Impromptu Evangelism in a Broken Van

Methodists in Rwanda have reclaimed John Wesley's impromptu preaching to good advantage.

When the superintendent of the Rwanda District requested that a group travel from the far western side of the country, through an area filled with rebel soldiers, several Methodists responded immediately, and I joined them. Although fearful of the journey and wondering about the poorly serviced vehicle that was available only at an outrageous cost, a van full of happy and faithful people left Gisenyi to travel to the interior.

A crowd gathered that day when Rwandan Methodists broke forth in an inspirational movement of the Spirit.

After pushing though unclear pathways and thick brush that passed for a road, the van began to sputter and then broke down. Even though the breakdown involved only a new fanbelt, we wondered about its availability. Thirty minutes passed, then an hour, then two hours. We knew that we could go on, but it would mean stopping to fill the radiator with water every three kilometers (equal to a little less than two miles).

Time passed as the driver and his helper took the seat out and removed the damaged parts without proper tools. Crowds of children, curious and eager to see the people who were traveling through their area, soon surrounded the van.

Then the young evangelists traveling with us began to sing with the children. People began clapping and dancing. Adults came out of the thick foliage around us. Soon a crowd of a hundred or more had gathered.

The evangelists became inspired; they began to preach the message of salvation and hope for the new congregation that would in the months that followed be formed here. There was a full evangelistic rally in that place as the van sat immobile.

So even though we had missed the original goal, another one

--with an equally profound impact--was substituted. This experience is typical of the new church growth in Africa!

Postlude: The people in this area in the interior of Rwanda are now a newly formed congregation of The United Methodist Church. They worship in a thatched roof building. They are growing weekly. They cast their nets where the fish were.

July 24, 1998