This past Sunday evening I had the privilege of playing music at a benefit dinner for our friends, Dano and Jennifer Jukanovich. This summer, Dano and Jennifer will be leaving Seattle for Rwanda to begin an adventure called Karisimbi Partners with their friends, Carter and Kerry Crockett. They will be working with the government of Rwanda to help create/equip/encourage mid-size businesses. They hope to see their work stimulate the economy of the country as it continues to rebuild after the genocide of the previous decade.
Is this not incredible? They are leaving as families, in community, to be business people doing God's kingdom work in Africa. This is a different kind of mission movement! (Read Barbara Kingsolver's novel, The Poisonwood Bible, for the antithesis.) They are committed to be there for at least 3-5 years and need your support.
Accompanying them on this journey is Caroline Joan Peixoto, founder of Ballet Rwanda. She is building a ballet school from the ground up. Also incredible. She too could use your support.
At the heart of the program on Sunday night was Enric Sifa. He is a singer-songwriter from Rwanda currently living in Portland, OR. Enric lost both his parents as a result of the genocide. Since being orphaned as a six year old his life has seen both tragic darkness and resurrection goodness. It was a thrill to put together a band to work with him. I encourage you to check out his music. He has a brilliant future ahead of him.
(from L to R) AnnaMaria Pasley Horn, Jeff Brumley, Enric Sifa, Jayme Koerselman, Brian Moss and Jeffrey McCormack
What a great adventure for the Jukanovich's. God is so alive and present in Africa. God is doing amazing things in Rwanda and elsewhere in Africa. (see www.mercyships.org and www.africanenterprise.org) Blessings in every way!
Posted by: Bryan Burton | June 19, 2009 at 01:43 PM