Monday, July 31, 2006

Brainstorming session


Group 2
What is Oleg talking about? Faustin and Nadine are listening intently about Oleg's 21st century education in Russia and Rwanda. I am not sure what I am thinking... We suppose to come up with a plan for the NUR Faculty Development Center activities.

Children watching a slideshow on my laptop computer


Children at the morning devotion

Can you belive that little children get up at 5 a.m and come to the CASA house for morning devotion? There are 30 to 40 children come for the service every morning.

Completion of Dr. Craig's seminar


DSC01487.JPG

Photo Story


DSC01585.JPG

Putting together their group project.

Photo Story


DSC01582.JPG

Seventeen professors spent 2 weeks learning how to integrate technology into classrooms. Elena, Rose, Nadine and Immanuel are preparing their photo story.

Music lessons


DSC01786.JPG

Children from neighborhood visit CASA house and practice music.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Dinner at Paul's house


DSC01322.JPG

We had a dinner at the Pastor Paul's house. Rwandees eat rice, beans, cooked bananas, and some meat to go with the meals. Every meal is the same; chips, rice, bananas, beans.

at Lake Tanganyika


DSC01532.JPG

We visited Pastor Jeremy in Burundi. Immaculate was our guide and interpreter.

Drum lesson


DSC01712.JPG

Robina showing kids how to play drum

Keyboard class


Keyboard class

On Saturday, students from NUR come to the CASA House and take a music lesson, and computer lessons

Batwa people visit the CASA House


DSC01778.JPG

There are ten Batwa families live near Butare. We have become friends since 2002, and we we have visited them once a year. This year, they have visited us at the CASA House with pots they made.

Professors at NUR


Professors at NUR

These are the Faculty members who attended th workshop from July 11 through July 27th. We had a great time together for three weeks. Two professors from each college were represented in the workshop. We covered learning theories and teaching methods during the first week, produced a digital story using Photo Story and Movie Maker during the second week. During the third week, we brainstormed what and how the NUR Faculty Development Center should support professors.

NUR's new rector and vice rector


NUR's new rector and vice rector

I met with the new rector of NUR after the 3-week-long faculty workshop. He is a visionary, and he insists that every faculty member will have to use computer if he/she wants to teach at NUR. He was transferred from KIST in Kigali to NUR. I expect great things from his leadership. The director of Faculty Development Center and also Vice Rector Silias visited the Rector with me.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Weekend in Butare

I tried so many times to upload pictures, but it took forever to load, so I gave up.

I got up at 2:30 in the morning, I can't go back to sleep. I have not heard from Chris since he left Butare. I hope they arrived in US safely. Ted is with Gordon in Uganda, and I hope he is doing Okay too. I have not heard from Gordon. I am doing great here in Butare. It is raining, and people are telling me it is unusual to have rain like this in July.

Sunday, 23--Paul came to pick me up at 8 am to go to his church. I attended the English service and spoke at the KinyaRwandan service. I shared about my experience here in Africa using Mark 10:27. Robina and I went to Oleg's house, Oleg and Elena are professors from Russia and they teach Physics at NUR. George, Emmanual, and Gerald were there too. Robina became a friend with Oleg's daughter, and the daughter was crying for Robina to stay when we left. We had a great time eating Russian food. Chris would loved to eat Elena's cabbage rolls. When I returend home and entered the CASA House gate around 5 p.m, I heard beautiful sining from our house. There were about 25 Batwa women and children were sining at the porch and waiting for us. I recognized most of them. I showed pictures of them from the last year. They were giggling and having a great time looking at themselves. I took more pictures, and this time I made a slideshow on my Mac, and showed it to them. Probably they saw a computer for the first time, as anyone can imagine, they were amazed what they see on the screen. I enjoyed watching them enjoying themselves. They came to pay a visit and express their thanks for goats we gave them. I thank them for coming, and they thank them for goats the CASA team gave them last Wednesday.

Batwas make living by selling clay pots, and they brought four huge pots. All handmade, and very well made. Can you believe that they are selling all for 90 cents? I wish I could take the pots. They are big and very well crafted.

Saturday 22
In the morning, I taught students how to use a digital camera, and showed how to put together a digital story. It took all morning because my microphone didn't work. Went for fiting at a taylor shop in the afternoon. I ordered some pants and skirts, and I am not sure I will wear them in US, but I know I will wear them when I am in Africa.

Talked with Frank about his work with CASA. We came to understand each other. I set up an excel file for Robina and Frank.

Talked to the landload about the bathroom repair. It is going to be a major construction job. We don't know how long it is going to take, in here a construction job can last several years. I hope he will act on it quick. We told him that if he finish the job,then we will give him six month rents. He wants to see the money first, but Robina told him "no". He fix first, then he will have the money. He gave Robina some flowers to put in the garden.


Took Robina, Pascuzia, Charmant, and Skovia out for Chinese dinner. Here in this town, they consider the chinese restaurant as a fancy place. The food was very expensive and wasn't good at all. We waited for two hours, and when the food arrived, it was too salty to eat. We agreed we will not come this place again.

Friday, July 21, 2006

July 21st--DST workshop

We continued to use different tools to develop stories. There is only one scanner at the ICT center, so everyone had to take their turn to use it. I found ImageReady software to use the scanner. Most of them never used a scanner before, so it took some time to learn to use it. These professors are so eager to learn, everything that I show, they want to learn. There is no formal class meeting today. Everyone is doing their own thing. Some people went out to take pictures using my camera, some went to the computer lab to use Photostory, and some scanned their pictures. We suppose to meet between 9 am to noon. But it is 6 p.m now, and there are four professors are still working on their project. Faustin, Emmanual, and Charles are still in the room working on their project.

I met with the Vice Rector Silias this afternoon. The director of the CIT arranged the meeting. We talked about our future plan and he wants me to comeback and help them with curriculum development and evaluation.

I need to write a grant, so I can bring people from US and also I would love to have a faculty development conference. When professors meet together and exchange information, it will be great. I love my work here in NUR. This is the exactly what I like to do during my summer vacation. I need to write about my experience here in Rwanda and publish it.

July 19th

I got up with singing downstairs. Robina is gone to Kigalie with the team. Joseph and Skovia were leading the devotion this morning. Almost the same number of people came. I had breakfast with Skovia, then went to school. One lady made a prayer request that she will go to see her sick father near Burundi. I gave her 5000 franks for her transport. I asked Frank to bring my backpack, I walked to school. It takes only 10 minutes from home to school. When I got there, there were several professors were waiting. We met at the ICT room, they called it a smart room. We used Photo Story 3 to put together a story. There were four groups, and I sent them out to take p for the door to be opened. Today, we will start DST workshop. Some of them already has a digital camera. Chalres’ team worked on NUR research projects, Joanne worked alone on an introduction to NUR, and Elena’s group worked on beautiful scenery of NUR campus.

DST workshop

I showed Jawhar my ilearn site, and told about MOODLE. I can’t believe how bright these people are. He downloaded it, and he useed it already. Now he is going to set up a LMS system, he calls it e-Learn@NUR for the whole university. This semester, he is going to work with selected professors to use the system, then evaluate it before the university adopt it.

I showed my digital story that I made for the first time. Everyone was so excited to produce a digital story.

Faculty Development Workshop

I can’t belive it is time to finish up the seminar. This is the second week of the workshop. The team (Chris, Craig, Ted, Jeanne) left yesterday to ruturn to US. Let me write things happened yesterday. I got up at 5 a.m, the usual time for a morning devotion. There are about 80 people in the CASA living room in this morning, about half of the attendees are children. Robina cheered people to sing, and she is so good at what she does. How anyone can sing and dance at 5 in the morning! Rwandees can do this without any problem. The devotion was done around 7 a.m, then a breakfast at 8. I walked to the university. Jeanne, Craig, Ted went to give goats to Batwa famies and Chris finished packing. I am sad that I would not see Batwa families this year. Every year since 2001, I went to see them. It was so wonderful to see how happy they are with such little gifts that my friends from home provide them. Each year, my friends give me money to buy goats. I understand that Batwa people are discreminated here in Rwanda. Here are some pictures of our team working.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

NUR workshop

Workshop is going very well. There are 20 participants, and they are chosen by their dean. Each College selected two professors, and they are from Teacher prep program, Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Arts, etc. I am using the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) lab. Every college has their own lab, and some are much better equipped than others. I teach in the mornings, and in the afternoon I meet different people on campus. I have 10 sessions, and I give different topic in each session. Today topic was on learning styles. Tomorrow I will talk about LMS and show itec 800 ilearn site. Most of the materials are new to them, and they are fascinated about everything I give them. I am so energized by their attitudes. There are two Russians who are teaching Physics, and one Indian prof who teaches Information Technology. There are quiet a few professors from South Africa. There are several guest lecturers from America. American Embassy give a party for us the other day. One prof from Boston University is teaching video editing class in the Journalism department, and a retired report from New York Times is here to give talk.

Everyone is little distracted here because of Gacaca (Genocide court). When I arrived for my seminar, I found out that some of Rwandese professors had to attend a meeting to discuss how they will carry out judgment. They have done the first phase which they have collected information on the accused, and now the second phase begins. Many people will go to jail. I feel there is tension in the air. The judgment will be carried out for one year, they want it to be quick.

Jean's writing

Here is Jean's writing about what we are doing during the first few days in Rwanda.

Greetings from Africa 7/10/2006
7/09/06 Chris & I attended Pastor Paul’s Assembly of God church for the Sunday morning service. They asked me to speak before Chris gave the message. Chris preached two services, one on trusting Christ & the other on implementing God’s word. They speak Kinyarwandra. I am starting to be able to sing some of their praise songs, most are like our tunes. A college choir sang several songs and did skits. Then a group of young people & college age youth sang, beat the African drum and several young women did a traditional dance to praise the Lord. An interpreter sat next to me and interpreted Pastor Paul’s message. He encouraged the people to put God’s word into actions. In the afternoon we went to the stadium to the “100 Days of Hope” gathering. In Rwanda, in the spring, they started having speakers from America every week Joyce Meyers was here in April. Pictures of her in Rwanda are on her website. This week-end, “Living Faith” a ministry from Portland, with 25 people, was here when we were there. Georgene Rice sang. There were hundreds of people there. Many people, mostly young people, went forward to receive the Lord after the message. Afterwards, we went to Pastor Paul’s home for dinner. We met his 81 year old mother and his 3 sons. His wife is in Belgium for her master’s degree in medicine. She wants to research AIDs. I sat outside in the courtyard with Paul’s mother to watch her and her helpers make a traditional African meal, cooked on three round small charcoal burners on the ground. The food was bought fresh from the market that day, even the live chickens.We had chips (fried potatoes), curried rice, carrots, peas, tomatoes, onions cooked together in one pot, chicken cooked in tomato sauce, green bananas cooked in a fruit sauce, and fresh sliced papaya, passion fruit, pineapple, and bananas for dessert. Before we left they gave us a small, very sweet fresh banana. All the food was bought fresh that day. 7/10/2006 At 3:45 am, country people, women and children, started to gather at the CASA house. At 5:30 am we started a prayer and praise for these people. They have to be in the fields working at daylight and so have to come very early. Robina, a young woman of 27, the director of the house, ministers to them every morning. They are dressed in traditional, brightly colored printed African country dress with a matching headdress. Most have babies tied to their backs. These are women who come to pray before they go to work in the fields and their children go to school. There were around 20 women and 20 children crowded in with us in the sitting room. Robina asked each of us from America to speak a word. I spoke a greeting from America, with an interpreter and encouraged them to trust God for their lives. From 9:30 until 12, I spoke to 15 Mamas (older women). I gave my testimony to God’s faithfulness to me and my children during the time of my husband’s unfaithfulness and my divorce. I am presenting Joyce Meyer’s book, “Beauty from Ashes”. Many women identified to my situation of my husband leaving me for a younger woman, emotionally and spiritually. I asked for prayer requests, most were for situations like mine, health, places to live, money to live and relationships. All people have the same requests regardless of their station in life or where they live. I will be with this group the next four mornings. Brother Chris is teaching different groups, different messages four times each day to university students. Craig Singleton, Dean of Music at the Dominican University in California, is teaching music, guitar to the university students. Sister-in-law Kim met with the deans at University of Rwanda to discuss training of professors on use of computer technology. She has a Fullbright grant this year and will be at the university representing Christ.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Arrived in Butare

Brian and Innocent from US Ambassy met me at the airport. I had an easiest time to go through the immigration desk in my history of visiting here. Joan, Paul, and Frank were there to meet me, I felt like I was so spoiled by getting all these attention. Now I found out that my seminar is a big deal and advertised widely, oops, I hope I am prepared for this. There is a change in administration post at the University, so I didn't know if I could even have a seminar. On Monday there will be an opening ceremony.

Chris, Craig, and Jean were met by Paul and Frank at the border and escorted them to the CASA house. It was 12 hour long bus drive for them from Uganda to Rwanda. They are safe and sound. PTL!

Chris and Jean will go to Paul's church and Craig and I will go to Robina's church today.

Friday, July 07, 2006

London airport

When I arrived in London, Chrs met me, and helped me to move bags from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4. Craig and Jean went to town and did tour of London, and I saw them off to Uganda at 5:30 p.m yesterday, then off to my hotel. I am visiting Andrew and his parents now, and using his computer to check my e-mail. Nick is teaching today, so I don't see him this time.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Family visit

Jeanne came to SF on Saturday. Criag, Jeanne, Chris and I met as a team for the last time before we leave for Africa. Craig left on Sunday to visit his father in Alabama, he will meet Chris in NY. Chris and Jeanne will leave today to NY, then to London. I will meet them in London on 6th, and then we split again. They will go to Butare via Entebe; I will go to Butare via Nairobi. We will be together on 9th in Butare. Everything is in order. Frank e-mailed that the Vice Rector and Fulbright director will come to open the faculty workshop on 11th. I decide to take my Mac computer, and I am not sure how it is going to work with electricity problems in Rwanda.

Frank and Lilia are here to enjoy SF.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Open your mouth big

I didn't ask much, thus I received not. I think I am too practical or perhaps I have too little faith. God is teaching me his way lately. I am experiencing God's principles each day more and more, and I am marveled at how he provides for us. Yesterday during QT time, I was struck by the words, "open your mouth big". I have been praying for digital cameras and a laptop computer to take to Rwanda. Carol, a student of mine brought one camera and today Patrick will bring one in. Guess what, I got a lamp for Paul's projector. It came from the unexpected place.

I am planning to give a hands-on technology workshop, so faculty members can experience meaningful learning as they produce their personal story that is dear to their heart. I found out that there is a new software that is equivalent of iMovie, it is called Photo Story 3. Last night I stayed up till 2:30 a.m, and trying to download the software, but I realized that my laptop is too old for the software. I need a better one. I better believe that God will supply one, because he always has. Chris suggests that we need to take good equipment since we have to hand carry and also we only can take 50 pounds per bag. I guess Chris is suggesting that I open my mouth big, and receive it. I decide to buy two new digital cameras, and I am thinking to get a new laptop as well. My African friends deserve good things as we like to have good things. I better not ask "give me old things you don't use".

Monday, June 26, 2006

Some Kinyarwanda

Some Kinyarwanda words

Imana ishimwe........Praise God

Muraho........how are you,

Turabakunda mwese.....We love you all

Imana iragukunda.......God loves you.

Turirimbe......Let us sing.

Dusenge..........let us pray.

Muarakoze---Thank you.

Imana ibahumugisha...........God bless you,

Imana ni nziza........God is good.

Ndabakunda.............I lovue you.

Turarangije.......We have finished.

Murabeho..................Good bye.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Books for CASA Library

Britt came to the house with many books for Robina. Rejection is a common thing in anywhere but in Rwanda and for the girls, it is more severe thing. Robina asked books on that topic, and mentioned the concern. Britt and her husband are donating those books for Robina to teach girls at NUR. PTL. I was strengthed and encouraged by Britt yesterday. Love you, Lord.



Here is a message from Britt to Robina:

Dear robina,
I am very encouraged by your ministry at the college and would like to continue to help you find good resources for your studies with women. I have sent several different books. Many I have done in a biblestudy I lead here, in San Francisco. Kim told me that you were looking particularly for books on rejection, so I focused on that (issues of fear,anxiety, and trust).

Beth Moore is one of the authors I sent. I sent two of her workbooks and accompanying books. You can use the book & workbook with the same title separately or
together. She gets you very deep in the Word and her book called "Breaking Free" is all about allowing the Lord to take away the things that keep us from him, whether it be worry or fear or lack of trust.

I also sent a book on Anxiety (I think a lot of women hold in a lot of anxiety whether it be worry about getting married or not feeling good enough). It's by Linda Dillow who is a missionary with her husband in Eastern Europe. Elisabeth Elliott is another one of my favorite authors. It would be great for you to read about her life. Her husband was killed by natives in South America and she and another women went and lived with the natives after and they all converted to Christianity. I sent a book that she wrote about asking God why..."Why don't I have a husband?", "Why did this happen to me?", "Why do you let bad things happen to people?"... it's good for a new believer or someone struggling to trust in the Lord.



Some of the other books are for your library. I'd like to know what you think about the study books as you go through them. If you like one in particular, we can send more of the same so that a small group of learners can have their own workbook to write in as they study. Also, if you have any questions about the books or how to go about leading the studies, I am more than willing to talk to you about them.

My husband and I are praying for you and your ministry and look forward to receiving news about student's growth in the Lord.

God bless,
Britt

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Simon's wedding

Robina,

simon got married on May 27 in NY. We are very happy parents as you can see. I hope someday Dilia, Simon's bride, will visit Africa. She is a beautiful lady inside and out. We miss you and hope to see you in July.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

I got an e-mail from Robina. I asked what kind books she needs for her teaching, she asked any material about dealing with rejections. Here is her e-mail;

It's long time.
For girls, mostly and according to our culture, we
faced a problem of rejection where girls had no
affection from their brothers and girls would be the
maids of every person at home.
Therfore a class about rejection is reccomended. Girls
are not given much love like boys especially to those
that came from Uganda. For those of Rwanda, rape cases
in genocide and other social and moral haresment were
met.
Topics of rejection, healing, forgiveness are
reccomended.

Mum stay blessed and bye.

Monday, April 17, 2006

bought tickets

Chris bought tickets for Craig,Jeanne,me and him. We will go to Africa via NY-London-Entebe. The strech from Entebe to Butare will be by bus.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Came back

I have not posted anything. I was too busy to update this site, Robina and I have been in contact with each other via phone. Robina is planning to have a retreat, and she reported that there are 18 students want to go for the retreat. She is proposing it. I guess it may needed to build team spirtit. But I am thinking, can they build team spirit by volunteering. For example, when our people go to Africa, our students save money by working odd jobs for the entire year. When they go to Africa, they work hard to make a difference.

I am wondering loud that how volunteering will work in Rwanda culture. I remember when I was in college, we used to go to villiages and taught students and took care of children while adults worked during the day. We wanted to make some difference. I am just wondering if the picnic is the right thing to do. I guess we can just try once this time. I would love to see students volunteer to go to Batwa villiage and play with children, and relieve overworked mothers for a few hours by taking care of children.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Monthly Report

Wednesday, February 26, 2006
Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,

God has been blessing Come & See Africa since this ministry began last year. He has worked in marvelous ways. We would like to share our progress so far.

On November first, CASA rented a house near the campus of the National University of Rwanda (NUR). Chris was in the house for four weeks (November 9 to December 9) establishing the “Christian Fellowship House” and launching a campus ministry. As far as we know, CASA is the only international ministry in Rwanda with the singular purpose of influencing the campus generation for Christ. We are convinced that university students are key to putting the entire nation of Rwanda on the a path toward reconciliation, peace, and prosperity.

After the first of the year, university students began returning to campus. Over the past seven weeks, the Christian Fellowship House has been buzzing with activity. We are welcoming people 24 hours a day. CASA has hosted morning devotions, noon luncheons, evening Bible classes, and all-night prayer meetings. Everyday we are visited by students, local farmers, evangelists, and Christians of every stripe. We have made this space available for use by the local community and it is being used to the maximum.

Please read the following excerpts from emails, one from Robina (activity director) and one from Frank (academic director):

From Robina on February 11:

"CASA is still receiving guests from the NUR because of the Gospel campaign. We had meetings taking place like the one of the NUR Students from the Baptist church. There was a counseling session by Evangelist Rutayisire Antony with NUR Students. I did not know that CASA will impact the society and the university to this extent. I wish you may come to see the inflow of people in the ministry and I have also realized why God initiated CASA.

For sure here in Butare we need prayers, God to grant us wisdom. When these visitors do come from Kigali, they go back singing CASA. One of them told to call the CFH as a Missionary House. Again that I should pray for such Houses to be introduced in many towns, especially Kigali. He added that it his first time to see a such House in Rwanda.


I love you, Robina"

From Frank on February 20:

"It’s night here. I’m very busy today, doing some repairs on lights, water and buy some stuff for the house. Construction of the outside toilet is almost done remaining roofing and finishing.

I found the class is full, the sitting room is almost full. They are 29 in number we hope for more, so continue to pray with us for more space. These students are hungry, they come even before and do some reading and ask many questions. This class makes my day, so I wanted to express my joy to you. God sent me to seminary for this reason and I am really enjoying this.

your faithful FRANK "

As you can see, we are being blessed to overflowing. As the year 2006 progresses we are seeking ways to manage this overflow of blessing. We do need to rent more space for classrooms. We do need to provide snacks for hungry students. We do need theological books and classroom material. In East Africa today, the words of Jesus ring especially true: "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. [Luke 10:2]”

We are seeking your support – prayer support, financial support, and participation support. First, pray for Come & See Africa, especially for Robina and Frank, that God uses these two young people in a mighty way to build His Kingdom in this corner of Africa. Second, if you are able, we ask that you support this work financially. We have committed to send $2000 each month to sustain this campus ministry. This is challenge for us and we could use your help. Third, CASA is returning to Butare during the month of July. So far six people have committed to this mission. We could easily accommodate a few more. Are you interested in being a harvester at the National University of Rwanda? Pray and seek God’s guidance. For more information on who we are and what we do, check out our web site at http://comeandseeafrica.org/. And thank you for reading this email!

Blessings,
Chris and Kim Foreman


"Come and See a man .. is not this the Christ? John 4:29"

Friday, February 17, 2006

Pastor Chris' Feb. 18th Column from KoreaTimes

Knocking down a wall of separation
February 18, 2006 / Number 175.

A few Sundays ago I had the opportunity to preach a message to a group of Korean young people. The message was about the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well. I was explaining the four walls of separation that Jesus demolished with his simple request “give me a drink.” The first wall that Jesus knocked down was gender – He spoke to a woman. The second wall was religion – he spoke to woman who worshiped on a mountaintop. The third wall was status – he spoke to an outcast, a woman living outside of marriage.

The fourth wall of separation was race. Jesus spoke to a mixed-race woman. The Jews despised the Samaritans more than any other group because of their mixed blood. The proud people of Judea could trace their ancestry back to Jacob, but the people of Samaria could not. About five hundred years before the time of Christ, conquering Assyrians forcibly mixed the people of Israel with inhabitants of neighboring nations.

As I was explaining this situation to teenagers, I reached back into my Korean vocabulary and found a word that I hadn’t spoken in a long time – the word was “twegi” [Half-breed]. Many of the young people were uncomfortable at this word and squirmed in their seats. Samaria was nation of “twegis” and was therefore scorned by pure-blooded Jews.

After the church service, the EM pastor apologized to me about the low attendance for my service. He reminded me that it was Super Bowl Sunday. Many regular church attendees, especially boys, were absent in order to join Super Bowl parties. I understood the situation replying that my own son was watching the big game with his friends.

The next morning, I picked up the Korean Times and couldn’t miss the banner headlines of the Super Bowl. I thought to myself, “This is unusual. American football does not typically warrant so much attention”. As I read more closely, I discovered that the Most Valuable Player of this game was identified as a “Korean”. I called to my son and said, “Did you know that Hines Ward was Korean?”. He was surprised and said, “You’re kidding. I didn’t know that”. My mixed-race son thought that he was Black with some unusual ancestry.


As I read more in the Korea Times, it became apparent that all this attention did not concern American football at all but was all about Korean pride. (If Willie Parker had won MVP, would Koreans have cared?) Just as Hwang Woo-suk was overthrown as a point of national pride, Hines Ward was being haled as “the first Korean to win a football MVP”. What is it in the Korean psyche that worships individuals who are “most valuable” on an international stage?

I was in Korea about the time Hines Ward was born. In 1976 there were many newborns in Korea that looked like this future MVP. Most of these Black mixed-race children were openly despised and many put up for adoption to the West. They were not claimed as “Korean” but insulted as “twegi”. Thirty years later, is this adoration of Hines Ward just another case of Korean hero worship? Or is Korea finally attaining the attitude of Christ, where mixed-race is not a barrier to full inclusion? It is probably just another case of hero worship, but I pray that Hines Ward is at the front of a long parade that includes all mixed-race Koreans and not just those who win impressive awards.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Great weather in San Francisco

We have great weather lately, around 70's. I was driving into the City and thought about our friends in Rwanda, and thought it would be so neat for them to see this bridge, Golden Gate Bridge. Amon and William had a chance to cross it when they visited us. So I can say with confidence that at least two Rwandees have walked on this bridge. We live at a small town called Mill Valley, about 2 miles from the north end of bridge, and I hope someday Robina and Frank have a chance to walk on this bridge. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Snow in New York

Simon sent these pictures from NY. There are 2 feet snow, and it seems like Dilia and Ike are having great time in snow. Woudn't it be nice to send some of the snow to Robina and Frank in Butare? And to me in SF too.


Saturday, February 11, 2006

Report from Pastor Chris

Dear friends and family,

With excitement and anticipation, we are preparing for our upcoming summer mission to Africa.
See our upgraded site at: http://CASA website for details. (Thanks, Simon, for your help with this)

We are happy to be supporting Robina and Frank as they do God's work in Rwanda through the Christian Fellowship House. Robina is Activity Director, skillfully managing who stays in our rooms and what groups meet in our facilities. Frank is Academic Director in charge of discipleship training for students at the National University of Rwanda. These are two outstanding young people.

We are glad to report that the Gospel is being proclaimed, lives are being changed, and the poor are ministered unto. If you were to join us this summer, you would be staying at the Christian Fellowship House and sharing this joy.

Below is a recent email from Robina. Reading it will provide a glimpse of what we are doing. To read more of this daily correspondence, you can visit Kim's blog at http://comeandseeafrica.blogspot.com/

Report from Butare via Robina

On the case of Feb, CASA is still recieving guests
from the NUR because of the gosple campaign. These
included Pastor Mugisha and his delegation from New
Life bible church-Kigali, Ev Kwizera Emmanuel and the
GBU president, EV Antony Rutayisire and his more three
members and am still waiting for more visitors today
night. From 17th Jan up to 22nd Jan, am still waiting
to recieve Pastor RON he is an American residing from
SOUTH AFRICA. He is comming to carry out a seminar to
the pastors and this seminar will take place from LT
Church.

We had meetings taking place like the one of the NUR
Students from the Baptist church meeting their Legal
representative, Counciling session by Ev Rutayisire
Antony with NUR Student.


I did not know that CASA will impact the society and
the university to this extent.
I wish you may come to see the in flow of poeple in
the ministry and i have also realised why God intiated
CASA.

For sure here in Butare we need prayers, God to grant
us wisdom. When these vistors do come from Kigali,
they go back singing CASA. One of them told to call
the CFH as a Missionary House. A gain that i should
pray fro such Houses to be introduced in many town
especially Kigali. He added that it his fisrt time to
see a such House in Rwanda.

I love you
Robina

Friday, February 10, 2006

Come and Go

We had Amon last week, and Zach came this week. On Thursday night, we had a dinner that is turned out to be our first meeting of this year for Rwanda mission. Lynda, Tina, Craig, Brian, Lily came, of course Amon, and Chris and I were there too. We had great fellowship, watched last summer's video, talk about CFH mission, and what we want to do this year. Craig is our friend, also he is a music professor and a dean of graduate studies at a private university. Also he is a choir director for TBC. He is interested in going with us this summer and he will teach guitar class. It was great to see Tina and Lynda again. Tina will go this summer again. On Friday morning, we went to Muir Wood, and showed Amon around. They attended Friday Men's group Bible study at Presbyterian as well.

On Saturday, we went to Prayer Mt. On the way to prayer Mt. We stopped at Kim's Flower. Pastor Kim and his wife insisted that they take us out, so we went to a Chinese restaurant. Food was good. I was so impressed with their sons, they are so faithful and smart. These people did great job raising children. They were easy going, respectful, and most importantly they were very affectionate toward their mother and appreciative. They did awesome job as parents. We stayed a night at the Prayer Mt. I think we were the only one there that night.


On Sunday, we got up very early then drove to Monterey for 8:00 morning service. Sunday was very busy. Chris preached for three services from 8 O'clock to 12:00, then we had a lunch. I did a parenting seminar from 1: to 3:00. We thank God for this church. They are praying for us and also they give their offerings. It was also so good to see old friends who went to Rwanda with us a few years ago. They were happy to see us again. I pray that this church will be on our side. But they support five different countries already, so we will see what God has for us. Amon left on Monday morning, and Zach came on Monday evening.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Amon is coming

Amon will visiting us in Mill Valley on Thursday! This is now "Come and See California".

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Pastor Chris is working hard on CASA website

We have not heard from CASA house in Rwanda for a few days because Robina is out of the CFH. Right now Robina is on the road somewhere between Rwanda and Kenya. She usually update what is going on for us frequenty. She is gone since Monday, and she will be back in Butare next Monday, I think. Frank sent me a brief e-mail yesterday that he is going to meet with Mr. Kim and also he will host 100 days Hope people at the CFH.

When Simon visited us, he made CASA web page templates, and now Chris is putting the content in. There are lots of work involved. Here is the work in progress:
http://comeandseeafrica.org

Please pray for Robina's safe trip and activities for CFH while Robina and Frank are out. Also pray for Pastor Chris. He is waiting to hear from the church that we believe and feel right for him to serve.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

CASA January 2006 report from Robina

God is doing wonderful things in Rwanda through people like Robina, Frank, Immaculate, and others... I want to post this report so anyone who is interested in Come and See Africa ministry can have an idea what the Christian Fellowship House for National University of Rwanda is doing. This house is less than 2 months old, but it is doing wonderful things to brining God's people together. In my mind the secret for the CFH is prayers. They have 5:30 AM morning prayers and devotion and open the door for 24 hours a day for Prayer Closet. God will honor their effort. I thank God for Robina, her love for God, her creativity. Please continue to pray for her and for the house activities.

***Robina's report***
VISITS

CASA has visited 2 churches and these are LIFE TRNSIFORMATION CHURCH and ASSEMBLIES OF GOD. These churches have given us a great welcome and they have promised us a great corporation.

I have shared a lot with people from LIFE TRANSIFORMATION CHURCH and our sharing concerned the word of GOD. among the people that came also the pastor of LTC was inclusive. 10 People dropped at the house to share with me the word of GOD and we even prayed together.

More than 20 came from different churches and also students of NUR came and are still coming. I have shared and prayed with 5 girls of NUR and they received a blessing from CASA.

PRAYER CLOSET:

We are so much blessed because our prayer closet. I have received 8 people. One was a pastor and another one was an Evangelist from Restoration church of Kigali and the rest are UNR students. Now there is also a Mum from the NUR who will finish her prayers on Monday.

MEETINGS

CASA has hosted four meetings from different groups and these groups are:
1. student leaders
2. New Generation
3. Pastor’s meeting (2)
4. LT Church choir
5. CASA staff meeting

COUNSELING SESSIONS

I have carried different sessions of counseling and some I have finished with them. These are:
1. 4 students of NUR
2. 2 mothers
3. 1 father (old man of 39 years)

There are others that am still carrying on.

BIBLE READING

Am done with one lady called Jane. She is a primary four drop out and now she can trace cite the bible very well. Soon she will be able to participate in sharing the word of GOD with us in our devotions.

DEVOTIONS

We carry our morning devotions daily from 5:30 – 6:30AM in the morning due to different reasons. These are:
1. Students have to prepare for their classes as early as possible
2. The business people have to go and prepare themselves so early
3. It is a season of planting , those who dig have also to do it.
After seeing that their request of changing the time was worthy, I had to abide with the situation wholeheartedly.

Since 13th Dec 2005, a register was set fro those that come daily for the morning devotion. I also record in that register the preacher and the sermon preached.

DATE NUMBERS OF PREACHER SERMON
PEOPLE


13TH DEC 10 FRANK EXOD 3;13-14

14TH DEC 10 FRANK 1 COR 13: 1-12

15TH DEC 12 FRANK PHIL 4: 4 – 9

16TH DEC 14 ROBINA 2 CHLON 20:5- 15

17TH DEC 11 FRANK MATTH 16:13

19TH DEC 8 FRANK GAL 5:16

20TH DEC 12 FRANK 1 TIM 4:11 -15

21TH DEC 19 ROBINA JOB 14:7

22ND DEC 15 PETITE ECCL 1:1- 11

23RD DEC 13 CLAUDINE GEN 22:3 – 14

24TH DEC 16 WILLY MARK 5:1-11

26TH DEC 8 FRANK MATTH 25:1-13

27TH DEC 17 FRANK PSALMS 34:5-7

28TH DEC 16 FRANK MATTH 6:24-27

29TH DEC 15 FRANK JOHN 4;30-38

30TH DEC 15 FRANK MARK 10: 46-56

31ST DEC 12 FRANK JOHN 5: 1-8

2ND JAN 2006 18 FRANK ROMANS 3:10-12

3RD JAN 21 ROBINA EXOD 3:7
4TH JAN 20 ROBINA JEREM 23:29

5TH JAN 15 ROBINA COL 2:15

6TH JAN 15 ROBINA HEB 11:6

7TH JAN 18 CLAUDINE LUKE 4:25-27

9TH JAN 12 FRANK EXOD 10:9-10

10TH JAN 12 FRANK 1 KINGS 19:19

11TH JAN 16 JACK LUKE 19:1

12TH JAN 9 PASCAZIA EXOD 17:8-16

13TH JAN 14 IMMACULATE JOSHUA 6:1-16

14TH JAN 13 ROBINA LAMENT 3:40-53

16TH JAN 18 FRANK 1 KINGS 17; 1-8

17TH JAN 8 ROBINA NAHUM 1-7

18TH JAN 16 FRANK 2 KINGS 7:3-16

19TH JAN 14 FRANK EZEKEIL 37:1-10

20TH JAN 11 FRANK MARK 6;45-52

21ST JAN 14 STEVEN JOHN 5:1-9, MARK 7:1-7


So that is how our devotions are and now we are having pastor Paul Gasigi starting teaching on Tuesday 24th Jan 2006.

STUDENTS IN THE HOUSE

CASA is a blessing to students. A minute per minute am receiving students from NUR A good example is today 22nd Jan when 14 of them came directly to visit the ministry. They all came together from the Heart of worship and came to the ministry.

Student’s leaders also came and we talked a bout the big gospel campaign that will commence on 5th FEB 2006 up to 19th FEB 2006.
They come in time to time especially evening ours after their classes and recording them is not easy due to their frequent visitations.


PEOPLE CAME TO THE HOUSE.

We received numerous number of people of different dignitaries and we hope more are coming. Those that came are;
1. The bishop of EER and his delegation
2. Two professors of NUR
3. A police commander of BUTARE Province
4. An army officer from Kigali (CAPTAIN)
5. A journalist from Radio Salus (NUR’s Radio)
We hope more are coming.


PERSONAL REPORT

I believe that nothing am doing in Butare apart from supporting CASA and for sure to me I fell am doing my best to the extent of creating other new things that I found not existing. These are like counseling, teaching some people how to read and cite the bible, allowing to be waking up at 5:00 AM to prepare for the devotion and more others as we shall be communicating.

My prayer is that may my good Lord grant me the anointing of creativity, wisdom and favor that I may real discover more new things. I believe my request God will grant it.

I visited Radio Salus (NUR’s RADIO) and in very few hours our announcements and adverts will be hear in the whole of RWANDA. To me that is not enough I hope God will open my eyes to see other strategies of how CASA can reach her goals.

About the number of hours I work, its hard one to evaluate him or her self but I surely know that I work. Just imagine am like a mother at home, very early in the morning am out of the bed for devotion and I go to bed almost mid night. One can wonder what am I doing for all these hours? But a mother at home can easily answer that question.
No week end since I receive students on Saturday and on Sunday having Agape.

JACK is doing good in fact he has sent you greetings. He has lost some weight due to malaria he suffered last December for few days. He recovered and he is blessed.

PASCAZI is one the happiest person I have at CFH. She is missing pastor Chris so much and her prayers is that my pastor be back as soon as possible.
She is waiting to see Frank shifting and she begins her classes of tailoring. She is in love with me and it also challenges me how she really loves me. I also pray to be a good mother to her because she calls me all the names she wants. Some times Robina or Aunt or Mum. Which ever she comes across she calls me.

She is also in good terms with FRANK and the wife with Petite their House girl. She also set a day fro prayers, every Friday she has to fast and pray also Petite prays on Tuesdays.





TESTIMONIES

Recently Frank told me that he met a pastor and they congratulated him that CASA is training good Christians due to the morning devotion that we make daily.
For the students it is so great. One evangelist who came for private prayers told me that he has never seen a wonderful moment like the one he had at CASA.

There is a day when God surprised me when a lady called Jane brought me a baby who was almost dying, the baby had all the signs of a dead person but he was still breathing. Jane brought her son while crying and that was immediately after devotion. I prayed for the baby and immediately he came back to his senses. They took him to the Hospital and the following day he was discharged.

Personally CASA blesses me every day and I hope for the best.

FINANCE

My dear ones for sure do me a favor to give you a financial report with effect from FEBUARY 2006. Am not a signatory of the money at the bank, so how do you expect me to know that? Yes Frank can tell me that we have this amount or that we have deposited this amount. But my request is that you grant me that favor if you find it worthy. For I thought that IMMACULATE will be doing that monthly.
If my request granted let me know.


PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Pray for God’s presence at CFH for I wish it to be a quenching point for those that are thirsty for Christ.
2. My trip to Kenya and to get what the Lord wants CASA to get.
3. Pascazi is of feelling well for she has flu
4. God to give more wisdom and favor especially with students.
5. In mid Feb, CASA has to present her vision, mission and also to share the word of God at Radio salus. So my dear ones pray for me as am preparing my self for it.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Board meeting

Jean came from Portland to help to file an application for the Come and See Africa as a non-profit. Simon is here also for the meeting. Chris and Jean work on it for a few days, and they work very hard on it. Robina is really good with communication and let us know what is going on at CFH. I hope she will have a fruitful time at Kenya. Robina takes her job very seriously, and her heart is on God.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Translation

Dear Friends at CASA,

I have been praying about a special mission for CASA and the Christian Fellowship House. Please let me share this idea with you. Frank, pay attention, because you might head this up. -- Amon, I hope that you can help too.

As I see it, we have two major groups that CASA supports: first is NUR students, second is Butare pastors (and Christian groups). What could CASA do to organize the first group (NUR students) to help out the second group (Rwanda pastors). I think that the answer is "translation".

What would you think if CASA made an organized effort to translate Christian study material and devotional material from English (or French) into Kinyarwanda using NUR volunteers? And then provide this material to pastors in Rwanda at no cost? I am not talking about large books, but small things. One idea is a daily devotional -- from January first to December last. There are many of these daily devotionals in America. Is there anything in Rwanda? Yet, if you read a short devotional everyday -- and translate it daily into Kinyarwanda -- then in a year Rwandan pastors could have a daily devotional. There are so many talented NUR students who are looking for a way to serve God and serve Rwanda at the same time. This is a way they could do it according to their talent and their schedule. This could be individual work (one person works on a small piece alone) then it could be collaborative (other people polish the text).

For example, Robina could teach her Esther class in English, but two or three NUR students could be writing the lectures in Rwandan. Robina and the students could then polish up the notes and provide them to pastors. One page of good translation a day could greatly benefit Rwandan pastors. What could we do in ten years?

I believe that this would truly bless the NUR translators and it would truly bless the readers.
I want to know what you believe. Can this work?
Please share your thoughts.

Blessings, Chris

Christian Fellowship House Prayers

Dear Robina,

Thank you for your detailed information. I feel like I am right there next to you. How nice that you have a devotion at 6:00 am. God will bless all of you who attend that early and seek out His face. You are really challenging me and Pastor Chris to be diligent prayers. Korean churches have early morning devotional meetings, but there is no such thing in American church. I attend Korean church at 7 am devotion on Saturday morning, and I am always glad that I got up early and went to it. So it is nice to hear that Christian Fellowship House is doing an early morning devotional meeting.

I thank God that you are there to set the pattern for the CFH from the start. I can see many are getting blessed because of your dedication and passion to our Lord. I don't know whether you can access internet easy or not. I have set up a blog site for Come and See Africa. Please check it out, and mark it.
http://comeandseeafrica.blogspot.com/

you can leave a comment on the blog site if you like. Actually I would love it if you leave a comment. I posted your last e-mail. I think many people who are praying for the ministry will read and see what Come and See does. When you send an mail about what you do, I will post on the blog (of course I will not post things that is private). Please pray for us. We will have CASA board meeting on Friday. My son, Simon is flying from New York to attend the meeting, and also pastor Chris' sister from Portland is flying from Portland to attend the meeting. This is the first board meeting. In addition to the board meeting, I have a few more for you to pray for us.

1. Open doors for pastor Chris to preach Gospel and to introduce Come and See Africa in SF area
2. Raise funds to expand CASA ministry in Rwanda.
3. Get the property to build an Education Center
4. Pray for me that I am going to give a workshop for Japanese professors next week. Ten professors are coming from Japan, and I will teach how to be an effective teacher in the university setting. As you know there are very few Christians in Japan, I hope I can be of a good Christian witness to them.

Have a wonderful day,

blessings,

Kim

Robina, you are great!

It was always good to hear news from Rwanda. I am so encouraged by Robina, her commitment and her dedication. Just like Korean early morning prayers, she is doing it at 6 a.m. every morning. Praise God for her diligence. I need to get up early and have my devotion time at 6 am. The people at CFH really inspired me to do it with them. Thanks, Robina, Frank and everyone at CFH.

Here is a part of Robina's e-mail that encouraged me..

********
Thanks a lot or you good communication. We are so good at CASA and we are seeing God’s presence. Am doing some activities at the CFH and as am still waiting for the University to begin and start up immediately because time wasted can not be gained at all.

Every morning from 6:00 -7:00 we carry out our devotion because it is a season of farming and many people wants to go for digging and others in different programs. After that I continue to make the outline of the book of Esther that I was told to teach according to the program of the Academic director. I also receive many people that are different because since the ministry was opened officially people were welcomed at the house and so I have to welcome them and we share together the word of God, we pray together and we fellowship together.

When the university students start up well and of which they had already began but they are still in different movements of lodging and setting up their time table for the academics. I will start with them next week and now am drafting a program of how am to meet their leaders firstly.

Am praying unto God to give me wisdom of how to do His work of which CASA is a priority. I don’t see it as
pastor Chris and Kim’s ministry but as the WILL OF GOD ON THE EARTH. Therefore I serve CASA with my heart as
am serving my Almighty GOD.

Otherwise am doing good and with the Spirit of God as my helper.

Robina

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

CASA account

Chris brought cards from Rwanda in order to promote and do some fund-raising for the CASA. I think these cards are so beautiful, but I have problem selling them. It was too late this year, probably next year we will start early. Chris was trying to recruit Brian to go to Rwanda next summer, and Brian wants to recruit Chris to start a marriage seminar group. It is so wonderful to see these two men who are passionate about what they do, and they share visions and support each other. We prayed, and they went home at 11:00 P.M. I am touched by Lili and her faithfuness.

We opened the CASA bank account.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Happy Birthday


Chris told me that he received an e-mail from Frank, (Chris checks his e-mail and he is most happy when he hears from CASA family from Rwanda) and he was in a very good mood. The news is the best birthday gift for him, I think. I will not tell what the content of the e-amil, but this is about the CASA ministry. Did I say something about a birthday? Yes, today is Chris' birthday. Can you guess why his parents named him Chris? He was a very cute baby, as you see in the picture. His older sisters still call him, "our Christmas baby".

Simon called to say "Happy birthday" to his father, and I told him his father is in prison. Simon repeats by saying, what?, I said he is in prison. I said with a straight face and a calm voice, he is in prison. As some of you know, Chris leads a Bible study at San Quentin prision which is a maximum security prison. Matter of fact, there was an excusion there a few weeks ago. I should of said, "he is at prison" not "in prison". Anyway, I like to joked with my children.

We will go to SF by a ferry this afternoon, and celebrate his birthday and look around Christmas decoration around the City. Hope all of you have a great Christmas. I will have a wonderful and relaxing time with this Christmas baby:)

Thursday, December 22, 2005

The most beautiful Christmas Card


Chris woke me up this morning, he waived a piece of paper he says "Robina sent you a Christmas card". I thought to myself, he must be thinking too much about Africa. How can that be? I never received a mail from Rwanda, and I don't know whether there is a post office in Butare. We communicate with an e-mail, but never with a snail mail. I thought either it was in my dream, or Chris is sleep walking or something. I opened my eyes and grabbed the paper Chris thirsted to my face, it was a card. It has the CASA logo on it, and beautiful roses in a vase, then on the back of the card, it said, "printed by Christian Fellowship House". Robina made the card! Now we know she knows how to use computer, we can do all kind of things over the internet. First she is going to use this blog. I will create a Learning Managment System, so we can exchange files and pictures, etc. I will post things on here for now and she can also post something that anyone can read. Of course we will not post something that is personal or things that are confidential, we will use LMS.

So, Robina, are you ready to use the blog?

Merry Christmas from Foremans



Robina, Frank, Ruth

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! You are in our thoughts, and we love you and thinking of you on this wonderful season of our Lord's birth.

Chris is back from Rwanda. The mission was very sucessful. He opened the CASA house, and on the opening day, he siad that there were closed to 400 people showed up. Here is an e-mail Chris sent out to friends and family.

****
I just returned safe and sound from a successful mission trip to Africa. I am up late adjusting to Pacific Standard time. Thank you for your prayers.

For those of you who prayed for a successful Open House on December 9th, "Thank you" even more. The Christian Fellowship House in Butare, Rwanda, welcomed 323 visitors on that day. We had decorations, singers, speakers, and dancers . We ran out of cookies and fruit punch and had to close our front gate early.

Most people who dropped by were poor neighbors who live up and down our red clay road. My favorite comment came from a college student who was helping out. He gazed at the sight of old women returning from the fields and barefoot kids in tattered clothes. As they sat in upholstered chairs and sipped punch from porcelain cups, I overheard a comment that he whispered to a friend: "This is just like Jesus did".

We at Come & See Africa hope that there are more opportunities to imitate Christ in Rwanda. If you are able, we welcome you to "come and see" this ministry next July as we return to serve university students and ordinary people in East Africa.