On the Move

I have this sense that God is on the move this weekend all around the world. I feel this because of some of the events that I know are happening, and I’m certain there are hundreds of others about which I know nothings, but God does. It is humbling to look around and realize what God is doing.

The big event here at PIASS is the third annual “Scientific Week,” an academic symposium presented by the faculties of the college. The local community around Butare is invited to participate. This year’s theme is Gender, Family and Community Development. Papers will be presented, dramas enacted, discussions entertained, all for the purpose of challenging us to look at the issues of gender and family in the culture of Rwanda. Sunday will see the conclusion of this long-planned program, but will hopefully see the beginning of further investigation into the culture and cultural values that shape the country, in light of our Christian faith.



At the same time, just an hour’s drive north of Butare, a group from First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN is here in Rwanda to complete the construction of a church building and to dedicate it. The group arrived on Thursday and the dedication will be on Sunday, the culmination of months of working together to provide a safe, comfortable worship space for a rural congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda. This seals a partnership that has been building for the past four years. It holds the promise of the future of that partnership.

About 1,300 miles to the south of Rwanda, a group from Pittsburgh Presbytery arrives on Saturday in Blantyre Malawi for the 22^nd missionary exchange visit. This team of 11 is in route now. What makes this trip so significant is that they will be joined by a team of three from South Sudan to formalize a three way partnership among Pittsburgh, Blantyre and South Sudan Presbyterians. The signing of that agreement will be on Sunday as well. This will be followed by 10 days of working together and furthering the bonds of partnership, some deep rooted in the history between Blantyre and Pittsburgh and some just being formed with South Sudan.



Flags at Anderson Auditorium, NWMC

Then some 7,400 miles, across the Atlantic Ocean, the New Wilmington Mission Conference is about to begin at Westminster College. Today is a day of prayer for the staff and the conferees arrive tomorrow for the 107^th conference. Missionaries from more than 30 countries will share with youth and adults gathered from across the United States to learn about what God is doing around the world. This has been a part of my summer program every year I have been in the States, since I was in high school. It is a time to share about symposiums like the one at PIASS, mission trips like First Nashville’s or Pittsburgh Presbyteries and to encourage others to get involved in what God is doing in the world. New missionaries for the PC(USA) will be commissioned on Wednesday evening Two of those to be commissioned are good friends from the conference who will be going to serve in the Middle East and one is a woman I have yet to meet, but who will be coming to Rwanda to join me in teaching English to members of the Presbyterian Church here. On Friday evening, conferees will have the opportunity to commit their lives to Christ or to deepen their commitment to God’s mission around the world or in their own congregations, to join in God’s moving in his world.

The humbling thing is to realize that these four events are just a fraction of what God is doing this weekend, this day, in his world. He is on the move in large and small ways, building his kingdom. What a thrill to be a small part of it.