Mututu

Nancy watching women weaving

Five women sat weaving baskets as they waited for us to arrive. The pastor had called twice to check on our progress and get an estimated time of arrival. We were running late but were on our way. Nancy Collins, the regional liaison for south central Africa for PC(USA), Célestin Nsengimana, the regional president for EPR, the regional accountant, the driver and I moved carefully over the narrow, rutted dirt path that served as a road to Mututu parish, the furthest point of the Huye region of EPR. This remote parish, about 2 hours from Butare, on the Burundi border serves subsistence farm families struggling to make a living. We were on our way to see the development they had been engaged in. Nancy and I were their first abazungu (white people) to visit the parish. 

The elders with Pastor Samuel

Despite our late arrival, we were greeted with singing and laughter. It was just an hour until darkness, but all who initially gathered had waited to greet us. We were ushered to the church building for introductions of the elders, deacons and women’s coordinator. The women followed with their baskets for us to see. The church has a metal roof since grass roofs are outlawed in Rwanda, but the floor is only partially cemented. It is a work in progress, like much of the work of the parish. We all sat on handmade wooden benches. After greetings and introductions, the pastor explained the activities of the parish that we were doing to see. Pastor Samuel has served the parish for two years, coming directly from PIASS. What we heard and saw amazed me. Young Samuel has accomplished much in a short time.

The women have formed a cooperative organization for their basket making and from the sales of their baskets have provided each woman in the coop with goats for raising and breeding. The men have begun breeding pigs, a more labor intensive livestock, but one that yields a higher profit. We visited the pigs of one of the families just a short walk from the church. In an area with no electricity, the pastor had negotiated with EPRfor solar power for the parish, so in addition to the manse having electricity, so does the church and a small out building between the church and the manse that is used to recharge phone batteries and to give haircuts with an electric razor. These are income generating activities for the parish. They also have bee hives and sell the honey in the local market area. All of these activities have increased the financial security of a generally insecure area, providing economic development. It has also built up church attendance. Samuel is leading Bible studies on a weekly basis to nurture the spiritual development of the congregation.

Nancy and I bought basket, to support the women. Unfortunately for us, all the honey had been sold that week at the market. What a blessing for the church. Samuel shared his family’s jar with us so we could taste it. We heard repeatedly that this is just the beginning. There is so much more that needs to be done in developing the physical and spiritual lives of the people in this area. I was deeply touched by how much they had accomplished thus far and promised to return to see the further development.

Basket, including the gifts

True to Rwandan hospitality, they presented gifts to Nancy and me before we left. We were each given a gift-wrapped basket. Nancy’s held a beautiful pineapple and mine overflowed with tomatoes. Their generosity touched me deeply. It was so encouraging to see the efforts of self-reliance that the parish has demonstrated. The people of Mututu captured my heart with their energy and innovative spirits.