The world remembers Rwanda because of the 1994 genocide that stained the soul of this East African nation culminating in almost a million deaths and two million people being displaced. It remains one of the world’s poorest countries with the average Rwandan making a mere US$230 per year. What the world does not know is the caliber of people who are serving God in this impoverished part of the globe.
A few weeks ago, I shared in Connections some of the challenges of ministry in Western Europe and I highlighted the desperate need for evangelists and workers in Italy. An incredible response came from an unexpected corner of the world. The overseer of Rwanda/Burundi, Brother Redias Nkundabera, wrote, “We shall also mobilise our chuch members to contribute generously during this World Mission Drive so that the ministry in Italy and Europe may be helped, and please I am requesting you to deduct $50.00 from my…allotment towards helping one of the evangelists in Italy.” I wrote back to Brother Redias to make sure I understood him correctly. I had not misunderstood. This national overseer of an impoverished African nation wanted to help support the work of evangelism in a rich Western nation on another continent from the limited funds he receives as national overseer. What an amazing heart! Such sacrifice and solidarity reminds me of the Macedonian churches who, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their most extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Cor. 8:2, NIV).
By David H. Bryan, Global Outreach Ministries Director