This is definitely the greatest TIA moment yet.

At 4.30 this afternoon, we started to hear rumors that tomorrow is going to be a “surprise national holiday.” That’s right – like Thanksgiving or something. But this wasn’t on the calendar before this afternoon. A holiday just popped out of no where! We spent a couple of hours trying to track that one down. I spent most of that time trying to figure out how a country does a holiday on less than 24 hours notice.

About 7.30 tonight we did confirm tomorrow is a national holiday – the last day of Ramadan, in case you’re wondering the occassion. So, Rwanda’s going to be off tomorrow.

It’s like a snow day…just Rwanda style.

TIA – gotta love it!

Our little trek around Rwanda has brought us back to Kigali, where we’ll stay until we head back to DC. It’s amazing to think of how much we’ve experienced since we left this city just one week ago. So many faces, stories, challenges and thrilling moments all rolled into one week. Out of that sea of memories, this morning will shine brightly as I think back on our time in Rwanda.

We had the chance to go to a small church high in the hills of the Burera district of Northern Rwanda. This tiny church sits right at the bottom of two volcanoes in a village with no running water. There are few men in the area after the genocide – it’s noticeable as soon as you walk in. The building itself isn’t large – in fact, it’s really just four walls and a tin roof providing some shelter over a dirt floor.

That setting was the perfect backdrop to lean into everything Paul meant when he wrote that he “had learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance.” (Philippians 4:11(b)) That simple truth in that simple room brought the enormity of the Gospel into stunning focus. Paul knew the God of the Universe and believed it when Jesus said I no longer call you a slave, but rather a friend. Paul’s ambition in life was to make the Gospel known. Holding all of that together was Paul’s belief that at the end of his life, he would be with His God in heaven. That brought contentment to his soul even though he wrote Philippians from a jail. In the face of massive opposition, Paul found contentment. Our prayer was that in the face of unimaginable poverty, Burera would find hope.

We believe in a Gospel that satisfies the souls of Rwandans and of Americans. It’s a Gospel that carries hope to the darkest corners of our world. The light of Jesus shone brightly in that humble shack this morning. It shone in the faces of the children who sang with joy that seemed illogical. It shone in the heart of their pastor who gives so much to serve his flock. It shone from the pages of Paul’s writings. And it brought life and joy.

I pray that same Gospel would sweep our campuses. I pray the light that gives hope to Burera would transform the universities of the most powerful city in the world. I can’t wait to be in DC this week. But for now, my prayers are with the little ones of Burera. I pray the seeds of hope planted this morning will blossom in their hearts in the weeks to come.

TIA – This is Africa. It’s incredibly hard to believe our team has been in Africa for less than a week. We’ve seen God do some amazing things, been touched deeply by the resiliency of the Rwandan people and dared to believe there is hope for this beautiful country. We’ve also had a lot of fun. A few little TIA tips:

- When in doubt, sing. You can never go wrong by starting a song. No instruments needed. Clapping required. Don’t worry about knowing all the words. Singing “God is good” can last for about 5 – 10 minutes if you repeat it enough.

- Africa can be really hot and really cold. I’m in a sweatshirt and could see my breath outside last night.

- If anyone ever tries to get you to invest in bringing the Adkins diet to Africa, run. Meals are one carb fest after another. It’s possible to blend rice, pasta and potatoes all into the same meal.

- The power might go out unexpectedly. Don’t be surprised when no one else is surprised.

- If there are large birds making a lot of noise on the roof of the building where you are meeting, it’s perfectly acceptable to walk out of the meeting and throw rocks at them. For what it’s worth, my new friend Kayijuka has a really good arm!

- Fanta. Fanta is the official beverage of Africa – just make sure you use a straw!

- I like the place we’re staying in now. The previous place gave us the chance to practice the Africa art of a “bucket bath.” I’ll let you figure that one out on your own – but all you need to know is sitting right there in the name.

- Driving seems to defy both the rules of the road and the rules of physics. Road trips are my favorite. You have to come within about 5 inches of hitting a person before they even flinch. Even at 5 inches, they might not. Don’t ask how I know that, but I promise you it’s true!

TIA. I love it over here. And I can’t wait to see you DC Gathering people next week!

Today is one of those days I don’t know how to put into words – but since this is a blog, I’m going to try. To say it was a day filled with contrasts is a massive understatement. How do you find a theme that unites a day that included a visit to the home of an elderly widow who has nothing, a stop at a memorial that is home to 41,000 remains of a genocide and the most beautiful drive I’ve ever taken. I guess the thing that’s rattling around in my brain tonight is the sovereignty of God – over the best and worst of the world. Through it all, the Lord is in charge.

He’s sovereign over the life of a 55 year old Rwandan woman who looks like she’s in her late 80’s. In the midst of total poverty – no money, possessions, job or employment – He promises to draw her near to His own heart. How stunning is that? He’s big enough to provide comfort to her in a home that’s hardly worthy of being called a home.

From there, we walked to the site of a mass murder in Nyamata. 41,000 people died in a church. They were hiding in the one place they should have been safe and it just didn’t work. The savage insanity of genocide took their lives. We walked today among their clothes, their remains and their bones.

Then we all drove up to the Northern parts of the country. One of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever taken. The mountains of Rwanda are gorgeous.

And God reigns over all of it. Time is short tonight. I’ll post more tomorrow. But for tonight I’m searching for words in the face of sovereignty and contrasts. I know God reigns. Over Kigali, Nyamata, Washington and Musenze.

It’s about 4PM here in Rwanda. We just finished up today’s sessions and our team, although exhausted, is really encouraged by all the Lord has poured out these past two days. It’s amazing how quickly you can become attached to a group of people that have a common heart to make the name of Jesus famous around the globe. It’s hard to believe we only met these new friends yesterday morning.

One of the highlights of the day was singing “How Great Is Our God” in KinyaRwandan and English. Amazing. I wonder if you all will be singing that this week at The Gathering.

It’s Tuesday, so I can’t help but think about my friends at AU. I’m praying for you. God has something powerful in store for you tonight. Nate Keeler’s message is going to be challenging and paint a beautiful picture of what the Kingdom of God should be like. I so wish I could be with you tonight. But know I’m praying for you and believing God is going to do great things at AU.

We’ve just finished day one of the first conference we’re participating in here in Rwanda. We’re in a lovely little town called Nyamata. At the end of the day, our overall impression is just being stunned at everything the Lord allowed us to experience today. It was so good to finally meet the first group of pastors, priests and leaders we’ve come all this way to serve. It was beautiful to see so many different churches and denominations represented in the room this morning. There’s a real sense here that for too long Rwandans have focused on what divides them rather than what unites the people of this country. What became so apparent today is that the cross of Jesus is the primary thing holding this group together.

The courage these leaders show in the face of stunning adversity is really inspiring. I was talking with a group earlier today and they were telling me their churches face 99% unemployment. The challenges that brings to a church are massive. But in the face of all that, they continue to believe God for great things.

I’ve also met a bit of the future of Rwanda. I had lunch today with a new friend; a 20 year old who will be starting at the National University next year. I love it – even at a conference for pastor’s I get to hang out with a college kid!! As I sat there talking with him today, I could have been in the student center on one of our campuses! He reminded me so much of all of you in DC. Hopes. Dreams. A desire to change the world. The belief that God is amazing. It was so good for me. God is doing something in the collegiate generation. In DC. In Rwanda. All over the globe.

Can’t wait for tomorrow.

No joke. There really are a few things about Kigali that make you feel like you’re chillin in Southern California. The weather today could be right out of Santa Monica – sunny, a light breeze, moderate temperatures and no humidity. Beyond that, there’s the relentless preoccupation with building homes on the sides of hills. Different motives, same affect.

But there are plenty of differences to remind all of us the US is half a world away. One of the most joyous of those differences was the church service we went to this morning. So spontaneus and so worshipful. I wasn’t kidding about 3 hours either – we sang, we danced, had a few Bible lessons, sang, dedicated some babies, sang, prayed, sang, danced and then sang again. Honestly, such a great experience. The joy in that simple room was tangible and I loved it.

We’re heading out of Kigali in just a few minutes. Be praying as we start meeting with Rwandan pastors tomorrow morning.

Our team landed earlier this morning in lovely Kigali, Rwanda. We’ve only been here for a few hours but I can already tell you this is a beautiful country filled with some of the most welcoming people you can imagine. Pretty sure we’re getting ready to go take a quick tour of Kigali. Really excited to see this city.

Can’t wait to go to church tomorrow morning. Should be an amazing experience – and long. About 3 hours from what I hear – you think I go long at The Gathering!

Headed out of Kigali tomorrow but I’ll post as time and internet allow. But for today I’m just stunned by the raw beauty of this country and it’s people.

It’s been a long time coming, but I’m finally headed to Rwanda tomorrow morning. I’m going to miss The Gathering more than you’ll ever know but I’m really excited to be setting out on this adventure with God. I’m believing it’s going to be an incredible week that God will use as much in my life as the lives of the Rwandans I’m going to serve. Lord willing, I’ll be able to post pretty regularly from Rwanda, so check back for updates on how it’s all going.

Before I head out, I get to enjoy one last night with the students of the University of Maryland. It’s going to be one more opportunity to celebrate the incredible, beautiful love of Christ this week. Love has been so much at the forefront of my thinking these past few days. As I get ready to head out, love remains central to everything I’m asking God to do in The Gathering while I’m gone. My prayer for all of you is that you would “walk in love” (eph. 5:2, NASB) in the week ahead. It seems to me that if we get that one right, everything else just seems to fall in place, doesn’t it? So, my friends, walk in love. Love for your God. Love for each other. Love for your campus.

I’ll be praying for all of you while I’m gone. I can’t wait to hear how you use the next few days to advance the Kingdom of God on your campus.

Go walk in love,
John

On Friday morning, I’m going to jump on a plane with five others from MBC and head to Rwanda. We’re heading to East Africa to teach at training conferences hosted by our partner World Relief.

This trip has been one constant reminder of how much we take for granted in the American church. I pray God will use this time to remind all of us how greatly He has blessed us so that we can bless the world – and how much we have to learn from others.

Here’s what I mean. I just wandered over to a room here in our offices where some members of our team are assembling folders and training packets for the conference (Jenna, Carol and Lauren – you are amazing!!). Inside the folders are the standard conference notebooks all nicely translated into KinyaRwandan and several sheets of loose leaf paper. You know, the paper you put in binders. The paper you pass notes on. The paper you recycle so quickly. Here’s what blows me away – our new friends in Rwanda are going to be stunned to have that much paper! Paper is incredibly valuable there and pastors have perfected the art of writing with the smallest letters possible so they can cram as much as possible onto a sheet of paper. Any scrap of paper is valuable.

Two thoughts with that:

1. How can we not do more in America to bless our brothers and sisters around the world? A few sheets of loose leaf will make some one’s day. That’s amazing!

2. We have so much to learn. These men and women serve Christ so passionately yet lack most of the comforts we describe as necessities. If paper was rare in our lives, would it affect our joy in Christ? The church in Africa can teach us much about the joy of the Gospel.

All I know is I can’t wait to go.

Last night was one of those beautiful times when everything seemed to come together in a way only God can orchestrate. The weather was perfect – a huge change from what had been a wet and windy forecast. The rooftop Esplanade (think park on the top of a building) is one of the most amazing places ever to hold a service. That rooftop gives you a view of the entire campus, Rosslyn and much of the District; if there’s a better place to sing God of This City, I’ve never seen it. The student leaders of Georgetown mix passion, joy and excellence together in a way that is massively God honoring. And, finally, we were thrilled with the number of Hoyas that joined us, hopefully not just for a night but for our mission of shifting the culture of Georgetown towards the cross of Jesus.

This time last year, the prayer of serving Georgetown seemed like one that wouldn’t be answered for years. How amazing to see what God has done in a year. He truly is the God who can do “exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ever ask or imagine.” – Ephesians 3:20.

In just a couple hours our team heads down to Georgetown for what we’re believing will be an historic night on that campus. It’s definitely a major milestone in the story of what God has done through The Gathering and I can’t wait. We were able to be on campus last fall as the guests of the Protestant Student Forum. But tonight we’re back in our own right.

We’re headed to Georgetown with the belief that God is growing a wave of students there who want to join with students from AU, Mason and UMD who are living for the fame of Jesus on their campus. We’re coming to worship. We’re coming to urge a generation to do something to live out their faith. We’re coming to serve. We’re coming to follow Christ.

I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for us tonight.

This week brings a great change to life at The Gathering. We all but retire our cargo van! I know, I know…so sad. Honestly, it is funny to think of The Gathering without it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve loaded and unloaded that thing in the past few years! It’ll be back periodically but it’s headed to semi-retirement.

It’s replacement is a beautiful 20 foot box truck. Very nice, lots easier to load and better in every way. One catch – you have to be 25 to drive it, instead of 21! A challenge for a ministry with far more 18 year olds than 25 year olds!! So, if you’re over 25, live around here and want a sweet ride to the G on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, email me. Use the link on the right.

You need to know what a gift all of your comments were last week. I’ve gotten emails from families all over the country saying exactly what our staff team has felt, “your passion for Jesus is beautiful.” I’m so grateful you were willing to share it with us. When I look at the various things the Lord has put on your hearts, it gives me incredible hope for the future of the church and the work of the Gospel.

But here’s the question I can’t get out of my mind: can you imagine a church that actually did all of that? It would be the most amazing thing ever. A church that shared Christ and our lives with the most broken and despairing. A church that moved to every corner of the globe carrying the hope of a cross. A church that didn’t love from a distance but drew close to those broken by sin. That’s what I dream of for MBC and The Gathering.

So, now that you’ve given voice to your passion all that remains is to ask yourself what you’re going to do with it. Your leaders are already working to make dreams turn into reality – you should definitely check out The Gathering this week for more about how this is all going to work. But for now, just allow yourself to imagine a church that was doing all of this. It’s more beautiful than my words can express.

Wow. Tonight was absolutely amazing at UMD. So cool to celebrate God’s heart for using you to change this campus. By now, you get the idea behind this post….fill up the comments section. Use it to give voice to what God is giving you a passion for. It doesn’t matter how crazy the idea – He gives you the strength. So, go ahead, UMD…comment away!