Yesterday morning we drove through the lush green rolling hills of Rwanda from Kigali (the capital) to Gitarama. It was great to see so many familiar faces who attended the previous CR training. It was very interesting to have a baby goat roam in and out of the church while we held the training.
Today we completed a 2 day follow up training for those that attended a 5 day CR conference last year. We spent a wonderful 2 days without an agenda and letting God lead the way and of course it was just what they needed to hear. We talked about CR and learned about their culture and how to help them adapt the program to work for them. One church has started training their leadership team and was eager to learn more about how to launch it church wide. Another church had started it and had 58 (yes 58!) small groups and it was going very well. The senior pastor, Jean Baptiste, was transferred to another parish and their new pastor is not familiar with CR so the future of that CR program is uncertain. Pastor Jean Baptiste plans to start it at his new parish with over 3000 members.
Many churches want to have the ministry and were struggling with some of the very foreign concepts and were very much appreciative for our visit to help clarify some things. As a culture, they have a high need to understand things thoroughly. Our timing was very good. Today we helped them develop action plans to start CR in their churches to guide them forward.
One goal that we had when we came to Rwanda this time was to learn more about their culture so we could be more effective when we train CR here. God has put so many people in our paths that were willing to share that with us. It has been a real blessing. One thing that we learned that helps them is the use of visual aids. Another is the need for accountability for starting the program.
Gitarama is the second largest town in Rwanda. We were going to dinner last night and realized that the electricity was out for the whole town. We were able to find a resturant that had a generator so we could have dinner. They had a single light bulb to light up the whole dining room. We take so much for granted.
Please pray for safe travels to Karongi tomorrow morning. Pray for the pastors that will be attending the CR Introduction Meeting on Thursday and Friday, that their hearts will be open to CR. Pray for me as I have a sore throat now. Pray for all 3 of us to have good energy and health for the remainder of the trip. Pray that we continue to be unified as a team as we serve God and His will.
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WOW! It is so apparent thru your communications, that God is using you all to share His faithfulness with a country in so much need of this program of Celebrate Recovery.
ReplyDeleteI think about "plans" that get made and how we think that our implementation of them (the plans) seem to be exactly what is necessary - and then... The power of the Holy Spirit takes over and changes occur! Ain’t it great!
We are continuing to pray for you all and that “The Muppet Magic” continues!
When you get a minute to reflect, be amazed that God is using you three to be messengers to people who are different on the outside and completely the same on the inside. God has gifted each of you with the particular gifts necessary to complete His plan for this journey. I am overwhelmed with joy as I hear about your visits and with your “re-connecting with friends and familiar faces”. God is so good!
We will be praying for your next adventure, that He will provide for you as you travel about Rwanda to continue your work.
I have included some scripture references that I pray will encourage you as you continue to make plans (and adjust them) as you continue on your missionary journey…
Psalm 20:4
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Praying for not just safe travel, but for protection of your walk and talk as you continue to spread God’s Word. For Jana O.’s voice and for her “sore throat” that God would provide healing and comfort as well as the strength necessary to continue.
We are praying for the overall health of this team and for God’s will to be done through all of you.
We are praying for good rest at the end of each day and that you will be refreshed each morning for the travel that is ahead of you.
We are praying that as you travel together each day, that your driver is guarded, and that he is rested and well.
Praying lastly, that “The Armor” is donned daily and that you are prepared for the attacks that have already shown up in so many ways but that God will continue to battle for you as you step aside and let Him go to the lead.
God bless you all in all you do this day,
John B.
So glad the follow-up went well in Gitarama. Still trying to take in the fact that Pastor Jean's church has 58 small groups doing CR - wow, wow-ee! Thanks Lord, that you are moving him onto another region where he can introduce it to an entirely different set of church leaders.
ReplyDeleteI will most ceratainly be praying that he can effectively share it with this new pastor or that those CR leaders that are trained can share how it's changed their lives. I'm sure there's some incredible stories yet to be heard. Can't wait to hear more about what you've learned about their culture so far. I thank God for their willingness to learn from others too , as I know there is so much we can glean from them.
Yes, it's a little harder to eat in near darkness, but if the food wasn't moving that's a plus. :-)
Well, onward to Karongi! Hoping for good roads, safe driving, cars that run, and enjoyment of seeing more of those 1,000 hills; that your hearts & minds will even now be preparing to engage those that will attend this intro training.
May they see you as followers of Jesus first, and may all the stone walls and incorrectly preconceived ideas of what you are presenting be blown away after the first morning.
Lord, open the eyes of their hearts to an understanding of the foundation of CR. We ask for brilliant interpreters that will wisely translate the words that Jana, Dave & Jana speak, and that you would make up for the rest through the power of Your Holy Spirit.
"If you wake me up in the morning with the sound of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel, I'm all ears, all eyes before you. ...Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God." Psalm 142:8-10
May each of you wake up to the loving sound of Jesus's voice (or at least some of his kingdom birds...a terydaktyl maybe). May you trust him one day at a time, one moment at a time, looking for ways to closely follow at his heals.
Pray your Ephesians 6 "protections" to keep you standing firm, as we here are praying for God to keep you strong and united. May any sickness dissipate among you, especially Jana's sore throat -- and no, Dave, it's not your turn.
Thank you for your blog entries -- we're grateful for good internet access so far. Make us feel like we are there with you. Well, have a restful sleep at in your beds! Much love and prayers, jo
Jana, you wrote, "Many churches want to have the ministry and were struggling with some of the very foreign concepts and were very much appreciative for our visit to help clarify some things. As a culture, they have a high need to understand things thoroughly. Our timing was very good. Today we helped them develop action plans to start CR in their churches to guide them forward."
ReplyDeleteThis is almost verbatim wrt what the Apostle Paul did during his missionary travels. You are doing a good work, Jana.... if you feel weary or discouraged because of Pastor Jean Baptiste moving to another body and the new Pastor taking time to spin up on CR, remember God has prospered in that particular part of the Body of Christ... He will maintain that .... just got to keep praying.... and serving. It indeed is a labor of love.
Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:12, "I know in whom I believe, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day." I have learned that the day mentioned in this verse could be today, tomorrow, some day in the future as well as the Lord's day when He returns with Power and Victory.... He is trustworthy !
Amen, In Christ, Chris and Marie Martin