Minute for Mission—July 1, 2008

Faithful Service in Rwanda

Leonard Byenda and wife, Drocelle, serve the “My Neighbor” project in the Mpushi area in the Gitarama Province of Rwanda.

Rwanda, once home to ethnic violence, is now making aggressive efforts toward recovery. The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda is a driving force in this recovery through its education, health, social justice, and rural development programs.

A faithful man of God is lay leader Leonard Byenda. An evangelist who receives nothing for his service, he walks miles every day for the love of his congregations and God. Leonard’s congregations run a program called “My Neighbor” in the Mpushi area of the province of Gitarama in Rwanda. The program reaches out to people in need, such as to older people who don’t have children to take care of them. Using the little they have, members of My Neighbor, provide food, clothes, and assistance. They do it freely without any expectation of return.

There are many others like Leonard who work through the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda to identify vulnerable people among their neighbors. They know that if they don’t love and care for neighbors whom they can see, how are they going to claim to love God whom they can’t see?!

These are humble people serving humble neighbors in God’s name. The Rev. Eugene Rubanda, regional director of the Gitarama Province, says “Living in right relationship with God and God’s creatures is when people try to obey and to please God in whatever they do, say, and think. You must listen carefully to the voice of God whether it is loud or low. This will create love and friendship between you and God.”

Donna Doutt
Kiskiminetas Presbytery

Faithful Service in Rwanda — July 1, 2008

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