Home safely

After more than 24 hours of traveling, I returned home to New Hampshire yesterday at around 1:30 pm. While the experiences that construct the past twelve days have been remarkable, it does feel good to be home. Abbie greeted me with a big hug and plenty of kisses. Andrew initially seemed a bit shell shocked at the idea of my return, but after just a few minutes he was ready to snuggle in with me again! I missed the kids an aweful lot during this trip. I am thrilled that we are all back together again!

So I will have to give some really intentional thought to how I will express all that took place over the past twelve days. The landscape, the discernment of future partnerships, the atrocity of genocide, the extreme poverty, the ingenuity of the Rwandan people, their steadfast hope, peace, authenticity, warmth and entreprenureal spirit. There is much to share. And pictures to post too! I guess I probably need a week or so to collect all of my thoughts and then I’ll start sharing some of the more significant moments.

Until then, the team posted a video collage of pictures at www.manchesteronthemove.com. I have also linked the youtube post below.

 

Unreserved Dependance

Greetings from Kigali Rwanda! I especially send you much love from the many friends we have made during this trip. The warmth and generosity of the people of Rwanda is inspiring!

Among the many experiences that we had today, I am most taken by the joy of worship that exudes from the Rwandan Church. We have had the opportunity now to visit with several of the Harvest Churches. Each church has welcomed us as guests of honor, and invited us as friends into their worship experience. Today especially was marked by the joy and excitement of worship as we gathered at Penuel Church, sheltered from the rain to celebrate the love and compassion of our Heavenly Father.

If you described ‘worship’ as an unreserved dependence upon the goodness of God, then you would begin to discover the authenticity of the Rwandan Church. Those following Christ here sing with such conviction, with passion and sincerity. To quote some words that John Cassetto expressed following the first trip in August, they sing “as if their lives depended upon it.” And in one sense, they do.

If you know just even a fraction of Rwanda’s history, you know that it is a nation whose past is shrouded by the darkness and pain of genocide. Only 14 years ago, neighbors became enemies, even to the point of death, because the fullest extent of pride was acted out. One would think that this would be a people captured by anger, resentment and revenge. But I have experienced, remarkably, just the opposite to be true. Because of Christ, people here are choosing forgiveness, love and peace. They are reconciling with those whom they once feared. They are worshipping with those who they once pursued in hate. It is the most amazing display of unreserved dependence upon the goodness of God I have ever seen.

Whether at the Penuel Church with the joy of the ‘Come to Jesus’ choir or the ‘Shalom Choir’ that shares a building with the Bethsaida HIV/AIDs Association or the beautiful voice and dance at Zarephath Church, we are surrounded here by a chorus of hope committed to living the kinds of lives that express reconciliation and peace.

It is my joy to learn from the depth of faith that is evident in those following Christ throughout Rwanda. I am hopeful that in the future I can return the blessing and love that I am receiving here – if only in part. While there is much to be done to support and encourage the work of the local church here, there is much more to be learned. I am certain our personal discoveries and contributions will combine to strengthen our love for God and people in every corner of life – at home and abroad!

Thank you for your continued prayers! Our team is grateful for you!

Blessings,

Josh 

 

Saturday…

Hey guys! Found a good internet connection today. We are doing well. After a week full of emotion, today was a bit of a playful day. We traveled to Akagara Park to explore the many wonderful animals that call Rwanda their home. Among those that we sited were: Baboons, Giraffe, Hippos, Zebra, Impala, Crocks, Water Buffalo and more…it was a remarkable experience!

 

Yesterday we met with the P.E.A.C.E steering committee at the Rwanda PEACE office (ironically located next to President Paul Kigami’s office – the white house of Rwanda). It was a great meeting, with much clarity provided. We continued our meeting that evening with ‘Bob’ from Saddleback. Bob is leading many of the initiatives throughout the country. We learned much and feel like we gained some significant clarity for how MCC will continue to partner with the local church through out Rwanda! Thank you for praying. We will have many details to share when we return home.

 

We will spend the rest of our time in Rwanda visiting some of the many great works that are being accomplished here….continuing to listen, learn and discern how we might partner in the future!

 

Ways to Pray…

-          Pilar and Stef Cassetto will travel home tomorrow. Please pray for travel mercies.

-          We hear our kids are doing really well back home. Thanks for you many prayers for them. Please continue to seek God for them while we are away!

-          That God would direct our steps these next few days…that we would find ourselves in locations that will directly benefit our future as a church!

 

A note from Pilar…

Hey everybody. We managed to find an internet connection this evening. Hoping that we will be able to keep in touch more often as the week progresses. However, we are learning that internet can come and go without notice here.

 

Pilar recently added a new post to our team blog at www.manchesteronthemove.com. Take a few moments and click to that site for the latest info and some pictures too!

 

Josh

 

Checking in…

Hey all. I hope you are doing well! I wanted to let you know that I arrived safely and without glitch on Tuesday. It was certainly a long travel experience…somewhere over 18 hours in all. However, I made every flight on time and arrived in Kigali with luggage in tow. Thank you for your many prayers!

I am really sorry that I am only now able to update you. The internet connection is sparce at best and intermittently comes and goes. When we have connection, we will do our very best to send updates.

 

Yesterday afternoon was pretty emotional. We had the opportunity to visit with a ministry of the Harvest Church called “Bethsaida.” It is an association of women and men who are suffering from HIV/AIDs. Many of those who participate in the association live and work at the residence. Together they weave baskets, sew dresses and make other clothing to make the income necessary to sustain their lives as they battle this disease. I can not fully express what I feel as a result of that encounter. I am struck by their courage. I am struck by their peace. I am struck by their efforts. I am struck by their love. More than once I was moved to tears considering their reality. What moved me most was to look among these remarkable people and watch scores of their children run and play in our midst. Children who will face the pain of loss long before they should. Children who will be forced to learn how to cook and work and toil when they should be laughing, jumping and skipping rope. It is the sobering reality of the destruction that accompanies HIV/AIDs. It is an unspeakable horror.

However, the hope that was present in that room was supernatural. The association provides them with housing, limited nutrition, life skills that create income and mostly, dignity. In a culture that would likely assign them scorn – Bethsaida reminds them that they are children of God, within the loving reach of a compassionate Heavenly Father!

I think I will have more to share about this experience after some time passes and thoughts settle. For now, I would invite you to pray for the efforts being made through the ministry of the Bethsaida HIVAIDs Association!

Love you all!

Josh

 

Bethsaida – a destination of hope

Hey all. I hope you are doing well! I wanted to let you know that I arrived safely and without glitch on Tuesday. It was certainly a long travel experience…somewhere over 18 hours in all. However, I made every flight on time and arrived in Kigali with luggage in tow. Thank you for your many prayers!

So sorry that I have not been able to post more frequently since I arrived. The internet connection here is sparce at best and often comes and goes without much notice. When it is available, our team does as diligent a job as possible making connection with everyone back home.

This afternoon was pretty emotional. We had the opportunity to visit with a ministry of the Harvest Church called “Bethsaida.” In short, it is a destination of hope. Bethsaida is a small house that operates as an association of women and men who are suffering from HIV/AIDs. Many of those who participate in the association live and work at the residence. Together they weave baskets, sew dresses and make other clothing to make the income necessary to sustain their lives as they battle this disease. I can not fully express what I feel as a result of that encounter. I am struck by their courage. I am struck by their peace. I am struck by their efforts. I am struck by their love. More than once I was moved to tears considering their reality. What moved me most was to look among these remarkable people and watch scores of their children run and play in our midst. Children who will face the pain of loss long before they should. Children who will be forced to learn how to cook and work and toil when they should be laughing, jumping and skipping rope. It is the sobering reality of the destruction that accompanies HIV/AIDs. It is an unspeakable horror.

However, the hope that was present in that room was supernatural. The association provides them with housing, limited nutrition, life skills that create income and mostly, dignity. In a culture that would likely assign them scorn – Bethsaida reminds them that they are children of God, within the loving reach of a compassionate Heavenly Father!

I think I will have more to share about this experience after some time passes and thoughts settle. For now, I would invite you to pray for the efforts being made through the ministry of the Bethsaida HIVAIDs Association!

Love you all!

Josh Peigh

 

P.E.A.C.E in Rwanda

This is my first post about a part of my life that is becoming more significant by the day. I am partially embarrassed that I have not written more about this issue.  But then again my thoughts and emotions have been particularly introspective for some time. It seems only now that I am beginning to discover how to communicate about a growing awareness of the under resourced in our world.

For the past year or so, I have joined many throughout Manchester Christian Church in seeking God for an increased awareness of the plight of the poor. It seems to be an appropriate quest for anyone seeking to experience life as if Jesus was living in your shoes. Jesus himself spent a significant portion of his earthly ministry among the poor. In fact, he himself came from modest beginnings and seemed to always have one eye and his whole heart turned to their plight throughout his life.

But this is such a contrast to the way I live.

 

Monvee: A new approach to spiritual growth

Recently our church has been contributing to a new spiritual growth resource called Monvee™. In December 0f 2008 we joined Eric Parks, the Creative Director of Monvee™, along with his team in the development of a web based resource that will provide participants with a spiritual growth road map to guide people in their pursuit of Christ. The tool, as I have experienced it, will be a remarkable  resource in helping every person in our church make appropriate next steps in their spiritual formation.

What is Monvee?
In the fall of 2006, a group of young leaders at Heartland Community Church in Rockford Illinois, set out on an adventure in spiritual growth. The goal; design a resource that will help ordinary people make extraordinary steps in their pursuit of Christ. The challenge; champion the reality that disciples of Jesus are never mass produced, but must be handcrafted. The journey; three years of research, development and collaborative partnerships all converging into one resource – Monvee™.

 

A Crazy Start

It has been a crazy start to the week. Sunday brought another significant dose of snow to New Hampshire – somewhere around eight more inches. More than once I have wished for Spring to come…and fast! I think it is always interesting how I wish for winter, until winter is here. Then I wish for spring, but spring doesn’t seem to satisfy either. Summer is great, but come August, I’m gearing up for Fall. It is an endless cycle that leaves me wondering how contentment is really attained. But that is a conversation for another day. For now, I am mostly concerned about seeing all the details come together that will make this week a productive one.

The incliment weather has caused us to cancel services over the past two Sundays. Two weeks ago, snow caused us to cancel the first of our three services. Even then, attendance was down by nearly 1,000 people. And yesterday snow again caused us to cancel all of our services. Now we are left with the task of refocusing our plans and directions for the next several weeks. I was reminded today of Jeremiah’s words, “Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I am grateful for these kinds of promises that God has given us…helpful reminders of Who is leading our ship!

 

Connecting the Fringe

This morning at Manchester Christian Church we are beginning a teaching series called ‘Activate.’ It is a three week series to discover some of the important components of healthy Christ-centered community. I am really grateful for the words that Frank Reynolds (senior pastor) shared.

In a world that has a tendency for isolation and individualism – connecting with others in community is an important way to experience God. Jesus said, “where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” It is in community that Jesus is most active.

During this series we will discover three critical components of Christ Centered community. First we will discuss the task we have been given to ‘connect the fringe.’ In 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul invites those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus to partner with God in His ’ministry of reconciliation.’ This ministry compels us to hep people experience the the love and grace of Jesus in their life – many for the very first time. It is our hope that small groups throughout MCC will be diligent in helping people make this significant connection.

Second, we will discuss the importance of learning to listen to the scriptures together and pray for one another. It is in a community of love and trust that we hear God speak guidance, direction and hope in to our lives – both as we read scripture and learn from one another.

Lastly we will focus on the exponential opportunities to reach out to our surrounding community when we do it together! Done alone, everyone is capable of doing some good in our world, but done together we can truly impact our world locally and globally in exponential ways.

The next three weeks are sure to be a great experience! I am hopeful that many will take a significant step of faith to pursue Christ – together!

To listen to the Activate Teaching Series, week to week, click here.(Messages are generally posted by Sunday afternoon and can also be downloaded as a podcast from iTunes).