Rwanda, South Africa and to the nations

[Ed. note: Although this a longer than usual post, you will find some greatly encouraging news and you’ll be able to see the tremendous open doors in both Rwanda and South Africa, where the Kingdom of God is bursting forth, the fruit of many trials along the way. Enjoy the read!]

Executive Director’s Report – April 7, 2015

Gerrit, Celeste, Lucas, and Mia

Introduction:  Since 2013 many changes have taken place, including moving back to SA with our (recently) adopted children in January of 2014, resettling my family in Pretoria, opening an office for Wordfan.  Personal (family) challenges multiplied the obstacles that we faced during this time and made for a very stressful few years.

Fortunately the work in Rwanda continued and expanded and is now on the verge of accelerated growth as will become apparent from my report.

Rwanda

1. Rilima Prison
   We have ministered at this men’s prison for about 5 years now. It is situated in Bugusera, the area where the Genocide against the Tutsis was launched—first in 1992 as a “field test,” and then in 1994 when more than a million people were killed in 100 days.  This prison still harbors a large number of prisoners who still adhere to genocide ideology and it has been a tough nut to crack.  Over the years, hundreds of people did repent and were discipled by Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) facilitators, in-prison Christian leaders, and PFR Chaplains, but to a limited extent.  Then, in November of 2014 we had an opportunity to teach the prisoners for 3 days on repentance and the need for reconciliation. Although many perpetrators genuinely responded to the call for repentance and full disclosure of their participation in the genocide, it was what happened afterwards that astounded us as well as the authorities. More than 1300 men repented in writing, making full disclosure of who they killed, when they killed, and where and what they did with the bodies. We had been discussing with our partner, Prison Fellowship Rwanda, how to put in place effective mechanisms for repentant perpetrators and victims to be brought together for reconciliation and realized that we had to move to immediate implementation of our plans to deal with this large number of inmates.  Project Ubumwe (unity, together) was born to be a pilot project at this prison as well as at Ngoma Women’s Prison, and will be discussed fully in point 3 below.
   
   
2. Ngoma Women’s Prison
   Gerrit started ministering in this prison on March 5, 2014. This is the first prison “women only” prison in Rwanda.  Many women, not only Genocide perpetrators, repented of their crimes and became followers of Jesus.  We had no mechanisms at this prison to disciple the women and to arrange for meetings between perpetrators and victims as part of the reconciliation process based on restorative justice and not punitive justice. We decided to include the women in our pilot Project Ubumwe.We realized that most of the women are not really trained in any skills that they could utilize upon leaving the prison.  After discussions with the Director of the prison, she advised that a sewing training school (amongst other plans), would help the ladies and also provide a great opportunity for the prison uniforms to be made in-house.  We received donations to provide 25 manual machines as well as 2 electric finishing machines, appointed a teacher and the class is doing very well and already producing uniforms etc. The women get paid and are able to provide for their children outside for school fees, uniforms, etc. This gives them a sense of self-worth and pride and prepares them for a life after prison. More than 100 ladies came to Jesus after Nadia preached in the prison in February this year.  For obvious reasons her testimony had a huge impact.We are also establishing a crèche for the baby-to-3-year olds living with their moms in the prison.  The project should be completed by the end of April.

3. Project Ubumwe
   We aim to establish a sustainable process of practical reconciliation and restorative justice for Genocide perpetrators and their victims in Rwanda. We do this by facilitating dialogue between the parties so as to overcome conflicts peacefully. Facilitators and chaplains are trained to bring the parties together, facilitate the process of reconciliation, and also teach the participants, in the context of their communities, to drive the reconciliation process themselves, thus owning the outcomes and being responsible for implementing the decisions for their own benefit and the benefit of their communities.  This fosters unity (ubumwe) in communities with people working together (ubumwe) to grow and prosper spiritually as well as financially.  We have seen this work in Villages of Reconciliation, so it is an attainable goal.The budget for the pilot project is approximately $30,000 and is unfunded as of this date.  However, we have started in faith with $670 and appointed 4 chaplains to undergo training from April 9^th in Rwanda, with some PFR workers who will also participate in the program. With the help of a Rwandan curriculum writer, Gerrit produced a Facilitator’s Manual that will be field-tested from the 9^th to 11^th of April.We are convinced that Rwanda will be a shining star of practical reconciliation in Africa and Project Ubumwe will be exported to other East African nations and beyond.  We already have invitations to reproduce it in eastern Congo, Burundi, and Uganda, so we have to keep a long-term view of the potential to help other conflict and post-conflict nations as well.  South Africa is also a potential beneficiary. I ask everyone to join me in praying for this project.

South Africa

Gerrit and Celeste in front of Mandela statue, Union Buildings

After a year of praying how to get involved in SA, Gerrit started engaging with other like-minded people and organizations about the increasing challenges we face in race relations in SA, and the

fact that most of the populations, including millions of poor people, are being left behind in the development of the country. The New South Africa and the ideals for a Rainbow Nation envisaged by Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu have not been realized and the situation is deteriorating. Many people in the country are feeling hopeless and defeated.  But God is saying there is a hope and a future for SA as you can see from the following words we have received since January 7^th 2015:

• Jer. 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future.”
• Is. 43:18 “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
• Hab. 1:5: “Watch and be astounded at what I will do. For I am doing something new in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”God also reminded me of a prophecy he gave to me and others 25 years ago about SA from Is. 60 v. 1: “Arise shine for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has risen upon you…” and ends with v. 22b: “ I am the Lord, in it’s time I will do it swiftly.”
• Eph. 3:20: “…By His power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope for.”

Notice that it is God who is already working in ways that we are starting to perceive, as we look beyond the terrible headlines and negative commentary.  We cannot do this task in our own strength; we can only join in the work God is doing.  And we have absolute faith that God’s purposes will be done in SA.

We believe the time has arrived.  The Afrikaners also had to be brought to their knees for the wrongs of the past, and after 20 years I believe they experience the same hopelessness that the Black population felt under apartheid and many still experience under the current Government.  The vision is to mobilize South Africans at the grass roots level, speaking in churches and wherever a door opens, to give the message of hope based on the prophecies above. Where we have already spoken in public, the response is immediate and hopeful from black and white. “Yes, we need hope, we need to know we have a future and yes we have to ALL take hands in unity and build a prosperous peaceful nation for future generations!” We should make sure that the First people of SA (the Koi & San), the Coloureds, the Whites, Blacks, Indian, yes every tribe and language, participate in building the true Rainbow Nation, based not on race, but a common destiny.  People are excited, and the word has started spreading.  Gerrit is heading to Cape Town in May to speak in two churches and at two business prayer groups.

Nadia and Gerrit have been invited to speak at a prison on June 6^th in the town of Rustenburg on the Father heart of God.  They want Gerrit to teach and for her to give her testimony.

In Conclusion
Despite having gone through a stressful and hectic two years, we look back and stand amazed at what God has done.  As we launch Project Ubumwe this month in Rwanda, we look beyond this pilot of just a handful of people to having this program in more prisons in Rwanda by early next year. It will grow from a $30,000 USD project to a $300,000 USD from 2016-2019. In fact we are so confident that God is going to do something so amazing, that we may find that His plans extend beyond the borders of Rwanda into the rest of Africa.  Too long this Continent has languished in ethnic wars that go from one generation to the next.  God wants to break this cycle and lead Africa into a time of peaceful co-existence, unity and prosperity.

South Africa may even get worse before it gets better, but God has spoken and we know He is faithful and will guide all His people to weather the storms, knowing that after the worst of nights the day will break and God and His Son will be glorified in this nation.

 Challenges and Prayer needs for 2015

1. Finances to drive the many projects in Rwanda, especially Project Ubumwe. We also have to start thinking about funding where necessary to participate in the New South Africa/Rainbow Nation initiative;
2. Visit to Rwanda from the April 8^th-18th to launch Project Ubumwe; also pray that the two members of a Foundation who will join Gerrit there from the 13^th to the 17^th will have a fruitful time, and that God will touch their hearts for deeper involvement in Rwanda and East Africa;
3. Open doors for the SA Initiative;
4. For God to give us His favor, wisdom and discernment in all things.

Finally, I want to thank God our Father for resettling us in SA in a lovely home, where our children are very happy; Celeste is fulfilled in her new job; Nadia is doing amazingly well attending Media Village (YWAM) and  growing in Christ and the ministry is going from strength to strength.  Without God, none of this would have been possible. His love, grace, faithfulness and patience know no end. Soli Deo Gloria!

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