Bryan Hixson

image by Esther Havens.

A Gift of “Heaven”

I recently read a story that reminded me of what is important in life. I was reminded that what I often think is important is not even something that crosses the mind of many. It is easy for my focus to be on something material when for many in our world the focus is where one meal will come from, or where sleep can be found out of the rain, or how she will protect herself from evil that lurks in darkness waiting to steal her dignity.

Faith lost most of her family to the genocide in Rwanda and witnessed her mother being raped and infected with AIDS. She was a child treated as a rag doll as she was slammed against a wall by Satan’s workers of darkness in Rwanda in 1994. The killers thought their job was done, but God had other plans. Faith just finished her senior exams with good marks and dreams to be a lawyer or businesswoman. She was given a chance in life by Christians that have sponsored her primary and secondary education. She praised God for this chance and said that if she could give a gift to the Rwandese man who selected her for this opportunity, that this gift would be “heaven”.

What a wonderful testimony to where our focus should be. We find ourselves struggling with a range of complexities of living and working here, but are constantly reminded of what is important by hopeful survivors who know where to place their hope and trust.

One friend who survived the genocide gives me even more to think about. He reflects on the day that the killers picked him to die. It is not a day to remember, yet it is not one that can be forgotten, because for him it was the beginning of life as an orphan and witnessing the violent passing of his family while he ran as fast as a 9-year-old could run. He was eventually caught, but released with many others to become prey in a “hunt”. Once again, he found himself alone in a dark world with memories that he wished he could forget and no one to call his family or lean upon. He managed to work his way through primary and secondary school and now lives among a small “family” of survivors. In his small home made of sticks and mud bricks live three other young orphan men who work to support each other as they take turns working their way though primary and secondary school at an age most are in college. My friend finds small odd jobs at $2-5/day that make him the current bread winner for that little family that believes brighter days are ahead.

From the outside you might think that hope would be hard to find in this person’s world, yet I am constantly encouraged by the smile on this young man’s face. I am encouraged at his regular Bible reading and how he regularly asks for other Bible-based literature that he can examine. I was most encouraged as his smile radiated among the crowd following his recent baptism. He doesn’t ask for money. He doesn’t ask for a scholarship. He simply asks to be a contributor of society and for the opportunity to serve those with less than he has. He works for me a couple days a week and recently asked off so that he could go and serve survivors that are without the hope he has. This may not sound big until you remember that he lives just above subsistence and gave up his small pay so that he could serve others.

My friend might be found sitting beside a cabinet member in services on Sunday. He also might be found sitting with an orphan child from a slum. His life does not revolve around what he makes but who God puts in front of him to love. He does not begrudge the polished government official for having more and he doesn’t reject the dirty orphan for having less. He simply loves each man and woman for whose they are, not for what they have or what they do not have.

We are blessed by this nation and her people. We are blessed to learn from those we serve each day. We are also blessed by so many who make it possible for us to serve as we do. Whether you are offering prayers or financial resources we thank you. We are not here without you. Thank you for helping us to continue our work in this land of new hope and new dreams. Please be praying for the people of Rwanda as the nation moves into a period of mourning (April). The nation remembers the genocide so that it does not repeat its past. Let us learn from our past as we seek the same gift that Faith wishes to give - “Heaven”.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

CCR Guest of Honor

This image is following our 2 Year Anniversary Celebration of CCR. We are pictured with Dave and Jana Jenkins and the Rwanda Minister of Cabinet Affairs (Former Minister of Foreign Affairs) Dr. Charles Murigande.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Favorite Daughters

Overlooking Lake Kivu with fishermen coming in from a night of fishing.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

CCR Prayer

This group gathered for prayer on behalf of CCR. The diversity here is somewhat reflective of a much broader diversity at CCR as Rwanda, Uganda, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, & the U.S. are represented in this picture.  This prayer time precedes our 2 Year Anniversary on 1 March. We are anticipating 500 with the Minister of Foreign Affairs as our Guest of Honor.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

OSU in Rwanda

Rwanda is not immune from my Oklahoma State University loyalty. Go Pokes! 

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Shooting Dogs (Beyond the Gates)

If you haven’t watched this movie, it is worth the purchase on Amazon at about the cost of a rental (probably hard to find at a rental store). It is not rated but is definitely in the R category for language and violence. Genocide is not pretty, but there are lessons to be learned without pretending that evil can be sugar coated to make it tolerable.  This is definitely an after the kids go to bed film that depicts one small window into the genocide and asks through a compelling story, “What would you do to make a difference?” It also asks you to what degree you value other people. This film shows the stark reality of some finding people’s value to be lower than that of rabid dogs. Jesus did not make a distinction between rich and poor, strong and weak, saint and sinner in his sacrifice. His sacrifice was equal for all, and one of our responses should be to value all of God’s children. Shooting Dogs (Beyond the Gates)

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Book Gift

Alexis gave much of her collection of second and third grade books to the KICS library. She was able to fill one shelf that will bring hours of pleasure to other children. She is pictured here with librarian Mrs. Dolinger.

Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain

I am struggling as I watch the poor lose their homes to the “future”, to “development”, to a “vision”, to “hope”, to “change”, for “progress”, and many other ideals that still leave people suffering in the short term. I am not supportive of a system of handouts, but I am supportive of a system that values the dignity of all people and finds the best way to respect that dignity.

I know that for the country that is my current home it is necessary for difficult decisions to be made that ultimately impact people for the sake of progress and development. My question is whether the order of events put into place for development sake are the order that most values people short-term and long-term. There is no doubt that the city of my home is getting a face lift that makes Western investors and tourists say, “wow, this is a clean and safe city”, but the investor and tourist don’t see the newly homeless families pushed further and further from where they find a means to sustain themselves. It is noble that a developing nation would look at what it can control without outside aid and act so strongly on those things as a priority over asking for Western aid. I honor that kind of leadership and at the same time ask, what else is there to consider.

The rate of new and affordable homes is not keeping up with those being displaced as the economy cannot yet keep up. Investors are looking closely at the possibilities that my city holds, but I believe another barrier beyond rickety mud homes is more significant in the prevention of quicker investment that will create jobs and an economy that can support the construction of homes that the displaced can move into. I won’t make a commentary, but will suggest that a tax rate percentage close to the age of my father on imports is likely a bigger cause for investors to remain in “wait” mode rather than “act” mode.  I am not an economist so I don’t really know how the short-term of a lower rate might affect the already struggling.  Perhaps the current path is the lesser of the necessary evils, which leads to good.

This city is a good place and her people are good people.  I am proud of the majority of what I see by its leadership. The challenges it faces are substantial. I doubt any other nation on earth has progressed as quickly following the horrors of the darkest humanity has to offer. I praise development and progress that honors God and helps man. May God’s wisdom rule in the minds of those who lead the nations of the earth.  May those displaced by “development” ultimately be blessed by “progress”.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Favorite Christmas Pics

KICS 2009

KICS is host to 210 students from 32 nationalities.

How much?

Would you pay $14 for one kilo of grapes. I think I prefer the U.S. economy. An average wage earner here could have about twelve grapes for a days wages. Imagine - the economy here is much better than most of the countries on this continent. Most here would be thrilled with the failing economies of the “West.”

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Peace Through Business 2009 Launches

On behalf of the Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW) Holly and Erin Nsenga will launch the Peace Through Business program for the second year in Rwanda.

Nails of Hope and Grace

As we resettle in Rwanda we are grateful for a short rest with families over the holidays and also eager to be back and see what God has in store for 2009. 2008 was full of challenges and opportunities. Satan kept up his attack as he had to watch CCR grow over 100%. As we approach our 2nd anniversary Sunday on March 1 we are blessed to have nearly 300 in our assembly from 10-15 nationalities each week. The diversity goes well beyond nationality to include race, tribe, color, gender, wealth, social status, religious background and more, and God is using that diversity to bless and expand this body. Last week a first time Rwandese guest said behind tears, “This is the best church I have ever attended. I have never seen so much diversity in one place where all could worship the same God. I have never felt this kind of freedom to worship God without everyone having to be in their place.” While I don’t know exactly what being “in their place” meant, I presume it is related to some legalism of man. The law was removed and grace freed us. Whether we still reflect law or grace in our churches is probably a big piece of whether we are seeing growth or decline. The chains of man are the nails of the cross. The blood spilt by those nails is the grace of God.

As we struggle with various difficulties of living and working on the mission field in a developing nation we are driven to press on because of that grace and seeing others discover it. The events of 1994 stripped away hope for many as the “nails” murdered a million. Today we are blessed to see hope returning as grace is rediscovered. Jesus spoke words on the cross that this nation is putting into practice. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Forgetting the “nails” of 1994 is not possible.

Finding hope in Jesus grace is possible and many are walking back into church buildings and rediscovering the love that covered them in their darkness. One young man said to me, “Some will tell you God was not there during the genocide. I tell you that if God was not here, I would not be here.” So many suffered through the darkness of 20th century Rwanda and have now found themselves determined to restore hope to this nation. Some do that through forgiveness. Some do it through taking in orphans regardless of their heritage. Some do it through trying to create jobs, no matter how small. Some do it through public service. Some do it through sharing the love of God and through restoring the sanctity that was once found in the same church buildings that became death chambers during the genocide.

We do not have all the answers or the money to solve the endless problems that exist or the constant requests for financial aid. What we do have is a loving God who is here to carry us through the times of darkness into light. We are here because we believe those living in darkness can find the way to the light. We are here because we believe the “nails” are covered in the blood that covers us in grace and only that grace can bring hope to the hurting.

Thank you for your part in delivering this message of hope and love through us. We cannot be more honored to be your messenger of the grace of God. Please keep us in your prayers throughout 2009. Our calendar is overflowing with God’s goodness. We simply need his strength to keep up with what He has planned for us to do.

I have been notified by a few of you that your end of year giving was returned due to a postal problem.  I’m sorry for the inconvenience and regret that this problem occurred. The post office was notified and the problem was resolved. Your gifts are an important part of our provision from God and we would ask that you please consider resending your contribution.

The address is:

Rwanda Outreach & Community Foundation
Attn: Jeanise Morton
3007 NW 63rd, Ste 205
Oklahoma City, OK 73116-3605
Memo: BH
—

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Nightmare Trip

For the very few of you who look for posts on my blog I’m sorry I’ve gone off line for some time. Nearly two months of that was spent in the U.S. for the holidays with our families. It was a much needed and enjoyed rest. We made our way back to Rwanda in what became our worst travel experience. We will now always have this one to compare to. Having traveled oversees for 20 years we’ve had a few bad experiences, but only one comes close to this one. I won’t write all the details as that would take hours. I’ll VERY briefly summarize.

It began with Holly apparently getting food poisoning on our oversees flight from Chicago to Brussels. I’ve only seen her that sick one other time. This left her with no ability to do anything other than drag herself from one point to another and that became many points at opposite ends of the Brussels airport multiple times. Grace, who can be a challenge in travels was so worried about her mom that she kept very close and did whatever her big sister told her as her dad (me) tried to run all over to resolve problems caused by the airlines. Somehow, when we arrived in Brussels we were informed that we were not on the flight to Kigali even though we had confirmation numbers for each of us. Not only were we not on the flight, we were not in “the system”. We held documents produced by SN Brussels confirming our reservation. Yes, our flights were booked through them and we got to the U.S. on that airline and confirmed the night before departure. The stupidity that happened in the process of trying to get this resolved would take a couple of hours to type, so let me move on to another piece of the chaos.

Finally, I was handed boarding passes 2 hours after this chaos began, and 50 minutes before our flight was to depart. I asked the agent if our baggage was sitting at arrivals or if it had gone on. He said, “that’s a good question, let me check.” Of course it was in arrivals. He asked me to see my boarding passes and proceeded to tear them up. He said, “you must claim your baggage and recheck it before I can give you boarding passes.” I asked if there was any way they could provide assistance in this process. He said yes that he would call and have someone waiting on me. Of course we had to clear customs and passport control as our baggage was officially in Belgium. I told him there was no time for us to go that distance in the airport, clear passport control,  find the luggage, get it back through customs and passport control to recheck. Meanwhile Holly was losing everything in her and Alexis was managing to contain Grace. The guy looks over at Holly and tells me. “If you run you might make it.” At this point I had pretty much given up as the boarding was in progress and we had already overshot the required check-in time. I had some hope because I knew we had boarding passes in the system.

We went to get our luggage which was a nightmare as we had 12 containers and no porters to assist and no one from the airline to help us. I went to the airline and they refused help so I went to American Airline and a sympathetic lady personally helped us.  This process was a story in itself as I was pushing 600 lbs of luggage, pulling 70lbs, and carrying 20lbs. (Living in Africa can call for some extremes.) Alexis was pulling 50 lbs and carrying 10. Holly was dragging a bag and herself as Grace followed along. We were sent to three different locations that were on opposite ends (200 yards) of the arrivals. We were probably great entertainment for others. Had we had been in Africa at this point we could have paid someone a couple dollars to help us with luggage and we would have been in good shape. Unfortunately, the “civilized” world has policies and personal barriers that seem to prevent anyone from doing anything other than talk which was useless to us.

There is much more to the story, but you get the idea. We missed the flight, even though they were holding the plane because we supposedly had boarding passes, yet we could not get on because we could not get our luggage on and the gate was closed. At the service counter, they asked for my boarding passes, which were in shreds back at a service desk, and then asked why we could not make the flight because we had been in the airport nearly three hours. I responded, “that is a great question, why don’t you ask your so-called service people.” We spent the next three days with friends and missionaries in Antwerp, Belgium (first missionaries I worked with 20 years ago) waiting on the next flight to Rwanda. Of course, there was no offer to pay for any of our expenses from room to board to luggage storage to transport, and yes they tried to charge us an exorbitant rate for our luggage upon return to the Brussels airport. We had to pay close to $1000 (many times less than original price they gave us). When we got to the gate they called us up to inform us that a “friend” in Kigali had taken care of this issue and we were being refunded. Thank God for small victories and friends.

Holly recovered and we were so glad to finally land in Kigali four days later.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

New U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda

Recently, we were blessed with a new U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda, Stuart Symington. He and his wife are delightful people and have a refreshing perspective as the join this community. They are pictured here on the right with Holly, Dave Jenkins (back), Moses Mbabaali, & Sue Gooch.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

CCR 5K Succes

Around 125 participated in our first ever CCR 5K race. Minister of Local Government Protais Musoni served as the guest of honor for the event.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Cultural Clash - Mzee/Old Man

My senior staff assistant wanted to do something to honor my birthday and wanted to be culturally appropriate. She allowed Holly to be her guide and had one of my cleaning staff go collect some dead flowers to give me. The young lady who got the flowers for her was very concerned that I would be very upset and fire my senior assistant. I had seen the young lady gathering the dead flowers so I thought I’d tease her a little so I went back in with the dead flowers and the senior assistant. Through translation I indicated that I knew it was really her who had gathered the flowers and which of the two of them should I fire. She immediately began to cry and pointed to herself.  I knew my American humor had not translated. I had some quick reassuring to do so that she would understand that I was joking and that neither of their jobs was in jeopardy.  In this culture 40 is treated more with respect and honor. Some will say that I am now an Mzee “old man” which is a compliment in this culture as age correlates to wisdom, and wisdom to respect. In Rwanda I can wear the name “Mzee” proudly, however “over the hill” humor does not translate well.

40 and Counting

It doesn’t feel any different, but some around me say it looks different.