There were tearful good byes today at the Kabuga center. This was the last full day here and so very sad! Some of the girls surprised me with letters to take back home for their prayer partner from last year.....sooo sweet!
SHoRT! That's what this trip was this time. But words just can't express what a joy it has been to be here with such sweet little sisters in the Lord! I long to come back soon but with a Bible study in foundational truths. I loved spending more time with the girls at the center. Today also I was able to spend hours with Anne the teacher showing her how to make a turban using a pattern we brought over. It was such a joy to be able to help and it was a very useful skill she will be able to pass on to the younger class of girls now at the site also.
Later today we went to the land that Emmanuel has in another town. There we heard of his goal for this area which is needing to be developed. We also toured a church where many people were killed, their clothes a grim reminder of the terrible slaughter.
I must go for now and this will be my last post as this computer is going to have a new home. We are giving it to Tom for his studies......
Is anyone really reading this blog? We sky'ped our girls the other day and it's just amazing how one can be on the other side of the earth from loved ones and still SEE IN REAL time each other!! Just amazing! Missionaries have is good now compared to the early days, huh!
BYE!
In His Love,
Debbie
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
October 4
This was such a wonderful day! We worshipped with our brothers and sisters in the Lord at three different services. Steve L was preaching at Tom's church near our guest house and the rest of us were going to another church nearby up the hill. We taped Mike's preaching along with the wonderful singing. There were several songs we sang along because the music was familiar! In the Sweet by and by was one I remember! They had lunch for us at the church and then we came back to the guest house to get ready to go to Pastor Clement's church. I wish I could explain the impact of the message on us all.......forgiving our enemies, others who hurt or injure us....many cry and ask for prayer. The pastors are all saying that this is such a timely message from the Lord. How amazing to see how the Holy Spirit was at work to help Mike with just the right messagae preparations.
I prayed with a woman whose family background is muslim. She had been delivered from demons but her prayer was for her children who want nothing to do with her now that she knows the Lord Jesus. She has a heavy burden believing they are also possessed. Her body would jerk now and then and it was strange to think about Satan's overt ways here. In our world at home he is more covert...............
I failed to mention a very sad incident which took place last week.....At least I think I forgot to write about it....(if I did, well I'll repeat it once again, sorry) On the way back to Kigali from the Kabuga work site there was a huge gathering of people last Thurs. We asked someone on the street through our interpreter what was happening. We heard that a man had dropped a pan lid in the latrine, gone in to get it and was unable to get out. Another went in to help him and both died. I was thinking about this event over the past two or so days. It's such a tragic thing and just opened my eyes even more to the hardships the people here face on a daily basis. We just don't grasp it fully and are HERE.
I guess I forgot to write about Sat. visit to the park at Kakugera (or something like that) A big boy, baboon managed to swoop into the driver's lap while some of us were getting out the opposite side of out van. Besides the driver, Mike and John were the closest to the action and you'll have to hear their version of the story as I know I will not be able to do it justice. No one was hurt but it made the hi-light list, along with the two giraffe. Seeing very unique animals was such a reminder of the creative God we serve.
It may be best to read the group blog as I'm a bit tired and just not sure I'm doing so well at blogging! We have only two more full days here and it just seems so short for all the things yet needed to get done.....I'll be going with Kristi, John too to the Kigali wedding shop for the first time tomorrow. The plan is to paint and hangt mirrors, etc. maybe.
Must go for now,
In His Love,
Debbie
I prayed with a woman whose family background is muslim. She had been delivered from demons but her prayer was for her children who want nothing to do with her now that she knows the Lord Jesus. She has a heavy burden believing they are also possessed. Her body would jerk now and then and it was strange to think about Satan's overt ways here. In our world at home he is more covert...............
I failed to mention a very sad incident which took place last week.....At least I think I forgot to write about it....(if I did, well I'll repeat it once again, sorry) On the way back to Kigali from the Kabuga work site there was a huge gathering of people last Thurs. We asked someone on the street through our interpreter what was happening. We heard that a man had dropped a pan lid in the latrine, gone in to get it and was unable to get out. Another went in to help him and both died. I was thinking about this event over the past two or so days. It's such a tragic thing and just opened my eyes even more to the hardships the people here face on a daily basis. We just don't grasp it fully and are HERE.
I guess I forgot to write about Sat. visit to the park at Kakugera (or something like that) A big boy, baboon managed to swoop into the driver's lap while some of us were getting out the opposite side of out van. Besides the driver, Mike and John were the closest to the action and you'll have to hear their version of the story as I know I will not be able to do it justice. No one was hurt but it made the hi-light list, along with the two giraffe. Seeing very unique animals was such a reminder of the creative God we serve.
It may be best to read the group blog as I'm a bit tired and just not sure I'm doing so well at blogging! We have only two more full days here and it just seems so short for all the things yet needed to get done.....I'll be going with Kristi, John too to the Kigali wedding shop for the first time tomorrow. The plan is to paint and hangt mirrors, etc. maybe.
Must go for now,
In His Love,
Debbie
Friday, October 2, 2009
It's Friday Already? October 2,2009
I can't believe it's Friday!
These days have been a whirl wind of wonderful activity! I'll try to summerize: Wed. Tamara, Shelly and I were invited to a school and there we made mud to make hand prints of the little children. They were a bit reluctant to get their hand dirty but we all had the opportunity to file to the water barrel for a quick wash-up so no problem. The program included visiting 3 rooms of children where we sang and taught Jesus Loves Me and made crowns complete with a crowning ceremony where we spoke of how special they are to God. I was amazed to see the English alphabet written on the board and hear some of the children practice saying "My name Is....." in English! English is taught in all classrooms now and they were so pleased to practice it with us!
From the school we were joined with Pastor Mike and rushed off to a church where he preached on forgiveness. We are so loved by the church people. They like to hear us try to speak in their language too. Our brothers and sisters of Rwanda greet you! We as guests, are treated so sweetly, given the seats of honor up front and I just can't tell you in words what a joy it is to hear their singing! I did get a recording of some of it to bring home.
I had an opportunity to "visit" with our driver and share the gospel, encourage him in his language study, and compliment his "good driving" skills. He is the one who gave me a gift last year which was very unexpected. He was a "very good driver" and that compliment went a long way I'm guessing. I asked him with the help of a dear older man named Pastor Clement if he was a believer. I'll have to write more about it later but just need to state here that the pictures in certain tracts I had were really helpful!
We have lunch at Kabuga most every day.
This day, Tamara and I headed out to a church that Joshua and Evelyn would remember from last year. We were expecting 120children to do the crowns but had to lay that aside as the church wasw packed with 400 plus kids! We had to "wing it." The gentlemen of the radio station from last year was also there to greet us too. It was a wonderful time, both remembering when I was there last year and seeing so many of the children who remembered JOSHUA! We got so many sweet hugs and many practiced their English skills "my name is ....."
Thursday, Oct. 1
I was asked to go with Pastor Mike to another church this am. This time I wanted to be prepared for what I learned the day before could happen......be asked to speak also. So I studied Steve L.'s foundation lesson 1 and made notes all the while praying that should I be called upon to speak God would help me to speak what He wanted! Tom was our interpreter once again and a very good one! The lesson I gave introduced the Bible as trut from God not just thoughts from people in the USA! It is hard to put into words how wonderful it is to be received by the pastors, and people of the churches here.
In the afternoon we went to the ERM office and meet with a large group of the widows and orphans. There were so many more than last year it was overwhelming. I was going to set up interviews with a few to record their stories. That happened but for only 4! Then John and I were whisked away to another church. We were to be the guests at Tom's church for the evening.....actually we were to be the featured speakers. Tom stated he could "supplement."!
So John ajusted to the idea that he'd be preaching and I was so grateful to still have the notes I took with me from the morning "talk"! OH, it was just a wonderful time! Pastor Augustine, Tom's pastor had had to leave for schooling in Uganda on Sunday so we were only able to see him a short time. It was this evening we also decided where most of our Bibles should go also. This church is one of the poorest in Kigali and so many of the people had no Bible. They were so grateful!
Friday
All were at Kabuga today but before I got there, Kristi and I went shopping. I had a project in mind for the ladies involving flannel but also needed Calcium tabs. For the past two nights my left foot had cramped up ......weird! Last night had been the worst yet, ever actually! I thought I might pass out, almost threw up, from the pain of it's contortions.....just weird! (Yes, this year my body has been a source of some troubling things....just more opportunity to cry out to the Lord for His healing and also, learning more sympathy for others in pain!) I think now how easy it was for me to go into the Pharmacia to purchase the necessary help. So many here are not able to do that.
Today I worked hard at learning to pronounce the names of the ladies at the center. I took pictures and wrote out their names in the way they sounded so I would say them correctly. We have 3 babies at the center and another on the way. So we made baby blankets instead of the project I had been thinking about for the ladies in prison. Jeanie, last year, had purchased lots of rotary cutters so I had two learning how to square up the fabric and cut "more, faster!" It was a wonderful day of getting to know them much better. We heard the hum of the machines rolling along today! It was good! They are making lots of shirts for team orders and also learning how to use those machines. Godbett is skilled on the serger. There were only a few minor problems with certain machines today, and it was very clear that they are feeling more comfortable using them!
Steve L. and Mike presented their discipleship materials, studies today. Please pray that these pastors who serve the largest church here would be open to them. It is so important......"rightly dividing the Word of truth......"
There is so much more to tell.....It's raining really hard right now. It's been drought conditions.....It is supposed to be the raining season.....I guess it really is......now.
In His Love,
Debbie
These days have been a whirl wind of wonderful activity! I'll try to summerize: Wed. Tamara, Shelly and I were invited to a school and there we made mud to make hand prints of the little children. They were a bit reluctant to get their hand dirty but we all had the opportunity to file to the water barrel for a quick wash-up so no problem. The program included visiting 3 rooms of children where we sang and taught Jesus Loves Me and made crowns complete with a crowning ceremony where we spoke of how special they are to God. I was amazed to see the English alphabet written on the board and hear some of the children practice saying "My name Is....." in English! English is taught in all classrooms now and they were so pleased to practice it with us!
From the school we were joined with Pastor Mike and rushed off to a church where he preached on forgiveness. We are so loved by the church people. They like to hear us try to speak in their language too. Our brothers and sisters of Rwanda greet you! We as guests, are treated so sweetly, given the seats of honor up front and I just can't tell you in words what a joy it is to hear their singing! I did get a recording of some of it to bring home.
I had an opportunity to "visit" with our driver and share the gospel, encourage him in his language study, and compliment his "good driving" skills. He is the one who gave me a gift last year which was very unexpected. He was a "very good driver" and that compliment went a long way I'm guessing. I asked him with the help of a dear older man named Pastor Clement if he was a believer. I'll have to write more about it later but just need to state here that the pictures in certain tracts I had were really helpful!
We have lunch at Kabuga most every day.
This day, Tamara and I headed out to a church that Joshua and Evelyn would remember from last year. We were expecting 120children to do the crowns but had to lay that aside as the church wasw packed with 400 plus kids! We had to "wing it." The gentlemen of the radio station from last year was also there to greet us too. It was a wonderful time, both remembering when I was there last year and seeing so many of the children who remembered JOSHUA! We got so many sweet hugs and many practiced their English skills "my name is ....."
Thursday, Oct. 1
I was asked to go with Pastor Mike to another church this am. This time I wanted to be prepared for what I learned the day before could happen......be asked to speak also. So I studied Steve L.'s foundation lesson 1 and made notes all the while praying that should I be called upon to speak God would help me to speak what He wanted! Tom was our interpreter once again and a very good one! The lesson I gave introduced the Bible as trut from God not just thoughts from people in the USA! It is hard to put into words how wonderful it is to be received by the pastors, and people of the churches here.
In the afternoon we went to the ERM office and meet with a large group of the widows and orphans. There were so many more than last year it was overwhelming. I was going to set up interviews with a few to record their stories. That happened but for only 4! Then John and I were whisked away to another church. We were to be the guests at Tom's church for the evening.....actually we were to be the featured speakers. Tom stated he could "supplement."!
So John ajusted to the idea that he'd be preaching and I was so grateful to still have the notes I took with me from the morning "talk"! OH, it was just a wonderful time! Pastor Augustine, Tom's pastor had had to leave for schooling in Uganda on Sunday so we were only able to see him a short time. It was this evening we also decided where most of our Bibles should go also. This church is one of the poorest in Kigali and so many of the people had no Bible. They were so grateful!
Friday
All were at Kabuga today but before I got there, Kristi and I went shopping. I had a project in mind for the ladies involving flannel but also needed Calcium tabs. For the past two nights my left foot had cramped up ......weird! Last night had been the worst yet, ever actually! I thought I might pass out, almost threw up, from the pain of it's contortions.....just weird! (Yes, this year my body has been a source of some troubling things....just more opportunity to cry out to the Lord for His healing and also, learning more sympathy for others in pain!) I think now how easy it was for me to go into the Pharmacia to purchase the necessary help. So many here are not able to do that.
Today I worked hard at learning to pronounce the names of the ladies at the center. I took pictures and wrote out their names in the way they sounded so I would say them correctly. We have 3 babies at the center and another on the way. So we made baby blankets instead of the project I had been thinking about for the ladies in prison. Jeanie, last year, had purchased lots of rotary cutters so I had two learning how to square up the fabric and cut "more, faster!" It was a wonderful day of getting to know them much better. We heard the hum of the machines rolling along today! It was good! They are making lots of shirts for team orders and also learning how to use those machines. Godbett is skilled on the serger. There were only a few minor problems with certain machines today, and it was very clear that they are feeling more comfortable using them!
Steve L. and Mike presented their discipleship materials, studies today. Please pray that these pastors who serve the largest church here would be open to them. It is so important......"rightly dividing the Word of truth......"
There is so much more to tell.....It's raining really hard right now. It's been drought conditions.....It is supposed to be the raining season.....I guess it really is......now.
In His Love,
Debbie
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A day at the sewing center
Today, Tuesday, was a day spent at the Kabuga Site with the ladies. Time was spent working with the sewing machines, trouble-shooting problems and doing some machine repairs or trying to at least. The Viking from last year was stuck in REVERSE, AH! There were just some that we put aside. Other machines worked great and it was fun explaining sometimes with just motions and diagrams on paper the things that would help them learn to use them better. These women are so precious! Their lives are filled with hardship and so if they can make a little money, work faster, do extra ordinary things for their products then they can make a living.
A wonderful highlite was the fashion show! We had brought over with the 7 machines about 8 wedding dresses. Some of them were just so little in size that we thought alterations would be necessary first, but a dear little lady named Joyce was the perfect model for those. I showed a few who were interested how to make ribbon roses and thought of my mom. She was the one who had first shown me how and a lot of the stuff we were using were the left overs from the wedding bouquet she had made for me so many years ago. Oh, what fun we had dressing the brides! One girl asked if we had the groom in the boxes too! HA!
Meanwhile the men had a crew of manual laborers outside digging the foundation to the wood shop. Also there was a second group of new traines, 20 year old girls just learning to sew in another room with our dear lady named Tamara telling their stories and making "special princess crowns. Most have suffered so much and Steve L. was able to record some of the stories for us to hear later.
There was another message given at Tom's church (his pastor Augustine is away at Bible school.
)Mike's message was about forgiveness and so well received. It was such a blessing!
Our translators this year include, "son" Tom who has so enjoyed meeting his Dad, John and a dear older gentleman named Pastor Clement. They are so precious to us and sure help so much. With this cold, my voice is raspy and Tom got it too but still he talks on .....for Pastor Mike tonight and Tamara this am. These dear people are so encouraging to us. Their love is so genuine and it's been such a joy to share together in ministry.
Because of my "crud" I haven't been able to hold the little babies that are here with us at the Kabuga center either because I would just hate to expose them! That's been hard! I dare not! Been coughing into my elbow. Could you pray that I will not spread germs!
Tomorrow I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but the needs are great at the sewing center with just Kristi there so I'm helping however I can......pray that I'll have wisdom for that.....the machine I know (the Viking, ) is one that just wants to go in reverse at this point in time.....
The weather is fine, no problem and thank you all for praying about health stuff....just the crud now and even that seems to be getting better already! Praise the Lord.....(I hope to hold some of those sweet babies soon!)
Thank you for your prayers on our behalf!
In His Love,
Debbie
A wonderful highlite was the fashion show! We had brought over with the 7 machines about 8 wedding dresses. Some of them were just so little in size that we thought alterations would be necessary first, but a dear little lady named Joyce was the perfect model for those. I showed a few who were interested how to make ribbon roses and thought of my mom. She was the one who had first shown me how and a lot of the stuff we were using were the left overs from the wedding bouquet she had made for me so many years ago. Oh, what fun we had dressing the brides! One girl asked if we had the groom in the boxes too! HA!
Meanwhile the men had a crew of manual laborers outside digging the foundation to the wood shop. Also there was a second group of new traines, 20 year old girls just learning to sew in another room with our dear lady named Tamara telling their stories and making "special princess crowns. Most have suffered so much and Steve L. was able to record some of the stories for us to hear later.
There was another message given at Tom's church (his pastor Augustine is away at Bible school.
)Mike's message was about forgiveness and so well received. It was such a blessing!
Our translators this year include, "son" Tom who has so enjoyed meeting his Dad, John and a dear older gentleman named Pastor Clement. They are so precious to us and sure help so much. With this cold, my voice is raspy and Tom got it too but still he talks on .....for Pastor Mike tonight and Tamara this am. These dear people are so encouraging to us. Their love is so genuine and it's been such a joy to share together in ministry.
Because of my "crud" I haven't been able to hold the little babies that are here with us at the Kabuga center either because I would just hate to expose them! That's been hard! I dare not! Been coughing into my elbow. Could you pray that I will not spread germs!
Tomorrow I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but the needs are great at the sewing center with just Kristi there so I'm helping however I can......pray that I'll have wisdom for that.....the machine I know (the Viking, ) is one that just wants to go in reverse at this point in time.....
The weather is fine, no problem and thank you all for praying about health stuff....just the crud now and even that seems to be getting better already! Praise the Lord.....(I hope to hold some of those sweet babies soon!)
Thank you for your prayers on our behalf!
In His Love,
Debbie
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday evening
Well, we are back from visiting the Kabuga site(ERM's sewing center & woodworking shop). What a day! The welcome Kristi and I received was just so sweet! I'm crying thinking about it. The ladies' love and joy was just so moving. I wished I had brought more of their pictures that I look at on my computer back home.....why didn't I even think about that? The few pictures I had I gave to the person in the picture. Then we passed around other pictures of our families. They were very curious about the snow pictures.
Because of the delay in getting the bins we had a very late start. That's another story! But the bottom line is we got all of the sewing machines bins and wedding dresses for a price. They wanted$20 storage fee per bin! But that got all worked out for only $20 total after 4 hours of negotiations.
Kristi talked over the sewing business with the women and we found a great need for further instruction on the electric machines. This will be the priority for the next couple days.
Also the men marked out the building site for the wood working shop using string. The plan is to start excavation soon. We prayed that God would bless the humble beginnings to provide training for the many young orphaned men. What a beautiful day and setting it was to share with them, I felt so honored to be there to see it!
More to come tomorrow.
Debbie
Because of the delay in getting the bins we had a very late start. That's another story! But the bottom line is we got all of the sewing machines bins and wedding dresses for a price. They wanted$20 storage fee per bin! But that got all worked out for only $20 total after 4 hours of negotiations.
Kristi talked over the sewing business with the women and we found a great need for further instruction on the electric machines. This will be the priority for the next couple days.
Also the men marked out the building site for the wood working shop using string. The plan is to start excavation soon. We prayed that God would bless the humble beginnings to provide training for the many young orphaned men. What a beautiful day and setting it was to share with them, I felt so honored to be there to see it!
More to come tomorrow.
Debbie
Monday, Sept. 27 2nd posting
Hi we are back once again. Emmanuel is back at the airport getting our bins released from the authorities today. This was a problem this year. It may have to do with the fact that we came in at such a late hour, on the weekend also. Could you please be praying about this for us. They may be on their way back already and this will be old by the time you get this! But we need need you to continue to pray for the authorities to have favor on this whole thing. Thanks so much!
This time here with John is such a blessing! It's been so wonderful seeing people we met last year and who are still working here. Tom our intrepreter from last year has been visiting us regularly in the evenings and it's been such a treat!
Yesterday was such a wonderful day! We greeted the believers for you and they were so pleased! I mentioned "JOSHUA" and got quite a response as they remembered him so fondly!
We pulled into the church parking lot and heard the children singing under the open air area where we had held a children's meeting last year. It was just so wonderful! John too is teary-eyed just hearing the singing!
On a very personal note! I left home with a UTI and have been drinking lots of water but still caught a "bug" of some sort as I have a sore throat! But I praise the Lord for bringing over the Cloreseptic spray.....just encase John may need it because of the early morning cooking fires that brings the smoke up the hills to Mousecore House where we are staying! How good the way the Lord takes care of details!
Our Bibles are here and already I was able to give one to John Baptiste a driver many may remember from last year. Tom the evangelist has 23 new believers that don't have one yet either. It is such a joy to be able to give them!! Thank you all so much for your wonderful help in being able to do this!!!!
We keep thinking Emmanuel will be back any minute with the bins but still not yet. We are enjoying geting to know the other team members and I just can't tell you what a joy it is to really be back here and WITH JOHN and also Stever L.
Yesterday, the realization that, with the acceptance of the teaching materials that Steve L.'s "foundations Bible study course" brought and the memory of the youth workers plea for materials for teaching in that very place ......well, it was so wonderful beyond words right now.
This time here with John is such a blessing! It's been so wonderful seeing people we met last year and who are still working here. Tom our intrepreter from last year has been visiting us regularly in the evenings and it's been such a treat!
Yesterday was such a wonderful day! We greeted the believers for you and they were so pleased! I mentioned "JOSHUA" and got quite a response as they remembered him so fondly!
We pulled into the church parking lot and heard the children singing under the open air area where we had held a children's meeting last year. It was just so wonderful! John too is teary-eyed just hearing the singing!
On a very personal note! I left home with a UTI and have been drinking lots of water but still caught a "bug" of some sort as I have a sore throat! But I praise the Lord for bringing over the Cloreseptic spray.....just encase John may need it because of the early morning cooking fires that brings the smoke up the hills to Mousecore House where we are staying! How good the way the Lord takes care of details!
Our Bibles are here and already I was able to give one to John Baptiste a driver many may remember from last year. Tom the evangelist has 23 new believers that don't have one yet either. It is such a joy to be able to give them!! Thank you all so much for your wonderful help in being able to do this!!!!
We keep thinking Emmanuel will be back any minute with the bins but still not yet. We are enjoying geting to know the other team members and I just can't tell you what a joy it is to really be back here and WITH JOHN and also Stever L.
Yesterday, the realization that, with the acceptance of the teaching materials that Steve L.'s "foundations Bible study course" brought and the memory of the youth workers plea for materials for teaching in that very place ......well, it was so wonderful beyond words right now.
Monday, Sept. 27
Hi All,
We got here just fine! Sorry for the delay in posting to our blog. We had problems getting onto the internet.
God is so great! We have met many wonderful Christian brothers and sisters. Thank you for praying for us. Yesterday we attended three services at Emmanuel's church. After lunch we went to the National Genicide Memorial. The interperative center told of the history of Rwanda and the many conflicts besides the 1994 genicide. The day was full of emotional extremes from high at church to low at the Memorial.
Today we are going to ERM's Kabuga site.
Please pray for:
Health for the team members. Debbie has a sore throat and doesn't want spread it around.
That we would vessels for our Lord's honor.
That we would be bold to share Jesus' love in words and actions.
We are short on time, so we will post more blogs later.
We love you all and thank you again for supporting us. We greatly value your prayers. Thank you for being part of our team.
In His Love,
John & Debbie
We got here just fine! Sorry for the delay in posting to our blog. We had problems getting onto the internet.
God is so great! We have met many wonderful Christian brothers and sisters. Thank you for praying for us. Yesterday we attended three services at Emmanuel's church. After lunch we went to the National Genicide Memorial. The interperative center told of the history of Rwanda and the many conflicts besides the 1994 genicide. The day was full of emotional extremes from high at church to low at the Memorial.
Today we are going to ERM's Kabuga site.
Please pray for:
Health for the team members. Debbie has a sore throat and doesn't want spread it around.
That we would vessels for our Lord's honor.
That we would be bold to share Jesus' love in words and actions.
We are short on time, so we will post more blogs later.
We love you all and thank you again for supporting us. We greatly value your prayers. Thank you for being part of our team.
In His Love,
John & Debbie
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Less than 24 Hours
This is an exciting day! But it sure includes a lot of the mundane stuff of life. Primarily things on the " last minute notes to myself," like; remember pack work shoes, iron your shirt, pack your Bible, check if you have your driver's license transferred to other purse.....things like that.
I'm tearing up just thinking about how wonderful our God is to allow me to do this (go to Rwanda) once again! And not just me but John too!
God has ABUNDANTLY provided the way thru our church family, relatives and friends. Thank you so much for your great encouragement, love in supporting us!
If you'd like to keep up with things happening with the team the best place to check will be the www.ermrwanda.org site. Press the "NEWS" to get to the blog. We had a bit of trouble getting our emails out but gmail is better.
Here's a recap of some of the people and projects we anticipate being involved in.
Pastor Emmanuel Sitaki, our leader, knows his homeland/culture, is so loved and longs to see people come to a clear understanding of God's gift of salvation, and true peace with God, found only in relationship with God, the Son, Jesus Christ. He will be leaving his wife and three children here. Please pray for them.
Along with visiting the widows /orphans involved at the Sewing Training Center in Kabuga, from last years trip, we will be taking eight more sewing machines to leave in Kigali with the hopes of starting a center there as well. These dear ladies are becoming very business savvy! They are thinking of starting a bridal shop where they will rent out western style dresses for those who have the means. We are taking several dresses over with us with lots of laces, ribbons and fun fluff for that!
How we appreciated all of you who prayed that we would be wise in our packing! We long to be prepared to help encourage these widow/orphans in some small way, to sometimes open the way for sharing words of hope, from the Prince of Peace, Lord of All.
What I learned while there last year that just stands out so much as I anticipate going once again is this: God takes what piddly little things we may offer up to Him and does as He wills, accomplishing marvelous things that only He can be given the credit for!! How exciting it is to be involved with His work!
This brings me to why we need you! PLEASE PRAY for us! Our hearts need constant attention!We want to be useful servants for Him: More than anything, we desire to see Him work through us, for His will to be accomplished and for His glorious Name. Pray that we will be "keeping short accounts" with our Father, eyes focused on Him, faithfully abiding in His truth (the Word) and joyfully ready to do what He asks of us!
Pray for our translators too. Their names maybe Tom ( a neat young man who calls me Mom and John, Dad) and Blessing (a dear lady who may go out with me if I do go out to visit specific widows/orphans from the 90's genocide.)
Again, thanks for praying for us! We so appreciate it!!
Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us extol His name forever! (I forget where this is )
Give unto the Lord the glory due His name! (Ps.29)
Thanks so much!
In His Love,
Debbie
Monday, September 21, 2009
All our bags are packed, we're ready to go........
The day is coming soon when we leave for Rwanda! Could you be praying for us? We really want this time there to be for His glory!
There will be 12 of us in all. Just three are from our home church this time.
We are taking over 8 sewing machines and some wedding dresses! How fun it's been gathering things that would be fit for a bride's special day!
But, even more exciting is the fact that Steve L. is going to present a foundational Bible study cirriculum for consideration by some of the churches there. May the Bride of Christ (the church in a universal sense!) continue to grow and mature, outfitted with the pure Word of God! I hope you won't think that too silly. Read about this in Ephesisans, right!
We were able to purchase Bibles in the Kinyrwandan language also! How grateful we are to all of you who helped us do this! Also, we wish to thank you for your support in getting us fully funded! How we appreciate your love and encouragement!
Now more than anything, we would ask for you to pray. Thank Him for this opportunity to share His love and mercy. Pray that we would all get along together and be good examples of His servant's heart. But more than anything pray that we would clearly, boldly share His Word because that's really the Hope for Rwanda...learning the truths about our Creator, Redeemer, Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I'm hoping we can send you updates on what we are doing on a daily basis once we are there.
I'll try to write more soon. I'd like to give you more details about some of the projects being planned.
For now, good bye!
Debbie
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