A Hope and a Future in Rwanda and South Africa

Dear friends,

Greetings from a wintry Pretoria.

Here’s a short update of what is happening in Rwanda and also SA with our ministry.The WordFAN ministry has grown exponentially in both Rwanda and SA, as you’ll see in what follows.

RWANDA: We appointed 4 chaplains during my last visit in May (with a logistical support team from Prison Fellowship Rwanda helping) and spent 3 days training. As well, with the chaplain’s input, we amended our Guidelines for the pilot of Project Ubumwe (Together/Unity) that will be used in the prisons with Genocide perpetrators and also in the communities where we work with the surviving victims of the Genocide.

The aim is to reconcile the parties based on the teachings of Jesus, leading them to become His followers, and preparing them for a meeting of reconciliation between the people who were alienated as a result of the Genocide against the Tutsis. This project was officially approved by the Government of Rwanda, and the first teachings in the two prisons started on May 25^th, spearheaded by the four trained chaplains. The reports I have received so far strengthens our belief that God is going ahead of us and by His power and guidance we will reach all the remaining 54,000 or so perpetrators in the next 3-5 years. We want to thank you for your prayers and support for this program. God has truly multiplied the loaves and fishes to get us this far!  I believe it is one of the largest prison ministries ever attempted on this scale and encompasses all of Rwanda. Thousands have already confessed Christ as their redeemer and are being discipled inside the prison by other inmates and our chaplains; they are repenting of their crimes during the genocide and committing everything to paper, including where people were killed and buried.

Here is a report from one of our chaplains (unedited): “Despite the big number of inmates who need to be involved in Project Ubumwe (PU), there is a lot of expectations from those who are already part of the PU. They very expectant to meet their victims and confess the crimes committed against  them. They also need to confess to their families. They said this is a dream come true. They had ignored same opportunity given to them by the government many years ago but this time they will seize this one.  One of the advantages these inmates see in the PU is that they will be able separate themselves from the sin and become new creatures. The chaplains prayed for them so that the spirit of God be upon them and enable them throughout this project.”

Ten prisoners from each prison have been selected and are being prepared to meet with the victims for a time of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation. The communities where the atrocities were committed are likewise being prepared for these meetings. Everything is being planned in the finest details and our chaplains and co-workers from Prison Fellowship Rwanda are all working tirelessly to see this project succeed.

I thank God for the godly men he has given us to carry out this immense task.  As they go in teams of two, one Hutu and one Tutsi, it is a miracle of God’s grace to break down walls and heal all enmity, turning hatred and thoughts of revenge to forgiveness. After the pilot project is completed in about 4 months time, we plan to add 20 + chaplains to target all 13 prisons in Rwanda.  Please keep this in your prayers.

SOUTH AFRICA: I have traveled to Cape Town twice now to speak in multiple settings, including two church services, on the need to bring healing to our land and to share that God has a hope and a future for our country, and that He has plans that will leave us speechless when they come to pass (See Is. 43:18-19: “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past, see, I am doing a new thing...” and Hab. 1:5 “...Watch and be astounded by what I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it”.) I have follow-up invitations, but I am letting God direct my steps rather that planning it myself.  All my invitations came “out of the blue,” so then you know who is behind it. This message resonates with many people and lights a fire and desire to work together across previous divides to make a difference in our nation where there is a sense of hopelessness and resignation that things will only get worse. There is a lot of work to do, but like-minded people are already getting together all over the country to seek God and plan a way forward.

This a just a glimpse into what is happening and how God has blessed our return to Africa and also the ministry of reconciliation he has charged us with. These are indeed exciting times and we bless the name of the Lord for His guidance and provision as we pursue the path he has set before us.

Please keep Rwanda, SA and our family in your prayers.

Gerrit Wolfaardt