"Abaja ba Kristo" (Rwanda) news

 

Dear friends and partners,

We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, our savior.  We thank God that we can share with you along this way what the current situation of our country in general is and of our Deaconess community "Abaja  ba  Kristo" in particular.

We are very grateful for what God has done in our community. In December 2020, we held elections for a new community leadership team. Since 1 January 2021, this new team is operational; sr. Marie-Louise Niyonsenga is elected as leader of the community, her replacement is sr. Domithille  Uwiragiye. In addition, two secretaries and a treasurer have been appointed; Rev. Vincent Musabyimana  is the pastor of the community.

We are also grateful for the decline of the Covid 19 pandemic in Rwanda, where many initiatives have been taken to contain this pandemic. According to health officials, Rwanda has so far  (May 3)  25,490 corona patients, 337  deaths and  23,442  recovered.

The government has started the vaccinationprogramme,  with the goal of vaccinating 30% of our population by the end of 2021, and 60% by the end of 2022. (The population of Rwanda is 13,151,365).   

Rwanda received vaccines to be used to vaccinate a total of 171,480 people identified as priority at-risk groups, including healthcare personnel - people over the age of 65 or with underlying health problems, other frontline workers and people with disabilities.

In the meantime, quite a few sisters have also been vaccinated.

At the moment, many activities such as schools, public transport and commercial activities are open again and we continue to take measures to counteract the negative impact of Covid  19.

Some churches, which have met the requirements of the government, are accessible to a limited number of visitors, but a large number of churches are still closed. We hope that the Covid 19 situation will increasingly 'wash away'.

Dear friends and partners, we have celebrated The Passover and are allowed to live from the resurrection of Jesus Christ! He has conquered death! On behalf of the community "Abaja ba Kristo" I wish you God's blessing!

Sr. Marie-Louise Niyonsenga,

Community manager 'Abaja  ba  Kristo'

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, He has given us a new birth in a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

(1 Peter 1:3)

from left to right: zr. Emerthe, secretary; Ds. Vincent Musabyimana, spiritual caregiver; Sr. Donithille, second manager; Sr. Berthe, treasurer; 

Sr. Marie-Louise, first manager; Sr. Esperance, second secretary

Sisters in Rwanda - newsletter May 2021

SISTER COMMUNITY

We are grateful that it is possible to have regular contact with the sisters via social media. They are doing well, so far none of the sisters have become infected with the coronavirus! However, they notice that there is a lot of need in their environment, because people do not have a job and therefore no income. Because donations came in from various sides, they were able to help many people with food.

SCHOOLS OPEN AGAIN

Unfortunately, all schools in Rwanda went into lockdown, also the primaryschool, which opened last year, the kindergarten and technical school,. There was no question of homeschooling, because most pupils at home do not have a computer and often even no electricity. Fortunately, the schools are now open again and work can be done to make up for the backlog.

EXPANSION SCHOOL

When primary school opened in February last year, the sisters said that this building did not contain all the necessary spaces and that expansion was therefore urgently needed. Especially the lack of a kitchen and dining room was a problem. Moreover,  the former orphan village that serves as a kindergarten no longer meets the requirements. In this way, a plan was made for a new building on the site of the orphan village. Much to the delight of the sisters, the funding soon came to an end, so that hopefully construction can start this year!  

RUBENGERA TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL

The technical school is also back in full operation. Last year, a dorm for girls could be put into use. For the boys this is also urgently needed, they now live in a house that is far too small. 

Since January, Sr. Emilienne is leader of the school. For the time being, she will continue to take care of the children of the orphan village. With great commitment and ingenuity she combines these tasks: when for a boy from the orphan village was bought a cottage, she had the furniture made by students of the technical school, who earned their school fees in this way!

BABY PROJECT

The baby project was also stopped for a while because of the lockdown, but now the mothers can come again, while respecting the rules: face masks and distance. Sr. Marthe is happy to be helping the mothers and their babies again! Especially now that poverty has increased so much, this aid is literally vital for the little ones.

WATER PROJECT

Last year, construction began on site of its own water source for the sister community and buildings on site. That was quite difficult, because the ground turned out to be so hard that a few times the drill gave out. Finally a depth of 7 meters could be reached, where – as it stands – there is enough water to be found.

Now the final phase has yet to be carried out: the construction of 800 meters of pipe from the source to the grounds of the sisters! Once that is done, hopefully enough water will flow to provide the mother house, the guest house and the schools!

AGRICULTURAL PROJECT

Improvements have been made to the irrigation system in the field of the agricultural project, so that harvesting can be carried out more frequently. Church in Action regularly calls attention to this project. On their website there is a lot of information about it; it's worth taking a look at it.

We would like to draw your attention to the website, which is faithfully maintained by volunteer Rachel Pekkeriet. Together we try to keep the site as up-to-date as possible. You can also order postcards made by the sisters via the site.

On behalf of the board of the St. Friends of Sisters in Rwanda, I warmly greet you and wish you God's blessing!

Zr. Dorien Peet

COVID - DIAKAID grant

Report of the Evangelical-Baptist church of Georgia 

(a member of DRAE - DIAKONIA Region of Africa and Europe)

The number of COVID-19 infected people has been increasing steadily and violently in Georgia since mid-October 2020. The hospitals are overcrowded and they can't take care of people anymore in hospitals. Many people have been left without work and are afraid of the future. 

The pandemic is particularly difficult for people with various diseases, who often have no money for medication, and for the elderly poor people who live alone. In such a difficult time, the International Humanitarian Charity Association “Beteli” received support (1,500 euros) from DIAKONIA World Federation on October, 2020 to help people in need with food parcels and medicines. 

At Beteli, St. Nino Diakonieorden works with stations in Tbilisi and in the regions. With the help of the deaconry sisters, we reached 40 poor people in need and provided them with food parcels and medicines. That was not only material help, but also good encouragement for them. 

On behalf of the International Humanitarian Charity Association “Beteli” we are very thankful to DIAKONIA World Federation for supporting the aid and support project for poor people in need and I hope that we can continue to work together in the field of helping poor people. 

Ilia Osephashvili

Bishop of Evangelical-Baptist church of Georgia

Representative of International Humanitarian Charity Association “Beteli”

Mamre, Madagascar (annual report 2020)

Please take the time to read the annual report from the Sisters in Mamre (Madagascar) - it's a long but very interesting report. Please remember Sister Angeline and the sisters in your prayers (and share in your communities). 

If you want to send an email with greetings and encouragement, you can email them at maserafjkm@gmail.com. 

The Sisters of Mamré are happy to greet you and wish you all the best for 2021 with this blessing from our Lord God. May He fulfil this blessing in each and every one of you throughout this year: in our joys and in our struggles, which are the two sides of our lives during our earthly pilgrimage. 

On this day as I write: on the one hand, I feel that time is passing very quickly, but on the other hand, it is slowed down by the worries of daily life and national and global news, which provoke sensitivities and anxieties in the hearts of human beings. Here is a concrete example of our experience. Because of the acute poverty in Madagascar, violence reigns throughout the island. Our community has been a victim as well. In August 2020, our three houses in Ambavahadimitafo were burgled several times. In Mamré: they stole our two large tortoises Soky and Lova, who had been our close friends for a long time; they took benches that we use to accommodate those in need of listening and prayer; pots of orchid and anthurium flowers were stolen; they even killed our cats. In Moria: they stole the children's white bean supply for a year and materials for the garden and laundry. In Bethel: they were able to open our iron gate and the doors of the house. They broke the padlocks on Mathilde's two iron trunks and took everything they wanted. We had to empty the house by transporting the remains of her luggage to Mamre. We don't have a tenant for this house yet and we are looking for someone to replace her. For this reason, we had to install security systems for our two houses but that still does not prevent burglars from entering. 

Coronavirus still exists in Madagascar; the anti-Covid rules are still very strict. These are the other consequences of the pandemic here at home: Closing industries that causes unemployment to rise; cost of living inflation; insecurity; Rape; corruption etc...

So, life becomes scary. Community life is gradually returning to normality. We resumed our community meeting on 11 September 2020 after those six months of confinement, a joy to be together again. Each took six days of retreat according to their own time. The theme in this retreat was for each to review her consecration retreat.

World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle - Cameroon

The WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle includes the Cameroon on August 2nd-8th, 2020.

DIAKONIA World Federation has a member association in Cameroon, Communauté de l’Emmanuel (Emmanuel Community), a protestant monastic community within the "Presbyterian Church in Cameroon" (PCC). It was one of the first Protestant communities of Africa. It was founded in 1971 by Sister Madeleine Mary Handy, Cameroonian and first woman pastor of Cameroon. The Cameroon sisters are closely associated with the Deaconesses Sisterhood of Reuilly (Versailles).

The prioresses (left to right)
Rev. Sr. Madeleine M. Handy, founder and prioress 1971-1999
Rev. Sr. Judith Ngo Nyemb, prioress 1999-2012
Rev .Sr. Shalom Kiven, prioress from 2012    
                                                             

The Charisma of Emmanuel Sisters is prayer, service to the poor and needy (whether the needs are
spiritual or practical), service to the church, and ecumenism. Prayer is central in the life of the Emmanuel Sisters. Isaiah 62: 6-7 guides them to give God no rest as they watch and pray for the whole world. Being a member of this community the sister must develop an intimate fellowship with God through prayer and learn to invoke God in all circumstances through prayer.

Prayers of thanksgiving for:
* the natural resources and diverse gifts, such as the distinctive music and dance of Cameroon
* those who minister to victims of sexual violence, trafficking and other human rights abuses
* Christians and people of other faiths who courageously have pursued reconciliation and peace among those in conflict
* individuals and organizations who have provided for health clinics and schools in Cameroon

Prayers for others:
* just resolutions to the conflicts and violence among diverse groups and their leaders
* refugees who flee to other countries, and for those who host them
* economic developments that make it possible for all to rise out of poverty
* stable democratic governments that effectively serve the common good.

DRAE Assembly

The DRAE (DIAKONIA Region Africa Europe) Assembly is to take place in Scotland, 19th to 24th June. The theme is 'For such a time as this' (Esther 4.14). The venue is the Queen Margaret University, Musselburg, Edinburgh. John Bell has been invited to present on the theme.
It is wonderful that 185 participants from 16 countries have registered.
Prayers for the DRAE ExCo, and the planners and hosts for the DRAE Assembly.

Edinburgh castle

A prayer by the Church of Scotland Diaconate in the last hours before the Assembly begins.
Let us pray for guidance & wisdom:
Lord Jesus, you came to serve,
not to be served,
form within us your generous spirit;
Fill us with your love,
that we may love the Father
as you love him.
Fill us with your compassion,
that we may see our brothers and sisters
as you see them.
Fill us with your courage,
that we may give our lives in service to the Church
as you gave your life for all your children.
Fill us with that Spirit
which will make us
preachers of your Word,
ministers of service ,
servants of your Bride,
friends of the poor,
and a voice of the forgotten.
Transform us through your Holy Spirit
so that we may transform the world into
your Kingdom of justice and faith.
Amen.
Fr. Benedict D. O'Cinnsealaigh
(Adapted)

Congratulations to Terrtu Pohjolainen!

At the recent meeting of the Kaiserswerther Generalkonferenz (KGK) held in Berlin, Terrtu (from Finland) was elected as the new President. (Congratulations, Terttu!) She brings a variety of diaconal experiences to the office of President, including her work with the Diakonian Institute of Lahti and as Managing Director of Kaarisilta, a facility for children and young people with disabilities. She has previously served as vice-president of the KGK. Terrtu is pictured below with other office bearers - Oberin Rollaug Waaler (from Norway) and Sr. Diakonisse Anke Frickmann. Together, they will provide leadership for the Presidium of the KGK. (Congratulations also to Anke and to Rollaug).

The worldwide Kaiserswerther General Conference is a network of more than 100 diaconal institutions, diaconal houses, diaconic communities and deaconesses from Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa.

At its recent meeting, planning took place for the 43rd General Conference in Bethel in 2018 as well as the planned tour to New York City in autumn 2017. It is anticipated this tour will provide insights into the American health care system by visiting various hospitals, public nursing homes, training centres and historical places of health care, including visits to the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Centre, the NYU Lutheran Medical Centre and the Blythedal Children's Hospital founded in 1883 by a Norwegian deaconess.

The Presidium of the KGK is made up of: Diakonisse Terttu Pohjolainen (FI), Oberin Rollaug Waaler (NO), Director Marek Londzin (PL), Sister Melinda L. Lando (North America), Stiftspropst Jürgen Stobbe (D-Nord), Ltd. Sister Diakonisse Anke Frickmann (D-West), Ltd. Sr. Roswitha Buff (D-South), Personnel Committee / Dr. Gundula Grießmann (D-Ost), authorized officer Karsten Stüber (D-Ost), Theol. Executive Board Rev. Klaus Riesenbeck (D-West), Rector Pastor Annette Goll (F), Superior Sr. Merete Pelle Poulsen (DK), Vice- Ltd. Sr. Vilma Linda Reinar (BR), Pastor Christa Schrauf (AT), KR Dr. Christine-Rutmüller (Secretary General).

DRAE Executive meeting, Munich

In February 2017, the DRAE Executive met in Munich. DIAKONIA Region Africa Europe is one of three regional groups of the DIAKONIA World Federation of Diaconal Associations and Diaconal Communities.
Although only formerly constituted in 1994, DRAE dates back to the late 1940's when diaconal groups came together to address issues and needs arising from the aftermath of World War II.
Today, DRAE brings together diaconal groups from 20 countries across Africa and Europe and represents over 16,000 people engaged in the mission of the Gospel.

DRAE Executive (and Diane Kaufmann, DIAKONIA website manager)

DRAE Assembly 2015

The DIAKONIA Region Africa Europe (DRAE) Assembly has gathered in Kongshaug, Bergen. With more than 140 delegates from the UK, Scandinavia, Europe and Africa, this is a wonderful time for renewing friendships and making new connections, for sharing stories, engaging in learning, and for building community. Please hold the DRAE Assembly in your prayers this week. The input from guest speakers is being posted as PDF text files on the DRAE website.

Rev Sandy Boyce with the DRAE sign at the airport

Participants are being encouraged to knit, for a project in Estonia

the view from the venue at Kongshaug

The moon at 2am with a blue sky - summer in Norway!

Delegates at the opening gathering for DRAE Assembly 2015

Rev Sandy Boyce with African delegates - Ibironke, Joanna and Margaret

snow capped mountains in the distance

Journeying

For many years, I worked with the national Uniting Church international mission unit coordinating a program to support people who were venturing out as volunteers with partner churches and projects in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. It was wonderful to support them as they left ‘home’ and entered another cultural landscape. The experience was often transformative as people were able to hold a mirror up to their lifestyle, assumptions and values at home in light of their new experiences. Journey was as much an interior journey into uncharted territory as it was external.

The lectionary leads us for the next few months into ‘ordinary time’, and takes us on an interior journey, joining Jesus as he embarks on an exterior journey walking the ancient landscape of Palestine. As we encounter the stories afresh, we will be challenged again to live out the message and mission of Jesus that we have been remembering through the season of Epiphany, Lent and Easter. This year the new liturgical season begins with a confrontational question – to what will we give our allegiance: the reign of God, or some other power? It’s a lively question in our day and age, when there is so much that seeks to be persuasive but that is contradictory to the values of the reign of God - be it economics, social or cultural. There is no need for speed as we journey through the season of Pentecost. It is a long, slow walk, where we are able to pay attention to the journey.

I love Kosuke Koyama’s idea of the three mile an hour God: 'Love has its speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks.’ It beckons us to slow down and give our attention to the journey.

And I begin my own journey to Europe where I can hopefully enjoy the ‘three miles an hour’ pace. Geoff and I fly to Amsterdam this week to catch up with wonderful people we met when they were staying in Adelaide for a visit. Now it’s our turn to see their city through their eyes. Our time in Europe will finish with the DRAE Regional Conference in Norway, 1-5 July. I'll be keeping a blog of the travels and learning if anyone is interested.

    Dear God, we pray for another way of being,
    another way of knowing.
    Across the difficult terrain of our existence
    we have attempted to build a highway
    and in so doing have lost our footpath.
    God, lead us to our footpath.
    Lead us there where, in simplicity,
    we may move at the speed of natural creatures
    and feel the earth’s love beneath our feet.
    Lead us there where, step-by-step,
    we may feel the movement of creation in our hearts.
    And lead us there where, side-by-side,
    we may feel the embrace of the common soul.
    Nothing can be loved at speed.
    God, lead us to the slow path;
    to the joyous insights of the pilgrim;
    another way of knowing;
    another way of being. Amen.

   (c) Michael Leunig, Common Prayer Collection, Collins Dove, 1990

I look forward to the mindful encounter with God at a walking pace over these next few weeks.

DIAKONIA Prayer Day (26th of each month)

On the 26th day of every month members of World DIAKONIA pray for each other.
You might like to pray for the DIAKONIA Executive Committee as it meets today in Kaiserswerth, and for members of the Executive.The program today is a visit around historic sites in Kaiserswerth connected with the work of Theodor Fleidner in establishing the Lutheran deaconess order in 1836.
You might like to pray for the three DIAKONIA Regions and the Regional Presidents - DIAKONIA Asia Pacific: President, Emma Cantor, DIAKONIA of the Americas and the Carribean; President, Lisa Polito, DIAKONIA Region Africa-Europe: President, Marianne Uri Øverland. 
You might like to pray for particular situations in countries, and for diaconal ministry responding to need, often in very challenging circumstances.

DRAE meeting

Rev Ann Wren, DACE President

DRAE President Rev Marianne Uri Øverlandand

DRAE (DIAKONIA Region of Africa and Europe) is one of three regional groups of the DIAKONIA World Federation. The DRAE Executive meets this week. Please hold the members of the Executive in your prayers, and especially DRAE President Rev Marianne Uri Øverlandand. Also, please hold Ann Wren and her team of helpers in your prayers. Ann is hosting the meeting in her Parish in Blackpool. She was recently elected President of DACE (Diaconal Association of the Church of England) for a three year term, with Pat Wright elected to serve as Vice-President.

A prayer for gathering
Lord of our days,
we come to you as many and as one.
With many histories and one history,
with many tomorrows and one tomorrow,
with many ministries and one ministry.
Call us together in faith;
trusting that where we are now
is where you would have us be.
Knowing, deep down
and despite our confusion,
that all is well
and all manner of things shall be well.
Call us together in hope;
believing that there is a new day for the world.
Stir us into action,
that we may be participants
in bringing good news to bear on a troubled creation.
Call us together in love;
embracing the different steps in our common journey
so that, together,
we may be a sign and symbol
of your active presence int he world.
Lord of our days,
we come as many and as one.
Called together by you
in faith, hope and love,
we commit ourselves to ministry
and look towards tomorrow. Amen.
(Rev Leanne Jenski, Rev Deac Susan Wickham, from Singing while it is still dark)