Hello to all from Togo!
In just a little over five weeks a two year old prayer and dream will become an answer and a reality: our trip to Rwanda. I wanted to write everyone and just share some of my thoughts about our trip.
It seems to me that this trip is about two things: intercession and research.
I believe God is calling us to do much more than just survey. The main purpose of our trip is to intercede on Rwanda’s behalf. In the name and by the blood of Jesus, let the darkness crumble and the light shine.
I am asking God to open up our hearts and our eyes to see this nation as he sees it, to weep as he has wept, and to use us to fight the spiritual battle on our knees. A prayer movement of the saints will precede a movement of repentance and faith among the people. Let us continue the prayer movement for this nation as we travel around and see for ourselves the cities, towns, villages, families and people of Rwanda!
I see our second goal as being to locate specific areas of the country where mission teams need to target and locate based on receptivity, lack of other current or potential mission efforts, priority in terms of urgency, and logistical capabilities. My assumption is that there is a need. Previous research reports have established that as well as common sense. However, I would like to come away from our trip with more specific targets of what kinds of teams need to be raised up, where do they need to locate and what types of ministries to they need to focus on.
I am praying that God will prepare our hearts and minds for what he wants to show us as well as for how he wants to use us.
I think one thing that will make this research trip different than previous research trips is the fact that many of us are fervently asking the Lord if this is the next place where he wants us to serve. We go to answer questions for ourselves as well as for others.
And of course, since we’ll be so close, we need to go see the gorillas:)
In preparation Christine and I have watched “Hotel Rwanda”, “Sometimes in April”, and the PBS special on Rwanda (I can’t remember the name but is contained dozens of interviews after the genocide). I am also trying to read as many books as possible to educate myself of the history of Rwanda from many different perspectives: African as well as western.
I have read these books and recommend them to everyone:
We wish to inform you… Philip Gourevitch
Shake hands with the devil. Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire
Rwanda Bradt travel guide
I am currently reading:
When victims become killers Mahmood Mamdani
Next in line are:
Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches? essays from several different authors. Edited by Rittner, Roth and Whitworth.
Season of Blood: A Rwandan Journey Fergal Keane
May God have mercy and bring healing light to Rwanda. He is able to do more than we ask or ‘imagine’!
I appreciate Dave and Jana for their pioneering spirit and willingness to go ahead and open the doors for others to follow. I also appreciate their offer to help our survey group with lodging and transportation. We look forward to being with you guys soon!
Murphy
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Hey Murphy (and Christine),
I had been wanting to know when you were going. I have been prating about going with you and Marty. I guess I waited a little too late. I will travel with you in prayer.
Pray that God will make clear to us what He would have us do next. Rwanda? Benin? Stateside ministry?
God bless you my brother and sister!
—-Greg
I am glad to see you looking into working in Rwanda and also that you will be able to greet Dave and Jana and their tribe for ma and for the congregation meeting in Richfield, MN.
You remain in our prayer for your safety, good health and finding joy in the work you are doing. The village churches remain in our prayer for growth, for relationships, for strenght to overcome and turn from past life and influence and to grow and become leaders and ministers.
May God continue to bless and keep each of you and your work.
rlc
Hi Murphy,
I want to encourage you as you prayerfully consider the good works that the Lord may have prepared for you to do in Rwanda. It is easy for me to imagine you living there. The climate is great! The place has a real beauty. One of my favorite Indian restaraunt from Kampala has just opened a branch there. You will be close to a strong network of wonderful missionary in East Africa. And of course you can go treking for the gorillas. And We enjoyed some really nice French pastries when we were in Kigali.
In 1994 I traveled with a friend from Nairobi to the Rwandan border. We visited the women in the refugee camps to see what we could do.
It was horrible!
The things that people did to each other is nothing but evil.
The country is still healing from what happened in ’94. It will take generations for the scares to go away.
I believe that real healing for the nation can only truly come through God. It is a Spiritual battle and has been a real place of darkness and a stronghold of Satan.
Murphy I pray that the Lord makes His direction for your family clear as to whether you should move to Rwanda.
I personally would love for you to be there! Once we get the 206 back in the air you would be less than two hours from here. It is so exciting!
I look forward to seeing you again.
Your friend and brother in Christ
Jeff
We’ll join you as intercessors…may God open your eyes to see if this is His path for your family.
-RV
Oh, Murphy, God’s blessing on you! I cannot imagine going into that country and trying to explain to people that God loves them after what happened there, to have to answer again and again the question “Where was God when this was happening”. I know it would be too much for my little brain and heart. I will be praying that the Holy Spirit gives you the right words and opens hearts to hear of God’s love and comfort, that God was right there with them hurting and grieving and mourning. Praise God for people like you who hear that call and just go.