Rwanda Church Construction - December 2019 Update
Dedication of the Mutuntu Church Sanctuary
Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me round on the outside to the outer gate that faces towards the east, and the water was coming out on the south side. He said to me, ‘This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh, and everything will live where the river goes. On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing. Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
The day the Mutuntu sanctuary was dedicated, my devotional reading was from the prophet Ezekiel. It is a vibrant image of the Temple in Jerusalem as the fount of water that renews the face of the earth. Visions are complicated things to understand. However, when you know the parish of Mutuntu, which happens to be my home parish, this scripture and the vision about a glorious Temple make so much sense. It is true that this Temple is not so much a building but a representation of the body of Christ; both the physical body of the Church sanctuary and the “spiritual” body of Christ through the saints in worship.
When we arrived for the dedication, the church building was already packed and the church grounds full. We were told that this sanctuary had been under construction for more than ten years. Ezekiel makes a great deal of the cleansing and purifying properties of the water which flows from the Temple. Imagine yourself in the place of Ezekiel in the vision, just watching this water flowing on the hills of Mutuntu and the surrounding villages. Think about it for a minute – that in the present day, there is an opportunity like this to build and to equip the church with the capacity to proclaim healing in places like Mutuntu.
The Mutuntu congregation is very dear to me. It is where I heard the gospel preached and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. To this day, it is still the biggest miracle of my life to know the love of God, receive salvation, and dedicate my life to serving God. The members of this congregation lacked the means to complete their sanctuary. The church called on organizations including The Outreach Foundation, the EPUB (Église Presbyterienne Unie de Belgique), and others to come alongside and help complete this sanctuary. Members of the Mutuntu congregation are at work in their community, empowered, thriving, and spreading healing as well as bearing the fruit of the gospel. Outreach is grateful to First Presbyterian Church of Nashville for securing funding to complete these sanctuaries.
Through the participation of U.S. children during Vacation Bible School, Outreach was able to present members of the congregation with the Word of God (Bibles). Some families were also presented with a gift that keeps on giving – a goat. The first fruit (baby) of the goat will be passed on to another needy member. We are grateful for the many churches that participated in this year’s VBS mission component which provided an opportunity for young believers (children) to connect to global partners with such amazing gifts.
Ezekial’s scripture also speaks volumes about your generous gifts which allow The Outreach Foundation to come alongside the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda to complete sanctuaries. There are two more buildings under construction and nearing completion. The Rugarika church building has just been roofed and the reconstruction of the Bubazi church building is at the roof level. You might recall that on August 23, 2019, a pillar of the former Bubazi church collapsed sending the roof and construction workers to the ground. Believers were devastated to see their efforts ruined. The new building appears very strong and can hold close to 1,200 when completed and equipped.
Thank you for your faithfulness to the gospel that transforms lives, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Ebralie Mwizerwa
Projects Coordinator
Read more about Rwanda Church Construction HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $40,000 for new church buildings and an additional $20,000 for roofing, doors, and windows on unfinished sanctuaries. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.