IPC in Africa

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Day 3 Wednesday Cont… + Jewelry update

CONSTRUCTION

Another great day on the Sonrise construction site. Although the work can be tiring, and often challenging, there's not a morning that goes by that The Lord doesn't fill our hearts with excitement to return to Sonrise. Certainly experiencing the material results each day is exciting, but it is the connection Christ has established between us as believers, and the Rwandans, that above all else, will stand in His name and for His glory. We pray the love of Jesus will shine thru us.

We had a surprise visit today from our VBS team. They enjoyed seeing the construction as much as we enjoyed their brief visit.

Halfway there!

Ladder Making 101

Paul working hard

Power! Thank you Lord!

Ready for concrete

Support column framed and formed

Support column towering

Taking Shape

This is Janice

VBS at Sonrise

JEWELRY
The jewelry-making portion of this trip is going great! We have had around 60-75 local ladies come to the Cathedral every day to learn to make paper beads. They are picking up the skills very quickly, and have moved on to creating jewelry with the beads. Communication is going well, we demonstrate what to do and they pick it up very quickly. On Monday we hosted a breakfast for the jewelry-making and quilt-making ladies where they enjoyed African tea and cakes. Thank you so much for your prayers, they have been answered in the most beautiful ways!

Women outside of the Cathedral
preparing to make Jewelry

He was so proud of his paper bead

Tea Cakes on Monday

Beads made on the first day

Precious little guy wearing
his Mommy's necklace.

Helping Mommy make beads

Working on a special project

Star Students

Part of our precious group

Day 3- Wednesday 2014

Wednesday morning we began with prayer and a contemplation of Psalm 57. Like David, we give praise to our God and seek his protection from all enemies that may seek to harm us.

VBS
Wednesday we traveled to Gakenke parish for VBS with close to 300 children. We again were able to worship under the leadership of their children's choir. We were honored to be joined by the Archdeacon.

The story of Noah was told and then performed by the drama team from the Cathedral. Our puppets, joined by a special puppet made for us by girls from St. Mary's in Memphis shared the story of creation, the fall, and God's rescue through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

We presented the parish with gifts of balls, bubbles, jump ropes, crayons, murals, and the special gift of the hand puppets from St. Mary's to be used to tell more stories from the Bible.

We were then honored with refreshments in the library the parish is building for the school children.

In the afternoon we visited and toured Sonrise High School with the headmaster.

Next we visited the construction site where we were all impressed by the progress of the construction team. And we were especially impressed by the Rwandan ladies who carry cinder blocks on their heads up ramps in flip flops.

We visited New Hope House, the house Bishop and Chantal built for their 28 orphans. In addition to the beautiful home for the children we saw their farm complete with cows and pigs and crops both to feed the children and to sell to support the house. It is self-sustaining.

Later today (Wednesday) we will visit the hospital with Chantal to feed and pray with the families and patients there.

Gakenke Parish

Elsa in a classroom

Gakenke Noah Drama

The Drama Team

Kristen in front of Hope House

Pastor Training Team
(Gary, Chris, & Paul)

Pastors on the top floor

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Video

Here is a video of a 3 yr old leading the preschool students in the Lord's Prayer in their native language! How amazing it is to hear them worshiping our God in their language.

Prayer Meeting Tonight!!!

Please join us tonight as we lift our Rwanda team in prayer.

TONIGHT

Wednesday, 5:00 pm at Independent Presbyterian Church in the Prayer Room.

Day 2- Tuesday Cont… 2014

CONSTRUCTION
Much progress at the Sonrise school today. The Rwandan crew welcomed us back to the job site with joy... their enthusiasm second to none. Many things we began yesterday were completed today. With an early morning rain… we contained to whistle while we worked. The Rwandan work ethics are remarkable… truly a testament to their desire to provide for themselves and their families. They are driven and happy. We experienced our first pour down today, but The Lord saw us through it. We got wet, but our tenacity did not. Was just a reminder that God is in control. The forming for the concrete columns fell in place today without a hitch. Plumbed and secure, the columns will soon support the steal trusses of the roof. The block walls are moving along quiet substantially… moreover the relationships as we work side by side with the Rwandans are developing as Christ uses us to show them his love. I can only describe as a sweet spirit in our presence.

Ricky- fine young man. Whistles while he works!

This is Jack- what a joy!

So eager and willing

Mark has got it figured out!

Rwandan women cook and prepare meals for the workers at the construction site.
Carrying thatch to burn in their kitchen.

VBS
This afternoon the VBS team went to "Tom's Village". Tom Allen invited us to be his guest at his home. Tom is an outstanding entrepreneur, faithful man of God, and amazing philanthropist. Caring so deeply for the Rwandans, Tom gives from his heart to help the people of this country have the opportunity to make better lives for themselves. Bringing about the realization that we are ALL Gods children and that he will not forsake us. He will take care of us regardless of our circumstances. The countrysides were heavenly. The sights of the children reaching out to us as our bus approached the village, was humbling. It was a "God" moment. We praised God for allowing us to see the provisions He is making for these gentle people.

A very special "Thank You" to the students of Hutchison School. Uniforms of any kind here are coveted. Those that do have the privilege to wear them just gleam with confidence. This promotes equality and better sense of 'self' among their piers. The Rwandans are grateful for this generous offering of love to their children. These uniforms will be a testament of God our Fathers gift of love in this far away land for many years.

Along with a reverence for the villagers, their jobs, their homes and general well being, we brought the many offerings of clothing and much needed supplies that you all so graciously gave. These articles of clothing, reading glasses, and so many other things will be distributed to the villagers. The things that we give either too much thought to, or not any thought to at all, will make a phenomenal difference in the quality of their lives. IPC- RWANDA THANKS YOU!

VBS crew overlooking Burera Lake

Precious child of God

A life that will search for the future

best ladder in the village

Children of the village

Off go the uniforms- Thank you Hutchison!

Tom's Village

Sam & Tom Allen

Children caring for children

Day 2- Tuesday 2014

Tuesday was a wonderful day here in Rwanda! The Lord blessed us with very nice cool weather today. Breakfast and prayer time was special...often we don't realize that the things that happen in our lives whether good or bad, happen for a reason...and the impact reaches deep within our souls. It is through these things that we become closer to The Lord. So, as we began our day here today we reflected on those times we will never forget, and realized just how much God uses people, places and times to point our hearts toward him.

VBS
We began the day at Maya. Over 300 children greeted us and their choir led us in worship including much dancing. The story and drama of Noah were told and presented. A zebra, elephant, ostrich and lion then told the story of creation, the fall and Jesus. Gifts of balls, bubbles, and crayons were presented to the parish.

Before we left the preschool received their eggs after reciting the Lord's Prayer.