Revival Meeting: Gahini, Rwanda

We woke at 4:30am and climbed wearily into the Land Rover and jiggle down the terribly bumpy road towards Rwanda in the dark. The bishop sat like a statue the front, next to the focused driver, and Kelly slouched on her backpack next to me feeling sick as a dog. The headlights danced over the potholes and valleys in the dark red dirt, and the silhouettes of trees and bush swept by in front of the massive dark blackish blue sky.

After 4 hours of driving, we arrived at the Tanzania/ Rwandan border...not more than a couple of small offices divided by a giant brown waterfall. We walked across the bridge through no man’s land and then booked ourselves onto a small bus to take us into Rwanda. We were heading to back to Gahini Diocese in Northwest Rwanda for a conference/ revival meeting for the 10th anniversary of the diocese. I was somewhat weary of the “revival meeting” due to their reputation of being unnecessarily emotional and featuring manipulative preachers, but I was curious nevertheless. The primary reason I was excited about going was to meet up with friends in a mission team from Washington DC from the Church of the Resurrection that I knew before hand. We arrived in Gahini after 10 hours of on the road. My stone washed shorts were a dirty red from all the dust, and I was quite fatigued. But after a shower and a short nap I was back to 100%.

Kelly and I were escorted to the conference’s preliminary formalities. They had built a huge covered stage since I had been there a month before, complete with a sound system and lights. Rows of white plastic chairs faced the hillside where hundreds of people sat and watched the proceedings. The introductions of all the foreign visitors took close to an hour: bishops from around Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania (Bp. Jackton), a team from Melbourne Australia, the team from Washington DC, a couple from England, and Kelly and I representing St. John’s from Philadelphia. I gave my greetings from St. John’s to around 1000 people and we all sat down in our plastic chairs.

Over the next two days, there were ongoing events taking place on the main stage, and various other events occurring at 3 other locations. Though it was an Anglican event, they had invited several non-denominational charismatic preachers to spice it up a bit and to lead the altar calls that seemed to happen every few hours. Some of the preachers seemed a bit hokey, and fake in their enthusiasm for a “revival”. But by and large most of the speakers were good.

Kelly and I were mixed into the Vacation Bible School teams from the other Western mission teams, and were sent out every morning to work with the kids in various locations. It was great singing songs, doing dramas, playing games, and telling stories. Then we would all meet back up for lunch and listen to more speakers through the afternoon and evening. Bp. Jackton did a seminar on marriage and Mark Booker (the pastor from DC) did an evangelistic message on living water. At one of the locations, there was a band that was playing and a choir from Tanzania was singing choruses. Almost like flash lightening, the whole field was spontaneously dancing...white kids and old African men with canes...choir members in flamboyant costumes dancing uninhibitedly with children...girls having dance offs...jumping up and down yelling “Hallelujah”. It was pure joy that bridged all cultural barriers, and for 20 minutes we were all united through the rhythm and the music and all dancing our hearts out like it was going out of style. It was what every dance party endeavors to be. It reminded me of the wild “Gypsy Parties” that I used to have with friends in college. It was definitely a highlight.

Then in the evenings a bus all the foreign guests pilled into two buses that drove us 20 minutes down the road to a local hotel where we all stayed the night. The DC group would have fellowship meetings, while I took a hot shower and went to bed early.

We left early Saturday morning, sad to be leaving the conference not yet finished and said goodbye to all our friends we had met. The 10 hour journey back wasn’t nearly as painful as the journey there, and we had plenty of time to reflect the wonderful few days we had in Gahini. I felt so refreshed after spending a few days with the DC group, and having many wonderful conversations with various individuals in the group (Greg, Mark, Lucy, Elyse, and John in particular). It was so encouraging to share, and I was very blessed by their joyful and uplifting group dynamic. It seems like every time I spend any amount of time with this group (in DC or in Africa) I walk away amazed at how blessed I’ve been and how easy it is to enjoy one another. They have an excitement about life, a sparkle in their eye and many easy laughs.

I preached this morning in a church that I learned was struggling with conflict and bitterness between themselves. I preached on the Prodigal Son and talked about how his journey is one that we also walk, and how the liturgy of Holy Communion is beautiful picture of homecoming to our Father and participating in a beautiful feast together celebrating the Father’s love for his children. I said some things that were somewhat challenging, but the only feedback was that the people liked what I said.

I will be continuing to visit parishes and preach at churches throughout this week. Please pray that I would have a heart to listen and to serve, and for continued strength grasp the opportunities the Lord has given me to do here.