Steven

The first person to greet us in Rwanda was Steven. He gave me permission to tell his story (even wrote something up) and so, I would like to introduce you to him. Steven is soft spoken with warm gentle eyes and an air of compassion that immediately puts you at ease. His ear to ear grin breaks out when he makes a joke or is convinced that he has served you in some way. He made our transition to Rwanda relatively easy and guided us through all our experiences in Rwanda (and patiently waited for us while we grieved at the memorials).

Steven was born in Uganda, the fourth child of six, who by the age of five was the only one left. The rest of his family was killed in the war and Steven comments, "how I escaped the orgy that killed my family, I have no idea about." It wasn't until he was 12 and told his story to a man that he realized how devastating his circumstances were. The man told him that if he had experienced what Steven had he "would have drunk poison and died," and that it would be better for "someone like me to die and follow his mum and dad than live all his life in horrible Situation." This powerful suggestion actually led Steven to make several attempts on his life - all of which were thwarted by the unexpected appearance of others and the grace of God. Finally, in 1986, some "people who loved Jesus" took Steven to an orphanage where he met Dorothy Tenywa. She painted a new picture for Steven by telling him that even though he'd lost his parents that God loved him and that he could still have a bright and beautiful future. Over time and through the love of Dorothy, he believes that the Lord helped him to overcome "the pinch of worry and sadness." In the orphanage he learned to read and write and eventually another caring woman took him to Kampala where he learned tailoring skills. There he met a pastor named Paul who mentored Steven and lived together with him for four years.

In 1996 his life took a dramatic turn. Steven was invited to come to Rwanda to preach and since it was soon after the genocide, the stories were raw and reminded him of his own pain and suffering. He then chose to stay in Rwanda and help the many widows and orphans he came into contact with. As Steven told us, he was going door to door to tell people about the love of Jesus when he kept encountering nothing but widows and orphans. He decided that what he needed to do was form an association and work to help get them skills in order to support themselves. The women make baskets, crochet and dye cloth in order to feed and educate the members of their association. While in Rwanda, we had the privilege of seeing a sewing machine delivered to the women that some friends in our area had raised the money for. This is another step in helping them to help themselves and it was a joy to be a part of it.

In addition to the orphanage, Steven has helped to organize soccer teams to give focus and direction to orphaned youth who might otherwise be led into less desirable activities. On top of all this, he has 19 children and 3 widows living with him in a small house in Kigali. The house has been condemned by the government because part of the wall collapsed during the last heavy rains and injured several of the children. Steven's story reminds me of the early years of Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea) because he has written nearly 500 letters trying to get support "to really help get this widows and orphans out of their difficulties." Global Support sends Steven a check every other month to help with his expenses but he has so much more need. Even so, he carries on his ministry to others with compassion and a joy that can only come from being in the center of God's will. I have been changed by the amazing gift it has been to get know Steven. My joy will be enlarged if his story touches you in some way as well and if you remember him and his ministries in your prayers.