Rwanda 2015 day 4

Rwanda 2015 day 4

Ben

More serious stuff this morning as we tackle our marketing plan. It’s the same team as yesterday but we are joined by Amon who is a student and has designed their artwork and shop sign. He is a committed member of the church but doesn’t live in community.

To start with we brainstorm marketing tactics and after some lively discussion which threatens to get out of hand at times we settle on producing a leaflet with a promotion of buy 4 get one free. Amon gets to work designing the leaflet. The plan is to distribute them on the main thoroughfare near Erika’s shop. Amon volunteers to get some prices for the printing.

We also agree to do an attractive display outside the store.

Fortunately this time it doesn’t take us all morning and we take the opportunity to explore the details of the chicken project that Jean Bosco is keen on.

One of the things that came out of the lively discussion is that Rukundo would like to get on with the flour milling aspect of the project so we agree to use the afternoon to visit a typical flour mill similar to what Rukundo has in mind.

Lunch is served, rice, a green vegetable which is very pleasant and beef stew. No problems here! Desert is fantastically fresh pineapple.

The flour mill

The flour mill we visit is on the other side of town but not far. You’re never quite sure what to expect with these things but I was a little taken aback by the rather rundown nature of the tiny premises.

Inside the flour mill

Rukundo assures me he plans to do something rather smarter than this but it is very helpful to see the machine in situ and understand how it works. Not that we could actually see it working. There’s a power cut.

Rukundo plans to rent a small plot of land and construct a small unit to house a milling machine. He explains he wants to mill flour for other retailers who are currently our competitors as well as for our own retail operation. We agree to have rather more detailed discussion and put together a business plan now that I have seen the operation.

That’s enough for one day so we head back home.

The younger children are home from school so I play football with Ben the youngest at 3 1/2.  He’s amazing for a child of that age.  So well coordinated and able to control the ball much beyond what my children could have done at that age.

Ed Ben Blessings and Grace

Erika’s younger sister Evelyn is visiting. She is a member of the church and lives just a few hundred yards away but not in community. She now works in a bank and these days things are quite good for her but it has not always been like that. She tells us her story. Her family life was nominally Christian and she was baptised as a youngster but it wasn’t a real faith. Her parents separated and remarried while she was relatively young but always felt somewhat unwanted by her stepfather. She was desperate for her own home and understandably this led to a relatively early marriage but unfortunately that didn’t work out very well. After 10 years the marriage failed. Of the 3 children the 2 older ones went to live with their father and the young one stayed with her.

She kept in good touch with Erika and Erika invited her to come to church. She liked Rukundo’s preaching and came regularly. Over time she understood the gospel but struggled to make the final step of surrender. Finally God moved upon her and she invited Jesus in and embraced commitment.

Judith helps Erika prepare the evening meal which is chips and salad. Not many people around this evening though, not even enough to have worship time after the meal.

We sit around with Rukundo and Erika and Rukundo gets us to tell our story about how we met, joined the Fellowship and moved into community. Judith chips in with the bits I can’t remember oh and yes corrects my mistakes.

Bedtime!