The Road to Hunga: Oh Taste and See!

"Guest" Post - The Rev Dr himself!!:

This past Sunday, we finally had the chance to visit and worship with our sister church here in Rwanda, Hunga Parish. 

Hunga church building - newly added front door and tower!

Our time with them was sweet and not long enough, partly owing to the transit, which is taxing to both time and body.

Hmmm, is it a road? Or maybe a foot path?

For obvious reasons, Mo got car sick. But experience
is a teacher and mommy was prepared!

Sometimes you have to share the road!

The road to our sister church, Hunga Parish, is not wide, straight, or smooth. It is something of a metaphor for the Christian life -- narrow, with many by-ways leading to destruction (sheer drops of a thousand feet), and one long, uphill climb concluding with a joyful reunion of song, dance, and feast. 

I'm sure the regular blogger will give her own perspective on these things, but I thought I'd share some thoughts on this very blessed day.

Many interested children wanting to catch a glimpse
of the newcomers.

They stepped out of the pastors house and were surrounded!

How delightful it was to emerge (much-beaten) from the truck to be welcomed by familiar faces rejoicing to come together again. It was such a joy to me to present my wife and children, whom I had enthusiastically promised to the Hunga congregation to bring someday. As we have heard repeatedly in Byumba, these are the first mzungu children anyone there has ever seen. 

Introductions

 After the anticipated Second Breakfast of tea, white bread, and hard-boiled egg (which I avoided, remembering our previous visit when I kept burping up egg for three hours), we processed into the church. While I have appreciated the times with other congregations, this place and these people felt so warmly familiar. To look out into the congregation and see faces I remember, and find names springing to mind, was like a homecoming.

The congregation

In the service were a number of choirs, but the first to sing was the choir of small children. One small voice began, rising steadily in strength, to be echoed by the others. It was a tiny girl, about the size of our second, singing out in praise to our God. The man next to me leaned over and said, "It's a song that says God is good, he's sweet like honey," and I could see on the faces that they meant it. I had to agree; I felt it. He is sweet like honey. What a God we have, who is above all nations yet brings together into one family all those who have received his mercy and forgiveness. As the little voice filled the place, echoed by her little brothers and sisters, I had to work to hold back the tears.

The children's choir dancing and singing

I've preached in Rwanda about ten times over several visits, but this was the first time I felt like I was actually joining God in what he was doing among the people. As I preached from Luke 4 on the temptations of Jesus, the Lord brought words to mind. How weighty came Jesus's words, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." In a place where bread can be hard to come by, how precious is the Word of the Lord. His Word is Life. "How sweet are your words to my taste, Lord, sweeter than honey in my mouth." Across the church, the people were silent and very focused while the translator gave each sentence. 

Pastor Jean dD, Rev Dr, translator, catechist

Hunga altered their normal routine of Holy Communion on the last weekend of the month in order to share it with us. This felt really significant to me. Rwandans like routine, order, and following the rules. They like team sports. To shift Communion for us meant they really wanted to have us be part of it. I shared the Table with Jean de Dieu, and each of us served the Bread.   

And when the time for dancing came, I didn't wait to be dragged up. I hopped up! I've been practicing. I had the rhythm down: stomp, stomp, stomp, leap. Arms out, hands curved up, rear-end out. Oh yeah! Jesus is alive! Hallelujah! 

The baby on her back was asleep...until the jumping
began (in heels, no less). The little one's eyes could
not have opened wider!

And then I was tired. Muscles... giving out. Breath... gone. But they were not tired. Will I fall over? I wondered. Finally, a kindly catechist saw my fatigue and took me by the hand to my seat. The joy of the Lord is our strength, but I'm pretty sure that means soul strength. (just a small glimpse below!)

Truly, it was the quickest four-hour service I've ever been part of (and our ladies did great, too!). It didn't even feel long. My Redeemer family, look out. 

Giving the Bibles and cards. In Rwanda,
it is tradition to take a photo when giving a gift.

Following the worship service, we enjoyed the simplest and best meal we've been served in Rwanda. On behalf of the Redeemer kids, the girls presented a full case of Kinyarwanda Bibles, along with the awesome cards from the church kids -- Thanks Brooke A. We talked and shared for another two hours before it was time to go.

Mmmm, what a gift!

To top off this time, so full of the sweetness of the Holy Spirit -- the Spirit of unity in the bond of peace -- our dear brothers and sisters presented us with a gift. Honey. Filling an emptied bottle of Communion wine, members of the parish had brought bits of their honey to contribute. 

Both Pastors and their famlies (their daughter,
Peace, is 1 year...and terrified of mzungu!)

New friends!

I wonder, Why is our Lord so good? Why does he do extravagant things like bless us with such gifts? Again and again he seems to say, "O taste and see that the Lord is good." 

on the road home...

Coram Deo - The Rev Dr (and Sweet Friend!) 

p.s. We leave for Gahini today and will be enjoying Akagera (the game park) tomorrow...praying we see elephants!