Africa

Rwanda

Rwanda has made international headlines with its severe ethnic divisions and rivalry.  Even before the country’s independence from Belgium in 1962, the Hutu and Tutsi groups had been battling for political and economic control.  The genocide that erupted in 1994 as part of the ongoing civil war resulted in at least 500,000 deaths.  Many people fled the country during the war; after only a few months it was estimated that one-fourth of the prewar population had either died or fled the country.  The conflict and mass emigration spawned civil wars in neighboring Congo and Burundi, as well. 

After years of attempting to form a church building partnership in Rwanda, it is thrilling to see it becoming a reality, with one of the first churches built near the Congo border.  We know that Christ alone offers hope and lasting peace for the people of this nation.  The churches will be used for spiritual growth as well as humanitarian efforts and community building programs.