I like girls who like cows

As we go into the weekend please pray for rain in the Dakotas. This drought is getting rough. Even the spring filled ponds in the Killdeer Mountains are starting to dry up

Friends on America’s northern plains please plan to attend the Northern Plains Ethnic Festival in Dickinson, North Dakota on Saturday, August 15. Our Rwandan dancers will perform at 11 am

It’s amazing what beauty comes your way when you are simply still

I’m thankful President Kagame addressed the false religion of alcohol in his recent remarks.

Yep - Often North Dakota is cold. Sometimes we are the butt of jokes about our winter. Yet, summer also is an adventure. My weather app tells me Killdeer is in an “Extreme Heat Warning” at 104 F (40 C.) Today we are hotter than Arusha, Kampala, Kigali; and even Juba, South Sudan 🇸🇸

We are spending the 4th of July with our newest granddaughter, Olivia in Kansas City. We took in took in the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library. As we reflect on the America we hope to leave for our grandchildren President Truman’s counsel to read history books and resist partisanship ring true

Watching a prairie storm come in is an exercise in holy fear and love. The awesome power is impossible to ignore. It is so captivating I watch until the last possible moment before hurrying for shelter. Our Creator is worthy of worship

One benefit to rural living in North Dakota is being in a walkable neighborhood. In the fall I can easily walk to the local organic meat market. In the spring I can walk to the local organic flower shop. In the summer I can walk to the local organic produce market. I am very thankful to live here

Why do we live and serve like this? Because our Creator loves North Dakota so much He stops to paint here twice everyday!

Then we spent today with the first convening meeting of ND-NOW (North Dakota Network Of Welcomers) as immigrant led and immigrant serving employers, faith leaders, government officials, and service providers collaborated. Upon reaching home we saw this sunset

This weekend Jana and I drove 627 miles over 3 days. Jana preached at the 3 point parish of Disciple Lutheran Church near Stanley

Where am? Rainy season somewhere in Rift Valley or Spring in North Dakota’s Killdeer Mountains?

All parents want their children to do better in life than than themselves. By God’s grace I have held onto my physical strength longer than most men. Last week my son, Timothy who weighs 60 pounds less than I began lifting more weights than I with his legs. He has defeated me! Well done 👍 sir!

Yesterday’s rain brought out Spring Prairie Flowers in the Killdeer Mountains! The dogs and I greatly enjoyed our morning walk. Next week enough flowers should be out that we can bring a few back for my bride 👰. Life is good!

First set of goslings on the pond are now in Killdeer Mountains. Spring is here! Praise God! Imana Ishimwe! Bwana Asifiwe!

Thank you for hearing our concerns for the lives and safety of Banyamulenge people in Democratic Republic of Congo. Murakoze cyane! Asante sana!

Thank you 🙏 to Monty Rauser and Stephanie Reilly from North Dakota US Senator John Hoeven office, and Sadie Hanson from North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak office for meeting today with Mahoro Peace Association leaders, Jeremie Nkinzingabo, and Pastor Evariste Busanga, and myself.

I’m reading Professor Harvey Kwiyani’s book, “Our Children Need Roots and Wings: Equipping and Empowering Young Diaspora Africans for Life and Mission.” His chapter on prayer leads me to believe Mordecai came to the same conclusion that he too just had to do what he was told

I have noticed older men who live and die well have a high level of respect for their daughters, daughter-in-laws, nieces, and granddaughters. Often in a complex matter they debate. Yet, as the crisis moves from debate to action those wise men often, “Just do what they are told.”

Thank you all who have subscribed to my Substack and brought me to #49 in Rising among their International writers. Your support is much appreciated! Link to subscribe will be in the comments. Asante sana! Webale nyo! Murakoze cyane!

Living in the present with deep remembrance takes from our bodies, minds, and spirits. Bayley and I drove on ranch roads to take in beauty yesterday evening. We saw 2 mule deer herds and pheasants. The sun set and came up this morning

It took me pieces of 4 days to finish and post the Substack that went up yesterday on Genocide ideology and the safety of Banyamulenge people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was so exhausted yesterday afternoon I struggled to walk and think

Springtime in North Dakota has me grilling the fall harvest in the afternoon with temperatures in the 40’s to 70’s, waking to snow as the night temperatures drop to the 20’s, enjoying the beauty on a snow covered walk, and picking ticks off the dogs when we get home. You got to keep laughing 😂

A careful reading of the Bible suggests that migration is a normative theme in its grand narrative. Migration is so central to the biblical narrative that the Bible can justifiably be thought of as a book about migrations.”

Started Professor, Harvey Kwiyani’s book, “Our Children Need Roots and Wings: Equipping and Empowering Young Diaspora Africans for Life and Mission.”

There are illustrations in the Bible of God as a mother (Deuteronomy 32:18; Psalm 91:4; 131:2; Isaiah 49:15; 66:13; Matthew 23:37.) Creation during a North Dakota spring snow storm shows a newborn calf sheltered and fed by his mother, and whispers, “This is God as our Mother.”

All the trails are now open. Spring is here. Yesterday, the dogs ran while I mountain biked. Most vegetation is still brown. Crocuses are blooming. We saw lots of deer 🦌 and turkeys. We found 1 fresh elk trail. At the mountain top we paused to read, ponder, & pray. The Creator is faithful and just

My prayers are with Mahoro Peace Association today as they plan and participate in protests to stop the violence, lift the blockade, and protect Banyamulenge and Tutsi civilians in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. God willing I will also do some writing this week on these matters

Yesterday, my bride stood behind me and started braiding without me asking. It is a gift to grow old in North Dakota