Hmmmm, how do I summarize the last few days? I think time sped up while I was in Kitale because it went by so fast.

I visited prisons and churches and heard so many testimonies of men and women whose lives are changing through CR. I heard from men who found freedom in prison, a women who is HIV+ that now has hope, a man who realized the impact his anger was having on his family, an alcohol and drug addict turned marathon runner who is now one of the fastest in the nation, I could go on and on. God is good.

I had a great time with my 4 God children. I took them to visit their mother in prison and had an awesome reunion. She is the CR leader in the Eldoret Women’s prison and the ministry continues to grow. She is scheduled to be released in 2016.

I attended a small group meeting where we shared a good meal and had a nice time of fellowship. I visited the family of a young woman that passed away of breast cancer leaving 3 small children. I got to experience life with my Kenyan friends and their family that I stayed with. It was a very special time.

I am back in Nairobi now and looking forward to what God has in store these last 3 days in Kenya before I return home.

Please pray that I am open to what God wants me to do and experience during these last days. That I am His “Muppet” as I meet with various churches and prison leaders. That I have His words as I speak at church tomorrow. For His wisdom as I begin thinking about and tentatively plan for the next trip.

Day 2 in Kitale

On the 1 hour flight from Nairobi to Kitale I could see how bad the drought is here. There was very little green anywhere.

It has been a time of renewing friendships. I had lunch in Kitale town with Margaret and Moses at Twigs (some of you know the place). We visited the new campus of Purpose Driven Academy where they are building a high school. It is a very nice location just outside of town surrounded by corn fields. It’s very peaceful and a great environment for learning. The construction is coming along nicely and will be opening in a couple of months.

I had a wonderful reunion with my 4 God children. They are very healthy and getting so big. It’s hard to find the words to describe the joy of spending time together. I spent time with their new “house parents” that will be raising them along with their own 4 children. They are all settling in their new home very well.

I had great meetings with the prison chaplains from Kitale and Kakamega and heard about how CR is changing lives in prisons around Kenya and people that are doing so well after being released from prison. I have yet to hear of someone that has gone through CR in prison, go back to prison. That is so amazing because up to 90% of people released from prison normally go back in a short period of time.

Had a nice visit at Oasis of Hope, an awesome center that helps street kids transition back to schools. I spent some time with a group of college students from Saddleback that are staying here for 7 months doing various ministries. I’m staying in the home of my friends Margaret and Moses and enjoying the time with their family.

Please pray for the next couple of days when I will be visiting churches and prisons that have CR or are in the process of starting it. Pray that I will be able to hear where they are and guide them as they progress with their CR ministries.

Yesterday I met with a pastor friend that is the Senior Chaplain at Malindi Prison on the Kenya Coast. He is attending seminary in Nairobi until the end of the year. The CR ministry at his prison continues going strong with men from different denominations and religious backgrounds. Many of the men that were in CR last year when we visited have been released and none of them have gone back to prison! That's unheard of here in Kenya. One man has been accepted into a Bible College to become a pastor. It is wonderful to hear of so many success stories.

In the afternoon my friend Shawna, who was in Nairobi on business earlier in the week, went with me to an orphanage for street boys in Kibera Slums. She is a gymnast and taught them a few tricks and then we played games. These 8-16 year old boys are doing Life Hurts God Heals, led by a pastor who attended a CR seminar 3 years ago. It was a pretty tough visit. The boys were forced into this orphanage and their level of care is what shall I say.... sub standard. We brought them a snack of milk and bread and they were so appreciative. We hope we demonstrated God's love to them in some small way.

Today I attended all 3 services at International Christian Centre (ICC) church with Morris and Pet. Pastors and leaders from their church attended our CR seminar in September and their senior pastor visited Saddleback Church in October and met with Pastor John Baker. They are very excited about CR and have been preparing to begin it next month. I spoke briefly at each service then a man from the US that works for an NGO shared his story of coming to Christ at Saddleback. It is indeed a very small world.

Please pray for ICC as they prepare to begin CR. Pray for safe travels for me tomorrow as I fly to Kitale. Pray for a wonderful reunion with my 4 kids there and lots of friends. Pray for the churches and prisons I will visit, that my time there will be an encouragement for them and that God be glorified.

I'm having a good time in Nairobi visiting churches and pastor friends, building relationships and making new ones. It's great to see the thorough planning in work and support of the senior pastors to launch CR by churches that attended the CR seminar in September of last year.

A friend of the family is in Nairobi on business for a couple of days so I'm showing her around a bit too which is fun.

Thanks so much for your continued prayers. This has been a very good time in Nairobi and I will be here until I fly to Kitale on Monday morning. I come back to Nairobi on Saturday and visit more churches and encoaurging them before traveling home next Tuesday.

Pray for the churches in Nairobi as they move forward in launching CR. Pray for the meetings I have on Saturday and Sunday with various pastor friends and make more church visits.

The last couple of days in Rwanda was very nice and gave me a chance to begin reflecting on the mission and processing the experiences there. The beginning of the trip was very exciting (not in a good way) with John getting sick less than 24 hours after arriving in Rwanda then he and Dave going home without ever leaving the capital. I’m sad that they didn’t get to see the beautiful countryside and meet the amazing people that attended both CR seminars. I know God has a better plan and had a really good reason for that. That’s another one for my list for when I get to heaven :-).

Besides that, the seminars went so well. The people are excited to move forward with CR and start this ministry. The newly translated materials will not be ready soon enough (another 3 weeks) for them. It was great to see their excitement. I truly believe that God has great things in store for the people of Rwanda through this life changing ministry of Celebrate Recovery. What a blessing to get a front row seat to watch it unfold.

Being without a team in Rwanda was a new experience for me although I had 2 Rwandan brothers with me so I was not alone. It was a time of learning more and more about the culture and the people, things I might have missed otherwise. It was a very blessed time. I journaled so much to capture as much as I could, if I keep up at this rate I’m going to have to buy another journal for the rest of the trip!

I flew back to Nairobi this afternoon. The short 1 hour 10 minute flight over Lake Victoria was nice. It was great to see my Kenyan brother, David, meet me at the airport. I’m settled in at my home away from home at Methodist Guest House.

Please pray for me as I make the mental transition from Rwanda to Kenya. Pray for time of connection with others, encouraging their CR ministries and enjoying a slower pace for a few days. Pray that I am open to those unplanned God appointments along the way.

Saturday we drove to Musanze in Northern Rwanda. The drive was beautiful. The trees are taller and it’s a bit cooler. On the way we passed a wedding party walking down the middle of the road. The bride and groom were surrounded by about 50 people who were singing and dancing as they went. It was quite the sight to see.

Yesterday I attended service with standing room only at Anglican Church of Rwanda Kajigeja with Pastor Jean Baptiste Ndayambaje. He preached a sermon on the Beattitudes (8 principles) focusing on denial. I gave my testimony that supported his sermon. It was all so well received. The people are so warm and friendly. The music was awesome!

Afterward we had a wonderful time of fellowship in the pastor’s home with leaders of the church and his family. It was great to see Ester (his wife) and Hope and Abraham who are growing so much.

The church is located in a rural area at the base of a volcano and only 3k from the borders of both Uganda and Congo. It is surrounded by maize fields and potatoes.

Today we enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation and had some down time as I wind down from my time in Rwanda and prepare to go to Kenya for 2 weeks on Wednesday. Tomorrow afternoon we drive back to Kigali.

Please pray for another day of enjoying the beauty of Musanze then safe travels back to Kigali in the afternoon. Pray for all of the people that attended both seminars last week, that God shows them the way forward with starting and continuing CR. Pray for me as I begin to make the shift mentally from Rwanda to Kenya, but not before I leave Rwanda!

We completed the CR seminar today for pastors and church leaders from 64 churches across Karongi District in Western Rwanda. The seminar went really well. They are very excited to be getting the first copies of the newly translated materials in their local language of Kinyarwanda in a couple of weeks so they can launch CR. God is so good. Afterward we drove through the winding roads over many hills back to Kigali, the capital, where we will stay overnight. I am listening to a thunderstorm as I type this.

Tomorrow we make the 4-5 hour drive to Musanze District in Northern Rwanda near the Uganda and Congo borders where we will attend Pastor Jean Baptiste’s church. (He has been my translator this week) He was transferred there last year and has been preparing the church to begin CR. Late last year he took his church through the 40 Days of Purpose and baptized 829 people!! God is doing something amazing in that church and I’m looking forward to visiting it and spending time with Jean Baptiste’s family again.

Please pray for the pastors and church leaders that attended both CR seminars this week. That God will show them the way forward and lead their steps as they start this ministry. Pray for safe travels as Claude navigates the roads through the beautiful landscapes of Rwanda.

PS I tried for about an hour to upload 1 photo and it wouldn't go through so the pics will have to wait.

We completed Day 2 of our 3-day Celebrate Recovery seminar and it is going very well. About 70 people from across Western Rwanda are attending. Today they learned about Large Group meetings and Open Share groups, and then they had the opportunity to experience them for themselves. They are very excited about how this ministry can help the people of Rwanda. Several people told me they believe this can be a process that can help them deal with the pain of the genocide.

Tomorrow we finish the training and teach them how to start Celebrate Recovery in their churches. They are excited to learn and they have so many questions. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen here in Rwanda through this ministry.

I have read several books about the genocide and survivor’s stories. It is very different to sit across from someone and here their story of survival. Wow! It is not my story to tell but I will just say that God must have a special place for them in heaven for the sacrifices they made.

John Brennan and Dave Lopez arrived home yesterday afternoon safely. I can only imagine the disappointment they must be experiencing from not being able to complete “our planned” mission. Please pray for them. We know God had other plans and will use this for good.

I am doing well, am very healthy and enjoying the company of my Rwandan companions, although I do miss John and Dave. It is very peaceful here at Lake Kivu and I am enjoying the beauty of Rwanda.

Please pray for our seminar tomorrow, that the pastors can see a way forward with starting Celebrate Recovery. Pray for the teaching, that it be clear and just what they need to hear. Pray for safe travels for Jean Baptiste, Claude and I as we drive back to Kigali tomorrow after the seminar. Pray for John and Dave as they transition back to being in the US and processing the early departure.

Today we completed the follow up CR seminar in Gitarama. It went really well. They had many questions as they learned how to make this minsitry a safe place for people to come and deal with issues in their lives that separate them from God and others. We focused on the Large Group meeting and Open Share time and the group guidelines. They were very excited to go back to their churches and implemment the things they learned. We also developed a plan for the next time we come on how we can help them continue to grow their minitstries.

After the seminar, Jean Baptiste, Claude and I drove to Kibuye in Karongi District in Western Rwanda. We are staying at Bethany Hotel on Lake Kivu- a very peaceful setting. Tomorrow morning we begin a 3-day seminar for churches in the area to learn how to start CR for the first time. I am excited to see how this goes. We learned so much in the last 2 days that I threw out all the scripts that we had prepared to teach and instead will use what we learned in Gitarama and teach in a way they need to hear it.

Of all of the trips I have been on this by far has required more flexibility and adapting to changes. John's stomach issues are cleared up and no problem now but his blood pressure is a bit low so we decided that it was best if he went back home. He is feeling fine but we thought it best that he not be out trekking around remote parts of Rwanda right now. That will have to wait for next time. Dave, being the servant that he is, is traveling back to the US with him. Their flight leaves in just a few minutes from Kigali and arrives at LAX in the early afternoon tomorrow. I am continuing on with teaching the CR seminars and have 2 Rwandan friends traveling with me and helping out.

Not much of what has happened on this trip has been "our plans" but we all know that God has a better plan and that He will use this somehow for His glory. I have to admit I am a bit curious what He's going to do with this.

Pray for the seminar tomorrow and for the people that will be attending. Pray for open hearts and for me to be the "Muppet" and speak God's words. Pray for safe travels for John and Dave. Pray for the three of us as we adjust to the "new plan".

Day 1 of CR seminar - seeing God at work, again

It is Monday night in Gitarama Rwanda. Today was the first day of a 2 day follow up seminar for people that have previously attended Celebrate Recovery trainings. There was a good turnout with over 70 people attending. We had no agenda for the seminar and just came to help them, wherever they are in starting the ministry.

They spent the morning telling us what they have done with CR so far, what is working well and the challenges they face. I was blown away by the reports from twelve churches that are in various stages of starting CR. Some started and had so many questions that they were waiting for us to help them move forward, others have continued along and have a few simple questions. Three groups are at the 4th step and that we are here to help them through that process. I think some people were getting discouraged but most are pretty much on track and just need some minor adjustments. It was encouraging for them to know they didn’t have far to go to have a healthy CR ministry.

There were many questions from senior pastors so after hearing their reports, I focused the training on the senior pastor’s role. They had lots of really great questions. The Holy Spirit did the teaching today, He just happened to use my mouth. Praise God, it was just what they needed to hear in a way they could hear it. Thank you Lord.

They asked if we would demonstrate a Large Group meeting and Open Share groups for them so after lunch Pastor Jean Baptiste taught the first lesson on Denial and then broke into Open Share groups.

A lot of good questions and issues came up from that experience so tomorrow we will focus on the Small Group Guidelines and other questions that will arise. Overall I am very encouraged and excited to see how CR is progressing here in Rwanda.

Please pray for open hearts and minds tomorrow of the people attending and for me to be the “Muppet” for God and let Him continue to speak through me. Pray for safe travels as we drive about 3 hours to Western Rwanda tomorrow after the seminar. Pray for John and Dave as they are in Kigali until John gets back fully on his feet.

Adjusting to God's Plans

Friday "we planned” a low key day and a nice lunch and fellowship with a pastor friend. Reality was a bit different. We had a good morning of processing our visit to the Genocide Museum and reflecting on the people of Rwanda and what they must have experienced.

We went to lunch with Pastor Hesby and John wasn’t feeling very well. He felt a bit dizzy so we took him to the King Faisal Hospital to get checked out. It turns out he has a stomach bug and they wanted him to be admitted so they could give him some IV antibiotics and get his blood pressure better, it was a little low. He is getting excellent care by one of the best doctor’s of internal medicine in Rwanda. God is good. And thanks to Eric at the PEACE office who arranged for his care and knows everyone at the hospital. Moses, Eric and Jean Pierre from the PEACE office have been amazingly helpful and everyone here is so supportive.

John is feeling much better and as the doctor put it this morning, “on the road to recovery”. Funny, I think I’ve heard that somewhere before.

We have gotten quite the education on the Rwanda health care system. For example, we had to pay a deposit of about $10 for them to treat John in the emergency room. Interesting when you consider that much of the population of Rwanda lives on less than $1 a day.

Our trip plans have changed somewhat (ha ha). We stayed in Kigali (the capital) instead of going to Gitarama yesterday (Saturday) as planned. We were scheduled to attend church there but instead we read scripture in John’s hospital room this morning. The “new plan” is for Dave to stay in Kigali with John and Jean Baptiste and I will travel to Gitarama (1 ½ hour drive) early tomorrow morning to hold a 2 day follow up seminar for churches that have been through previous CR trainings. When John is strong enough, he and Dave will join us for the other planned seminar to teach new churches in Kibuye how to start CR.

We are all learning a new definition of being flexible. We know God is in control and will use this for His glory, but we don’t have to like it. :-)

Please pray for complete healing for John and for Dave and I as we continue to adjust to God’s plans. Pray for John's family to have peace to know that he is in God's hands. Pray for safe travels for Jean Baptiste and I as we go to Gitarama and teach the follow up seminar Monday and Tuesday.

In Kigali

We had a chance to sleep in a bit this morning, but the guys were up early ready to start the day. After breakfast, we sat outside and had a nice devotion entitled "Declare Great Things" from Luke 24:33-35, Isaiah 26 and 1 John 4. It was a great reminder to speak boldly about Jesus.

Nairobi traffic was pretty light and we made good time going to the airport for our flight to Kigali. We had a great prayer time on the ride, reminding us that this trip is about doing God's will, not ours.

The flight went well and we were met by Claude from the PEACE office. A short thunderstorm poured on us on the way to our guest house. We spent time with Moses, and settled into the house. It has a nice view overlooking a valley with many green, rolling hills in the distance.

We had a very sobering visit to the Genocide museum. This is John's first time to Rwanda and the reality of what the people here experienced in 1994 really made an impact. Reading books is one thing but visiting the memorial and hearing first hand accounts makes it real, the best history lesson he has ever had. Even as my 4th visit to the museum, it is still difficult.

We went into town and took care of some logistics - got Rwanda Francs, air time for phone and modems and lots of water. We had a great meeting at the PEACE office about "our plans" here and worked out a few details. Praise God, the translation of the CR materials is complete and God willing we will see printed copies before we leave.

We had a nice dinner at Chez Rogers and now are back at the house blogging then will hit the hay pretty soon as the jet lag is kicking in. Tomorrow is election day for local elections and has been declared a holiday so we have a light day to rest up and get ready for our 2 seminars next week.

Please pray for good rest, health and connection with friends.

We are In Nairobi!

3 planes, 2 trains and 2 automobiles later and we are safe and sound at Methodist Guest House in Nairiobi. Our connections went smoothly and we arrived with all of our luggage to be met by our dear friend David at the Nairobi airport. We stay here tonight then have a 12:30 flight to Kigali, Rwanda.

Thank you so much for your prayers, everything has gone very smoothly. Please pray for good rest tonight (we are 11 hours ahead of CA time here in Nairobi) as we begin adjusting to Africa time and culture.