Congregations Rebuilding Community in Rwanda: CRCR

Thanks for your support ELCA congregations and PICO Network Federations

CRCR Executive Director John Rutsindintwarane spent the summer making presentations and preaching at Lutheran Parishes and PICO affiliates to share the incredible work of Rwandan leaders. At Brooklyn Community United, one person observed that “Being with John is transformative on its own and in the way he makes me think differently about ways I imprison myself or treat others as an enemy.  For staff, we have already used last night’s presentation to discuss our own way in which we think of power.” CRCR appreciates the support and fellowship offered by all of you.

Progress in Rwanda

This spring Mumeya leaders made all the bricks necessary for the next three rooms of the health center, and are putting up the walls for these rooms.  Once completed, they will have in-patient facilities at the health center.  The new road from Kigali is completed.  Through a commitment by Kirehe’s Mayor, Mumeya leaders and gacaca prisoners worked side-by-side to build this road. Leaders are now conducting research to get a dependable water source for the center and their villages.  Pastor John has gotten a commitment for solar panels at the health center to supply power.  As the first medical facility in the area, over 30,000 Rwandans, including more than 13,000 children, now have direct access to health care.  When he returns to Rwanda, Pastor John will offer a large training to deepen leader understanding of the PICO organizing model and assist leaders to expand their work further in their own congregations.  This training is building on the reconciliation and healing that is occurring as a result of the self-determination and collective action by Mumeya leaders.