Sent to Rwanda

For those of you who followed my Rwandan adventures last fall or have spent 5 seconds with me talking about Rwanda, will remember a little guy I talked about from the orphanage, Shocka--which I have learned is actually spelled Shyaka. On my last visit to the orphanage, I asked the nuns about him and they said he had been adopted. I was overjoyed. BUT, not as overjoyed as I am right now! There is a facebook group set up for families who have adopted in Rwanda or are on the waiting list. I joined recently because I felt in a little way I was a part of their journeys. Today, I posted in the group, asking if anyone knew who had adopted my little friend...not long after I posted, his dad responded! Shyaka, who is now Elijah, was adopted with another little girl and now live in America. I looked through each picture that his family had posted and just cried...and am still crying! I don't even know the words to explain the joy in my heart right now! Seeing things from both sides, wh...

After 3 days of VBS and 1 youth worship night, it is confirmed why I sold everything, left my family and moved to Rwanda. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:8-9 Our theme for VBS this year was Joshua and his example of following God's instructions and being strong and courageous. We started Wednesday with 33 children, Thursday grew to 39 and ended Friday with 46 children. There are many faces that stood out of those in attendance, but I am humbled by one family in particular. Faith has adopted 20 children. Don't worry, she has hired some "moms" to help her with these little blessings. Each has their own story of how they ended up with Faith, but one stor...

Things have certainly changed in the orphanage we visit. I had been told "there was a new nun in town" who wanted the kids to play and spend time outside, instead of only in their appointed rooms. I was so shocked at the different mood at this place! It has such a lighter mood from the first step. I got to go today with two lovely women from my church in Oklahoma City who have adopted from this orphanage. Keli, who lives here as a missionary and Melissa who is visiting; this visit was her first time back since adopting her little boy. As we arrived at the familiar blue gate, I noticed tears streaming from my friend's eyes. I couldn't even imagine the emotion behind seeing that bright blue gate. We got out and I headed down the stairs to the room that we used to visit, but I quickly noticed there weren't as many little children around. And I couldn't find Keli and her girls. I found one of the girls who works there (of course, no english). I asked her if sh...

I think it is still a little surreal that I am actually living in Rwanda. Visiting here twice over the last couple of years does give me some familiarity with what is going on around me. So here are my adventures over the last few days: Arrived late Tuesday night, the plan was to drop my crates at the new house and then spend the night at one of our missionary family's house and officially move in the following day. We arrive at the house and my roommates are not aware that I was coming that night. You see, the house that I am living in is subletted by an American women who is the co-founder of an organization here in Rwanda. She lives in Washington DC, but is in town for a few weeks to work on a new documentary they are working on. She had moved into my room temporarily and had lost track of days (it happens here). Once she realized her error, she quickly sent a message apologizing and let me know I could move my stuff in the following day. Currently there are 5 girls living in ...

To become a financial partner, click on this picture and download the attached form and mail to: ROC Partners 2604 NW 113th Oklahoma City, OK 73120.   I am so honored to have been asked to serve under the Rwanda Outreach and Community Partners (ROC) and I humbly ask for your support today.  ROC is an Oklahoma-based, non-profit organization dedicated to investing in people through faith, community development, and education. After taking two trips to Rwanda, I believe that God has been grooming me through ministry and work opportunities to be able to serve with the ROC Partners, and I need your help.  I ask for your prayers for me and for the work that God is blessing in Rwanda.  And I also need your help to allow me to do this important work and am asking for financial support to be able to begin working in Rwanda by June 2011. My first trip last year was about three weeks long; I was asked to lead the middle school missionary kids in a sort of VBS at Camp Ku...

Well, it's about that time. I'm pulling my suitcases out tomorrow, will start thinking about packing things away and heading back to the US this weekend. Summing up my trip is the hardest thing for me. It was difficult last year and even tougher this year. Everyone wants to know what I did while I was here, what did I see, eat, etc. So, I tried to share bits of that in previous blogs. As a summary, I would like to share what I have learned. When I was preparing to teach the youth class on the Holy Spirit, I re-read the book of Daniel. I'm not sure what was different, but that book impacted me in a very different way than ever before. I read of God's power, how He sent the Holy Spirit to illustrate His power to the unbelievers.  Through Tuesday Bible study, I learned that I have to ask for God to reveal Himself to me...and He will. I learned from the babies at the orphanage that bananas and hard boiled eggs smashed up together is pretty good in the afternoon. And, I ...

Today, I start my day with Ladies Bible Study. It is quite a collection of women from various parts of the world and backgrounds all studying God's Word. We start with a bit of fellowship and then move into the Bible study. First, in a group. Our leader goes over the Scripture and makes us start thinking about what the author is trying to tell us. Then, small groups. We number off, which felt a little awkward the first day, but is fun now because you never know who is going to be in your group. I like to think that God picks the groups. Then we discuss and pray. It goes about two and half hours. As we have been moving through the book of James, my favorite book in the Bible, we have been talking and reflecting on our own lives. The question today: Do we honestly live our lives as if God is in control? There was so much discussion about the will of God and there were some really good insight that I wanted to pass on: -Wherever you go, be in the will of God. -It is not we who wait ...