Mission Possible: Handbags for Scholarships

Praising God at current moment over $2200 is set to go to the Blessed Mango Tree “Vocational School Scholarship Fund”. Thrilled that the demand for the bags leaves many now on a waiting list until I get my next order. Yes, I did just say my next order. Trusting God to work out the details and logistics to get another shipment. My mother lost out on her bag when I let someone else purchase it (does that make me a bad daughter that I sold the bag to someone else?). Thankful she has already forgiven me and is fine to wait and have first pick of the next order.

God’s economy and his ways and paths are infinite. We cannot even begin to understand or operate even close to his level! Thankful for the unexpected opportunity I had to tell my story with a display at church. Donations for over half the bags came from that day or follow up from seeing or hearing about the bags that Sunday. Thankful for a Pastor whose heart breaks for the things that break Jesus’ heart and desires to teach us how to respond. Thankful for his teaching in the moment how we can make a difference through our giving.

Cyrus is letting Pastor Nathan know that $2200 is coming his way in a newly formed scholarship account to use to help the women of his church. I look forward to sharing the stories and pictures of the women who are able to attend the school. I know we will be inspired by their lives and in turn we will be inspired to do things that challenge us. My hope is we will continue to encourage them through prayer and contribute to sewing machines for them when they graduate next year.

This is just a small portion of the story and there is more to come including how you can contribute ongoing to the fund (thank you Cyrus for working to set up a fund through WorldHelp). Praising God that through many acts of kindness and obedience at least 3 women will be able to enroll in school the beginning of the year. Just 35 days after I returned from Rwanda with 100 handbags, we have begun to make a difference by “doing what we can do”.

Pictures of the hangtag on the bags are attached. If anyone would like to formally design a hangtag to be used on all future bags – please let me know.

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Lesson 6 – A Bike isn’t Just for Riding

I love to ride my bike around West Palm Beach and it is a great way to run errands and just enjoy the surroundings and offerings of South Florida. My favorite things about my bike – it's purple and has a basket in the front. It is a great bike for just getting around town and riding the bike trail.

I was struck time and time again in Rwanda as I saw people with bikes. Often times those with a bike were using it to haul things or people. They rarely used their bike for a short jaunt around town. They even have bike taxis and most bikes have a second seat that serves many purposes.

Most people in Rwanda walk as it doesn’t cost money to walk. The reason people are carrying things on their heads, babies on their backs is so they have their hands free to carry more things. Usually where they are going is not a short walk.

Owning a bike is a luxury. Many families will save 4-5 years to get a bike that would cost $150. That time line is modest as if something happens in their family, there goes the money saved. Speaking with the owner of the transportation company we were with, he shared a bike transforms an entire family. He stated men gain confidence when they get a bike as they now have a means to be more productive and earn more for their family.

A bike will be what the family and potentially their neighbors use to get someone medical care; get to school, work, etc. Just imagine if you had to walk to your current job from where you live, would you be able to hold that job? Now vision riding a bike to that job, it seems much more doable.

I love to ride outside and I also love to cycle (aka spin) at Velocity. In one of my pre-trip posts, I shared I was going to look for someone to give my velocity shirt to that would be encouraged that we were riding with him/her.

Martin is a survivor of the genocide and was 5 years old at the time. His sister also survived so he is not alone like so many of the orphans. He is 22 years old and is blessed to be in school because someone has chosen to support him from the US. When I met Martin at Hope Village (community for genocide orphans who are over 18) he helped translate for me as the woman I was with did not speak English or French. He shared that when he graduates from University he wants to help other orphans.

Martin exuded a commitment to love and care for those that like he is fatherless from an earthly perspective. Martin has big dreams, is bright and I know will do many great things for his country and for those who are broken in spirit and feel hopeless.When I left, I gave Martin the velocity t-shirt as well as a promise that he would receive a bike to allow him to be more productive as he goes through school allowing him to potentially earn money as well to ensure his schooling continues. I was delighted to present someone that gift already that in their honor Martin a man who will do great things for God will have a bike because of them.

I am not a number person so when a number comes into my head, it is usually from God. My goal is to rally support for a minimum of 10 bikes to be given to various orphans at the Hope Village allowing Pastor Maurice who oversees to determine who would benefit most. I have shared with Cyrus if Pastor Maurice sees a greater need for a bike elsewhere in his parish then we of course trust his wisdom.

Would you join me in changing a life and ultimately a family? Cyrus Mad-Bondo is the Director of Africa for WorldHelp (www.worldhelp.net) accompanied us on the trip. He is committed to getting pictures of of those students and bikes as accountability as well as be able to share the story about how the bike is making a difference in their life. I will blog all updates. I can’t wait to share the stories!

A great family gift for Christmas or for any occasion is to give a bike in someone’s honor letting them know that they have not only changed a life, they have changed the economic outlook of a family for generations to come. The bikes purchased will look like the ones in the pictures above but will be top of the line ensuring they will last long and survive the punishing roads of Rwanda.

If you would like to donate a bike in someone’s honor please do the following:
• Write a check for $150
• Make the check out to World Help
• In the memo line write Bike for Rwanda.
• Send to: World Help attn. Cyrus Mad-Bondo, PO Box 501, Forest, VA 24551

God continues to teach me about sacrifice. It is easy to give out of abundance, but what am I willing to give up? When I think about the precious lives that could be transformed if I packed lunch every day or didn't get my Panera iced tea every day and put that money in a bike fund, how many bikes could I buy this year? Packing a lunch isn’t even that big of a sacrifice (the iced tea is though) so there will be more digging in to come but I hope you will join me in reflecting and asking what is it you can do. It goes back to the Bishop of Rwanda’s advice – “do what you can do”.

If I came back from Rwanda no different than before I left, and if my actions were no different than before, what was the value of the trip? Continuing to ask God to challenge me, stretch me and force me to see things in a new way. As I finish this, I am already sensing God say “what will you specifically sacrifice Janelle in 2012 that will allow you personally to raise money for 10 bikes.” Ouch…stay tuned; I write this so I remain accountable to share what that sacrifice is and the journey to raising money for those 10 bikes out of sacrifice.

Lesson 5 – Life is to Be Celebrated

What a blessing it was to worship with Pastor Nathan and his congregation at Church of the Blessed Mango Tree. Baby dedications occurred that Sunday and we were blessed to watch three babies be dedicated. Similar to the US, the baby is dedicated with a prayer and the congregation agrees to support and model the love of Christ.

The dedication was over and then all of the sudden one of the women said something in Kinyarwandan and the next thing you know the dance team is up and dancing and singing and the whole congregation is standing praising the Lord. Our interpreter shared that the congregation wanted to thank God for providing the church with not one but with three healthy babies. The mortality rate is high. One baby would have been a blessing but three was like a miracle.


Humbled. I have seen ten or more babies dedicated in a given church service. We laugh and coo at the babies, we promise to support the baby and the parents as they raise the child and that’s where it ends. We need to take a page out of the Church of the Blessed Mango tree and give the Lord a hand for what He has done. Acknowledging He is Elohim, creator - the giver of life! We have become so numb in the U.S. that unless the mother had a difficult pregnancy or the child experienced challenges at birth we don't even acknowledge God and His provision.

Offering of Thanksgiving
As the celebration went on two gifts were presented to Pastor Nathan and his assistant. The church took an offering of praise to celebrate the Lord’s goodness of three babies. The gifts were for the pastors – tableclothes for the table in the sanctuary an''d a thermos to keep the coffee or tea warm. As you can see by the picture, the assistant pastor was very happy with the gift!



In addition to praising the Lord with all of their being, they gave an offering of thanksgiving to the Lord. When was the last time we took up a praise offering after baby dedication to thank the Lord for his goodness in providing the parents and our church with those precious babies? When was the last time we worshipped the Lord with true joy for the gift of life?

Lesson 4 – Running Water is a Blessing

Living Water International is an organization I whole heartedly support since we entered the story with Advent Conspiracy as a Church. I have loved giving water in honor of others and believe in the mission. My team at work has enjoyed knowing water was given in their name and have valued it as a gift.

My head knows that clean, running water is not a commodity the world over but it wasn’t until I saw the plastic yellow jugs in Rwanda that it broke my heart. As in most cultures, children get the grunt work; hauling water is one of the chores children are given. Bikes are a luxury so walking is how you get water. Now that might not seem to us in America a big deal until we realize that depending on where the nearest well is they are walking miles. Children spend four or five hours a day hauling water based on the location and how many are in their family. Now that is not every family and every area, but it is a fact of life for many. A well in ones community is a BLESSING!

Stones serve as markers on the road in the Eastern Province noting the kilometers to the water well. Visualize it is your second, third or fourth trip with your arms tired and aching from lugging two jugs of water miles each way; stopping to find some shade from the hot sun and rest your feet. Feet screaming from the heat and aching from being so tired carrying the weight of the water because you don’t have sneakers that have high support and cushioning;if you have sandals it is a bonus.

Blessed are those who have a well in their community and have short distances to walk. Thrilled are those who have a bike loading it up with water jugs to make fewer trips and increase efficiency.

Americans – we drink bottled water and many times we don’t finish the bottle and dump it down the drain. We see water as a given that is a normal part of our every day life. We don’t ration it, we don’t think about the fact that if we want to take a shower we are going to have to haul the water. We may in fact take 2 or more showers a day based on if we have worked out and/or are going out and want to look fresh. If we had to spend a few hours a day lugging our water (that would not be to the perfect temperature because they don’t have a water heater) would we shower as often as we do?

Awareness as it relates to finishing my water, eliminating water bottles and using the tap water has been a simple step I am taking to remind me every time I turn on the faucet I am blessed; I am accountable to drink all that I pour into my glass.

I am more energized about Living Water and helping others connect to such a ministry in the market place around the word assessing the needs and providing the deep water wells. As we think about what Jesus would want for His birthday, I am confident clean water would be high on his list. Franklin Graham shared what was behind his forming of Samaritan’s Purse, “you must meet physical needs before people can hear about the one who can meet their spiritual needs.”

Join me this Christmas in honoring those you love and work with by giving them clean water. Living Water now has gift cards that allow the gift recipient to choose the project the money that was given in their name goes to. This year in addition to the projects you can also give to a specific country like Rwanda. What a great way to get kids involved in the mission, helping them learn about the need for clean water and how they can help others around the world.

Check out the link below to join the conspiracy and provide clean water that will not only sustain life it will open many to hear about the one who gives true life as that is the reason Jesus came.

http://www.water.cc/store/christmas-gift-cards?q=store/christmas-gift-cards

Lesson 3 – Count Your Blessings

Continuing where I left off…the handbags. I realized I didn’t share one of the really awesome stories about getting the bags back into the states. Knowing the limit to avoid tax is $800 I knew it was going to be a miracle if I was able to enter back into the US and not have paid duty on the handbags. Avoiding being detained with the belief that the bags were samples/resale would be an even bigger miracle.

My passport is well used specifically with Canada and every one of those entries is for work related to Gap Transportation. So when one declares close to $800 in handbags it would be easy to see why I might get flagged for further discussion.

I was praying and asked those around me to pray that the customs officer would be understanding and that I would have no issue clearing customs. I had primed my camera to have the pictures of the women sewing in case I needed to share the full story.

The customs officer spent time talking about my being on a farm (most of the area outside Kigali qualifies with crops and cattle, goats etc all in one spot) and being in the National Park. He never asked about my bags. He looked at the detail, saw my total was over $800 looked at me and stamped my form and said “Welcome Home.” Knowing I was still on camera I kept it together but had all I could do not to cry. I was praising God inside trying to remain very calm and cool.

That was indeed a blessing and one I do not take for granted.

My second blessing regarding the bags is today Pastor John saw me showing some of the women the bags at church and told me they would fit in perfectly with his Advent Conspiracy Part 2 Message next week. That means any bags I have not received donations by next Sunday will be offered to those at CF City Place in the lobby so they can be part of the story too. I love that the story will be told even more broadly. God is just choosing to delight me in this endeavor.

Getting excited thinking about the women who will now have an opportunity to provide for their family. Women gaining confidence in their abilities; raising their children telling them how God provided the opportunity for school. God’s economy is far greater than our economy!

Constantly reminded God’s blessings are abundant if we take a moment to be still and reflect. I love the Hymn "Count Your Blessings". The chorus says it all: "count your blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.".

Handbags Providing Skills and Confidence

Picking up where I left off during my last post, it is now time to fill you in on the handbags. God continues to amaze me how He puts his handprint on things that He has ordained and the handbags were no different.

On the final leg of my trip home, I had a layover in Charlotte. Realizing I was in need of a very strong lip balm I stopped in the Body Shop. I had my handbag and one of the women asked me about it. She new it was an African print and shared her family was from the Congo and she so wanted to buy some bags. I shared the history behind the bags and that I would be exchanging bags for donations to a scholarship fund for the school. She took down my email and she has been patiently waiting for me to get this post up so she can place an order.

Shipping the bags wasn’t in my initial plan but I LOVE the thought of the story being told in locations outside of Florida. The encounter was truly of God and I took it as a sign that God was in this project.

About the Bags
Women at the Anglican Vocational School sewed the bags. The women in the class for the most part are widows and have to support a family. The goal of the school is to help the women learn a skill that will allow them to provide for their family.

Ensuring women are trained in a skill and able to provide for their family is a key defense against human trafficking. When a family is able to meet their own needs, they are not at risk to fall prey to someone who offers to “help”.

For a minimum of $20 you will receive a bag of your choice. For each donation, $10 will go into the Vocational School Scholarship Fund to be established at the Church of the Blessed Mango Tree.

The bags have a zipper closure and there are two pockets sewn inside (big enough to hold cell phones).

Bags will have a hangtag sharing the history of the bag to create more awareness.

How to Order
If you are in West Palm Beach, you can come on by and shop directly or I am willing to complete the exchange at CF City Place after the 9 am service and before the 10:30 am service.

For those out of town, I am willing to ship for an additional fee of $6 for orders of 3 or more handbags.

There are 10 designs and each one has a number. Please send your order to jmlangwpb@gmail.com. If you want to drop by this weekend I will be home for those local.








Isaiah 61
Isaiah 61 is the name I am putting on the hangtag. That passage of Scripture went through my head while I was in Rwanda and believe it is a story of hope amidst trials and hardship.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a] 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins 
and restore the places long devastated; 
they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. 
You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. 7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, 
and instead of disgrace 
you will rejoice in your inheritance. 
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. 8 “For I, the LORD, love justice; 
I hate robbery and wrongdoing. 
In my faithfulness I will reward my people 
and make an everlasting covenant with them. 
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations 
and their offspring among the peoples. 
All who see them will acknowledge 
that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” 10 I delight greatly in the LORD; 
my soul rejoices in my God. 
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation 
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, 
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up 
and a garden causes seeds to grow, 
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness 
and praise spring up before all nations.

Lesson 2 – See Where God is At Work and Join Him

Over dinner Tuesday night, I was speaking with Cyrus who was our host for the trip (he is director of Africa for World Help). He was sharing prior to our arrival he had met with the Anglican Church and toured the vocational school that was training women on skills to support their families. I asked if we were visiting the school as I thought that would be an awesome way to encourage women. My radar went up as he started to show me pictures and I saw women sewing handbags.

For better or worse, American women are consumers and most of us like to shop. The results of our Not For Sale “freedom sale” at City Place campus a few years ago validated women are motivated to shop when it directly benefits the lives of other women. Seeing those handbags I knew there was an opportunity to do something with them. I was excited to be able to learn the story behind them.

Cyrus was gracious to get a tour set up and to work with the director of the school as it related to purchasing bags. Due to the fact they are in start up mode, they have not been able to get ahead on inventory so if we wanted bags we needed to order them.

Dinner Wednesday night I felt God say – order 100 and take them back and share the story and give others the opportunity to support these women through a scholarship fund. Cyrus shared some of the women in school, attended Church of the Blessed Mango Tree where we worshipped on Sunday. Pastor Nathan had shared there were many who wanted to go school but needed financial support as most of the women were widows.

We decided to take an order from our team and we ended up with an order of 190 bags! What a great encouragement to these women learning a new skill. They were currently working on a big order and now would have another one right behind it.

I digress for a moment, as this idea to order the bags would not have happened if my debit card had not been restored. When I called my bank the day before we left to flag my credit and debit card with an “out of country” note to ensure they would go through and not get shut down the representative ended up canceling my debit card; my card was wiped out of the system. I was told there was no way to reverse it and I would have to wait until my return back to the states to get a new card. The manager promised to work hard to see if there was a way to reverse it but she wasn’t confident and kept apologizing. As we were leaving for the airport Friday she called to say she thought my card would work so try it when I got to the airport. I tried it and it worked! Since credit card was not a currency taken at the vocational school cash was needed. Thankful that the manager was so diligent. I share this with you as God got the victory this day in the fact I had ability to withdraw enough currency to pay for the 100 bags.

So back to lesson 1 – do what you can do. I love to invite people to join me in helping others. Sharing the handbags and their story is something I can do and do it naturally. Lesson 2 – seeing that God was already at work at the church and the vocational school made it easy for me to join in to support the effort – no need to reinvent the wheel.

You want to know how you can support the women and be a part of sharing their story and I promise you will get that opportunity…. tomorrow! (I also promise if you are reading this and not in WPB I you too can take part in the opportunity.)

In the meantime if you aren’t familiar with Advent Conspiracy click on the link below. http://vimeo.com/30556886. Throughout my posts this week I will be providing in addition to the handbags ways you can support Advent Conspiracy in Rwanda directly touching the lives of those the team and I were blessed to meet.

Lesson 1 - Do What You Can Do

We were blessed to meet with the Bishop of Rwanda. Humbled to be in his presence and to learn from him. Although it was a tough read, his book is necessary for all of us to be reminded that evil is present and we must be on guard. We must speak up even when it is not popular, before it is too late. I told him it was the hardest book I have ever had to read and he replied, “it was the hardest book to write”. Thankful for his courage to tell the story filled with so much pain knowing it is the only way beauty can come from the ashes. Truth must be exposed.

Overwhelmed by all the pain, suffering and senselessness of the genocide one wonders “what can I do?”. Bishop John’s responded “do what you can do”. He said “start with something you can do and then trust God will show you what else he wants you to do to help.”

I thought that was great advice and looked forward to figuring out what it was I was meant to do; I was confidant God would make it clear. Interesting enough, by that evening, I knew what I was to do.

Word Association - Rwanda

Beautiful – Gracious – Humble – Kind – Thoughtful - Safe – Diverse – Loving - Green– Freedom in Worship – Precious – Forgiveness – Hope – Stories still to be shared – Servants - Opportunities - Yellow water jugs – Joy – Beauty for Ashes – Genuine - Beautiful children - God at work.

Those are just a few words that come to my mind when I think about Rwanda. What I know for a fact – I love the people and I am excited to see how God is at work!

In the past, I have gone on mission’s trips and have loved each country and the people but have never felt a desire to go back. In a few cases I support the ministries but have not felt compelled to return even when the opportunity has presented itself.

Coming home I felt a part of my heart remained in Rwanda but still had no idea if I would want to go back. My answer came, as I was journaling on the last flight home to West Palm Beach. I was writing overall reflections and had created categories and the next thing I knew I had written “opportunities for next trip”.

I am excited the possibility to back next year. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to take a team from Christ Fellowship or partner with World Help. God is at work and that gets me excited! More to come on this topic later but wanted to get that question out of the way!

Greetings from Kigali

We've had a couple of very rich days of ministry here in Rwanda. On Monday the team went to Bugasera, one of the villages of reconciliation where both victims and perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide now live together in reconciliation. We heard powerful testimonies from both those who lost family members and were attacked themselves, and from those who participated in the murders of the genocide. Rarely has the light of the gospel shined so brightly as in these people who are learning to forgive and live in peace together. This particular village was highlighted in the documentary As We Forgive, and we met many who were featured in the film (see below for a link to the movie trailer).



www.asweforgivemovie.com/trailer.htm



Tuesday morning the team was granted an audience with Bishop John Rucyahana, one of the key leaders responsible for the rebuilding of Rwanda. This proved to be a highlight for many of our team, as he shared his testimony of personal loss and his many efforts to heal his broken country. After lunch, the team toured the national genocide museum and memorial in downtown Kigali. We had just enough time after the museum to make an impromptu return visit to the Widow's Village where we sang and danced with the women and children into the night under the African stars. We've just returned to the hotel where the internet service has *finally* been restored. Team members are quickly trying to post photos to Facebook even as I'm writing this email.



Tomorrow morning we plan to visit the Village of Hope, built for the orphans of the genocide. We do have one team member who's cold seems to have developed into a respiratory infection and will be seeing a doctor tomorrow morning. This is an added precaution before we head into the remote region Akagera later tomorrow afternoon. Please be in prayer for her that she might heal very quickly. The rest of the team is doing very well, is healthy, and is getting a decent amount of sleep in between some emotionally demanding days.



Thank you everyone for your prayers and support throughout our trip!

Greetings from Rwanda

The team enjoyed a full day of ministry today and are ready for bed. The morning was spent at The Church of the Blessed Mango Tree where the team led Sunday School, sang songs to the church, and shared testimonies. Everyone enjoyed experiencing the engaging service. The afternoon was spent at a village built for the widows of the genocide and their children. The teams' hearts were touched by their kindness and generosity, and many got to go into homes and visit personally with survivors and their children. This evening the team watched the documentary As We Forgive in preparation for tomorrow, when we'll be visiting the village where the documentary was filmed.



We still have a few students who are feeling sick, and they would greatly appreciate your prayers. Some are adjusting better to the time difference than others, but all seem genuinely excited about all that they are experiencing.



Thank you again for your prayers and support!

Destiny and Flexibility

I have met 15 of my team members. Each of them brings a different sense of energy and insight and I am looking forward to serving with them and learning from them. I will meet the final 6 at the airport in the morning. Excited that through fb have alreaded connected with three of them so we will be able to pick up where we left off.



I was amazed at some of the stories team members shared on how they ended up applying for the trip. Our team leader, Dr. Corsini shared that there were 700 applicants for this trip. I was speechless, no mistaking it that God had a plan for me to be on the trip. He shared the first trip had 300 applicants so the response was amazing. Overwhelmed. This trip to Rwanda is part of my destiny. God's providence that I go, learn, experience and testify to what has happened.



Flexibility

The behavior most needed for this trip is flexibility. We have already seen the plans change and have been told they will change by the hour. I am excited about what we have been told that if even a portion comes to fruition it will be amazing. Currently we will have an opportunity to visit a windows village, orphanage and villages outside of Kilgali.



Our main purpose is to be witnesses for the western world to tell of what is happening in Rwanda as the west has in general chosen to overlook them. Pray that I will be a good listener, that my words would bring comfort and that I would be sensitive to when I should just be silent and be emotionally available just by sitting, providing a hug, holding a hand, whatever seems appropriate.



Flight Plans

For those who want to track my travels below is my flight plan:



Friday Nov. 11th - Washington Dulles, Ethiopian Air 501 departs 11:00 am est and lands in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Nov 12th 7:45 am Central African Time (6 hrs ahead)



Nov 12th - Addis Ababa Ethiopian Air 807 departs 10:50 am cat and lands in Kigali, Rwanda at 12:20 pm cat



Nov 19th - Kigali,Rwanda Ethiopian Air 806 departs 4:00 pm cat and lands in Addis Ababa at 7:30 pm



Nov 19th - Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Air 500 departs 10:15 pm and lands in Washington Dulles on Nov 20th at 7:40 am



Nov 20th - Washington Dulles USAir 2285 departs 1:40 pm and lands in Charlotte at 3:06 and then USAir 1017 departs for WPB at 4:25 pm and will be home 6:21 pm on Sunday night if all goes as planned

Bags Packed – First Leg Washington DC

It seems like yesterday I was asking people to pray about the trip and God clearing 3 hurdles for me to be part of this trip. Overwhelmed by the encouraging words, calls and prayers.

I am thankful I go covered in your prayers. Expecting God to break my heart in new ways this trip so I would be “wrecked” as Russell prayed at my party Saturday. I go with anticipation and expectation that God is going to show up in ways I would have never imagined.

Spiritual warfare is a fact. I have sensed the last few days pure exhaustion and heaviness of heart. Committed to keeping up with my Esther study and staying in God’s word no matter what.

I meet half of the team Wednesday night. Pray that we connect and quickly unite in one mind and spirit.

Thankful God goes before us, behind us and hems us in.

Community and Cycling

Blessed to be part of many communities in West Palm Beach. Last year about this time I started cycling at Velocity. Blake was one of the owners and at that time part of my First Impressions Team and he invited me to try Velocity.

Spinning aka “cycling” had been part of my life when I lived in NJ but from the first time I walked into Velocity I felt community. Over this past year I have met wonderful people and have formed a sense of community.

This past weekend people came up to me and gave me money for supplies, medical advice etc to ensure I was ready for Rwanda. The owners Chris and Blake came to my graduation party this weekend and gave me the t-shirt pictured.

Rwanda is in need of community. They are trying to put their communities back together with those who murdered being brought in to help rebuild the houses of those they killed. Community is hard.

Chris in addition to being an owner is also one of my favorite instructors and he is always reminding us in class that we are a team and we need to use the energy in the room to keep us going. We are teammates for the sole purpose of pulling each other through the class. Regardless of where you live, you have the opportunity to be part of the community of Rwanda. We have the responsibility to live out what community should be so we model that for the world. We are to work together, regardless the odds, regardless the circumstances. We are a team.

I have packed the t-shirt and look forward to giving it to someone who is in need of encouragement. In cycling you are in a peloton and you take turns leading to allow everyone the opportunity to rest. I hope to share that vision and bring back that persons picture, post it in Velocity to inspire us. When we ride, we have a team member in Rwanda that is counting on us to encourage them and do our part demonstrating community where we live. We are one community when we are of like mind even though we are on the other side of the world.

Peripety and Prayer

Peripety

Studying the book of Esther with my life group this fall is just what God had planned as part of my preparation for Rwanda. I had chosen the study prior to knowing about the trip. No surprise, God knew.
One of the concepts we have studied in Esther is peripety; it is defined as sudden change/reversal of events. Outside of Esther, one of the greatest examples of this concept is the resurrection story.

Luke 24:1-8 says:
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men. "He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” And they remembered His words.

This passage came to mind as today I was honored with a graduation party. I received a priceless gift that was hand crafted by Gerry Jamison (see picture). As I was admiring his workmanship I noticed the three nails that stuck out on the cross. Unlike other crosses we see, Jesus is not on this cross. There are just the three nails to remind us of the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins but He IS Risen… he is no longer on the cross, he is no longer dead. He is alive!

The work of reconciliation in Rwanda is an example of peripety. Bishop John Rucyahana shares in Bishop of Rwanda the following: With God all things are possible. We are moving beyond the first encounters of victims and perpetrators to a place where people can worship and attend church together. They can sing in the same choirs, shop in the same markets, play together on the same sports teams, and work next to each other on the job…. If they can afford to forgive, why can’t the world forgive?

It is through the power of Jesus Christ that the root of the genocide – hatred has turned to reconciliation. Satan may seek to kill and destroy but Jesus was able to conquer death and it in that fact that we have hope. The power of the cross is the only way to true reconciliation. Bringing people to true repentance and forgiveness can only come through the supernatural power of Christ.

Standing in the Gap

Today I was overwhelmed by the love of those whom God has placed in my life over the past five years. Some I have known the entire time I have been in West Palm Beach, and others I have just met in the last few months. The common thread is they are all people I take delight in and for some reason they seem to like me back which I am grateful.

At the end of the celebration for completing my masters in Pastoral Counseling, I was covered in prayer for my trip to Rwanda. There were many tears shed and the heavy burden on my heart for the people of Rwanda was no longer my burden alone, others now share the burden. Knowing that people will be standing in the gap for me and praying on my behalf, for Rwanda and for the team is such a comfort.

Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. “

Rivers of Tears

While many wonder if I am getting excited for my trip, I must tell the truth. A heavy heart and what I sense as oppression overshadow my excitement. I am reminded that I am going to a country that for years Satan ruled through the leaders that was capped by the genocide. Satan does not like the fact the country is trying to reconcile; he is not pleased. He is not delighted that people would come to help people learn skills to teach and to apply as it relates to reconciliation and forgiveness.

My heart grows heavy as I am reading the Bishop of Rwanda. Reading about the plans that were put in place and how other countries helped prime Rwanda for the genocide made me ill. Reading the gruesome stories on how man became part of Satan’s army – at times demon possessed nearly put me over the edge. Many times I had to put the book down and pray that God would remove the visuals from my mind. I was crying the other night and found the tears were for those who suffered, for those who cannot escape the images because there is no book to put down, it is what they lived. They say 4 of 5 children in Rwanda lived through the genocide and saw the blood shed. Lives are forever changed bringing many psychological issues and physical issues as a result.

What kind of human would boil a baby in oil, shoot a baby in the chest sitting on his mothers lap before he kills her, leads parishioners to what they thought was safety to only be a death trap? The brutality was extreme and that is what makes reconciliation tough, as it isn’t so easy to forgive. There is far worse that was done to children would break your heart. I hold on to the fact they are with Jesus now and they do not recall any of that pain or horror they experienced.

The Bishop says in the book “shedding miles of tears before one is able to forgive. To repent of such cruelty requires divine motivation and divine presence to attempt it. To repent of such demonic cruelty requires the cross of Jesus right in the middle of it.”

Pray for protection – both spiritual and physical, for health and for safety. I am thankful my God is Jehovah Nissi – he goes before me in battle. I sense the battle has started and I am asking you to join me in fighting through prayer for Team Rwanda.

Warrior Princess

Prayer Warrior

Prayer has never been one of my “spiritual gifts”. While we are all called to prayer as believers it isn’t one of my natural giftings. This past month God has made it clear; I need to become vigilante in my prayer life. That I need to be intentional and I need to be modeling for others what it means to petition God and to come with expectation that He has much to tell me if I will take the time to listen!

I am a Warrior Princess, as Beth Moore would say based on our Esther Study. It’s high time I take that role seriously as it relates to prayer.

Knowing our team is coming from around the US and we will not connect as whole team until we arrive at the airport on the 11th I was concerned. God was whispering in my ear to reach out and take the initiative to seek out prayer requests from the team.

Reading the requests of the team validated the fact much prayer is needed. Many on the team are under huge spiritual attack and warfare is occurring in their homes, their churches and among their immediate family.

Satan loves to distract and use lies to cause division. My heartbreaks but I know the prayer of the righteous avail much. So I am praying and I am using face book to send them updates as I pray so that they would be reminded someone has their back. I have sent the requests to the team so they too are praying.

God has much to teach me about prayer. Pray for me that I would continue to be diligent, intentional and nothing would get in my way that would keep me from carving out time to pray.

Rwanda

As I boarded the plan today for Kentucky, I finally had the chance to start reading the book I am required to read for Rwanda – The Bishop of Rwanda by John Rucyahana. The last team spent time with Bishop Rucayhana and we hope to have the same honor.

I am only about a quarter of the way through as he recounts the history of Rwanda from its’ colonial rulers as well as where the divisions began and why between the Hutu’s and the Tutsi’s. It is mind boggling what man will do to keep power and how the human mind can be conditioned to do things counter to what makes sense.

In the introduction he answered the question “Where was God?” His response: Man has free will, and God will, not override it. Sometimes evil has its day because men have so turned themselves over to it. But even then, God does not abandon them. God waits to perform a miracle.

He goes on to say: God has always used the broken, and He is using this broken nation to manifest His grace and power. He is taking the brokenness caused evil and using it for a greater purpose – a greater purpose – a greater reconciliation in a nation that the world had not only given up on, but had given over to the devil, and its own evil.

Gungor’s Song “Beautiful Things” is a reminder that God has a bigger purpose for our lives than we may ever know. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uumI-PdeZzY&feature=related

Remembrance Beads

Remembering

When I started school 2 years ago, I was studying the life of Paul with my college women. One of the weeks focused on what it was like to grow up in a Hebrew home, specifically that of an orthodox Jew to better understand Paul (who at that time was Saul).

The Shema was the portion of the Torah (known to us as Deuteronomy 6:4-9) “Hear,O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

The Mesusah was the container for the Shema. Many believe the doorpost was the location for the Shema to be put literally and figuratively as it was hard to miss . It would cause the Jewish people to be reminded of God and all He had done for His people every time they went in and out of their home at a minimum.

Knowing school was going to be more challenging than I could imagine, I decided I would need my own version of a Mesusah to remind me of God’s faithfulness and provision throughout school. I decided to create a bracelet that would have a bead for each class. Every bead would remind me of God’s faithfulness as the bracelet became fuller and fuller!

My first bead was the Bible to celebrate being accepted into school. My first class bead was the pink ribbon as the woman we were caring for passed away my last week of school. I wanted to honor her and be reminded of the supernatural strength God gave me to manage her care, school and work.

Thursday night after I hit the upload button on my last paper for school, I added the last two beads. Overwhelming to look at the bracelet as all the stories and events that occurred the last two years come rushing back. So easy to forget all the tears, struggles and doubt that God overcame on my behalf. My Mesusah bracelet is a testimony of God’s provision.



Rwanda
3 weeks from now I will be halfway through my mission trip to Rwanda. I am just shy of my fundraising goal. I am in need of $230 to hit my goal of $3800. If you are interested in supporting my trip, you can click on the link on the left side of my blog.

We just found out the airlines can’t fly us on November 10th to Rwanda as issues with the flight so we are delayed until November 11th. The silver lining is for those of us who are not on campus we now have a day to bond before we fly. God’s way is best and it appears He is preparing us to deal with what lies ahead by giving us a day to bond as a team.

We have been asked to read the book The Bishop of Rwanda, by John Rucyahana http://books.google.com/books/about/The_bishop_of_Rwanda.html?id=h9ABo3Uzd7kC as we will be working with him on our trip so excited to understand how he has begun to bring reconciliation to his country.

Hurdles

95 weeks and 4 days of school have passed. Beyond my comprehension that in two days I will have earned my Masters Degree. God has done much heavy lifting in my life these past two years. 13 hurdles representing classes and surgery. Every hurdle has been cleared not by me, but by God. 12 cleared with the last one to go this Friday. Grateful, humbled and speechless.

Amazed that God had already chosen the best graduation present - a trip to the continent of Africa. The one place on earth I have longed to visit. Going to Africa and getting to use the skills that I have worked so hard to learn and employ these last two years is what God's economy looks like.

The two beads pictured above represent the final hurdles of school. The bird represents class 12 and the butterfly cameo my masters degree. Beyond comprehension by end of day Friday they will both be on my "shema" bracelet (more details on this next post).

Daily I grow encouraged knowing that my God can do far more than I could ever hope or dream is able to bring reconciliation to the country of Rwanda. A month from now I will be in Rwanda sharing love, wisdom, encouragement and hope. Wondering why I a so blessed to take this journey. Thankful He will be with me clearing one hurdle at a time.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15

35 Days Until Rwanda

Checking things off the list, achieving goals, seeing countdowns go to Zero make me happy. I am less than two weeks away from having a M.A. in Pastoral counseling. Speechless!

Even harder to comprehend is 35 days from now I will be in transit to Rwanda! Would you believe the Avis shuttle driver I met the other week was from Uganda? What was a man from Uganda doing in Kentucky is what I wanted to know but we didn't have that much time. In my spare time (LOL) I have been trying to get a handle on the countries neighboring Rwanda. When he said Uganda I knew he was a neighbor. He taught me a word in swahili Nafurahi kukuona - "nice to meet you." I was struck by his kindness and desire to help me. I don't believe they speak swahili, I have a word! He also gave me a movie to watch before I went. When school is over on October 15th I will be renting Sometime in April. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBAB1d8Gfg8




Yellow Fever Shot

I remembered getting a card for to record shots when I went to Peru 4 years ago. I pulled our the card to see what shots I had and would you believe I had my yellow fever shot? It is good for 10 years so I am good! I haven't been in town long enough to call my doctor to see what other shots he wants me to have. Personal goal this week - call the doctor. Reading this makes you my accountability to get that consultation regarding shots. Feel free to ask me when you see me if I called the doctor.

Rwanda - Then and Now
Imagine you have been mobilized to kill the “cockroaches” known as the Tutsi’s by the Hutu people but you can only tell by looking at their government ID to know if they are a Tutsi.

Imagine being a wife and mother watching your husband murdered while your sons watch before they are killed and they you are raped repeatedly and then they find your newborn baby and set the baby on fire while holding you down and raping you again.

Speechless. Wondering how can the country of Rwanda rebuild after such hatred and acts so heinous it is hard to comprehend 17 years later. Victims giving grace to murderers – a miracle.

We will spend time with Bishop John Rucyahana who is leading the reconciliation movement. He wrote in his book The Bishop of Rwanda he has hope as he sees God heal the human mind. Reconciliation between the victims and murders is happening. The people were desperate, the country was desperate and God was there to heal the nation.

Reconciliation is hard, but not impossible. God makes the impossible possible and His grace allows healing and forgiveness.

If reconciliation can happen in Rwanda, it can happen anywhere in the world.

Rwanda Update

Support
Cheering me on means more than you know. Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. I appreciate knowing I have a team going with me in spirit. I am blessed.

I continue to be humbled at the kindness and generosity many of you have demonstrated financially. God continues to show me His provision and I continue to be stretched in trusting Him to provide.

I have hit my first two goals and I am confident God will provide as I am working toward my final goal. I have received $2900 in support to date and need another $900 to achieve my goal of $3800. If you feel inspired to support please click HERE

Trip Details
The final plans are still coming together but we will be spending time in various villages that were built for widows and orphans along with visits to schools and a local church.

We will also be spending time with Bishop John Rucyahana who continues to be instrumental in the rebuilding Rwanda

Spot light on Star School – Maska, Rwanda
Rwanda is working hard to rebuild itself since the '94 genocide. There's a huge demand for well-educated people - but there are simply not enough schools and teachers to meet demand.

All children in Rwanda are welcome. Children orphaned by war and by HIV/Aids have a special place in our schools.