ururimi * la langue * language

rwanda has three official lanugages: kinyarwanda, french, and english. swahili is also prevelant.

kinyarwanda is a tonal language that is spoken primarily in rwanda, but also in southern uganda, and the eastern drc (democratic republic of congo). it is part of the niger-congo lanugage family, or, more specifically, the bantu. swahili and zulu are examples of other bantu languages. "The most prominent grammatical characteristic of Bantu languages is the extensive use of affixes Each noun belongs to a class, and each language may have several numbered classes, somewhat like genders in European languages. The class is indicated by a prefix on the noun, as well as on verbs and qualificative roots agreeing with it. Plural is indicated by a change of prefix." (wikipedia)

bantu words that we've incorporated into english include: jumbo, gumbo, jenga, safari, simba, ubuntu, banjo, bongos, zombie, and conga.

french is a national language as a result of rwanda's colonization by belgium.

english is included due to entrance into the EAC (east african community).

when we initally conducted the needs assessment for this project, we envisioned providing books in all three languages. this seemed to most accurately meet our goal of supplementing a relevant theological library, equipped to meet the students where they are at. however, tim brubaker best explains our collective decision to build a predominately english library:

Our plan is to develop an English speaking library to undergird an English speaking degree program (B.A. in Biblical Studies). Ideally the time will come when we can offer programs in both English and French. But, at this point, we thought we’d begin with English. Kinyarwanda books aren’t an option (most of the Biblical Studies books in Kinyarwanda, which are few, were written by our ministry anyways).

amazon wish list

we've recently added our top 50 books to an amazon wish list. they'll be shipped to a team member in chicago, and then held in donated storage space until we're ready to send them to kigali. if you already own a book that is on the list and are desiring to donate it, please let us know at rtlpcow@gmail.com, and we'll update the list accordingly.

thanks for your support!

welcome!

welcome to our site!

this space is designated to share with you our current status on getting books to kigali, rwanda and to also invite you to join us in thought, dialogue and action.

this past summer, the church of wrigleyville sent three church leaders to rwanda to grasp how to better serve and love the people of kigali. by listening to various needs from the three upon their return, the four of us thought we could tangibly meet one: providing more tools and books to an existing theological library. currently, new creation ministries theology school houses the second largest theological library in the country, which fills a few bookshelves. the need is to provide more tools and resources that the common person and student can utilize and enjoy. this will also aid the school, which is run by tim brubaker, in the accreditation process. as last summer turned to fall, and fall to winter, our team looks forward to begin the purchasing, cataloguing and shipping process so that this next summer, the first shipments of books will be held and browsed by the people of kigali.

alicia, dave, cele and jessica are excited to reflect our community and be a part of making this project into a reality. we invite you to be a part of this journey as well. stay tuned. :)

cheers!