Monday 16 August 2010

Two bits of news, to encourage you in your support.




First of all a Youth Camp held by Scripture Union at the end of July, in the North of Rwanda for those student volunteers who work for SU. 120 students were present from 40 schools.



The purpose was to teach them lifeskills which they in turn would teach other students in their schools. More than that to 'become behaviour change agents' in their schools. At the end of the report it was encouraging also to read 'the camp has been successful through the financial support of Rwanda Direct. We are grateful for their support of our programmes'.




Then this month, there was a Seminar in Kigali, for student volunteers who are now leaving school, to encourage them in continuing their ministry wherever God has sent them. The first photograph is a group of them having received Certificates of appreciation for all they have done for SU in their schools.


One of the joys of that Seminar was the worship enabled by the provision of a Keyboard! You may remember that I have been appealing for a keyboard for a while. Unfortunately none was forthcoming, but we have been able to purchase one at a good price, just in time for our Chairman Paul Daltry to take it with him, en route for Tanzania, where he and Jean have been accompanying our Bishop Nigel and his wife. Fortunately they had to fly to Rwanda! They stayed at SU in Kigali for 2 days. When they return (I think today!) we will hear more from them. However in the meantime here is proof that the keyboard arrived safely and is much appreciated!




Thursday 15 July 2010

I'm sorry to seem to be slow in sending another blog, but we have been waiting for Paul Daltry's return from Rwanda to be able to send you some pictures.

And First! Proof that our efforts towards the end of last year were rewarded! The cows have arrived at the Theological College and here is the proof! This is one of 2 cows that were purchased. In the end the costs were higher than expected so the hoped for 3 didn't materialise, However both cows are pregnant! One calf has to go back to the supplier, but the second is theirs to keep. They have been able to build the shed with our money and also have funds for feeding etc.

The main purpose of Paul's visit of course, was the consecration of Louis Muvunyi as Bishop of Kigali - a service which went on for 6 hours! followed by festivities. It must have been a real privilege for Paul to be there. Thanks you to those who contributed to his robes. If there is anyone who still would like to help with the cost (Rwanda Direct underwrote it), then Barbara Willingham our Treasurer would love to hear from you!

Of course we made sure that Rwanda Direct got full benefit from Paul's visit! He was able to take £800 to Ceformi, the Diocesan Technical College in Kigali. In the past we have sent goods by Container, but have discovered that it is possible for Ceformi to purchase similar equipment in Rwanda (made of course in China!), so we wait and see how successful they are. They have a new Director (Japhet - I won't bother with the surname. It's long and unpronounceable!) who Paul says is a human Dynamo! Please pray for him and for the project. It had become somewhat run down, but we hope that Japhet will succeed in getting it turned around.

Paul was also able to take out £1000 for Scripture Union. They have so many needs. We particularly try to support their outreach to young people through Camps; also leadership training programmes. Paul was also pleased to be able to confirm the safe arrival of sewing and knitting machines which were also sent in the last Container. This will enable Widows. victims of the genocide to create a self sufficiency project under the care of Scripture Union. The last picture is of the happy face of Jean Baptiste with some of the machine's (still boxed) behind.
What of course would make him even more happy, is if we can provide a Keyboard for him, for outreach to the young people of Rwanda. I asked in the last blog, but so far no response. Even if you are unable to help you may know someone who can! Please ask friends and neighbours. We would love to be able to send one in the next Container due out on September.
Thanks for all your help, prayerfully and financially.
David








Saturday 22 May 2010


Hi everyone!

Just thought you would like to be encouraged knowing that the money you send to us is put to good effect. You might remember that in the last Container to Rwanda sent by 'Tools with a Mission' we included Computers for the library at the Scripture Union headquarters in Kigali, for the use of Church leaders, giving them free access to the Internet. Well - there they are! All up and running!
Two other things for your prayers, and if possible you help.
1. Scripture Union organise a lot of camps for Young people throughout Rwanda, and are urgently in need of a KEYBOARD. It needs to be a robust one, and preferably one that mimics the actual feel of an ordinary piano. Are there any worship groups out there that are upgrading your equipment, and just might have a spare Keyboard which we could send in the next Container? Please contact me, David Meikle, either on my email david@davidmeikle.plus.com or phone me - 01473 439113.
2. Please continue to pray for Louis Muvunyi as he prepares to become Bishop of Kigali. He is to be consecrated on June 20th. PAUL DALTRY our Chairman is going to be there as a friend, but also representing Rwanda Direct. We will have photographs to show you when he returns. In the meantime, if any of you can contribute to Louis' robes, which are quite expensive, please could you send a cheque to our Treasurer, at 11 Dereham Avenue, Ipswich IP3 0QA.
Thank you!

Saturday 8 May 2010


Hi everyone. This is just a note to encourage you to come and hear Pheneas Zimulinda on May 18th. Here is a photo of him! Those of us who went to Rwanda met him, and are looking forward to seeing him again over here.
Pheneas has taken over the work of Meg Guillebaud, in training Catechists in the Diocese of Byumba in the north of Byumba. He is coming over here, speaking to various groups on what Jesus is doing through his church to bring restoration, forgiveness and hope following the genocide.
I know he will be inspirational. There are 2 opportunites to hear him. For Church leaders there is a meeting from 12 - 1.30 at St. Andrews, Britannia Road, (bring your own lunch). Then in the evening at 7.30 there is an open meeting for all at the same venue. I look forward to seeing you there!

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Louis Muvunyi to be Bishop of Kigali


Hi everyone. An update for you all. Many will remember Louis Muvunyi. He came to visit about 5 years ago when he was the Diocesan Youth Worker for the Kigali Diocese. When he returned he shortly became an Archdeacon. Then following our visit to Rwanda 2 years ago, he bacame Acting Principal for the Theological College. BUT NOW he has been elected Bishop of Kigali! He is to be consecrated on June 20th. Please pray for him and his family as he prepares for this.
One of the things he needs are the robes to go with the calling. Robes are very important in Rwanda, and of course are costly.
Louis has asked for help and so Rwanda Direct is opening a special fund to provide Louis with what he needs. The robes are being made over here and will cost in the region of £500. If you feel you can help, could you send cash or a cheque to Barbara Willingham our new treasurer. Her address is 11 Dereham Avenue, IP3 0QA. It will be a wonderful gift for him.
We are also pleased that Paul Daltry is going out to Rwanda to be present at the consecration. Paul and Louis became close friends when Paul was working in Gahini, before his ordination. He will also be representing us at Rwanda Direct. He will be able to take the robes for Louis with him! Pray that they fit! We will have more news and pictures when Paul returns.

Other News.
The Container has arrived at Kigali, and as a result Scripture Union now have 10 Computers for their library, for any Church leader to use. They also have 15 sewing and knitting machines to give widows and orphans of the genocide hope for the future. Again when these gifts are up and running we hope to show you them in action.

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Welcome to Rwanda Direct!

Rwanda Direct - first blog post!

Welcome to 'Rwanda Direct Ipswich'


Thanks to Karen Turnbull, the Youth Leader from All Saints Kesgrave, I am taking the plunge and with her help have created a blog so that if and when you log in you should be able to keep up with the latest news!


The Container which we sent with sewing machines, knitting machines and computers for Scripture Union in December has at last arrived in Africa, but as yet hasn't reached Kigali! We need to learn patience with anything to do with Rwanda! This gift has been time well as this year SU Rwanda celebrates is 40th Anniversary. They celebrated this in January. The picture shows the VIP tent on that day, and in the middle for those who know her, you can see Meg Guillebaud. It was Meg's father that established SU in Rwanda 40 years ago.

We have already booked space in the next 'Tools with a Mission' Container to leave in the Autumn. This time the space has been allocated once more to Ceformi, the Anglican Technical College in Kigali. They have asked for quite a lot of equipment. Leigh Parratt has also booked space for a Water Project she has involvement with, in Rwanda.

What we can send will depend on how much money we can allocate to this project. Space costs £170 per cubic metre. I say this to encourage you who feel able to join us and contribute to costs.

Bernard Habingabire is the Diocesan Agricultural Director for the Kigeme Diocese. When a group of us visited Rwanda in 2008, he requested help to enable him to go to University to develop his skills. At last an opportunity has arisen and we were able to send £700 to enable him to take advantage of a 'part time' University Education, while still continuing with his work.

And finally THE COW! Thank you so much to those of you who gave so generously, not only financially, but also with your time on that cold day in December on the Cornhill! - either as front or back of the Cow!- or as a tin shaker, or poster holder. We raised £410 on the day, but your generosity was so great that altogether we raised £2010 -enough not just for 1 but for 3 cows. We are so grateful. I hope that shortly we will be able to show you the real cows at the Theological College near Kigali, providing sustenance for the students who are studying there.