Preaching results

Well, here is the latest!

The circuit overseer's visit was to be scheduled for April 8-13, but due to the week of mourning, the visit was rescheduled for the end of May. He kindly agreed to come conduct our meetings for field service every day this week even though it is not an official visit.

This week of mourning is almost coming to a close. Where I live is a street over from the Kingdom Hall as well as Bethel; on the other side of Bethel is a big stadium. During this week there have been speeches, rallies, and other events including a visit from the president. Businesses are open every morning but are expected to close in the afternoons. So it is somewhat hazardous to be out in the afternoons because everyone is expected to show their respect for the genocide victims and survivors and their political solidarity. Also, some people, especially in the rurals, can go emotionally crazy and it is possible to be attacked if you are doing something considered inappropriate, such as working, during this time. So the brothers and sisters were advised to exercise caution as to their activities.

Last Monday, which was Genocide Memorial Day, the authorities came to Bethel and demanded to see what was going on. Fortunately, the branch committee had foreseen what was happening and earlier that morning told all the Bethelites to leave work and go to their rooms. The only department operating at Bethel was the kitchen. They even cancelled the Watchtower Study that evening. The authorities left, satisfied.

On Sunday, the last day of the week of mourning, when there was some final event planned at the stadium, our congregation moved the meeting an hour earlier and held only the Watchtower Study. I had planned to do some Chinese territory that afternoon, but thought better of it. Anyway, this will all be over on Monday. So we should be able to hold our Memorial celebration that evening in peace and without disturbance.

The days I preach it is usually for about 6 hours, which is about as much as I can do, energy-wise. My preaching schedule is thus: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, all day, and maybe an hour or two on Sunday before the meeting at 11:30am. This seems to work out, because until I can get used to the walking and the humidity, I need a full day of rest in between the preaching days. I think eventually I'll be able to expand my schedule.

Every day I go out results in one very good call, on average! So right now the tally is 2 Bible studies and a number of return visits that look likely to turn into studies.

For example, on a Sunday, we were doing business territory around the Kingdom Hall. When my partner and I split up toward the end of the morning, I walked toward home and passed the Airtel headquarters. Airtel is one of the large internet companies here in Kigali.  I was hoping to leave a Memorial invitation with someone there, but they were closed. As I was leaving I noticed that adjacent to Airtel is a construction site where there were a number of workers, including a Chinese man. We talked for at least 15 minutes. He told me he has time on the weekends and said he was interested in learning about the Bible. I met with him and a Chinese girl the following week and talked for close to 3 hours.

The following Tuesday, I met a very friendly worker at a supermarket (called 2000) who has been here only 5 days from Guangxi province. He speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and a bit of English. We exchanged phone numbers and he asked me to call him to discuss further. I have been back several times since and, though extremely busy, he has been quite receptive.

Then on Thursday, I went with a Rwandan brother (not in the English Congregation) on a call at a Chinese restaurant in an area called Kacyiru. He had previously left a Bible Teach book in Chinese with a man there, but since they couldn't communicate too well, he asked me to accompany him. The man was very receptive and I promised to return the following week and consider chapter 1 of the book. I returned the following week and we had our first study! As I asked the questions for the first few paragraphs of chapter 1, he took a piece of paper and began writing down in Chinese the answers to the questions. (I guess he didn't want to mark up the book.) He has been in Rwanda for 10 years doing construction work but has been the owner of this restaurant for only a month. It is in an out-of-the-way location so at this point they don't have too much traffic, except for Chinese customers who know him.

At a supermarket called T2000 (the old version of 2000), I have a study with a Chinese man who appears to be the owner. We are using the Good News brochure, and during the third study he pointed to the image of the Bible Teach book and asked how he could get one of those. He also liked my Bible and wanted me to give it to him. I promised him the Bible Teach book next time, but said that my Bible is the only copy I have. Until I can get some Chinese Bibles, I will just have to share mine. This man follows every scripture we read with keen interest, so I would like to get him a Bible as soon as possible.

Another day, we were directed to the headquarters of a media company called Star Times, where we found 8-9 Chinese people working. Actually, the Chinese own this company, and employ locals. We were invited into their conference room, where I showed the 4-minute video and offered some literature. They were about to have a meeting, though, so I had to cut the conversation short. But several expressed interest, and I hope to return.

The photo below shows the future Kigali Convention Center in process of construction. (Nicknamed "The Egg House" by locals.) As you might expect, it is being built by Chinese. I am still trying to penetrate this site so as to talk to the workers.

I am usually accompanied by African brothers on these calls, since they are more familiar with the area. Quite a few of them are now asking, when will there be a Chinese class? Good question!