Linda, a 24-year-old sex worker in Kigali, Rwanda, didn’t want to be tested for HIV because she feared she would find she would soon die. Her fear was not unfounded. Being aware of one’s HIV-positive status was a first step toward dying of AIDS in Rwanda, as in most parts of Africa. Anti-retrovi...

There are two words that continue to run through my mind – Remember and Celebrate. They are the words a life well lived. Our nature is to collect and tell stories. Our homes and offices are filled with photos of children, graduation, marriages, new opportunities, and even defining crises. We by na...

The General - Melodrama: I was one human being [Egmont: No. 8 Melodrama] By permission Sony BMG A persuasive combination of Beethoven's music and a contemporary text inspired by the 1994 Rwandan genocide looks like being this year's best kept music secret. Last autumn I added a comment to my post Al...

It is that time of year again – Christ's Church in Rwanda Anniversary. You, your family, and friends are invited to celebrate with us on Sunday, 1 March 2009. Our Guest of Honor for the Anniversary Celebration will be Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Mrs. Rosemary Museminali. (Mark ...

A scary thing is happening at CCR. In fact it is the oldest problem that has ever happened at church. It is the substance of both conflict and discovery. People are thinking and asking questions with an open bible, history books, and their own experience. I love it. I hope you also find friends disc...

A month ago this fallen rebel seemed untouchable. Early in the morning on January 23rd, Rwandan forces surrounded and arrested former rebel leader Laurent Nkunda as he was fleeing an attack on his base in Bunagana, Congo, into Rwanda. Formerly the leader of the CNDP, a Tutsi-dominated rebel group, N...

The next few weeks are going to be exciting ones at CCR. This Sunday we'll be continuing our discussion of our freedom in Christ and I think coinciding with Heroes Day will be particularly insightful. Freedom always comes with a price and our heroes remind us that sacrifice is a requirement for free...

Approximately 150 years ago slave traders began to enter the Great Lakes region. They found a unique phenomenon of large well organized kingdoms. Though many of the kingdoms had shared language, history, and culture they also periodically engaged in war among themselves. As the slaver traders entere...

It’s Mazel Tov time. This past Shabbat, our family celebrated our son Jonah’s Bar Mitzvah with our family, friends and incredible congregational community. A joyous kvell-o-rama! As you may remember from earlier blog posts, Jonah attended JRC’s congregational trip to Rwanda/Uganda ...

In a short time one of Kigali's most delightful people will be leaving to take another post. Many of you know Emily Shaffer, the Consular at the U.S. Embassy. I rarely give an "American" editorial at CCR, but Emily deserves one. I've lived in this region of the world for 15 years. During that time I...