Welcome
// January 8th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized
Friends,
Many of you may already be aware of the incredible opportunity I have been given, to live and work in Rwanda this year. However, I am sharing this so that you may have a greater understanding of what it is that I will be doing there and why I feel God has called me to this specific place.
The organization I am working for is called Bridge2Rwanda. It began with the common vision of two men, Dale Dawson and Bishop John Rucyahana, whose desire was to “build a bridge between here and Rwanda and transform lives at both ends.” Rwanda has been in a constant stage of rebuilding ever since the genocide that took place there in 1994, where over 1,000,000 Rwandans were savagely murdered in a government-fueled civil war. Fifteen years later, a devastated Rwanda is desperately seeking to transform, to not only become a star of Africa, but a light to the world. The people of Rwanda are hungry and it is our desire to help them grow. Bridge2Rwanda’s mission is to create a new generation of well-educated, entrepreneurial, servant leaders in Rwanda — young people committed to Jesus, their country, and to one another. Young people who are capable and equipped to accomplish a long-term and sustainable transformation of a nation.
I truly believe Rwanda is where the Lord is leading me right now. I graduated this past May, from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, with a degree in Information Systems. I have been truly blessed with the level of education I have received. Now, I desire to take this knowledge and put it to use, serving the people of Rwanda, helping them excel. When I arrive, I will begin serving and teaching at the Sonrise School, one of Rwanda’s top academically performing primary/secondary schools. I will serve in their IT program and computer center, teach computer classes to students, and provide technical support to the school. I do not expect my responsibilities to be limited to these areas alone and welcome whatever tasks they ask of me.
I am constantly drawn back to the vision of future glory in the book of Isaiah. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.” (Isaiah 60:1-5). I see so much of Rwanda in this passage, to come from a point of complete brokenness to one full of hope for things to come. God is working in Rwanda and I believe I’m supposed to be there doing the same.
I leave for Rwanda on January 15th and will be there for the remainder of 2010. I ask that if you feel led to do so, please pray for me while I’m there, the entire Bridge2Rwanda team, and the people of Rwanda. I hope to keep you updated on my life, my experiences, the work we are doing there, and the transformation of the people of Rwanda. I hope you decide to make this journey with me!
In Him,
Peyton Greenwald
