wfn.org | United Methodists in Rwanda

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (222
notes).

Note 222 by UMNS on July 16, 1997 at 16:09 Eastern (1669 characters).

CONTACT:	Linda Bloom		410(10-31-71B){222}
		New York (212) 870-3803		July 15, 1997

EDITORS NOTE: This story is a sidebar to UMNS #409 {221}

Rwandan United Methodists
hope to build church, school

	NEW YORK (UMNS) -- A growing United Methodist district in Rwanda would like
to build a church, secondary school and a small clinic on the couple of acres
of land it owns.
	Born in exile, the 20,000 members of the Rwanda district have grown stronger
even though they returned to their homeland to find homes confiscated and a
lack of money, jobs and the necessities of life, according to Bishop Forrest
Stith.
	Stith, who is on special assignment in Africa, spoke here July 15 about the
"tremendous faith" of the Rwandans. He has visited the district in Gisenyi --
which is affiliated with the Burundi Annual Conference -- three times. "My
task is to provide episcopal oversight and support," he said.
	The district is led by Pastor Kaberuka Jupa, who Stith calls a "modern-day
Moses." It also has 39 ordained pastors, 18 probationary pastors and other
evangelists and lay preachers. "The people are a mix of every class, education
level and talent, possessing a common bond of sojournering together and
faithfulness in God," Stith wrote in a June letter to supporters.
	Although the district already is authorized by the Rwandan government, it
will have better standing once it establishes a church building and outreach
mission, he said.
	Stith and his wife, Josephine, are attempting to help raise $50,000 to begin
work on the school, church and clinic. Donations can be made to Rwanda Advance
Special No. 000204-3RA.
	#  #  #
	

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