Hey all,
We are putting pictures up as fast as computers will allow! If you want to check out some, here is the website http://rwanda2011menonamission.shutterfly.com/
Check it out!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Done but not Finished
After 28 hours (entrance of Kigali airport to exit of Dulles airport), we are back! And though we may be back, the work is not over.
As we process all that we have done and witnessed, we continue to invest. Here are a few of the things we are working on and praying over:
1. The internet- What we take for granted and at a relatively cheap price, internet connectivity in Rwanda is anything but simple. We continue to look for a more cost-effective provider option. We are also working with Africa New Life Ministries to prepare for a new building with an internet infrastructure.
2. More building- The church that was built last year in Kageyo is already bursting at the seams! (Good thing they only built three walls.) As part of our visit there this year, we looked over their plans so we could get a grasp on what they are looking to do. Currently, we don't know what our future involvement in their building will be- whether it is just giving them encouragement or physically helping them as we did last time.
3. Medical trip planning- Plans are in the works for a possible medical mission trip in the future. Site inspections took place to help in the planning of the mission.
Though our work in the country is done, our work with ANLM and the people of Rwanda is not over. In the near future, more picture will be uploaded. Thank you for your prayers for this trip!
Also, please take a moment to check out our women's team (here) that will be going to Rwanda very soon!
As we process all that we have done and witnessed, we continue to invest. Here are a few of the things we are working on and praying over:
1. The internet- What we take for granted and at a relatively cheap price, internet connectivity in Rwanda is anything but simple. We continue to look for a more cost-effective provider option. We are also working with Africa New Life Ministries to prepare for a new building with an internet infrastructure.
2. More building- The church that was built last year in Kageyo is already bursting at the seams! (Good thing they only built three walls.) As part of our visit there this year, we looked over their plans so we could get a grasp on what they are looking to do. Currently, we don't know what our future involvement in their building will be- whether it is just giving them encouragement or physically helping them as we did last time.
3. Medical trip planning- Plans are in the works for a possible medical mission trip in the future. Site inspections took place to help in the planning of the mission.
Though our work in the country is done, our work with ANLM and the people of Rwanda is not over. In the near future, more picture will be uploaded. Thank you for your prayers for this trip!
Also, please take a moment to check out our women's team (here) that will be going to Rwanda very soon!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Conviction
This one has to be short because the electricity has been questionable all evening.
Today, we visited, among other places, Kageyo. It is incredibly remote and very poor. Problems in the village were many. No electricity has been run to the city. 75% of the wells are not functioning.
But with all the problems, Kageyo may be the happiest place on earth (yes, more happy than Disneyland). Going to a special church service, held in our honor, we saw the real joy of humanity. Though these people have very little, they were worshiping with all the joy in the world. Incredible. You can tell that they know the real source of joy.
That's something to think about!
And as always, we cherish you joining our prayer requests.
Tonight is no different. Please pray for the health of the team. Our bodies are worn and small issues have come up for a couple people. Also, pray for our last day tomorrow and travel home. We have nearly a full 24-hour day of travel ahead of us.
Thank you!
Today, we visited, among other places, Kageyo. It is incredibly remote and very poor. Problems in the village were many. No electricity has been run to the city. 75% of the wells are not functioning.
But with all the problems, Kageyo may be the happiest place on earth (yes, more happy than Disneyland). Going to a special church service, held in our honor, we saw the real joy of humanity. Though these people have very little, they were worshiping with all the joy in the world. Incredible. You can tell that they know the real source of joy.
That's something to think about!
And as always, we cherish you joining our prayer requests.
Tonight is no different. Please pray for the health of the team. Our bodies are worn and small issues have come up for a couple people. Also, pray for our last day tomorrow and travel home. We have nearly a full 24-hour day of travel ahead of us.
Thank you!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Back Up!
Sorry to those that tried to access this blog. The combination of signing in from an odd location (Africa), very slow internet connection and our work/travels has kept me from fixing this until now.
We are doing great. Yesterday we got to worship Rwanda style. It was a great experience! We also finished our conference with great preaching and praying for the youth that came.
Today we met quite a few of the children that are sponsored by men on the team. We also got to play with some street kids. We got to interact though helping with homework, playing soccer, reading scripture and playing many other games.
Tomorrow we visit the game park in the early morning and then visit Kageyo.
Please continue to pray for our health and our ministry to the children.
We are doing great. Yesterday we got to worship Rwanda style. It was a great experience! We also finished our conference with great preaching and praying for the youth that came.
Today we met quite a few of the children that are sponsored by men on the team. We also got to play with some street kids. We got to interact though helping with homework, playing soccer, reading scripture and playing many other games.
Tomorrow we visit the game park in the early morning and then visit Kageyo.
Please continue to pray for our health and our ministry to the children.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Teaching and Serving
Today our duties were split between the second day of our conference and working at the Africa New Life Dream Center.
The teaching and small group conversations were great, stretching both the men who came to learn as well as our team as we were teaching. One more session is in store for tomorrow, geared toward men of all ages, not just those 25 years and up.
The second part of the day was spent painting the new building on the Dream Center property as well as troubleshooting computer network cable issues on the campus. One of the highlights was enabling Rwandans to continue what we are doing after we leave.
Tomorrow is an action-packed day with two worship services and the final conference session. Please pray that God will give us the words to speak. Also pray for our team as we are trying to pack as much in the time that we are in the country, which could lead to fatigue.
We want to thank you for continually praying for us!
Pastor Michael Connor and his translator, Rogers, teaching during the conference
The painting crew at the Dream Center
The teaching and small group conversations were great, stretching both the men who came to learn as well as our team as we were teaching. One more session is in store for tomorrow, geared toward men of all ages, not just those 25 years and up.
The second part of the day was spent painting the new building on the Dream Center property as well as troubleshooting computer network cable issues on the campus. One of the highlights was enabling Rwandans to continue what we are doing after we leave.
Tomorrow is an action-packed day with two worship services and the final conference session. Please pray that God will give us the words to speak. Also pray for our team as we are trying to pack as much in the time that we are in the country, which could lead to fatigue.
We want to thank you for continually praying for us!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Be Flexible!
One of the things that we talked about as a team before we left D.C. was about the need to be flexible
Flexibility was today's key word. One way this was demonstrated was through preparation of our work day. Before we came, we were asked to be ready to help install some internet cable. Today we learned that a bigger need of theirs was making their current internet infrastructure functional. We adjusted and went through downtown Kigali gathering new necessities.
Along the way we got to talk with two native Rwandans. Our conversation with them made the flexibility worth it. We learned about how some knowledge and connections in the business world that could help them once they finish college. We wouldn't have learned about these needs and desires if we weren't flexible.
In the afternoon we started a men's conference. It was filled with great praise and worship, teaching and prayer. We will continue the conference tomorrow and our hope is that the small-group interaction we had today will continue tomorrow.
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and joining with us in that way.
Pastor Holley delivering one of the main addresses
One of the six small group sessions
Flexibility was today's key word. One way this was demonstrated was through preparation of our work day. Before we came, we were asked to be ready to help install some internet cable. Today we learned that a bigger need of theirs was making their current internet infrastructure functional. We adjusted and went through downtown Kigali gathering new necessities.
Along the way we got to talk with two native Rwandans. Our conversation with them made the flexibility worth it. We learned about how some knowledge and connections in the business world that could help them once they finish college. We wouldn't have learned about these needs and desires if we weren't flexible.
In the afternoon we started a men's conference. It was filled with great praise and worship, teaching and prayer. We will continue the conference tomorrow and our hope is that the small-group interaction we had today will continue tomorrow.
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and joining with us in that way.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
IN RWANDA!
After 18 hours of travel, we have made it safely to Rwanda! Already, we have been blessed- all the bags arrived with us!
At the present time we have just gotten back from a short tour of Kigali. A quick look at the week's activities: men's conferences, time with street kids and a trip to 2 other villages in Rwanda.
Sunrise-40,000 feet over Africa
Waiting for the ride after our long day of flights
More to come soon!
At the present time we have just gotten back from a short tour of Kigali. A quick look at the week's activities: men's conferences, time with street kids and a trip to 2 other villages in Rwanda.
More to come soon!
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