Bustin' with News! - March 2014 Edition

In This Issue:

·         First Steps in New Ministry

·         And Now a Word for Our Sponsors

·         A Growing Team

·         The Amazing Number Seven

·         What's New and Exciting?

·         Connecting Thru Prayer

First Steps on New Ministry Paths

Over the last few years, our lives have transitioned through many changes. After a 10-year ministry in Indonesia, we left in May 2011. That was followed by a year of Home Assignment in Canada, visiting many churches and individuals who support us. In August 2012 we pulled up stakes again and headed here to Rwanda. Once we were “settled”, we embarked on full-time language study of Kinyarwanda. And now, as we begin 2014, we are once again entering a new phase of our ministry.

For this year, our ministry will have twin thrusts. The first priority is to continue language study part-time. Kinyarwanda is a difficult language that takes much more than one year to learn well. We are grateful that CBM shares our belief in the many benefits this will have in our future ministry in Rwanda. It is hard work, but we remain committed to it. The plan is that we will continue to work on our language studies two days each week.

The second priority is to once again engage in “hands-on” ministry. This is going to look different for each of us. For Laura Lee, the primary focus is coordinating the administrative details for the Short Term Mission teams (STMs) that will be coming to Rwanda. You can’t imagine (or maybe you can) all the things that must be arranged before a team from Canada arrives. Much depends on good organization: effective ministry, safety, good cross-cultural experiences, meaningful relationships, and of course the basics of food and lodging. The good news is that this is right up Laura Lee’s alley with her organizational skills. The challenge is that there are many things to learn, especially given the fact that this is still a new country/culture for us. Thankfully André Sibomana (CBM National Field staff) has lots of experience and connections, and will be able to help her get up to speed over the course of this year.

My (Darrell’s) main focus for this year is to come alongside Pastor Nathan Ndyamiyemenshi who is the head of the Evangelism Dept. of the Rwandan Baptists (AEBR). This department, which in Canada we might call the “Evangelism and Discipleship Dept.”, is responsible for the spiritual oversight of the denomination: church planting, small groups, theological education, Sunday School, pastoral training, etc. I will also be involved to a limited degree in teaching and preaching this year. After all the time away from these types of ministries, it is thrilling for me to be “back in the saddle again.”

For us, one of the challenges this year will be obvious to many who have tried to do things “part-time”. They have a way of trying to become “full-time”! We will need to be careful to make sure the ministry doesn’t squeeze out the language learning and vice versa. But we feel up for the challenge. It is no accident that we are here now and we are convinced that God has us in this place at this time for his purposes. That’s exciting!

 

With Justin (the head of the AEBR Education Dept) and a school principal, scouting a possible STM site 

 Pottery-making at the annual AEBR youth Peace Camp, an STM taking place this year in August

Strategizing with Nathan, the head of the Evangelism Department 

Nathan and Andre leading a Pastors’ Training Workshop

 

 

And Now a Word From FOR Our Sponsors

We are pleased to report that we had a strong financial finish in 2013, due in part to the faithful giving of long-time supporters but also to a number of new partners who have begun supporting us this year. 2013 was the first year for us to have partner churches literally from one coast of Canada to the other! We are so grateful and humbled by the small and large donations given each month to support the ministry in which we are involved. God’s church is truly a wonderful, generous family! Did you know that, in the last two years, our support level has risen around 38%? (Now would be a good time to cheer!) This level of support sets our ministry up well as we look ahead to what God is going to be doing through us here in Rwanda in 2014.

Of course it needs also to be said that, due to the high cost of living in Rwanda (especially compared to Indonesia), there still remains a gap between our support and our ministry costs. It would be wonderful if we could narrow that gap even more in 2014. If that is something which you feel moved to help with, or have any other questions regarding the support of our ministry, you can contact Barb Keys bkeys@cbmin.org at the CBM office (7185 Millcreek Dr., Mississauga, ON, L5N 5R4) and she’ll be happy to assist you.

A Growing Team

We are thrilled that our CBM Rwanda team is going to be growing this year. In August, Jonathan and Janice Mills and their youngest son, Robert, will be moving to Kigali to begin ministry here with the AEBR. They are currently doing some travelling in Canada as they raise support and share the vision that God has given them for ministry in Rwanda. We are looking forward to welcoming them and lending a hand in helping them get settled.

 

Jonathan, Robert and Janice Mills

 

The Amazing Number Seven

We always enjoy receiving mail from friends and family. But we have discovered a bit of a problem that is sometimes keeping the mail from reaching us. Did you know that the way the numbers one and seven are written can determine if we receive our mail or not? While we write one ( 1 ) and seven ( 7 ) like this, Rwandans put more of an "overhang" on their ones and they cross their sevens. Because of this, our mail has at times ended up in the wrong PO Box, with the sevens being interpreted by the people in the Post Office as ones. So when you send us mail, it will be much more likely to reach us at BP 7479 if you cross your sevens. And now that you know about the amazing influence of the number seven...we hope to hear from you soon.

 

What’s New and Exciting?

We have appreciated the many people who have been concerned about my back problems and have been praying faithfully. Here is an update: After making slow but steady progress through November, the month of December was not good. For unknown reasons, it ended up regressing. Thankfully, at the beginning of January we were able to make some changes to my course of treatment that seems to have it moving in the right direction again.

Due to my back issues, our plans for 2014 needed to be adjusted. One of the changes is that we are going to be coming back to Canada for a 3-month home assignment. Darrell will be arriving at the end of April; Laura Lee and Caleb will be joining him a month later once Caleb is finished school. Many church visits are already confirmed in Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. We are excited for this opportunity to visit with many of you and share what God has been doing here in Rwanda. If you have any questions about our home assignment bookings, you can connect with Barb Keys bkeys@cbmin.org at the CBM office.

On the home front, December was a fun but busy month for Caleb. He was able to be part of a school theatre presentation, playing the role of a nervous, newly-wedded husband. Then, a couple of weeks later, he sang in the school choir’s Christmas concert, including a couple of great solo pieces.

 

A “dramatic” husband

 

We had an enjoyable Christmas. It was different, however, since it was the first one that Bronwyn was not with us. All part of this new stage of life, right? Bronwyn did a great job in her first semester at Crandall University, doing her best to adjust not only to university life, but to Canadian life as well.

At the end of January, Caleb celebrated his 15th birthday. He’s a far cry from the little 3½ year old who moved from Canada back in 2002! To celebrate, he had a “traditional” party with friends and a “non-traditional” Skype video with Bronwyn while he opened his gifts. Such are the unusual life experiences of a TCK (Third Culture Kid).

 

Turning 4 in Indonesia...

 

Turning 15 in Rwanda!

The Power Centre: Connecting Thru Prayer

PRAYERS ALREADY ANSWERED:

ÿ Bronwyn’s first semester at Crandall University went very well. Although it was not without stress, she was able to grow through it. And, with lots of texting and videoing via Skype, we were able to share in those ups and downs too!

ÿ We’re grateful that Darrell’s back is improving again after a rough December.

ÿ Our hearts are full of thanksgiving that our financial support in 2013 was the strongest we’ve experienced since joining CBM in 2002. Thank you to all who partnered with us in this way.

ONGOING PRAYER ITEMS:

ÿ Patience and perseverance are needed with language studies, and learning new ministry responsibilities.

ÿ There needs to be continued improvement with Darrell’s back, especially with the significant amount of travel that is necessary with the upcoming home assignment.

ÿ Pray for Bronwyn & Caleb as they work toward finishing another school year.

ÿ We are excited about our home assignment. Pray for all the details to come together, safety in all the travel, meaningful times together with many supporters, and times of refreshing with family and friends.

ÿ Remember the Mills family as they visit for the first time in mid-March, and then as they prepare to move to Kigali in August.