Back to the USA

We arrived back in the USA on thursday with sadness in leaving those who became like family to us.  Now as our family gathers for Thanksgiving we remember with thanks those in Uganda who made a deep impression upon us.

There is Christopher, 8 year old son of Akello Grace who is the son of the 3rd in command to Joseph Kony (LRA leader).  He stole my heart as we explored the new land for CVI together (he was my GPS man), taught him baseball, sudoku, and saw his skill in drawing pictures grow.

There is Pastor Nelson who took us under his wing to love and pray for.  I believe his prayers were heard by God to open the way for Nick (our son-in-law) to land a great job at Children's Hospital in Boston.

And there are the dear staff at Child Voice, who labor tirelessly so that 30 mothers and their 38 children will someday go from the most vulnerable in the community to those who are leading the way in self sustainability and sharing the gospel of Christ's love.

I am amazed at some ongoing work of God from the Global Issues Internship in June.  Esther in  this picture is finishing up at Makare University and plans to do ministry with FOCUS next year.  Andrew (on left) is starting an Art School with street kids displaced from the north with the help of Amanda from Wellesley College, a student for InterVarsity who came on the Internship.

 May all have a wonderful time of giving Thanks this week

God Bless

tom

Visit to Kony's hometown and sacred rock

Joseph Kony has been responsible for millions being displaced, hundreds of thousands of deaths, and over 65,000 abductions of children transforming them into child soldiers.  For 20 years he kept the Ugandan army at bay and even now they still can not find him to force a peace agreement.

Where did this man come from?

The president of Child Voice International (Conrad Mandsager) and I journeyed to his home village today, Nov 13.  We passed the school which he attended and saw his home plot near some tall trees.  We traveled with a schoolmate of his, who is now the community leader, LC III.  

Kony lived here until 1986 and then began his rebel activities at age 35.  He was a normal cattle herder, but dabbled in witchcraft strongly which lead him to the rock mound we were hunting for.

This mound (200 high, 1000 ft by 500 ft) was one of his places of sacrifice and spiritual power.  The president of Uganda flew local pastors and the military into this place for pastors to pray and break the stronghold here.  After this event in 2006, Kony began to lose his hold and had to move to the Congo and DAR, where he is now.

Baby Thomas

Here is the little guy name after me, Thomas.  I have no claim to fame other than Nancy was with her when he was named, so the mother asked: "What is your husbands name?"  So it was Thomas.  He's a cute little guy.  I do pray for and wonder about his future.

Lukodi Massacre

On May 19, 2004 100 LRA rebels attacked the small village (1000 people) of Lukodi.  They believed that one rebel had been killed by the soldiers in Lukodi a few months before, so they came for revenge.  (Our friend Jackie (pictured and former child soldier) told us this story yesterday).  So in the battle, the soldiers ran away, the LRA surrounded the village and burnt down every hut.  Over 60 people were killed, with many burnt to death in their huts.  We were on sacred ground in the picture.  Many died horribly here.  But we also are in a place where the villagers now have their land back and are beginning to rebuild their lives and this village one again.     

James and Calvin (shown) both lost families in the raid.

Life back in Lukodi

We are winding down our fourth week here.  We will be happy to be home to NH but sad to leave this community of child mothers and the staff.

We have grown to love their humility, sacrifice and faith.  We also feel like we have served Child Voice well by advising the country director James Lomoro and also served the CVI interns by helping them through some rough transition periods.  God has used Nancy to minister to the women interns in deep ways.  When one comes and lives for 3-6 months in another land many personal issues surface as all of your patterns of normal life are stripped away.  These interns are very brave for moving out to a war zone, and living off of very little in mud hut for 4-6 months.

First Bible and Life Conference in Uganda was a success.

On Saturday November 8, 2008 65 staff, local pastors, and student leaders from six local universities spent the day pouring over the book of Luke, emphasizing the Lordship of Christ in our lives.

As I directed the weekend and two Ugandan FOCUS staff gave key talks on Following Christ and Growing to know Christ, we found that the material met two critical needs for Ugandan University students.

1.  Friendship in relationship to sharing their faith is virtually unknown.  We taught about the integrity and effectiveness of growing strong friendships and being natural in sharing your life in Christ with friends.

2. Students in Uganda are so strong in corporate worship and group activities but don't know how to cultivate a personal relationship with Christ.  Thus we also exposed these students to this helpful concept.

During the day, one student also became a follower of Christ for the first time.  He came unexpectedly (to the prompting of the Spirit) and told us all he would like to become a Christian at the end of the day.  So he did.

The two FOCUS training secretaries who attended are very interested in using the Bible study material in Bible and Life to forward their student training.

Bible & Life Level ONE coming up

Please set aside some time this week to ask God to bless the first Bible and Life training in Uganda in Lira this weekend (Nov 8).  I will be directing this Bible teaching in the gospel of Luke for the FOCUS staff and 40 student leaders from 6 plus campuses.  We hope this training will be replicated through Uganda in the following years to train students to grow in leadership and character and use of the Bible as their source of guidance and truth.

Presentation of book for Fort Patiko Library

On Sunday Nov 2, Nancy and I took a few of the CVI Interns up to Fort Patiko to visit this historic spot and for a Mid term mini-retreat to reflect upon what they are learning.

I had brought a book to present to the curator of the Fort, Into the Heart of the Nile, which tells of the history of this place and how Samuel Baker stopped the Arab Slave trade from moving south at this point in 1872.  Mr. Constant was very moved by our gift, as he has very little resources.

Income Generating Projects

I've also been learning much about IGP (Income Generating Projects) that many NGO's use to help the people to become self-sustaining.  Northern Uganda and Gulu especially are packed with so many Aid organizations that the people now expect a handout and look for people from the west to provide for them.  Child Voice is teaching these former Child Soldiers who are now mothers to bake, cater, and make cards which will sell in the west.  These project have setbacks in teaching about quality work for western standards but soon will be making a profit to support the girls at CVI.  They also work on the farm to produce their own food.  In working on these projects the girls also earn a small amount of money and learn to save for the future.

Tom meets the US Ambassador to Uganda, Stephen Browning

This last week has been a whirlwind of activities.

It would all be in the category of gaining information for our InterVarsity New England Global Issues Internship thru serving Child Voice International.  I represented Child Voice in meetings with the following groups:

Invisible Children, where US Ambassador to Uganda, Stephen Brownings (pictured) was the honored guest.  I hope to have him as a speaker to our group in June.

Gulu District Disaster Management Cooperative Meeting, where I learned about the resettlement process of the IDP campus.  At present 40% of the 700,000 are still in the camps, but 30% have moved back to their traditional homelands, with another 30% in transitional stages.

I also met with the local Land Management Office and the District Water Resource Office to learn about sanitation, land resettlement issues, and water resource management.

The work of FOCUS in Lira, Uganda

This is the FOCUS Uganda (InterVarsity Equivalent) in Lira, Uganda.  Michael Eluku (left) is the Training Secretary for the north.

The office is in an old metal container.

As I worked with Michael to plan the Bible & Life Level I conference on Nov 8 I learned some amazing stories about how the ministry of FOCUS is literally changing the country and the church in the area.

Almost every pastor in this city was a student at the University involved in FOCUS.  Focus trained them in Bible Study and leadership and they would not be pastors without the influence of the campus ministry.

In a place where seminary training is too expensive and time consuming, to be trained in there undergraduate work is crucial.

As we visited a campus (Uganda Technical) in town and met with the administration, FOCUS is clearly honored by all.  It also provides a critical place of unity training as students from radically different Christian backgrounds:  pentecostal and Anglican come together in worship and outreach on campus.

Brinks make the move to the north: GULU

This past Saturday was the GULU WALK, all over the western world people set up walks to awaken many to the issues in northern Uganda and the children who had to walk to town each night prior to the war cease fire for safety.

We arrived on Monday to Gulu and then on to Lukodi where we are staying with 30 child mothers, their 60 kids and various staff and american interns who run the center.

We live in a mud hut next to an IDP (internally displaced People Camp).

I was talking with a young boy yesterday who lived in Lukodi and went to school here and had to rush into Gulu right before the town was burnt down by the rebels and 60 people killed.  He now goes to school here once again.  His father is a teacher here.

We do get electricity via generator from 7-9pm

Nancy is caring for the Interns and helping them to do their jobs, like nutritian assessments, income generating activities and the clinic.

I go into town most days and work in the Child Voice office advising the Ugandan Director James.

Pray that we will have wisdom as each day there are significant issues that arise with the girls of the center.  ie. One child mother was expelled last week for biting another girl three times.  They have lived like animals in the bush and even to see how far they have come is truly due to God's grace.

The Source of the Nile: Jinja

On a fun note:  We finally put to rest the question of the source of the river Nile.

Nancy points to it as the river comes out of Lake Victoria in Jinja.

Love to all

tom

Brinks move on to Nansana with Come Lets Dance

After the Focus conference, last weekend we moved in the White House with Come Lets Dance (the young NGO we worked with in Kampala)

We were grateful to see the CLD regulars of Shane, Jeremy, Julie and Nicole, as well as our Ugandan friends.  They are dealing with the grief of loosing their dear Rachael, but God's hand is upon them.

Solomon is still faith at the sewing ministry.  James the Man helped me buy a bike for a leader in an IDP camp up north.

We also got to go to Katanga slum again and check on our charcoal business micro-finance loan the Internship invested in last summer.  We gave JAJA Anne (upper right) a loan of 85,000 schillings or $50 to buy a bag of charcoal, selling point and storage.

It took 4 months of hard work of working long hours, saving but she is making the last payment for the loan and now is on her own in the business.  Praise the Lord.  Now we are investing in another personal business with that money.  This was the first micro-finance CLD had done in the slum and now Jeremy is doing this with numerous people.

Uganda travels with Tom and Nancy

We had asked to see God at work each day and this first week in Uganda has been incredible in that aspect.

We arrived to attend a FOCUS Uganda conference for over 200 university Christian student leader from all over Uganda.  We were reunited with our Global Issues Internship partners:  Peter and Andrew, Vincent, Michael and Uncle Sam.

We have been traveling with Uncle Sam (FOCUS training secretary- second from left) visiting Kampala campuses to see what God is doing.  Did you know that on Ugandan campuses Christian Unions compose 10-30% of the student body?  One campus we visited on Thursday has a CU of 300 out of 800 students.

We got to spend an afternoon with Esther and Christian, who were Ugandan students on the Global Internship.  Because of the summer mission they are now both planning to serve with FOCUS next year in campus ministry as STEM (Short Term Experience in Ministry) for graduates.

We have seen Peter a few times and spoke with Saul and Rogis over the phone (other FOCUS student)  They are well.

At the FOCUS conference, we met a couple from south Boston who work with FOCUS Uganda in caring for staff, John and Cindy Norton.  They are part of a "finishers" program through CBA which places retired couples with missions opts.

Campus Integration

Marie from BU

Hmm, a few things I'm integrating in my life back here.....

The more I am taking time to step back and think, the more I am realizing my life has...dramatically changed.  Of course, there are the little things...like how I'm  still barely turning the knob on the faucet when I wash my hands so I can save water, only using a few sheets of toilet paper and how I've only been clothes shopping once since I returned.

But these little actions are just a trickling of what really changed - God grew my heart for people in poverty more than I could ever have hoped for.  I am beginning to understand what it means to have a heart for injustice.  I am looking onto my campus with a new pair of eyes - eyes that are popping out of my head when I see how people need God just as badly as people needed God in uganda.

Marie :)

Campus News

Before leaving for Uganda on Oct 9, I've had the privilege of at least visiting a few campuses and hearing what our dreams are for our campuses and our futures as a result of the Internship.

Here are some recent posts from your partners:

Teresa of UMaine

I'm hoping to set up a table to sell coffee at a few morning classes and taking the profit to buy a stethoscope(s) for the CVI clinic.  Hopefully the coffee will be fair trade and people will pay whatever they normally pay for their morning coffee!

Meredith at Brown University

Back at Brown..I have joined the Uganda Action Movement group on campus (as the 6th member( and am hoping to infuse some new life to it.  I'm planning to create a photo gallery that can be installed at Brown Hillel in November which has a space that rotates.  The president of the group works there and has some connections.  Along with the gallery, I might potentially sell some of the bead necklaces made by the women at Come Lets Dance.

I'm also looking into doing a shoe drive for black shoes that I can give to CLD when I study abroad in Uganda and Rwanda next semester (God willing- I haven't' been accepted yet).

I am also dreaming big and looking into the possibility of Betty Bigombe speaking and Brown.  But that's just a thought I had last week, so we'll see.

Ken at MIT

As far as bringing Uganda back to campus, the beer bottle collection didn't really pan out.  We tried it for a little bit but found that nobody was really motivated enough to make it sustainable.  I realized that I could do it, but that kinda defeats the point of trying to get others involved.  Instead, I think the biggest way I'm bringing it back is through my fellowship.  I'm on the exec team for it, and we've been focusing a lot on this idea of a bigger gospel - how Jesus calls us to actually go out and advance the kingdom, as opposed to a one time decision of accepting Christ.  We're still kinda in process of forming that foundation, but we hope to begin talking about broader applications, such as missions work, social justice, racial reconciliation, and the like.  Maybe the biggest change though has come through evangelism.  Continuing this idea of a bigger gospel, we've been trying to take more of an approach of "oh, you're really passionate about women's rights? (or whatever)  So is Jesus"  (that was a gross over-simplification, but the idea is everyone is doing something that advances the kingdom, we just need to show them that.)  It's sparked some very interesting conversations, and looks like it got a seeker committed to coming to a Bible Study and Large Groups.

Fall Campus integration of Global Issues Internship

Kancamagus Child Voice Ride

Greetings NEGII crew

Here's Charles just before taking off for 63 grueling miles for our Kancamagus Child Voice Ride on Sept 12.

We rose 2400 ft in 10 miles and then decended 2800 ft in 22 miles.  On the return, the last 4 miles we climbed constantly and arrived at the top of the notch to rain and 50 degrees.  Therefore the trip down was very tough for the last 10 miles.

As I road I kept thinking, for children like Charles, they had to carry equipment and guns for this far on foot in the rain and suffer for an evil cause.  We were allowed to suffer to help others.  In all Child Voice raised $8000 through our 11 riders.  Wow!

Nancy and I leave on Oct 9 for 6 weeks.

I hope to use this blog to update you all to our travels with Come Lets Dance, FOCUS and Child Voice.  So tune in once a week to see photos of these places and friends.

Tom

Final Words from the Directors

Greetings to all

I know I speak for my Co-Director Tom Sharp when I reflect upon the virtues of this year's New England Global Issues Internship.

First of all, we had a exceptional group of IV Staff and New England Students on this trip.  To travel with the daily challenges without a complaint is close to miraculous.  Joy and hope were hallmarks of the team.

We feel that each of our objectives were accomplished in exceptional ways in the past 5 weeks.  Our goal was to expose our students to Global Issues of our day with academic "heavy weights" speaking to us and by experiential opportunities to learn on the ground in Africa.  Throughout our five weeks together we heard from worldwide experts such as, Betty Begumbe, Lamin Sanneh, and Antoine (Chair of Rwandan reconciliation commission), and many other national leaders.  

At the same time we traveled to the slums of Kampala, IDP camps of northern Uganda, and the center of the Rwandan genocide.   We interviewed and worked alongside of former child-soldiers, survivors of the Rwandan genocide, former HIV AIDS carriers, and street kids in Kampala.

Being in the middle of such pain and suffering was debilitating at times but in each case the common theme was hope in the middle of suffering.  The character of the God we knew, expanded each day,as we saw resurrected Christ being the only Hope to pain and suffering and reconciliation and forgiveness in the world.

We learned much from our partnerships with local NGO's (Child Voice International and Come Let's Dance) and FOCUS Uganda (the Student ministry on college campuses).

Thanks to all who followed our journey and for the power and encouragement of your prayers and interest.

God Bless

Tom Brink (for Tom Sharp)  Director

What We Learned

Dear friends,

For the very final post, I asked NEGII team members to write a brief reflection describing what they learned, where they saw God, or what struck them most from our month together. I hope you will be as moved as I was by what they had to say!

Many thanks,
Sarah

Greg: On this trip, I learned about the importance of community in discovering and releasing our gifts and calling. I also learned about the importance of going into missions with nothing to bring except myself and Jesus. We’re often tempted to take something with us, like money or resources or expertise, but often what Jesus asks is that we bring nothing with us except the power and love of God. Then, when we interact with people, we see his power, and those whose lives we touch meet Jesus, not us.

Danielle: This trip has been amazing. I have experienced so many new and eye opening things. God has shown himself to me again and again and in many places I did not expect. I am so happy to have learned from the people around me and I can’t wait to share. It will be sad to leave this beautiful place but it will be great to spread this love to my friends and family whom I have missed dearly.

Abby: I know it would be pretty cliché to say that this trip has changed my life, but to be honest, there wouldn’t be any other way to describe it. God has revealed his calling for me on this trip: to love on people. This trip has been my beginning of God’s mission for my life, and there is no other mission I’d rather be fulfilling. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible.



Becky: On this trip I have learned more about life then I have in the last 19 years of my life. This trip has opened my eyes to the reality of the world. I have spent the last month conversing, listening, and learning about the suffering in the world. I have seen God’s presence and His work in situations even I thought there was no hope for. This trip has allowed me to witness God’s power and the future He has for His people.


Amanda: During my journey throughout this beautiful and rich land called Africa, God has made clear the impact Christian community makes when it models His heart for mankind. Christ has left us with an incredible responsibility to care for the underprivileged and I have hope that by facilitating peace, reconciliation and sustainability in individuals and in nations holistic healing is achieved. God has used my time in Uganda to challenge me to be an instrument of His peace, an advocate of His justice and a vessel of His love.

Teresa: Ugandans are a people who have witnessed more destruction and have more reason to despair than much of the world. To realize that these same people have a seemingly reckless hope in Christ is more than surprising – it is disarming. I have been truly disarmed by these beautiful people and by their trust that needs no material thing to assure them. I have been so blessed to serve them as a nurse, to learn from them, and simply to walk among them.

Maghan: Psalms 33:3-4 says, “For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.” I believe this, and I now believe this unfailing love of the Lord fills Uganda and Rwanda. In the midst of all the pain, suffering, sickness and injustice, I have seen the love of God, maybe more here then any other place I have been.

Miranda: I’ve seen a spectrum of people in Uganda—the kids in the slums to the leaders of NGOs. Jesus is the answer for all these people in every aspect in their lives. Only He has the power to heal the neglect, malnutrition, and alcoholism in the slums and provide guidance to leaders in how to bring reconciliation to Uganda.


Tatiana: I have had such a fantastic time here in Uganda and Rwanda. God has reworked my conception of what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ through the hope of the folks I’ve encountered here. The people working in the NGOs and the children they serve have shown me facets of Christ’s character I have never experienced. Lovelovelove!



Marie: Where is your hope based? So many global problems in one place can easily seem overwhelming; contrary to my ‘typical’ American response, money and organizations are only a temporary solution to a deeper problem. Money will run out, and outside organizations cannot provide everything for everybody. Thankfully, I’ve realized the eternal hope in Jesus.



Tracy: Uganda for me marks the beginning of a journey towards complete reconciliation, reconciliation of myself to God, myself to others, people to other people and people to God. I learned much more about how God will form my future and even though I do not quite understand it all, I am excited. From working with abandoned street kids and AIDS/HIV orphans as well as ex-child soldiers, God showed me his role as a Father. In this he also challenged me to model his example, as well as the many examples I have of parenthood I have in my life. I am beginning to realize that my testimony is essential to bringing reconciliation through Jesus to families.

Meredith: This journey has challenged me in so many ways. I am coming home with a far greater understanding of Christ’s heart for Uganda and for his children. My world has been stretched! I want to thank everyone who has followed, supported, and prayed for this group. May the wonders of the Lord be revealed to you as they have to all of us this month, and may His grace shine upon you. Love and Blessings!


Ken: God has been teaching me a lot about security on this trip, and how much we tend to value it back in the States. Whether it’s the way we spend our money and time, the way we relate to others, the way we share the Gospel, or even the way we try to limit God, we put so much value in being secure and in control. This trip has really shown me how much of an idol that has become in my comfortable American life – not that security is inherently bad, but it can easily become a hindrance to doing God’s work. I have been learning about boldly stepping out in faith and meeting God in what, by human power and logic, is “impossible.” I am so grateful for the countless ways God has been speaking to my heart this trip. Thanks again to everyone at home for your support.

Kelly: The underlying theme of the many lessons I have learned on this trip is reconciliation. First I had to reconcile my relationship with God. I have always struggled with the idea of a loving God coexisting with Evil. On this trip God has revealed to me that He doesn’t just coexist with suffering but that He is in suffering. Jesus embodied suffering so that humanity can be genuinely reconciled with one another and to our Creator.

Tina: In the love I’ve experienced through the street kids, the passion and faith of former child soldiers in the IDP camps, and the reconciliation witnessed between Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda I have heard His gentle yet strong voice saying, “See. This is who I am.” And in Him, I put my hope and trust…





Yeona: This past month in Africa has been an adventure, and it’s been a blessing to take part in this God-ordained experience. I’ve learned so much from the local Ugandans and Rwandans—the faith with which Ugandans trust in the healing and transformational power of our God and the humility with which Rwandans have taken the wounds of their genocide to the foot of the cross have led to an expansion of my picture of Jesus. …and the sky here is beautiful. I will always cherish the moments of uncontained worship under the bright African stars.

Sarah S: Every time I experience trips like this one, I am struck by the dignity of the poor: their compassion for their community, their perseverance, and their ability to retain faith and humanity in the midst of intense suffering. I have so much respect for the people and the NGO’s we’ve encountered and am convinced more than ever that while the privileged have a clear role to play in fighting injustice, true and full justice will not come until the poor too rise up and reflect the image of God as defender, protector, and hope.

Katie: Despite the injustice in the slums of Kampala, the darkness in the lands of Northern Uganda, and the tension and fear in Rwanda – God has shown me again and again that He is able. The day of justice will come and His river of life will flow to all the lands and bring healing to the nations. There is hope for East Africa and that hope is found in God.




Sarah CJ (your friendly blogger): To return to Uganda after six years, to meet God again in this place, and to share it all with Greg was an incredible gift. What struck me more than anything on the project was the unique discipleship crucible that resulted from our partnership with FOCUS. I may have learned more on this trip about American "missions" culture, servant leadership, cross-cultural partnership, the power of God, and the relevance of the Gospel to a broken world than in all my previous years of ministry. Thank you, FOCUS!

The Final Week

Dear friends,

Today I am writing from my couch in Providence, RI—we are home safe and sound after another long but remarkably glitch-free travel day. The team parted ways gradually over the last 48 hours or so. Tati stayed in Kampala to begin another adventure, and Tracy and Marie left the group in London. Some of us traveled from JFK by car; others of us waited (and waited and waited, in some cases—I hope you are home by now, Mere!) for connecting flights. Thank you so much for your prayers for safe travels!

I never did get to write about Kigali before I left, so I wanted to fill you in on our last major adventure. As I mentioned before, we drove from Kampala, Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda for the weekend. (Any Ugandans reading this, it's okay to laugh!) The travel was much longer than anticipated—almost twice as long, in fact. We were hoping to make it in 8 hours, but it ended up taking more like 14. Somewhere along the way our faithful blue bus was dubbed "Eternity" by the group. ☺

The drive was absolutely breathtaking, however. Rwanda is known as "The Land of a Thousand Hills" and I'm sure we saw at least several hundred of them. We drove past brilliant green tea fields with huge "hills" (to a New Englander: mountains) cropping up out of nowhere on all sides, every one of which was cultivated patchwork-style to the very top. Here are some pictures of the drive:

Once in Kigali, we engaged in a jam-packed weekend of learning that reminded me in some ways of the Institute at the beginning of the project. From some previous travel and experience in Rwanda, I tried to line up a series of experiences that would help us understand Rwanda's history—in particular, the bloody genocide of 1994—and the remarkable ways that God is at work today bringing reconciliation between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups.

Because of the short amount of time we had, the schedule was extremely tight. After 14 hours on the bus, I was sure that our Saturday evening program—a 6pm survivor story at the Genocide Museum—was toast. It was already a little past 7pm when we pulled into the parking lot, but we decided to try it anyway. And what we became fond of saying was that God provided us with a time change. It was an hour earlier in Kigali and we were right on time! Amazing.

The story we heard was heart-wrenching and painful, but helped us to ease into the reality of a post-genocidal society in a personal, tangible way. What became a theme for us throughout the weekend, and a helpful framework for thinking about our entire project, was the reality of suffering and pain (the "groanings" mentioned in Romans 8) punctuated with very real flashes of hope. When this young man was asked whether the nation had turned away from God after learning that several Catholic churches were complicit in the genocide, he described his own journey back to faith in recent years. He told us he came to a realization that though people and institutions in Rwanda had failed miserably, God never did. Through it all, God had been faithful. That kind of faith—a deep conviction of the goodness of God in the face of unimaginable suffering—was challenging to all of us and stayed with us long after we parted ways.

The following day, the miraculous provision of a taxi out of thin air when "Eternity" broke down meant that we were still able to visit the Genocide Museum as planned. We walked through exhibits detailing the various factors that led up to the genocide, the horror of those 90 days in 1994, the impotence of the international response, and what life in Rwanda has been like since. A mass grave outside (pictured below) provides space to mourn and remember loved ones, though only a fraction of the remains buried there were ever identified:


Needless to say, it was a heavy afternoon. Many of us left the museum with more questions than we had when we entered. Some of us wondered how we would ever find God in this place...

...and then we met with Antoine.

Antoine Rutayisire is the National Director of AEE/Rwanda (African Evangelistic Enterprises) and pastors an Anglican church in Kigali. He is also a genocide survivor and serves as the Vice-Chair of Rwanda's National Unity and Reconciliation Commission. As a college student, I worked with Antoine in 2000 and remembered his deep heart for reconciliation and contagious passion for Christ. I figured he would be the perfect person to speak to us about healing and reconciliation in Rwanda—but I had no idea just HOW perfect. Antoine was just exactly the person we needed to hear from. Our time with him was the highlight of the weekend and, for many of us, a highlight of the entire project.

He spoke to us about healing, about genuine repentance and forgiveness leading to lasting reconciliation, about the hope he sees for Rwanda's future, about forgiveness in his own life, about the cross of Jesus being the one place where both pain AND sin (from Isaiah 53: "sorrows" and "iniquities") meet and are lifted. I could never hope to do his words justice in this space, but suffice it to say that we were on holy ground that afternoon. We were deeply inspired, challenged, moved, and more aware of God's power and the reality of Ephesians 2 reconciliation than perhaps ever before. It was an incredible afternoon. We thank God for Antoine and for his ministry to the nation of Rwanda—and to us that afternoon.

From Rwanda, we traveled back to Uganda and spent the final three days of the project at a charming little place called "Banana Village" in Entebbe. We enjoyed hot showers (!), flush toilets, and a slightly slower pace as we debriefed together and prepared for reentry to the US. Here are a couple of shots from Banana Village:


One of the most exciting parts of this project is that reaching the US does not mean the end of NEGII. In many ways, this is just the beginning! Students were asked to come on the project with the expectation that they would bring what they learned back to campus in tangible, practical ways. We believe that there are many things we learned in Uganda—about God, about His people, about His purposes in the world—that our fellowships and campuses desperately need. And we also believe that there are resources on American campuses that could be leveraged and released to bless our brothers and sisters in Uganda. So part of our time together in Entebbe was used to brainstorm practical ways to serve as bridges between these two cultures for the mutual benefit of everyone involved. It was exciting to watch students dream and ask God how to use them in this process. Please pray for them as they bring these ideas and dreams back to campus!

I can hardly believe I've reached the end of our adventure and the final chapter of my journalism! It has been a pleasure keeping you updated—thank you so much for reading, praying, and walking with us. For my last and final post, I want to let the team tell you more about their individual experiences so do stay tuned for that!

Thanks again,
Sarah