The Run with Rwanda isn’t just about distant charity: it’s about deeper discipleship.
As we’ve run together for the last 20 years (!), we’ve tangibly reflected our ongoing partnership with the corner of the global church that commissioned us and sent us into North America with the good news of the historic gospel.
We are “running the race” of faith together with them, and having a tangible way to live that out increases our joy - and theirs!
However, there is also a financial component to that partnership in the gospel [click here to give].
Paul states the dynamic well in Romans 15. Since the Roman Gentiles had first heard the good news of Jesus through Jewish Christians, he encourages them to give back to the more impoverished Jewish church out of gratitude.
When we realize a similar dynamic has occurred between us and the Rwandans, Rom. 15:27 begins to jump off the page: “They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles [Americans] have shared in the Jews’ [Rwandans’] spiritual blessings, they [the Americans] owe it to the Jews [Rwandans] to share with them their material blessings.” What a gift it is to give back!
It’s important to be clear about what your gifts go to support.
For the first 10 years of our partnership with Rwanda, funds raised from the Run went to building a Health Clinic, now run and staffed by the government. This is a typical pattern in Rwanda. When a community - using the help of outside investment - can get the infrastructure for a project built, the government will then help implement the community’s goals, minimizing the ongoing need for outside funds.
This is what we mean at IAC when we talk about “catalyzing sustainable development” in Rwanda: our seed money grows into an ongoing service from Rwandans, to Rwandans. The Health Clinic is a tremendous example, and many lives have now been saved because it exists!
After the Health Clinic, we approached our Rwandan friends about their dreams for what might be next. Through prayer and discussion, they discerned it was time to move from simply “surviving” to “thriving.” In this way, the “Thriving Center” was born.
The Thriving Center actually has two components: a vocational training program and a new facility.
Each year, over 100 students are enrolled in a vocational training program sponsored by our dear friends from the Diocese of Byumba. Areas of study include masonry, welding, carpentry, sewing, and weaving. Students apply for the program and travel from miles around to attend! In our last conversation with Bishop Emmanuel Ngendahayo - Bishop of Byumba Diocese - we learned that graduates from this program are now getting jobs and even employing other program graduates. Praise God for the dignity, joy, and provision such a program brings!
Because of it’s success, the Diocese would like to expand the program. The challenge is having another sufficient facility.
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This is where the dream for the Thriving Center facility in Kibali Parish began.
The Thriving Center is now being built right next to the Health Center, where the Run begins and ends in Rwanda. It began with a soccer pitch that is constantly filled with youth from the community. According to Bishop Emmanuel, this pitch has been a huge factor in giving children and youth a safe and vibrant place to gather, play, and connect.
The next stage of the project is the Conference Center and Administration block. The Conference Center will be used to house an additional location for the vocational training program, but that is just the beginning.
As the largest gathering place in the region, it will host weddings, youth conferences, government meetings, and pastoral training. The Rwandan church wisely designed it in a modern circular shape, making it a preferred destination for everyone in the region!
The government, in particular, is eager to get it ready for occupancy and use it as a regional showcase. Their commitment includes rebuilding the road to Kibali Parish to make the Thriving Center more accessible and keeping the Kibali Parish church open (even though they don’t quite meet all the new requirements for church buildings) because of the church’s importance to the thriving of the surrounding community through the Center.
Most of what’s lacking in the Conference Building are the “finishing touches” (chairs, the sound system, etc.), as well as completion of the offices next door. While there have been delays due to economic hardships from COVID and shifting government requirements, the facility is close to completion!
Completion of the Conference Center will give the Rwandan church an income stream to help supplement our support of the next stages of the project, which includes dormitories for students, and smaller classroom spaces. Praise God for the progress made, and let’s continue to pray with expectancy for all that’s to come!
We encourage everyone at IAC to pray about giving to these brothers and sisters out of the abundance we have been given! It is especially crucial in this season of looking for our own facility at IAC that we do not forget our family on the other side of the Atlantic!
You can go to springsiac.org/give and click on the dropdown box to find “Run with Rwanda.”
We’re hoping to raise $20,000 during this Run, which will help the Vocational Training Program run for another year and move the Thriving Center facility on to the next step towards completion.
This is the story of our faith. Speaking of Jesus, Paul says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). Praise God for his abundance toward us, and for the chance to imitate his Son in sharing it with others!
— Pastor Ken
P.S. If you’re interested in seeing the Thriving Center for yourself, I’m leading a trip next January. Come to our Rwanda Pilgrimage Come-and-See on Zoom Sunday afternoon, July 27th to learn more!