Rwanda Summer 2012: Blessings and Fruit

This past trip to Rwanda proved to be a very encouraging time as we saw fruit since our last visit.  As you read through this brief report, would you take a moment to pray the short prayers at the end of some of the paragraphs?

I was in Rwanda for the seventh time in June/July.  My son, Josh, accompanied me.  The work continues to expand and we were pleased to see 14 water tanks X 10,000 liters each installed at the Mukono Secondary School. Several Word for All Nations donors made contributions. This enables the children not to have to walk many miles every day to collect water in the valley; instead they can now focus on their schoolwork. Know that this is a huge blessing for them. While there, we heard that 98% of the students passed their government exams. This is a tremendous achievement and places Mukono as the top school in that region. Thank you for your participation! You have made a difference. 

In the Byumba Diocese we are assisting in seeing a much-needed medical clinic get completed to serve the poor in that area. It has been in progress for about 5 years, being built gradually as funds became available, but to complete it to Government standards (which means they will supply the doctor and other medical staff) about US$250,000 more is needed. While not directly involved with the project, my desire is to link donors with the project. Gifts to this project will affect 1000’s in the long run. Please agree with me in prayer for Divine connections with those who are called to give that they may hear from the Lord and receive the opportunity to be a blessing.

In Byumba I participated in the training of leaders for the churches that are in remote areas where they often do not have trained pastors. I am planning to become more involved in that as well as in training the youth in reconciliation ministry.  I am working with leaders from several churches and organizations to plan a “training of trainers” workshop in Kigali. This is a big challenge, as organizations often tend to protect their own turf, income, and curriculum, which in the context of Africa is understandable. It helps that I am a foreigner, but also regarded as a fellow African. Pray for open doors to offer this strategic training.

I was most blessed to see how the work in the Kimonyi Village of Reconciliation administered by Prison Fellowship Rwanda is growing. The ladies who received the donated sewing machines formed a co-op and are marketing their wares. We are challenging them to improve on the quality so they can target the tourism industry. The trainer we appointed is making a big difference. We are working on creating a Community Center so several co-ops can have a space to work, but also where tourists can be welcomed, and they can see firsthand how victims and perpetrators of the genocide can work hand in hand. The challenge is to raise $56,000! Again, pray for the release of funds that this Kingdom Project may soon be established and developed further. 

I continue to work with the Association For Children Assistance (ACA) to establish a data bank so we can collect better data re their “children at risk” and to do proper follow-up and make sure the program is reaching all its goals. Currently donors do not have clear picture of the needs. I am blessed to work with several groups on this project. Pray that we may clarify the goals and write down the vision so that “he may run who reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)

There are so many challenges in Rwanda and the people are so very poor. I need to be careful not to get involved in too many projects. We are consolidating our work there and are focusing more and more on the reconciliation ministry in the prisons and among the youth. (The youth are increasingly becoming restless because of the high unemployment amongst them). Pray that I may have clarity and wisdom in all that I do. “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.  2 Cor. 5:18

As we are now guardians of our five-year-old grand daughter, Celeste’s vision of going to Rwanda to assist in education there, has had to be put on hold. However, she continues to encourage the groups visiting from the USA in doing some lessons in the schools and to take along school supplies. Her ministry for now is to Mia and to her students at the most impoverished and diverse high school in Colorado Springs. Pray for grace, strength and peace in this new season in our lives.

May the Lord bless you and encourage you in all that you do!