Boneza, Rwanda is Alive and Well!
Lord, why Boneza? On the shores of Lake Kivu in Rwanda, there is a village of 30,000 people who call Boneza home. This is not just another village. It is a place that God has chosen to display His great love and miracle-working power. Boneza is also the place that Arise Rwanda Ministries calls home. And through this ministry, the lives of people are changing forever. Arise Rwanda has five core programs, and each one is very important in impacting the people of Boneza. We like to look at these five programs as the key ingredients that have made this ministry so successful. They are education, clean water, healthcare, economic development, and pastoral outreach.
It all started back in 2011 when Arise Rwanda answered the call of Jesus Christ to love, equip, and serve the people of Boneza by joining with them on their journey out of poverty. It has truly been a miracle of God. The first four programs are built around helping and serving the people with their practical needs; program five addresses their spiritual needs. Our goal was to bring all the pastors together to build relationships with Arise and with each other. They are the spiritual gatekeepers in Boneza, and our vision is to train and equip the leadership who could then train and equip the people in their churches. Another miracle of God!
This past June, we held another Pastoral Conference for the pastors and community leaders. It is always an honor for Arise to host this all-important event. The conference is for two days and has become a highlight for these leaders. We eat together, pray together, worship together, and learn together. Another miracle of God! We bless the pastors with hats, shirts, food, certificates, and a special monetary gift for them and their families. We have seen an amazing change in the pastors over the years. Their willingness to come together and be a part of each other’s lives has set a beautiful example in this community. Our theme this year was found in the book of Isaiah 6:1-8, where God is looking for someone to go to the people with a word from God. And the prophet Isaiah responds to God and says, “Here am I. Send me!” May that be the passion in our hearts: to go and impact the world for God.
After spending our time with the pastors, we headed over to Kivu Hills Academy and the 350 students who are a part of one of the top-rated schools in all of Rwanda. It was going to be a very special weekend, with 119 students making up the 10th graduating class at Kivu Hills. As family and friends gathered for the big graduation, there was so much excitement in the air—all their hard work would now be rewarded. For most of these students, this weekend was truly a miracle of God. Boneza is a very poor community; if they were to find their way out of poverty, they would need a quality education. They found it by God’s amazing grace.
Our Sunday was a special morning—a time when we could share with our brothers and sisters as we worshipped and opened God’s Word together. I am always humbled and honored to be a part of these church services. From young to old, it didn’t take us long before we were dancing and praising the God who made us and brought us together as the body of Christ. Lord, thank you for all you did during our time in Boneza. Unto you be the glory and honor, forever and ever! Amen.
It was great being back with all the pastors again. We hosted a two-day pastors conference and our theme was, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
We had a wonderful time on Sunday morning in Boneza with one of the churches. It was a real honor for me to share the Word of God.
Arise Rwanda Ministries has finished the new Kivu Hills Medical Center in Boneza. What a miracle! Here are hundreds of people waiting to get in to see a doctor.
During our visit, Kivu Hills Academy celebrated their 10th graduation. It was an amazing atmosphere as 119 students graduated that day.
Now there is a miracle, pastors from different denominations working together to help rebuild and put a new roof on a widow’s house.
One day I was walking back to our compound with a few staff members, and this wonderful elderly lady wanted some love and prayers. It was a divine appointment.