The Chapel on the Hill

Written by: Liz Henrich

Today we traveled to Kabaya, southeast of Gisenyi, through the land of a thousand hills for which Rwanda is known. It was a gorgeous drive, winding through enormous tea fields. The climate is about 10 degrees cooler than in neighboring Gisenyi.

We visited a village church on the side of a hill. It was small and rustic, almost like a chapel. We parked at the bottom of the hill and hiked up a narrow path adorned with rocks and mud and, in some spots, a board or two traversing an impossible puddle. You should see the way the villagers run up and down the path like it is nothing. They have the challenge of dealing with a very wet climate.

Pastor John greeted us along with the congregation and lovely singing. Once inside, there was more singing and some dancing too. What was most evident were the beautiful smiles.

This was our first visit to this new cooperative (also the first white people to come to this village). They organized seven months ago in preparation for our visit and are ready to accept a $400 savings bonus. The money will be divided among the group to build their businesses and support their families. They will also make regular contributions back to the cooperative to help the church and community. They are determined to improve their church building by replacing the roof with metal sheets. Right now you can see daylight through the holes in the roof. We trekked back down the hill just before the rain began.

Our God is truly an awesome God, delivering us safely place to place and showing us blessings everywhere we go through His loving Rwandan people.

Next stop to visit representatives from two cooperatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo.