Kigali Anglican Theological College (KATC) is oneof the seeds of hope to grow from theaftermath of the Rwandan genocide. Even 13years on, Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini’s beliefthat “one of the reasons for the genocide wasthe poor theological training of church workers”is an underlying motivation for the leadershipdevelopment that mission partner Dick Seedand others are offering at KATC.

“In the short time our students have been withus, we’ve noticed a huge growth in theirconfidence,” Dick reports. We see an excitementamongst them as they discover the richness ofopportunity they have in their theologicallearning. It’s empowering. One student returnedfrom speaking in church this week and told me,‘I have a new depth in my preaching.’

“The churches our students will return to needpastors who have the tools to interpretscripture, who can understand where thepeople are and take them forward in their

Christian walk. Their training has a majorimpact on the congregation in an environmentwhere education is valued. The credibility of thechurch is diminished with an uneducatedpastorate. “

William Challis, chairman of the CMS Mid-AfricaForum, draws a similar conclusion from teachingvisits to Matana Theological Institute: “The newgovernment in Burundi is making education apriority; primary schooling is now free;secondary schools are springing up all aroundthe country and there are new universities inBujumbura. The Church must have well-educated leadership, capable of making adecisive contribution in witness to and teachingof new generations of increasingly literatepeople.“

Living a Different ModelBeing able to do things differently is a strengththat marks out future leaders and change-makers. Mission partners Miranda and Roger �p2

TRAINED TO LEAD

Mid-Africa NewsMid-Africa NewsSeptember – December 2007

Welcome

The story is told of an Africanbus driver who, bus full, wasspeeding along the highway.After about an hour, hestopped and turning to hispassengers said: “I have twopieces of news for you, oneis good news and the other isbad news. First the badnews: we are lost. I have noidea where we are. Now thegood news. Even thoughwe‘re lost, we are makinggood progress. We’re cruisingat 120km/hr which meanswe shall be where we do notknow very quickly.”

A cautionary tale for thoseinvolved in strategicleadership and one which iswell heeded by the clergyand mission partners I spoketo for this edition. Theirenergy, far from beingdirectionless, is focused onthe vital role leadershipdevelopment has in thefuture of the African church.In this issue we also focus onour partners in Rwanda. Theirprogrammes, which includetraining and capacitybuilding, require your supportand prayer. Let’s give it aswe read, reflect and respond.

Laura Harvey, editor.

ABOVE: CMS Students working in the

Library. From right to left Bertha,

Ephraim and Flecian all students in

their second year at KATC.

How is a leader formed? What support do they need? What gets in the way? Key questions for CMS

as we work alongside churches in Rwanda, Burundi, Congo and Uganda to support the training of

potential leaders and further equip those already in leadership. This issue we move from city to

village and back again, giving voice to the experience of those training others to lead.

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“I have anew depth

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Bowen were based at Mantana wherethey noticed the marriage of Eularieand the Rev Pontien Ribakare offeringa new model for Christian couples andfamilies. “Having experienced another

culture to their own (Pontien was aCMS scholar at Mukono University,

Uganda) they are able to dothings differently to the

Burundi way. It is very rare inKirundi culture for couples to

share their finances, or talkand pray together on aweekly basis, askingforgiveness of each otherwhen they need to andsubmitting their lives to theLord,” explains Miranda.“Pontien and Eularie worktogether, and the solidity oftheir relationship, theirenergy and compassion offersa real model of Christian

leadership. They pretty muchrun an open house for orphans

and people with AIDS, and we haveseen that grow.

“Eularie heads up the diocesan AIDSwork, and was able to help me set up

Small Projects For Burundi. I saw her confidencebuild because she was able to do somethingpractical and physical to help people in a waythat really complemented the moral supportshe was giving through education and prayerful,pastoral counselling.”

Pontien has now been appointed to head theMission and Ministry team for Matana diocese.He is supporting pastors in the parishes,strengthening their ministry by mentoring andcoming alongside them, and trying to meetsome of their educational needs. Mirandareflects, “In terms of the leadership of Matanadiocese CMS has had a major hand. Theirsupport has gone back a long way and it’s beenvery effective in providing leaders for today andfor the future.”

Kingdom MathsStephen Burgess, CMS Regional Manager forMid-Africa also sees the long term impact oftheological training as he travels in the region.In Uganda he recently met with five clergywho had been CMS scholars. All five are nowin senior positions within Kinkiizi Dioceseteaching and developing others. Their spouseshad been sponsored by CMS to attend atraining course at Bishop Barham UniversityCollege (BBUC) and were keen to share howuseful it had been in helpingthem to complement theirhusband’s ministry. On thesame visit Steve met FrankTuryatunga from KigeziDiocese, a student atBBUC, who was so thrilledand challenged to begiven a CMSscholarship to studytheology that hedecided to tithe hisallowance, so thata less well offrelative whomhe waslooking aftercould completeher secondaryeducation.

The cascadingeffect of well-resourced trainingcontinues at everylevel. Many Mid-

Africa News

readers will havefollowed thedevelopingministry of Bishop Titre Ande. When theAnglican Church in Congo decided to create atheological college, a CMS scholarship enablingthe Rev Ande (then college principal) to do hisPhD in Birmingham allowed ISThA to gain theacademic status it needed to be recognised asa private college. ISThA’s counter-culturalwitness during the civil war that was to followoffered a different model for community life.

“Even during the fighting we had Hema andLendu students working together. It was a verydifferent reality to the violence happening onthe streets outside,” Bishop Ande explains.“When students first come to the Bible schoolfrom their villages they may eat and live intribal groups and it’s an opportunity for thestaff to challenge those attitudes andencourage them to eat together. We want tobuild trust and understanding so they are soonliving in the same room with brothers fromother tribes.”Roger Bowen teaching at Matana.

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Frank Turyatunga, Ugandan

CMS scholar.

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Catechists as catalystsNow responsible for the diocesan educationplan, Bishop Ande highlights the urgency ofimproving training for lay ministers, whoform the frontline of pastoral care fortheir communities. “In Aru, almost 80per cent of pastors and catechists werenot able to finish their primaryeducation. Yet these are the ones whoreally take care of the people and whoare looking after the new Christians. Theyare a huge training priority as they arealready training others.”

It is a priority which stretches acrossthe region and one which CMS islooking for resources to respond to. InRwanda, Bishop Onesphore Rwaje ofByumba diocese explains how laypastors struggle to survive in an areawhere most people are subsistencefarmers: “The local congregation willbe too poor to do more than partiallysupport their catechist. He will have to earnmoney or grow food to support his family’sneeds. If the harvest is not sufficient he mayneed to leave to work elsewhere, and then thewhole church suffers.”

Bishop Rwaje reflects that while his governmentmay be investing in physical development ofcommunities, social and spiritual development isthe responsibility of the church. He uses ametaphor of physical vision to describe theperspective needed by visionary leaders: “Wemust have people who see with two eyes, notone. Yes, we need HIV/AIDS training andawareness programmes – but who will counselthose orphans? My priority has been – and still is– the training of leaders at the grassroots.”

Mission partner Meg Guillebaud runs thediocesan in-service training for catechists. It hasthree phases and takes seven years, allowingstudents time to work for their families between3–4 week blocks of study. Bishop Rwaje stresses,“Leadership training is more than academic. Ourcatechists are respected in the community and

are catalysts to bring people together. Theyprovide the leadership for reconciliation andcommunity projects, as well as leading thechurch.”

Mission partner Louise Wright sees a similarcommitment to community and to learning atthe tiny Bible School building behind her homein Kalima, DRC. Here men and women combinetheir study with other jobs and service to thelocal congregations. Funding is scarce and theeffort put into obtaining basic necessitiesremarkable. A few years back Louise gave thestudents a cutting from the banana tree in hergarden. It now grows in the grounds of theBible school and the fruit has been sold to buychalk for the blackboard.

How many of us in the UK would grow a treeand sell its fruit to provide chalk to help uslearn? There’s a powerful reminder here of thelong road walked by so many of the studentswho will become the future leaders of theChurch in Mid-Africa. From fruit tree totheological college and beyond – will you helpthem make the journey? �

Louise Wright with Kalima Bible

School students and the banana tree.

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andcatechistswere notable to

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A student in the new library at Kigali Anglican Theological College.

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Rwanda: Partners in healing and disciple

LEFT: Kigali AnglicanTheological College (KATC)opened in March 2006 and isworking with its first 35students to develop leaderscommitted to transformingRwandan society. CMS missionpartners Caroline and Dick Seed,based at KATC, are equippingpastors so that they can helptheir communities cope withdeep wounds which have yet tobe fully healed.

LEFT: Solace Ministries began in1995 in response to a call basedon Isaiah 40:1. “Comfort, comfortmy people says your God.” Theirwide-ranging ministry stretchesfrom counselling and evangelismto HIV/AIDS education,community based developmentand care for orphans. Theirservices are sought all over thecountry, especially in the areasurrounding Kigali. BELOW:Widows frequently walk 40km to be listened to or to participate in training.

After the 1994 genocide the question lingers: “How could such appalling acts have happened in a country that is 80%Christian?” The answer, sober and painful, is that the Christian faith didn’t penetrate to the heart of society.

Our partners in Rwanda are addressing nothing less than the discipling of the nation. Through reconciliation ministriesand projects focusing on core social and spiritual needs they are challenging and helping people to live from a deep-rooted biblical worldview rather than a secular or a tribal worldview.

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ABOVE: Solace counselling with HIV/AIDS patient.

BELOW: Widows’ weekly meeting in Kigali.

BELOW: Making soap from red palm oil.

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Over the last two yearsCMS has given grants toScripture Union Rwanda

for youth work and tohelp raise awareness on

HIV/Aids through theirschools programmes.

We’ve also supported thetranslation of “ChooseFreedom”, a life skills

training book, so that itcan be used in the local

language in youngpeople’s classes.

oil.

ABOVE: Gahini Hospital celebrates its 80thanniversary this year. Since its founding in 1927,

it has been the site of spiritual as well as physical healing for generations ofRwandans. CMS mission partner Wim Schoonbee describes the celebrations

as, “A chance to remember the way the hospital has really impacted on thespiritual life of the community around it, and give thanks for its reputation

as a beacon of loving care in Rwanda.”

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CMS have been supporting Rural Development InterdiocesanServices, (RDIS), in providing effective training for catechists.RDIS projects are the initiatives of Christians who are actively

standing against the residue of hatred and destruction incommunities. As well as offering training on unity and

reconciliation to church leaders, there is emphasis on traininggroups to develop an economic activity. The project acts like

a “cord binding them together”, reinforcing the work theyhave done in healing seminars, and enabling people to see

the tangible benefits of reconciliation.

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BELOW: RDIS chicken raising project.

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ABOVE: Bertha works with Sorange.

She realisedthere was

much morein this childthan she'dever seen

A different kind of lightMission partners Bertha and Wim Schoonbee serve at Gahini Hospital, Rwanda,

where Wim is an eye and general surgeon and Bertha works with blind children

needing rehabilitative care. Here she shares an insight into that rehabilitation and

news of her burgeoning sideline as a sports coach.

“Our big role is teaching carers how to stimulateblind children. Often three and four year olds cometo us unable to walk, talk or feed themselves,because their families have always carried themand done everything for them, not realising thatthey could enable the child to be moreindependent. This was exactly what had happenedwith Mileè, an under-stimulated four year old weworked with during the last year. The trans-formation we saw was dramatic. After six monthsshe was able to walk with some support.

“The same was true of Sorange, a three year oldwhose granny was convinced she was slow-wittedand that there was little hope for her. Sorangespoke only a few words and couldn’t yet hold a cupto drink from. She was very aggressive because shewas so frustrated. This is often the case whenchildren first arrive. They bat your hand away whenyou try to help them because they only know theirown dark world. Part of our role in those initialsessions is to discipline with love in order to reducethe aggression. It takes a lot of patience buteventually they will learn to hold a cup of water atthe same time as you hold it, instead of hitting itaway in frustration. Then we work on exercises tostrengthen their leg muscles – essential if they’vealways been carried. Exercises with rubber balls andother physiotherapy help them get the feel ofbeing upright. The first time they walk they arevery afraid, so we give them a push cart to helpsupport them and to lessen the fear.

“Sorange’s granny was so depressed when shebrought her in. It was amazing to see her hoperestored as she realised there was much more inthis child than she’d ever seen. In fact, she was soheartened that a fortnight later I saw hercomforting a devastated new mother who had justheard her baby would never see. She was able togive her some encouragement by sharing with herthe skills that Sorange had been able to learn in justtwo or three weeks.

“There's another kind of light which can come intothese childrens’ lives. The facilities are here, andwe're able to offer hope to the children and thosewho look after them.”

Confidence PitchThe secondary school in Gahini is one of only two inRwanda to take blind students. Discovering thatmany of them had little to do in their spare timeBertha took a punt on the internet. Typing in “blindsports” she came across “goalball”, a sport createdfor blind players, using a heavy ball containing bells,and raised pitch lines (made of rope) so that peoplecan feel their way on the court.

Miraculously, on the day she was explaining to thestudents that they didn’t yet have the rightequipment, a donation of a goalball arrived!Learning to play has provided lots of exercise andenjoyment for the blind students, whilst as coach,Bertha has got to know the students more closelyand is delighted at how their confidence levels havesoared.

Games take place by the road, so draw many localspectators. “At first,” says Bertha, “they may belaughing at the idea of blind people playing atechnically demanding game like this but assomeone explains what is happening you can seetheir admiration growing. What’s more, thestudents love it because it makes them feel part oftheir community. All the primary school studentsknow the names of the blind secondary schoolplayers now!” �

ABOVE: Mileè with her sister (left) and carer (right).

ABOVE: Jean-Pierre makes a save in goalball.

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RIGHT: Ndenge, an orphan who is also crippled, makes paper for

cards and is able to contribute to his school and boarding fees.

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Mid-Africa round-upBringing you up to date with mission news throughout the region.

Conference callAct now if you’ve still to book a place at HighLeigh for this year’s Mid-Africa Conference on16–18th November. Our speaker is the Rev DonBrewin, who until his recent retirement wasthe UK Director for Sharing of MinistriesAbroad. SOMA has extensive experience ofsending and receiving teams worldwide onshort-term mission within the AnglicanCommunion. His theme is Outlines for theFuture, and he will be speaking on patterns forthe church and for mission based on readingsfrom Revelation 4–7. Fill out the enclosed formto book your place or contact: Nick Fane, 1Woodshears Drive, Malvern, Worcs, WR14 3EA.Tel: 01684 566601. Email: maconf@fanes.co.uk.The conference centre is easily accessible fromeither the M25 (Junction 25) or Broxbournerailway station.

Clergy visit to RwandaThe Rt Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Southamptonand CMS Trustee writes: “I love visiting Rwanda! This November(6th–21st) I and Paul Thaxter will be leading ateam of nine to visit all nine dioceses (inpairs). Nearly all the team are clergy and formost this will be their first time in Rwanda.Our aim is to discover more of what God isdoing through the Anglican Church in Rwanda.As we do so we hope also to learn more ofwhat God wants of us all in our ministries inthe UK, and how we might encourage deeperpartnerships between churches here and there.The visit is a joint CMS/Winchester Dioceseventure. It is quite complicated logistically soplease pray for us all.”

Old friends at CMS IrelandIan Smith is now settling into his appointmentas Director of Mission. He writes, “CMS Irelandlooks after Mid-Africa Ministry’s formerresponsibilities across Ireland. Things are goingvery well and one of my first appointments tomake has been that of Regional Mission Partnerfor Mid-Africa. This is an amalgam of what CMSBritain used to call Area Co-ordinator andRegional Manager. The annual Mid-Africaconference will take place at Newcastle, CoDown, from 7–9 September. Why not come andjoin us?” Details from Mavis Spiers:mavisspiers@cmsireland.org

Kigali boundNew mission partners Richard and Sue Kelloware heading for Rwanda, where they will jointhe Seeds at Kigali Anglican Theological College(KATC). Richard will teach English to thestudents as well as setting up an Englishdepartment which will provide English

Languagetraining tolearners fromoutside thecollege. Suewill look afterEmily, theirnew baby,whilstexploring how

she can best use her skills as a speech andlanguage therapist, working with children whohave severe learning difficulties or hearingimpairments.

Retiring honourCongratulations to the Rev Canon Roger Bowenwho was made a Canon of Matana Cathedralafter many years of mission partner servicealongside wife Miranda.

Apology: In the May–Aug edition we included aphoto of Bishop Ande of Aru diocese rather thanthe intended photo of Bishop Eraste of Muyingadiocese. We regret this error.

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Prayer Group contacts: Exeter: Jean Hurford 01392 259107; Whipton (Exeter):Beryl Robbins 01392467827; Hove: John Puttock 01273 721319; Liverpool: Gill

Prescott 01514745661; Worthing: Pat Moss 01903 243649; Southport: Irene Carr01704 544418; Bristol: Sue Morse 01179628741; Gt Baddow: Linda Lane 01245

472075; Maidenhead: Paul Darrall 01753 695604; York: Marion Smith 01904793727; Salisbury: Margaret Court 01722 328 039.

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Pat Brooks at the 2006 conference.

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Richard, Sue and Emily Kellow.

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Making the big picture worklocally Ian Smith reports from ShyogwePineapples are a favourite fruit in Rwanda. Theproblem is that they all ripen at the same time.Rich and luscious, they become the staple foodfor a short while. There are so many that muchof the fruit goes to waste, whilst a smallnumber are sold by traders in the markets ofKigali – at little profit to the growers.

The Rural Development Service of ShyogweDiocese has encouraged the growers to form co-operatives to collect and process the pineapplesinto concentrated juice or jam. This is then soldto shops and hotels in Kigali, reaping ahandsome profit. It has proved so successfulthat already there is enough in the kitty tojustify the Pineapple Associations being able toset up their own bank accounts. This in turnenables safer and more regular tradingpractices.

The result of all this has been that the growersare able to share in the profits. Instead of livingon subsistence levels they are able to putmoney aside to pay for such things asschooling, or medical insurance.

When a CMS short-term team arrived to see theproject last October they were not only impressedby the vision, they were amazed by the faith ofthose responsible. Having set up a juice extractionunit in Gitarama, they investigated machinery toprocess the fruit. The advice was to buy industrialmachinery but the cost of this was way beyondtheir means. They have been advised that whenthey have 100,000 pineapples it will be worththeir while. At present they are not producingthese volumes. Many would have given up at thisstage but the Rwandans are saving up byproducing on a smaller scale. It is so small thattheir entire output depends on one domesticKenwood mixer! All their crops depend upon thisone machine continuing to work without fault.

I was amazed at this startling picture of a group ofpeople grasping the big vision, and then settingout to achieve it by working at the micro level. Itis a parable of mission. We know what could beachieved but feel constrained by the magnitude ofthe task. By seeing the global picture, and thenattempting to serve God in small ways locally,great things will be achieved. �

Check out prayer :: spaceThere’s a new online area thatreflects the prayer needs ofthe CMS community ofmission around the globeoperating at www.cms-uk.orgYou can visit for informationand reflection, print off themost up to date requests foruse in your prayer group andsubscribe to updates for yourfeed reader. Why not explorenext time you’re on line?

Mid-Africa prayer groups will be further resourced by prayer :: space. Why notjoin a group near you – or start another? See page 7 for current contact details.

CMS Interchange Prayer:

Lord, as you have entered into our life and death,And call us into your death and risen life,

Continue to draw us, we pray, by the power of your Spirit,Into an exchange of gifts and needs, joys and sorrows,

Strengths and weaknesses, with your people everywhere;That united we may be obedient to your commission,

And together enjoy the promise of your presence.Amen.

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NEW Mid-Africa home page: www.cms-uk.org/midafricaregion

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