What a glorious day. This morning, I returned to the church where I preached on Sunday. This time, I preached for the service that concluded their morning time of prayer and fasting. Between 900 & 1000 Rwandans were gathered. Before you rush past that too quickly read that again; 900 to 1,000 people gathered for prayer and fasting. This is NOT an annual meeting or special event. This is a regular weekly prayer gathering.
I preached with a 27 year old Rwandan translator named Tom. He is an evangelist. Having translated this same message for me the night before, we were both free from distraction and able to focus on communicating God’s message to forgive others just as Christ has forgiven you. As we moved into the invitation, Tom gave what he called a “supplement” (basically a brief restatement of the message) and extended the call. Approximately 15 – 20 Rwandans stood to profess their faith in Jesus Christ.
Following this, I led the people into a moment of silence to allow time for the Rwandans to confess any way they had returned evil committed against them with evil. Then I asked those who had confessed their sins and who wanted prayer for God to heal the wounds caused by someone who had hurt them to raise their hands. More than 300 Rwandans raised their hands. As I humbly prayed and asked God to bring healing to their lives, the Holy Spirit’s work was evident in that place.
My day concluded back at the work site, where our team is helping to build a wood working shop for teen boys orphaned during the genocide. Yesterday, God had put the young Rwandan men who make up the work crew on my heart. Today, I asked the foreman for an opportunity to speak to his crew. With his permission, I shared the Gospel of Jesus building from the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8). There were 8 young men who listened, asked questions, and then stood to confess their faith in Jesus Christ.
It was a glorious end to a glorious day.
