Kigali residents turned up in big numbers in their churches to end the year and to begin the New Year in prayer.

"Many people are coming to church to thank God for last year’s achievements and ask God to protect them in 2009,” said Denis Nsengiyumva, the senior Pastor of Abundant Life church.

Among the achievements his church registered in 2008 was the paying of school fees for 60 orphans and conducting a stable hospital mission that feeds Kimironko health centre every Monday.

Almost 2,500 attended  Zion Temple worship centre for the New Year celebrations. As the hour hand turned to midnight, the jovial crowd hugged and cheered and waved goodbye to 2008 while welcoming 2009. 

"My message is clear, Rwandans should focus on the common good rather than seeing their differences,” Mani Martin, a famous local gospel artist told the congregation.

Evangelical Restoration church in Gasabo district, held their service in Amahoro indoor stadium, attracting 28.000 participants, with others enjoying the mass outside the stadium due to its limited capacity.

Apostle Joshua Masasu, the head of Restoration church told the big crowd that 2009 is a year of being committed to God since everything good comes from obeying Him.

At Rwanda for Jesus Church, in Kicukiro district, the New Year mass attracted a crowd of 1.200.

Steven Gashumba, the senior pastor advised the congregation that in 2009, they should change their lives according to biblical teachings.

In Shinning Light church situated in Nyarugenge district, almost 700 attended the New Year mass and asked God to change their lives in the New Year.

On January 1, 2009, markets, shops and shopping centres were closed as business operators took a break. At Nyabugogo Bus Park, passengers were stranded as taxi operators complained of the fuel crisis in the city.

Ends