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On Wednesday 3rd March, CMSI supporters and friends were privileged to hear from Bishop Emmanuel Ntazinda of Kibungo Diocese in Rwanda as part of the monthly Prayer Room gathering.
After passing on greetings from his family and colleagues, Bishop Emmanuel thanked God for the support that the diocese had received via CMSI over the period of the Covid-19 lockdown, particularly for funds to help build hand-washing stations in four church schools.
Rwanda’s lockdown, which began in March 2020, saw all travel restricted and the closure of churches and schools. Despite these huge challenges, the bishop was able to praise God for some big positives – notably the protection of his staff from the virus and the weekly worship services they have been able to broadcast on local radio and TV. In addition, he passed on the good news that 30 out of 221 churches in the diocese have just managed to re-open (although with reduced congregations and services limited to “only 2 hours!”). The bishop also let us know that the East African Christian College was re-opening for graduate and degree courses on 15th March.
Bishop Emmanuel asked us to keep praying for all these, and also for the ongoing work in the diocese to provide more hand-washing stations for both schools and churches, and to build three additional classrooms at Nyamagana Itetero Christian School.
Following Bishop Emmanuel’s input, CMSI’s Partnership Coordinator for Rwanda, Roger Thompson, shared updates from the Diocese of Shyogwe, with requests to pray for ongoing projects there. These included the construction of a classroom and handwashing station at Zion Education Centre School, plus new roofs for two churches that are being rebuilt at Hanika and Nyamagana Parishes. Rev Bill Press (from the Kibungo-linked parish of Knockbreda, Belfast) then led a time of prayer for all these issues in Rwanda.
Every month, the Prayer Room includes a special Global Prayer Focus, with input from one of our partners. There are also opportunities to pray for the wider work of CMSI and its global partners. Each gathering takes place on the first Wednesday of every month, beginning at 1pm and lasting for around 45 minutes.
