“Once people hear the Word of God, they come, and when they go home, they bring others back next week.” I listened as Bishop Selestine shared with me how the Lutheran Mission in Africa—Synod of a Thousand Hills (LMA—STH) in Rwanda started two years ago. Today, this church body has twenty pastors and over 2,000 members (and growing) across this small, hilly country.

In February, I joined three other missionaries to visit Rwanda to meet church leaders and parishioners in this small but growing confessional church. The LMSSTH began when a group of Christians opted to stay true to God’s Word in the face of false beliefs.

In addition, the people here still face the aftermath of their history from early 1990s. Annually, the people commemorate the events at various memorials across the country. Many survivors feel blessed that they are able to tell others about Christ.

In March, at the request of the LMA—STH, two missionaries worked with Ambassadors of Reconciliation, a LCMS RSO, to provide an opportunity to discuss forgiveness through Christ. Using the elements of the small catechism, the team taught pastors and their wives to use God’s Word to point people back to Christ for forgiveness and reconciliation to God.

To all who prayed for and supported this effort, we say murakozee—that’s “thank you” in KinyaRwandan.

John Wolf is the Africa Region Project Manager for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He and his family, with the support of LCMS churches like Saint John’s, are serving in Kenya. Please keep them in your prayers! We encourage you to follow their family blog, www.hereiamsendmesendme.blogspot.com, which is also where you can sign up to their mailing list and make donations.