the-source

A Rwandan Naming Ceremony
Written by Richard Taylor   
Friday, 05 October 2007 00:00

Jordan KwizeraMy son Jordan is only a few months old but he is already richer than I am:  He owns one cow and I own zero!  During August, our close friends Nicholas and Elsie Hitimana, held a naming ceremony to give Jordan a Rwandan name.  Many people came forward with wonderful suggestions. 

They included:

Rukundo (Love); Uwimana (Belongs to God); Mugisha (Blessing); Munezero (Joy); Mucyo (Light); Mugaraguwimana (Servant of God); Nkuba (Thunder); Uhamagawenayesu (Called Out) and many others.

It was a hard choice.  However, we chose to give the final decision to Nicholas and Elsie and Jordan's Rwandan parents.  They chose the name Kwizera, meaning Faithful.  Nicholas said the biblical context for this word is found in the "Heroes of the Faith" passage of Hebrews 13.  Then Nicholas presented Jordan with a monetary gift and a cow, his very own dairy cow which is now roaming among a herd in Eastern Rwanda.  So my son is now called Kwizera Jordan in Rwanda and Jordan Benjamin Kwizera Taylor in Canada.

This is one of the most incredible gifts I have ever received.  It reminded me again that we are not investing in Rwanda because they need our charity.  We are partnering with godly men and women, with generous hearts, and a deep love for their country.  We are partnering with men and women of vision who desire to see a new generation raised a creative, principled, and capable leaders.  As much as we give of our time, talent, and treasure it is being returned to us one hundred fold.  When generosity permeates our lives we often receive its richest blessing.


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