Hi folks. I want to say how much I appreciate your prayers and support here in Rwanda. It looks like there is progress being made with peace talks and the cease-fire agreement. I feel so badly for the Congolese civilians who have been forced to leave their homes. I read in an article today that 1 million people have left due to the violence.
I want to assure you that I feel very safe here. Rwanda has many soldiers on the border, and has a much bigger army than most other African countries. Although on a map it looks like Goma is close to Gitarama, it still is a 6 hour drive. There are reports of refugees fleeing to the Rwandan town of Gisenyi and some of you have been concerned about that. Let me assure you that it is safe. Hadidja our housekeeper is from Gisenyi, and she went there this weekend to get her identity card issued (like a driver's license, a formality here). She felt safe enough to go.
Living here has given me a different perspective. War is reality for many Africans. I have been talking with different African friends - Yohani, Gatera, Jean Paul, Dash - and they all just speak of war as part of life. "This is what life in Africa is like..." I am sure from an American perspective things seem really scary and a lot of of you feel helpless, like there is not much you can do, besides pray. Just be so thankful for the peace we have in America.
To stay updated, go to the BBC and Time websites. They seem to have more articles than CNN. I have also been putting relevent articles on my Facebook page, so you can check those out.
Prayer requests:
I want to assure you that I feel very safe here. Rwanda has many soldiers on the border, and has a much bigger army than most other African countries. Although on a map it looks like Goma is close to Gitarama, it still is a 6 hour drive. There are reports of refugees fleeing to the Rwandan town of Gisenyi and some of you have been concerned about that. Let me assure you that it is safe. Hadidja our housekeeper is from Gisenyi, and she went there this weekend to get her identity card issued (like a driver's license, a formality here). She felt safe enough to go.
Living here has given me a different perspective. War is reality for many Africans. I have been talking with different African friends - Yohani, Gatera, Jean Paul, Dash - and they all just speak of war as part of life. "This is what life in Africa is like..." I am sure from an American perspective things seem really scary and a lot of of you feel helpless, like there is not much you can do, besides pray. Just be so thankful for the peace we have in America.
To stay updated, go to the BBC and Time websites. They seem to have more articles than CNN. I have also been putting relevent articles on my Facebook page, so you can check those out.
Prayer requests:
- Pray for the safety of the civilians. I can imagine it is just chaos and mayhem with those many people roaming around with no food, water, and disease.
- Pray for General Nkunda, that he would want to end this rebellion.
- Pray for the countrys' leaders, that they would get divine direction about how best to handle this.
- Pray that the tensions between tribes (Tutsi and Hutu) would end and that all parties would see that all Africans are united and one people. This is a spiritual attack and demonic mindset.
- Pray for wisdom if we would need to act quickly if this war would worsen. I honestly am so torn about what to do, it breaks my heart.
- Pray for peace in Africa. I love so many people here and hate to see this violence and fear in their own homeland!
2 comments:
"Only God can change mind of all african who want to fight again!!!
Hopely I think that Afirca will become unite as Kadhafi wish."
Dash.
Matthew,
The internet is a wonderful thing! I came across your blog randomly awhile ago but now I see through facebook that we have some friend in Kigali in common. (David G is one of my favourite people). I just wanted to say hi and to encourage you. Reading some of your blog entries is like reading my own journal! You have seen that God is faithful, so remember that in your struggles with purpose and questions about your future. He is faithful and he knows. So easy to say, so hard to do!! May He continue to bless your time in Rwanda, and enjoy it. My heart aches to be back in those hills!
Laura
Post a Comment