Arise Rwanda
June 2022
We finally made it back to Rwanda after a long two years away. Once our plane landed, we were so excited to be back and ready for all that God had planned for us on this journey. It was fun to see all our friends and co-workers— it brought all of us great joy! We have so many fond memories of our times together and all the ministry work we have done over the years. This trip would be no exception, and our schedule was full and we were ready to go.
God has provided so many wonderful ministry opportunities over the years for ETM. It has been a great honor and privilege to represent so many people through this ministry. As I look back over the years, the Holy Spirit has surely guided our steps and touched so many lives. One of my favorite places is Iwawa Island, which is about an hour boat ride off the coast of Rwanda. Iwawa Island is a government run drug and alcohol rehab program, and on this trip we would spend a day with 3,200 men. On this journey, we would also be joined by a number of high school students from Kivu Hills Academy, which was started by Arise Rwanda Ministries and is located in the village of Boneza on the coast of Rwanda. I was so excited to have these young people with us and for them to have the opportunity to bring God’s hope, grace, and peace to the men on the island. This would be a very exciting day for the men because they were going to have the opportunity to play basketball and soccer games with the students. I am happy to report that both the soccer and basketball games were won by the men on Iwawa Island and they celebrated with great joy. They were so thankful to have shared that experience with the students from Kivu Hills Academy.
The final hours of our day on the island would be the most important: It was time to bring the message of truth to 3,200 men. It was a divine appointment for sure! As the men gathered around our team, it was now our opportunity to allow God to speak His words through us and to paint a clear message of the hope, truth, and forgiveness, which are only found in the person of God’s one and only son: Jesus Christ. Earlier that day, we got on a boat in obedience and faith trusting that the Holy Spirit would go before us and prepare the hearts of these men. Many hearts were touched that day and many of the men made a decision to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. As we loaded the boat to head back to Rwanda, I was so thankful for all that the Father had done that day. This was not the first time Jesus told His disciples to get in the boat. When Jesus tells us to get in the boat, it truly comes down to faith and trust. I am glad I got in the boat that day, and I hope that one day you get in the boat as well!
One last highlight from our trip was a two-day pastor’s conference sponsored by Arise Rwanda and Empty Tomb Ministries. Joining us for the conference would be 43 pastors from the village of Boneza—the spiritual gatekeepers for the 26,000 residents in that village. I was so happy to be back once again with these men and women that I have come to love and appreciate. God has done an amazing work in bringing them together from all different denominations and to be joined together as friends and co-workers for the Kingdom of God. Our theme for the conference was “Warriors of Truth.” It was God that called and anointed them to bring the truth to their region and country. It was once again a very special time and truly a divine appointment from Heaven. Thanks to many of you, ETM was able to present to each leader and their family a $50 gift at the end of the conference. Arise Boneza and fulfill your God-given destiny!
Greg Yancey, board chairman of Arise Rwanda Ministries, and John Gasangwa, founder of Arise Rwanda Ministries, are in the boat as we head for a day of ministry on Iwawa Island, Rwanda.
Here are a few of the 3,200 men who call Iwawa Island their home for a year. God created each man with a destiny and purpose in life.
Our pastor’s conference was a great success! We always love a team graduation picture.
Empty Tomb Ministry Center
Kampala, Uganda
I bet you have watched a lot of movies over the years and that you have a few that were at the top of your favorite list. One of my favorite movies of all time is Field of Dreams. Building a baseball diamond in the middle of a corn field sounds kind of crazy. There is a quote in that movie that you will probably remember: “If you build it, they will come.” I believe that quote will surely apply to the Empty Tomb Ministry Center we are building in Uganda. We are almost done building, and they are coming!!!
ETM has been ministering in Uganda for many years and there has been much fruit that has come from our efforts. We give God great thanks for that. We have had the opportunity to plant a number of churches that are still standing today and touching many lives in the villages of Uganda. Last year, we got this crazy idea: Let’s build a ministry center in the capital city. It would take time, resources, and a team on the ground to help make that vision become a reality. It is now a year-and-a-half later and the building is about 80% complete. Thank you, God! This building will be an all-purpose center that will host many different outreaches in the community. We have a very dedicated leadership team in Kampala that will have oversight over the daily operations and ministry activities. Our prayer is that it will be a light in the darkness and a place that people will come to be loved, embrace the truth, and meet the Savior of the world: Jesus Christ.
A couple of weeks ago, one of our leaders, Brother Aaron, had our first unofficial outreach in the neighborhood. Guess what? If you build it, they will come! Twelve—yes, I said twelve!!! Twelve young people showed up to spend time with Aaron and learn more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus started with twelve, which sounds like a good number to me! We are very excited as we inch closer to having the building completed and more opportunities to connect with all the people that God will bring. You are probably asking yourself right now what you can do to help us complete the vision. The answer to that is not very spiritual but very important: We need the toilet facility. It will be a small building behind the center and it is very important when you are hosting many activities throughout the week. The total cost will be $3,600. If you want to be a part of helping us complete this project, it would be a real blessing. And now we keep building for God, because you never know who might come!!!
Things are starting to look really official. Here is our sign out by the road.
Our Empty Tomb Ministry Center in Kampala, Uganda is looking really good and is about 80% complete!
Brother Aaron with his top-notch selfie and the first 12 kids in our new building. If my memory serves me well, didn’t Jesus start with 12 disciples?