Our 45th wedding anniversary today (May 21st 2022) reminds me of our passion we have for strengthening marriages throughout the world, including Rwanda.
After the first marriage seminar in Ruhanga, we went for the next four days with Archbishop Emmanuel #Kolini and Rev Dr Tim Smith to speak on marriage at the Kibungo Diocesan Annual Conference involving 1200 participants. Kibungo, where we were previously in May is in Eastern Rwanda near the Tanzanian border. Click to view some Kibungo Convention photos.
It was a privilege to be teaching along with other great speakers like Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini, Rev Dr Tim Smith of Alabama, Bishop Assiel of Kigeme, Bishop Nathan of Butare, Bishop John Ruchayana, and Rev Dr Antoine, Principal of the Kigali Theological Seminary. Drawing on our new book For Better, For Worse), the Hirds taught on forgiveness and the five languages of apology in one’s marriage , based on Gary Chapman’s amazing book.
Reflecting on our 45th wedding anniversary today (May 21st 2022), it was such a privilege to teach on strengthening marriages in Rwanda, and previously in Uganda.
My wife Janice and I spoke for the final time in Rwanda at Bugesera , south-east Kigali, near the border of the country of Burundi, just 30 minutes from Kigali. We taught on marriage, based on our new book For Better, For Worse), along with Rev Dr Tim Smith (men’s discipleship) and Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini (restoring the family).
Two archdeaconries came together. We were at the Maranyundo Anglican parish. The first martyrs were thrown in the river there in the 1960s. The Anglican Rector Jonas first prayed for forgiveness before being killed. It was a place of snakes, Tsetse flies and malaria where people were sent in exile . Canon John Paul who is the associate at St. Peter’s with Dr Antoine was our interpreter.
The local Archdeacons Stephen and Jean-Pierre, both genocide survivors, were our hosts.
Click to see photos of the Bugesera marriage seminar.
This summarizes my doctoral thesis on strengthening marriages. On this 45th wedding anniversary, I invite you to consider how emotional cutoff may be affecting your marriage, and how this cutoff can be bridged.
In this article, I will discuss emotional cutoff as it relates to marriage through the perspective of Bowen theory, how use of theory can help bridge cutoff and how, in a Judeo-Christian setting, the biblical understanding of covenant can offer a complementary perspective in this task.
At the communion rail with her ex-husband one Sunday, Linda said to the priest, “Someday I would like to marry Lloyd again.” As Linda had said this several times in coaching sessions—and Lloyd had said the same—, the priest asked, “Why not now?” “Sure, why not?” asked Linda. The congregational atmosphere was electric as communion unexpectedly concluded with a marriage service. Linda and Lloyd Lindsay (names changed) had been divorced for six years. The wedding sixteen years ago was followed by pastoral marriage coaching and the church’s Strengthening Marriage Workshop, based on Bowen theory. The couple’s step back into marriage…
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Untold and Encouraging Stories of Christ Followers.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2022
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This book gave me more than I expected. I had heard about some of the life stories of those written about in this book, but Ed and Janice Hird let me in on some of the untold tidbits of their lives that reminded me that they were just ordinary people who God used extraordinarily. In fact, these stories gave me hope that God could and would use me as well, even if being an instrument in His hand brings pain and suffering in my life.
We don’t live for today, we live for an eternity with our King Jesus. This book was an encouragement for me to “finish well”.
Chuck Brooks, Director of MInistry, Baltimore Bible Church
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2022
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Thank you Ed and Janice for sharing your extensive research about the rise of many evangelicals pastors, theologians, and missionaries with us. It certainly kindles my heart to sharing the gospel and training others to become God’s Firestarter. I enjoyed this book very much!
Rev. Philip Der.
Thank you very much indeed dear Br. Hird for your latest publication: God’s Firestarters .
I was able to read on my iPad.
Your labour of love and holy intend is very commendable .
I look at Revival as follows :
Lord Himself is the Author of any Revival .
His chosen ones are instruments or channels in His hands operated by Him through His Spirit’s power in His sovereignty as He pleases for any Revival .
Recipients of the blessings of any Revival could be His own people to fulfill His purposes for building up in the most Holy faith and through them the blessings of the gospel to reach the precious souls in the world .
My prayer is that it may please the Lord to employ your book in His will and wisdom to accomplish His purposes at a time such as this .
With greetings in the Lord and in prayer .
KV Simon
The narrative of Blue Sky reads like a true story. A loving Christian family endures a series of setbacks but due to their faith, they are able to work toward a resolution . This easy-to-read story inspires faith.
Dear friends in Christ,You are encouraged (if you live close enough) to join us this morning at 10am January 9th for worship at All Saints Community Church. My sermon topic from Ephesians 1: 15-23 will be “Self-Awareness: Opening the Blind Hearts of our Heart”. Our address is 12268 Beecher Street Crescent Beach in Surrey, BC.If you are unable to join us in person, I encourage you to check out our local online All Saints services.
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