standard and will be another source for our Ubushuti shop. We ended the day having dinner with Archbishop Rwaje and his wife Josephine and their son, Joshua. It was a good way to end our stay in Rwanda with good food, good company and lots of laughter.

So here we are, packed and ready to go to the airport to catch our flights back to the UK.

We thank the Lord for all he has done in and through us, and thank you for your prayers.

See you soon
G,H,A

On Saturday we got into Kigali for just after 9am. Our main aim was to buy one or two suitcases to be able to include the Ubushuti baskets in our luggage and so save separate shipping costs. Aware that we could spend lots of time going around different shops, we had prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide us. Just opposite where we parked was a bag shop and the lady offered us two large suitcases at a reasonable price. We thanked her and went to check out other options. As we left, she told our Rwandan guide that if we came back to her, she could let us have them for an even better price. Half an hour later we were back and bought the two cases from her. She was very pleased and so were we. She was a lot more competitative than others. Praise the Lord! Now all we have to do is clear customs when we land in the UK. We will have to pay some duty and tax on the baskets but it should not be very much. Please pray for safe and uncomplicated passage.

We did a bit more shopping for food and coffee and then relaxed in a coffee house. The afternoon was spent resting at our guest house and then we had an evening meal with a young American family who are working with the diocese here in Gasabo.

This morning we were up at the crack of dawn ready to be picked up at 7:15am to go across the city to the cathedral for the 8am English-speaking service. Grace was the preacher and looked splendid in her 'borrowed' surplice! She shared some thoughts and challenges from the story of the widow of Nain and received a clap from the congregation to show their appreciation.

After a cup of tea we had the Kinyarwandan service at which Andy spoke on what Jesus has done for us through his death and resurrection. Three hours later (no, not the length of Andy's talk, but the length of the service) we were on our way back to the guest house for lunch. This evening we are out with Pastor Eugene and his family. Tomorrw we have a meeting in the morning with Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje and Archdeacon Samuel to consider what developments there could be in our partnership. Please pray for a profitable meeting.

As the sun sets over Kigali, we are grateful to the Lord for bringing us this far during our time in Rwanda.

Thanks again to you for praying for us and reading these blogs. Two more days and then we'll be on our way back to UK.

G,H,A

Yesterday we went to the parish of Bumbogo (yes, that really is its name). We arrived in time for some breakfast of Rwandan tea and bread. Pastor Didace and his wife, Liberty, have been in the parish for 17 years. They have a home with very little furniture, yet they have generous hearts and prepared a very full lunch for us and the church leaders.

We enjoyed learning about the ministry and work of the different congregations and hearing about new congregations being planted.

From Bumbogo we travelled back to our Scripture Union guest house via a building site where another parish is building its church building. For some years the church has been renting a hall but is now taking a step of faith to have their own building.

After a couple of hours rest we dropped in to meet the leaders of Kacyiru parish which is in the part of Kigali where all the embassies are based. This parish has one of the few completed church buildings in the diocese, very different from the other places we have visited. It also has only one congregation of 418 people. They have regular ministry in the local prison, hospital and some work places. They are under pressure from the government to re-develop their site to make it more modern and fitting with the various embassies in the area. If they don't do it, then their land could be repossessed. They have already defended their site through prayer from another country who wanted to build their embassy there. So they face many challenges.

We finished the day with dinner at Canon Emmanuel's house. His wife, Gillian, cooked us a loveley meal and we enjoyed some stimulating conversation. Canon Emmanuel is the General Secretary for the Rwandan Bible Society.

Today we have had our day conference for church leaders in the diocese. Around 60 people came and appreciated the teaching they received. Andy led three sessions on the commission of Jesus to his Church and how we should respond to it.

Tomorrow we have a day off so we shall be going into Kigali in the morning to buy an extra suitcase to bring back the baskets we have bought for Ubushuti, and then resting / relaxing in the afternoon.

Have a good weekend.

G,H,A.

Today we visited two of our SAP linked parishes - Rutunga & Gasura. Here is our day in pictures.

Meeting the church leaders at Rutunga in their 'building'.

Grace and Heather enjoying Rwandan hospitality.

Whilst we ate, a gust of wind demolished the church building. Reconstruction required.

Pastor Damascene and his wife Claudine.

On to Gasura and an isolated church building.

A new house being built for Pastor Alfred and his wife Claudette - out of mud bricks and mud mortar.

Meeting the church leaders in their building.









Pastor Alfred and Claudette.

Last couple of days have been spent trying to ties up loose ends as far as our time at Byumba is concerned.

We have spent many hours checking and re-checking our procedures for ordering baskets and cards for Ubushuti. We went to see the Hannah Ministry group and they had a whole lot of baskets ready for us to buy to sell on in the UK. Having agreed the price and collected boxes for packing we discovered that the cost of postage was nearly as much as the baskets. As we have spare capacity in our luggage quota, we are aiming to bring the baskets back as our hold luggage. Please pray that this will work and so save us unnecessary expense.

Husband and wife team that help with the Hannah Ministry in Byumba

We've also bought a further 600 Byumba cards after much sorting out and coding. The sale of cards and baskets has stalled in the last year or two, so we hope to inject a bit of help and encouragement, as well as income, for these groups of widows.

Thsi afternoon, having settled our accounts, it was time to say farewell to our partners in Byumba and head south to Kigali. Our friendships have become very special and it is good to know that we can continue to be part of their work and ministry from a long way off.

Now we have moved down to Gasabo diocese and will be here until we fly out of Kigali on 25th. We will be visiting a number of parishes as well as running a one day conference for church leaders. Please pray for energy and enthusiasm as we are all tired but looking forward to meeting lots more people and learning about the work of the Lord here.

Thanks for reading.

G,H,A.

Today we visited Gakenke parish where another DT partnered water-harvesting project is nearly complete. On the way we enjoyed more breathtaking views.

As with Hunga parish, we discussed ways of making the water project benefit the church and the local community. Selling the water at a cheaper rate then other sellers benefits the local people whilst raising funds for evangelism and community work. This pattern has worked well at Nyabyondo parish where DT installed a water tank some years ago.

From Gakenke we travelled on to Kigarama parish where Pastor Peter is based. This is a SAP linked parish and we spent time with the parish leaders hearing about the work of various groups.

There are 2006 church members across eight congregations and 32 cell groups with 64 cell group leaders. Pastor Peter spends time with these leaders planning the Bible teaching programme that they will then teach their cell groups. Each congregation has three choirs - men, women and youth. The choirs are very important in helping with evangelism through their singing and their practical help.

At both Gakenke and Kigarama we enjoyed good Rwandan hospitality - ie food and drinks.

Tomorrow we have a day of finalising things for our Ubushuti on-line shop. We hope to pack and despatch a box or two of baskets to the UK as well as sort out a stack of Byumba cards to bring back. Please pray for clear thinking and good understanding across languages!

Thanks for reading.
G, H, A.

Today, Saturday, in pictures.

One of the many views on the road to Hunga parish.

Water-harvesting project at Hunga paid for by DT UK partner.

Church roof starting to become a reality at Ngarama parish with Pastor Charles and his leadership team.