Kigali, Rwanda (March 2026)

After the trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe, my next schedule was to take part in the BAM Global Leaders Forum 2026 (LF26) in Manila, Philippines. It would start from March 17, but my schedule in South Africa ended on March 11. So, I decided to take advantage of this time gap and visit Kigali, Rwanda. I stayed at the Nanuri Guesthouse and served at two worship services with sermons: one with the staff of Nanuri Medical Center and the other with the Nanuri Community people at the Sunday worship service. I took an X-ray of my chin to make sure I did not have any hairline cracks on my jawbone. 

The greatest joy of my trip to Rwanda was seeing my former colleagues at Urwego Opportunity Bank, where I worked and served for more than five years from 2009. Many of them were now leaders of different organizations or ministries. Only two of them were still with the same bank, now Urwego Finance. They were Kevin, Isabel (Kevin's wife), Emmanuel, Dan, Faustin, Shelagh, Jessica, Mary, Alice, and Orren. Daniel Ryumugabe did not make it. 

The time I spent with Sang Hoon Lee, now Managing Director of Nanuri Limited, was invaluable. I served as the chairman of the board for a few years until Kristin and I left Rwanda in 2016. He is still teaching at a university in Butare or Huye. The guesthouse I stayed at was well-kept, and I enjoyed the stay. 

Sang Hoon Lee gave me one of his books

With Sang Hoon Lee, his wife Song Hee, and Rev Kyungsoo Kim

I had dinner with Ben Cho and his family at Sakae Restaurant. He was and still is a member of my Shalom Bible Study. 

I also met with Missionary Bohye Kim, Kihyun Kim, and Jiman Park, and their son, at a new restaurant. It was a joyous reunion.

I also met up with Minsu Koh and his wife, Aesim Kim, over lunch. They built an elementary school in addition to the Kindergarten. I enjoyed spending time hearing about their ministries. 

I took time to visit Vinyard Elementary School, which Song Hee Lee was running as Director. She started 2 & 5 School, but after successful years, she ended up handing it over to the church denomination. She felt betrayed, but God healed her wounds, and she took over the management of this school through a 10-year exclusive management contract. I pray that she will manage it and hand it over well this time.  

My stay was short, so I could not meet all the people whom I wanted to, but it was sweet to see some old friends, particularly my former UOB colleagues. May God bless them in their life journeys as His disciples! - Jeffrey