PRAISE GOD for much progress and encouragement! In recent years there has been so much growth in the parishes of Kigeme Diocese in the south-west of Rwanda that the region is to be divided up to create a new Diocese of Nyaruguru. The Inauguration is planned to take place on August 28th. In the next couple of months a special Synod will be held to choose 2 candidates whose names will be forwarded to the Rwandan House of Bishops. The bishops will then make the final selection of the new Bishop of Nyaruguru.
As a partner of Kigeme, Brockenhurst has been invited to the attend the Inauguration so we hope to be represented by a small group led by the Vicar. If you would like to visit Rwanda in August, do take advantage of this opportunity and let Simon know as soon as possible. You would receive a wonderful welcome and enjoy seeing a most beautiful, but lesser-known, part of central Africa. These days English is taught in all the schools there so language is not too much of a problem. Rwanda is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, the capital, this June so it should soon get more publicity in our media.
Kigeme Hospital is in good shape; it now has 10 doctors! It has a new building which houses various services for the people of the large rural area. It was recently commended by the government becauuse the local population had managed to provide 2/3 of the funding for the building so the Ministry of Health only had to fund a third of it!
Pastor Gakwaya is now Vicar of Kigeme Parish and the lady who leads the Mothers’ Union there is called Marie-Alice. The Mothers’ Union has bought a small house locally. They are renting it out so that the income is used to help pay for the building of a house for the new Bishop. The Anglican Church in Rwanda is now trying to become self-sufficient so it no longer has to depend on overseas help to finance capital projects. The new diocesan centre will be near a place called Kibeho, in a region where fine tea is grown and processed before being marketed in London!
Bishop Assiel’s wife recently sent a beautiful card with New Year’s greetings for “our brothers and sisters in Jesus” and reminding us of Psalm 20, verses 2-4, which includes amazing prayers for the Lord’s help and blessings. Let us, in turn, be faithful in praying for our partners in Kigeme.