Rwanda Report
by Stephen Cartwright SOC Director
 Hello my name is Stephen Cartwright and I work in the office of the school of Christ here in Beaumont. I am going to give you a report on the work that is going on in Rwanda in Central East Africa. The Lord has opened a great door for ministry in Rwanda, Africa. I received an email in 2006 requesting the School of Christ International to come to Rwanda. At first I was hesitant to reply because of many bogus emails that come to my email inbox.
The man who wrote to me was called James Gasana and he is Pentecostal preacher in his nation of Rwanda. Rwanda had a history of genocide that happened in 1994 it was a terrible time which left the nation of Rwanda in ruins. Because of the genocide, everything had to be restructured, and they now seem to have a good political climate that is working to get the nation back together again.
I wrote an email back to Bro.Gasana explaining the requirements for running the school and he was very accommodating, so I arranged to visit Rwanda in November 2006, to meet this brother and discuss further arrangements for the running of the school.
The Lord had already moved upon the heart of another brother (called Francis) and he offered us the opportunity to come run the school in his facility. So we fixed the date for January 2007 and Bro.Gasana arranged to get together pastors and leaders from around Rwanda for the schools training.
On January 8th 2007 we started our first school in the capital city if Kigali, Rwanda. The 104 students that came to the school had to live in very cramped quarters, there were only 2 restrooms to share between 100 people, but everyone managed and there was no complaining. We had leaders come from the nation of Burundi which is located next to Rwanda and also a pastor for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The first week of the school was very profitable, the Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts and minds of the students. The series of the Cross really struck home to their hearts and many of them were broken, when they realized that the Cross was not for our selfish attainment, but is meant to be the end of selfishness. One lady from Burundi came weeping saying thank you so much for this truth, we have not heard before this teaching. This lady is married to the Colonel of Burundian Army and she invited us to come to Burundi to the run the school in that nation.
Towards the end of the first week disease swept through the class, malaria attacked the students and many of them were too sick to come to the classes because they were burning up with fever.
Everyone prayed, pressed through and we continued to teach, most of those that were sick continued to attend the classes.
Most of the students that came to the school were very poor and on a low income but on one Monday night one of the students got up to testify, he said "I feel so convicted by the teaching, that I feel I need to give something for all that I have received in this school." He then gave some of his money. After this act of giving all of the student's hearts were melted and they likewise started to give, those that did not have much money gave clothes, one brother gave his cell phone, some gave their best clothes to give to the poor. It was a miracle to see God move upon these lives to give up what little they had, one man said this is my best shirt, but I am going to give it away. The money that was collected went to help the poor people in the local area and the clothes went to the hospitals where people were being treated for aids.
There was great unity among the students as we prayed, worship and taught the Word of God. God was faithful to meet with us, to speak to our hearts and sanctify His temple with His Glory.
We graduated the school on the 28th January, many Pastors from different churches around Kigali came, a member of Parliament also came to the graduation, and after it was completed they all offered to give their support for the work of the school of Christ in this nation.
I went back a few weeks ago to start the second school in that nation and some of the ex students came to talk with me about what God had been doing with their lives. One brother said that when he first came to the school he only used to pray about 10 minutes, but he testified that God had completely revolutionized his life in this school. He says I now have power to preach the gospel and people are being saved and devil possessed being set free.
I believe Rwanda will not be the same again, many of the Pentecostal churches have been afflicted with the false gospel of prosperity and a better self image, but through the School of Christ International God has brought a restoration of a biblical foundation in these lives and they will go forth to tell others.
From this school in Rwanda we have an opening now in Burundi and we will go there in June to run the school in that nation, many pastors have already been calling and asking us to come. Please pray for us that God would give us entrance into the hearts and minds of these people and impact them with the truth.
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