Building the Church

A Letter from Kay Day, serving in Rwanda

June 2019

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from Rwanda. When I lived in the States, I always thought of May as a month of new growth, as trees and plants began to bloom. That has proven to be true here in Huye, Rwanda, this month, but it has not been vegetation burgeoning, but buildings and lives.

Several months ago, Gitarama Presbytery decided to renovate the building they own here in Huye that houses the English chapel in order to meet government regulations. The plans developed slowly, but this month the building began. For that to happen, it meant the English chapel had to temporarily relocate for worship. We

arranged with the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS), which is located just across the street from our building, to use their chapel. But first we had to store our chairs, pulpit and other materials. Again, we arranged with PIASS for storage space, and in one hour of intense carrying by hand, we transported furnishings to a storage area next door to our building and packed soft materials and loaded them into my spare bedroom. Even as we were working, the builders were laying the foundation for the enlarged building. The plan to expand what exists is to add onto the current structure, so that the foundation will be built around and onto the current one. It has been fascinating to watch as the structure has taken on a whole new face. I confess, I check daily on the progress and marvel at the evolution of the building.

You are part of this building as you support me with prayers and finances. Thank you for helping to build the church here in Rwanda today and for the future. We are partnering together to build the kingdom of God, something much greater than a mere church building or one single congregation. I pray that this spring is blessing you as you have blessed me.

Yours in Christ,

Kay (Cathie to the family)