Welcome Home…
September 2, 2011
Dear friends in Christ, 
You are invited to check out the Fall 2011 ‘Welcome Home’ newsletter.
Blessings, Ed Hird+
http://stsimonschurch.ca
Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada)
StS News Fall 2011 (click to open up the newsletter)
Returning from Kigeme
August 20, 2011
By Rev Ed Hird
In our last two days in Rwanda, we travelled with Pastor Paul, Dean of Kigeme Cathedral, to visit Bishop Nathan in Butare. He shared about the way that the Holy Spirit touched lives at the recent Christ Awakening/Butare Convention where Rev William Beasley of Chicago and others spoke. Staying again at the Kigeme Cathedral guesthouse, we visited Bishop Louis, Pastor Samuel, and Rev Ron Browning and team with the All Saints AMiA Church in Pensacola, Florida. We also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial site before we flew home from the Kigali International Airport.
Bishop Nathan of the diocese of Butare was very gracious in his welcome to us, even showing us his cows.
Pastor Paul also attended the Butare Diocesan Convention that so deeply touched so many lives. Click to view Bishop Nathan’s account of the Christ Awakening.
It was such a blessing to have my wife Janice with me on the Rwanda trip.
Rwandan hospitality is a great blessing.
We met with three of the Rwandan Anglican bishops during our visit.
Passing the Cathedral on our way to the bus station heading to Kigali.
God is moving powerfully in the Kigali Cathedral, as they recover from many challenges in the past.
It was great to meet with the Rev. Ron Browning and team from All Saints AMiA Church in Pensacola, Florida. They are in a sister/sister relationship with an Anglican congregation in a very poor part of Kigali where 250 children and others worship in a building that doesn’t have a roof. Rev. Browning is hoping to raise the $10,000 needed to put a roof on that burgeoning work. Click to view the Greeting to Canada from Rev. Ron Browning.
Janice meeting with one of the Anglican Mother’s Union workers.
Visiting the Kigali National Genocide memorial site where over 260,000 victims were buried.
A memorial to the children who were killed in the genocide 17 years ago.
The mass graves from the Rwandan 1994 Genocide
A photo at the Kigali Diocesan office of Archbishop Rowan Williams meeting with the African Primates.
A closer look at the African Primates, including Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini. Click to view the Greeting to Canada from the Kigali Anglican Bishop Louis.
The UN is very visible in Africa.
Stopping but not getting out at the Entebbe Uganda International Airport.
The bright Ugandan colours.
Technically Janice and I have been to Uganda 
The Ethiopian Airlines was a great place to be for the exhausting 22-hour flight back to Canada. We met on the airplane the only American Carl Wilkens who stayed in Rwanda during the 100-day Genocide. He just wrote a book about it, “I’m Not Leaving” which he signed for me on the airplane.
While on the Ethiopian Airlines plane, we were able to read in their inflight magazine about the Royal Honeymoon of Will and Kate which took place in Africa on the Seychelles Islands. There were unlimited movies on the Ethiopian Airlines to help you deal with the stress of flying so long and far. We both watched again the moving Christian-based movie “Soul Surfer” which tells the story about how Bethany Hamilton lost her arm through a shark attack, but did not let that stop her from becoming a championship surfer. The film reminded me that our Christian faith makes a practical difference when tragedy happens. Click to watch a short video clip of the movie.
We loved Rwanda and miss it. But it was good to be back home in Deep Cove on the North Shore of Vancouver.
Rev Ed Hird, Rector,
St. Simon’s Church North Vancouver
Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada)
http://stsimonschurch.ca
The Final Two Days in Kigeme
August 20, 2011
By Rev Ed Hird
It was such a privilege to spend this extended time in Kigeme. In the last two days, we had a personal visit with Bishop Augustin, had another two music workshops, connected again with the Healthy Mums Project, and met with Pastor Assiel from All Saints Kikongoro.
It was a privilege to spend time with Bishop Augustin Mvunabandi, hearing about all the good things that God is doing in the Kigeme diocese.
Click to hear a greeting to Canada from Bishop Augustin.
We met again with the Healthy Mums Projects leaders who displayed the gifts from Canada which had been carried with our six suitcases. Click to hear and view about the Healthy Mums Project.
A Rwandan mom with two new twins.
From Canada to Rwanda, blessing the Rwanda mums in practical gifts.
Esther with the new twins. Click to view Esther share about the Healthy Mums Project.
Janice with the healthy mums twins.
Meeting with the people involved with the Kigeme Cathedral guesthouse.
Meeting with Pastor Assiel of Kikongoro at the Kigeme Cathedral area. Click to view a Greeting to Canada and sharing about Kikongoro from Pastor Assiel.
One of Janice’s final music workshops at the Kigeme Cathedral
The Rwandans were very eager to learn, especially in learning English language music.
Janice with a young Rwandan child.
Older and younger sister at the music practice.
The Joy of the Lord is my strength.
The participants in Janice’s music workshop. Click to see a video of the Music workshop.
We told people about the Christian Ashram movement in BC, North America and around the world.
This young man still kept a photo of our 1st Rwandan Mission trip from six years ago.
It was amazing to see this intact six-year old picture from the very first ACiC Mission Trip to Kigeme. Hilary King our St Simon’s NV Rector’s Warden and leader of Embrace Rwanda/Healthy Mum’s Project is standing on the front second from the left. Alayne and Roger Adams, Rev Barclay and Mary Mayo, Rev Paul Carter and his daughter Naomi, Rev Carolyn Spence, Joan Trussell and others are also in the picture.
The final Music Workshop with Janice at the Kigeme Cathedral, using the new guitar. Click to view a video of this workshop.
Meeting with a Bible Study Group at the Cathedral, and teaching on Titus Chapter 2.
The Kigeme Cathedral Guesthouse where we stayed.
The Kigeme Cathedral Guesthouse with the traditional mosquito net.
We were well taken care of daily, with healthy meals.
Esther with Healthy Mums Project, Pastor Paul, and Janice.
Rev Ed Hird, Rector
St Simon’s Church North Vancouver
Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada)
http://stsimonschurch.ca
Greetings from Rwanda
August 13, 2011
By Reverend Ed Hird
As you are reading this Deep Cove Crier article, my wife and I are still in Rwanda (note: we have since returned to Canada). This is our first time to Rwanda. Our former youth pastor for fourteen years, the Rev Ken Bell, now the rector of St. Timothy, recently returned from Rwanda with a team from his congregation. This seems to be the year for the North Vancouver/Rwanda connection. Having met with Ken Bell+ before I flew to Rwanda, I became more excited about this trip that I have dreamed about for many years. My wife Janice as a professional musician and director will be meeting with Rwandan musicians to share resources. As a priest, I will be both listening to and preaching in congregations throughout the Anglican diocese of Kigeme which is led by Bishop Augustin Mvunabandi. Many Canadians don’t realize that most Anglicans, in fact most Christians, now live in Africa and the Global South. The African Church is growing at an unprecedented rate that no one would have imagined thirty years ago.
Hilary King, our Rector’s Warden for St Simons’ NV, has lived in the Seymour/Deep Cove area for years, being very active in the North Shore Health Region. Currently in Rwanda with eleven people on our sixth Mission trip to Rwanda, Hilary is having a powerful impact on the health of the mothers of Kigeme, Rwanda. Hilary began initially with the Healthy Mum’s Project where people bought goats for single Rwandan moms so that they could use the manure for fertilizing their kitchen gardens. The results have been very impressive with these mothers being able to give birth to healthier, full-term babies. With the broader name Embrace Rwanda, Hilary has birthed a number of projects, including supporting a Rwandan nurse to work with the local Mothers Unions in their aiding single moms. A film producer made a striking movie entitled Mothers of Kigeme telling this good news story. It looks at the lives of three women living in Kigeme, Rwanda. The film tells about a community nurse that seeks to improve their lives by teaching women how to improve their health while they are pregnant. As they battle poverty, the mothers participating in the project are discovering new skills within themselves, and a new hope emerges as they begin to support one another. This film can be accessed on the Embrace Rwanda website.
So many good things have happened during these six 
mission trips. In partnership with the Schmidt Family Foundation, two chapels have been built in the Kigeme Diocese and three more are under construction. These buildings will be used for worship as well as providing a much needed facility for the development of pre schools. It is also hoped to use one of the new chapels as a facility where teenage boys will be taught construction skills.
Hilary King’s remarkable leadership proves that a congregation does not have to be a mega-church in order to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We can partner together in doing good for others. You are invited to consider how you might play your part in helping Rwandans rebuild their lives and families through Embrace Rwanda. For more information, please contact the Embrace Rwanda Canadian Office at Unit 301 – 3980 Inlet Crescent, North Vancouver BC, V7G 2P9: Tel. 604.929.1837
The Rev. Ed Hird, Rector
St Simon’s Church North Vancouver
Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada)
http://stsimonschurch.ca
-an article published in the August 2011 Deep Cove Crier
-award-winning author of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’
http://battleforthesoulofcanada.blogspot.com
-In order to obtain a copy of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’, please send a $18.50 cheque to ‘Ed Hird’, #1008-555 West 28th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7N 2J7. For mailing the book to the USA, please send $20.00 USD. This can also be done by PAYPAL using the e-mail ed_hird@telus.net . Be sure to list your mailing address. The Battle for the Soul of Canada e-book can be obtained for $9.99CDN/USD.
-Click to download a complimentary PDF copy of the Battle for the Soul study guide : Seeking God’s Solution for a Spirit-Filled Canada
-You can also download the complimentary Leader’s Guide PDF: Battle for the Soul Leaders Guide
Visiting Kigeme, Rwanda
August 13, 2011
By Rev. Ed Hird
Having spent the first day at Rwanda’s capital of Kigali, we took a sardine-packed bus to the southwestern town of Kigeme. 
Before leaving Kigali, we met Bishop Mpango, a retired Tanzanian bishop staying at the Kigeme Cathedral guest house. He is very interested in helping launch people in businesses that can sow back into God’s Kingdom work.
Meeting with Kigeme diocesan staff.
Janice Hird, my wife, led four music workshops during the week at the Kigeme Cathedral.
Upon arriving at Kigeme, we stumbled in on a music practice in the Cathedral. Their passion and giftedness was most enjoyable.
This is a view of the choir from the back of the Kigeme Cathedral.
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say ‘rejoice’.
Janice enjoying being in Kigeme.
Esther sharing about the Healthy Mums Project in which Hilary King has been giving leadership.
Bishop Augustin of the Kigeme Diocese at the All Africa’s Bishops Conference
Anglican Educational Leaders in the Kigeme diocese
Esther has been a key leader in the Healthy Mums Project, which has greatly reduced the infant mortality rate.
Janice Hird with Jeanne D’Arc, Leader of the Anglican Schools
Education, health, and church planting were core values of the original Anglican missionary who came to Kigeme in 1932.
Preaching the good news throughout the Kigeme area.
Meeting the Anglican High School students.
Muraho means ‘hello’ in Kirywandan.
Key diocesan leaders in the Kigeme area. Rev Jean Chrysostom organized our overall schedule for the week and kept in touch by e-mail during our preparations in Canada.
Rwanda is truly the land of a thousand hills.
Logging is often done by hand.
The Kigeme Anglican Hospital was birthed from the original 1932 vision for medical care and healing through prayer.
We had an opportunity to meet the Director of the Kigeme Anglican Hospital. The love of Jesus has been rooted into the DNA of this hospital. The staff starts every day with a half hour of worship.
Ananias is the director of Human Relations at the Hospital. He is also a senior Catechist leading an Anglican Chapel.
A mission team from the Anglican congregation in Maidenhead, UK, came to do many tasks, including rewiring the Kigeme Anglican Hospital.
Thank God for people with electrical skills who can use them for the Kingdom.
Janice Hird being given a tour of the Anglican Kigeme Hospital.
We were also given a tour of the Maternity Ward.
Pastor Samuel is the Chaplain for the Kigeme Anglican Hospital. I found him to be very godly and Spirit-filled.
Pastor Paul Karangwa and Janice Hird in front of a hospital ambulance.
The Anglican investment in health has made a significant difference for local Rwandans in the Kigeme area.
A calendar on the wall showing the Rwandan bishops in both Africa and North America.
It was great to see our previous Bishops for Canada being listed, Bishop TJ Johnston and Bishop Sandy Greene. Bishop Silas Ng is our first Canadian bishop covering Canada.
This poster summed up what the Anglican diocese of Kigeme is seeking to accomplish. Their goal is that everyone plays their part in extending God’s Kingdom and rebuilding their nation.
The Rev. Ed Hird, Rector
St Simon’s Church North Vancouver
Anglican Coalition in Canada/TheAM
http://acicanada.ca/
-award-winning author of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’
http://battleforthesoulofcanada.blogspot.com
-In order to obtain a copy of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’, please send a $18.50 cheque to ‘Ed Hird’, #1008-555 West 28th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7N 2J7. For mailing the book to the USA, please send $20.00 USD. This can also be done by PAYPAL using the e-mail ed_hird@telus.net . Be sure to list your mailing address. The Battle for the Soul of Canada e-book can be obtained for $9.99CDN/USD.
-Click to download a complimentary PDF copy of the Battle for the Soul study guide : Seeking God’s Solution for a Spirit-Filled Canada
-You can also download the complimentary Leader’s Guide PDF: Battle for the Soul Leaders Guide
A close up look at Rwanda: its Capital of Kigali
August 9, 2011
Dear friends in Christ,
What a blessing to be part of the recent Mission Trip to Rwanda. We have read so much about Rwanda, but it is another thing to actually be there.
After some initial confusion at the Kigali airport, we took a taxi to the Kigali Cathedral where we were greeted by Pastor Samuel (left), Dean of St Etienne’s Anglican Cathedral and his staff.
My wife Janice and I visited the Kigali Cathedral, the home of so many remarkable times of ministry with Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini and the new Rwandan Primate, Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje.
St Etienne’s Anglican Cathedral has been the context for many key ordinations and consecrations over the years.
As well as the seats in the Cathedral, they have an outside speaker system for overflow crowds.
Coming to Rwanda was a dream come true.
Looking out on the St Etienne’s Anglican Cathedral grounds.
Looking out on the diocesan offices.
Kigali Diocesan staff and clergy.
Touring the Milles Colline Hotel, made famous by the inaccurate ‘Hotel Rwanda’ movie.
Peace the Director of the Mothers’ Union at the Kigali Cathedral complex.
It was great to be welcomed to the Diocese of Kigali by Bishop Louis Muvunyi
On the first night in Rwanda, we stayed at the Kigali Cathedral Guest House. Being deeply jetlagged, our time clock was way out of wack, waking up at all times of the day/night.
The meals provided were very tasty. We were very careful to not eat any uncooked vegetables. I did not need a repeat of the food poisoning that I had experienced on the last day of being in Hawaii.
Pastor Samuel, the Dean of Kigali Cathedral, took us on a brief tour of Kigali City, and moved us from the more ‘rustic’ guest house on the upper Cathedral grounds to the much nicer guest house on the lower Cathedral grounds. The Cathedral grounds were relatively expansive, covering both sides of a busy University area road.
This is not an attack from an octopus from outer space, just our first mosquito net at the Kigali Cathedral guest house. As it is hotter in Kigali, I had to kill 6 buzzing mosquitoes that night just to sleep. In Kigeme,being of a higher altitude, there were many less mosquitoes.
I had a very strong sense from God that we were to purchase a guitar, then use it in the music workshops that Janice would teach, before donating it to the Kigali Cathedral. The problem was that we already had way too much luggage, including a massive duffle bag of baby clothes. The solution was to purchase it in Kigali just before we went on a ‘sardine-packed’ bus to Kigeme. A man working at the Kigali Station agreed to take me five blocks so that I could purchase this guitar for 70,000 Francs (around $105 Canadian/US). Unfortunately I forgot to purchase extra strings which I did later in Kikongoro many days later, after breaking a string on my first day in Kigeme! I was also pleased to see the Cathedral’s other guitar which had been donated by the Rev Barclay Mayo on their ACiC Mission Trip six years ago. Sadly the E-string was totally dead. But after new strings, Barclay’s guitar was in fine form. In the workshop, we taught the participants how to tune a guitar. It is amazing the difference between a guitar in tune or almost in tune.
The Cathedral had a third guitar but it was literally in three pieces. All in all, this felt as if we had obeyed the promptings of God’s still small voice. It is sometimes hard to tell whether it is God or just us.
edhird
