We love Rwanda!

There’s just something magical about it. Not only is it a place of incredible mission work and tourism, but it’s an unprecedented story of recovery. The people are full of hope and optimism, with a kindness all their own. The country is immaculate and beautiful, lush and green. It’s truly unlike anywhere else on earth. Throughout the years, we’ve come to know the hope and optimism of the beautiful people of Rwanda. And it leaves us inspired in ways we never imagined.

The beginning of a ministry

In 2001 we helped to start Africa New Life Ministries with Pastor Charles Buregeya and others. To generate interest in this project in Rwanda, we hosted African Nights at our home in Portland, OR, introducing friends and colleagues to what we were doing. From these gatherings, many were inspired by the spiritual revival and recovery of Rwanda and have since participated in sponsoring children. Over the last few years, we’ve organized and facilitated multiple trips to Rwanda for over 200 people.

 

Africa New Life Ministries started with a small schoolhouse for 30 Rwandan children. Today, it welcomes over 2,000 kids and includes a full primary school, seven orphanages, two churches, and many other ministries. There’s a staff of 90 workers in Rwanda, all led by Pastor Charles. Incredible things have happened through Africa New Life Ministries, thanks to God and the dedication of so many generous and faithful people.

 

Breaking down barriers of communication

In 2004, after visiting Rwanda several times, we were delighted to bring home our adopted son Obed from Rwanda. To make his transition to the U.S. as easy as possible, we attempted to learn key phrases of the Rwanda national language, Kinyarwanda, in hopes of breaking some of the communication barriers.

 

To learn the phrases, we searched everywhere for materials. A friend in Rwanda found an old book, published over 30 years ago, in a dusty corner of a university library. While the book helped us learn the basics of the Kinyarwanda language, it was far from enough. What we needed were audible pronunciation lessons of the more challenging sounds spoken in the Kinyarwanda language.

 

Helping others experience Rwanda at a deeper level

We’ve now temporarily retired from hosting trips to Rwanda, and have turned our energy to helping others get more out of their missions. We hope the Speak Rwanda products help bridge the communication gap between cultures and encourage visitors to Rwanda to really engage with people. We developed these audio segments with great care and compassion. Rwandan natives Enric Sifa and Emmanuel Sitaki Kayinamura were invaluable to the development of the products, providing assistance with the content, language translations and cultural insight. Enric Sifa is the voice teacher of Kinyarwanda in the audio lessons. Professional linguist Lara Messersmith-Glavin developed the content outlines, the overall structure of the lessons as well developed the phrase book.

 

When you can understand what the Rwandan people are saying, you become more deeply engaged in their culture. It’s easier to form relationships and plan projects. And you can respond to what’s happening in a given moment because you have a better grasp of the conversation around you.

 

By learning the simplest phrases of the Kinyarwanda language, we think you can experience the Rwandan culture at a deeper level and come to love the country as much as we do.

 

 

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