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".
What faith you have! God is good, and amazing things will come out of your trainings with Jean Baptiste. All the trainings and experiences you have had up to this point will be just what is needed for the upcoming training. Do not doubt or question. You are the right person, with the right team, in the right place at this time. Hearts will be touched, healing will happen, and God will get the glory. In our weakness, He is strong. I will continue to pray for you, for wisdom, for flexibility, and for you to be the Muppet He wants you to be.
ReplyDeleteGod's blessings to John and David. What a tough decision that must have been for them. Warriors for God don't sit down easily; and mighty warriors they are. Safe travels and good health to you both.
Just wondering if you have arrival info. I haven't heard.
ReplyDeleteGlad Jean B. is with you. God Bless.
JanaL
Know we will be praying for you Jana, and know you will be strong and have just the right words! God has truly equipped you for this task, Jana! Our prayers are with John and Dave, too! I am so sorry they had to leave... So thankful we know His plan is perfect and always works! Blessings to you all...
ReplyDeleteJana,
ReplyDeleteWe are home safe and I have started the testing required to "get to the bottom" of the need for hospitalization. Thank you being the leader of this journey and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to travel with you and Dave.
I am sure that the docs will have answers and that all will be resolved, again, in God's time.
Now it is time to re-focus on your mission and all aspects of the courses of action that needs to happen there.
You are God's servant and His pride and joy! Keep "armoring up" each day and stay in the moment - God has a plan and an outcome for your mission training that will be wrapping up today (your time).
It brings so much delight to see faces light up when the message "gets thru" and the bulbs get the final 1/4 turn :-)
God will continue to bless you and even though the decision to return was difficult for me, I know that it was the right one (even though I wanted it to be different, God knows why we were to return early).
God bless you in your last training day and am praying for all who are attending to have open eyes, open hearts and open minds to what God has planned for Rwanda thru Celebrate Recovery.
Be encouraged that your words will be exactly what they are supposed to be because you are "THE MUPPET" that God has intended you to be and through the power of the Holy Spirit your mission will be accomplished!
God bless you in all you "get to see and do" this day.
John