Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 7

Bible study on Doubting Thomas

The Victory chameleon-we hold him and he eats flies!

The piglets were born today!

Papa Issac choosing teams to ensure his VICTORY!

Doubting Thomas Bible study

Team at the Kigali Memorial Center

Bible study worksheets

The goats WE purchased

Saturday, July 14...we can't believe we depart in less than a week!

Today brought  more God-interactions with the children and the staff of Victory Family Home of Champions.  Today's Bible study was on the Thomas, the "doubting" disciple.  Our team discussed the  events leading up to Thomas' doubting and how we sometimes doubt things we don't see.  Ed told a story of himself collapsing at the bus stop when he was in the third grade and that leading up to his appendix being removed.  He asked how many children believed his story.  Many did, many did not.  After he showed his scar from that surgery, the children believed.  We used this to relate to the doubting Thomas story.  After completing a worksheet and more discussion we wrapped-up our Bible study.

After lunch, we conducting a Karate session for the children.  With about forty kids participating, we showed them pressure points and various kicking techniques.  It was a great time!

Then the ladies led the children in crafts where they made arks like Noah's.  The children loved the craft time!

Following, craft time, we had the daily football (soccer) game and again, this was intense.  Ed stoved his finger saving a goal kicked by Pastor Isaac BUT Ed's team still lost the game.  He has never--ever--had a victory AT Victory!

Family time found the team re-enacting the story of Noah and the ark.  Following that fun time, Lauren, Leah, Mike, and Serena prepared Smores' and each child received a treat....then we released them back to the Momma's!

All-in-all another fun day--blessed by God--directed by the Holy Spirit!

THANK YOU for your prayers of support....we feel them!

Mike

Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 6

 

God has provided another wonderful day for us! We started our day by walked the children to school and carrying the bottles of water along the way. During our trip there and back, we are greeted with many hugs and smiles from the village people.

Our morning devotion theme was “Worrying” from passage Matthew 6:25. I know we all struggle with worrying on a daily basis, however, when we worry we have a lack of faith in our Lord. The Lord will take care of all “therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things”

During bible study, we taught the children how Jonah was reluctant to teach about the Lord so he ran from Him. Finally, God created a storm and Jonah (after being swallowed by a whale) realized he should have spread His word without questioning.

After some free time, it was time to walk the afternoon kids to school. How beautiful Rwanda truly is!

Then we played some volleyball and football. The kids seem to be good at any sport that is thrown their way! It’s amazing to see how talented they are. We made a butterfly craft with paper, glitter, and pipe cleaners. To say the kids love glitter would be an understatement. However, what a great joy to see them laughing and smiling from ear to ear!

During family time, we played with Playdough. This was to symbolize having an open heart for God and to accept how God molded us to who we are supposed to be.

Our devotion to end our night was about “Judging”.   Reading from passage Matthew 7:4, this emphasized to not judge because we ourselves have specks in our own eyes.

It is so wonderful to see how amazing these kids are. We continue to pray that God keeps our hearts and eyes open to all the beautiful things surrounding us. It is great joy to see how happy these kids are with just the basics-food, shelter, water-in life. I think we could all learn from them.  We are all very blessed to be here! Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and have a wonderful night!

Thank you for your prayers!

Alaina

Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 5

Happy children on the way to school

We make each other happy!

Mike and Rugamba share a special moment

The children LOVE playdough!

Craft time is the messiest time of day!

Our friend the chameleon!

Rwanda will take your breath away!

                Today was a great day and also a difficult day. In the morning we walked the children to school which is always a joy. They were carrying water to school to help clean and especially for the small children it was very difficult. So we carried the jugs for them. And even though they were small containers, our arms were dead by the time we got done the 2 mile trip to school. Near the end of the way home from school, there is a house where 4 very cute children wait for us and great us with hugs. It is so awesome! When we returned home we led a Bible study on John Mark and Paul and getting second chances.

                Afterward we went to Kigali to the Genocide Memorial. This was a very difficult visit because it reminded us of the atrocities that were committed. It was heartbreaking to see and hear the stories of what really happened. It was very disturbing knowing that the attacks could have been stopped and avoided.  They told stories of children that were victims of the attacks and this broke our hearts so much. I was extremely angry at Satan because only he could be responsible for this. But then we went into the city to a buffet. For a Rwandan buffet you can only get one plate but you can pile it as high as you want to, so we had some pretty high stacks.

                When we returned from the city we played football and hung out with all the children. It is such a blessing to be with these kids who have nothing but are just so happy. It is also funny because even though we are bigger than all the children, they are all better than us. Then we ate dinner with the kids, which was a cassava paste with a sauce and meat. It was not too bad, but the consistency was tough to deal with. But it was special just to eat with them. Finally we had family night with all the children where they played a game and then sang us all a song. They are all so beautiful and we are so blessed to be here. God is so good! Thanks for praying for us!

Mike

Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 4

Ed teaching a Bible lesson

Arsene getting ready to complete worksheet

Day 4 football game.  Mike and Alaina brought their "A" game!

Looking west from Victory Family Home of Champions

Looking south from Victory Family Home of Champions

Team returning from walking afternoon children to school

The kids making their version of Heaven with Alaina!

Ed teaching the kids karate!

Leah trying cassava with the kids!

Today was a wonderful day! We walked A LOT:)  We walked the kids to school and back twice. The walk is fun because we talk to all of the village people, and the view is AMAZING! We also went to market twice. The first time we went to get produce and the second time we got fabric and baskets. It was so crowded.

After that we did activities with the kids. First we did a craft with the kids where they made a picture of what they think Heaven looks like. They used glue, crayons and glitter. At the end of the craft some of the kids had more glitter on them, than on their craft.

Something the children were really excited about was learning karate with Ed. They were so cute punching and kicking. Then all the kids gathered to watch Ed throw Mike onto the ground:) After karate, most of the kids played a huge game of football (or soccer) with Ed, Isaac, Mike, and Alaina, while Leah and I blew bubbles with the kids. They LOVED bubbles!

At night we attended youth group and family night. To hear the kids sing is just amazing. We all love the kids so much and feel so blessed to be here.

Thank you to all of you who are reading the blog and praying for us! We Love You.
Lauren

WE HAVE TWO TEAM WORKING IN RWANDA.  TO SEE ALL THE ACTIVITY OF OUR OTHER TEAM, AT CITY OF JOY, CLICK HERE...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Joy-Rwanda/265998840082320

Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 3

The team had great day of hard work and lots of time with the children today!  The day began with the team walking the the AM students to school at 6:25am.  The round trip is 4 miles and lasts about an hour but wow, what a beautiful walk!  The team spent much time with Rwandese and the teams' Kinyarwandan is getting much better with each day.

Following breakfast and devotions, we led some of the children--who attend school in the PM--in a Bible study of the Prophet Nathan.  Following Bible study we walked the PM students to school and collected the AM students.  After lunch the team led the children in a game of baseball and the the BIG GAME...."football,"  soccer to the rest of us!  Alaina was a superhero on the field.  She defended the goal, took a shot to the face and simply wiped-off her glasses and continued playing.  Mike also showed superior skills and played for three hours straight--and showed the kids how tough he is on the field!

Finally, after a superbly prepared meal of beef brochettes, grilled vegetables, roasted potatos, and rustic "Serena" bread with garlic.  The team is eating well!

We lost electricty for a while but it was nice.  Lauren and the team delivered a wonderful Family Night wherein the children made bracelets and then sang for us.

A great day--and exhausted team--great children and serving OUR LORD!

THANK YOU GOD FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS ON OUR TEAM!

Top picture: Sabato using the donated BU computer
Second picture: Nathan Bible Study
Third picture: Mike, Lauren, Leah, and Alaina running back from taking the children to school in the afternoon.
Fourth picture: Family night.
Fifth picture: Soccer (Football!)
Sixth picture: Isaac and Ed traveling to help Todd fix his car near Nyanza, on Monday night.

WE HAVE TWO TEAM WORKING IN RWANDA.  TO SEE ALL THE ACTIVITY OF OUR OTHER TEAM, AT CITY OF JOY, CLICK HERE...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Joy-Rwanda/265998840082320

Till tomorrow!

Ed

Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 2

The second day of the trip found us arriving safely in Ethiopia next to last picture, and then God provided safe travel to Kigali, Rwanda.  I can assure you that the last picture-showing-the team upon arrival at the Kigali airport, we did not look as happy as we appear.  Most of us did not sleep at all and had been awake 24 hours before the picture was taken.  Don't we look good!

The second picture shows the team arriving at Victory Home.  Another team traveled onto City of Joy and you will see pictures and postings from that team over the next few days.  Tonight, after a great meal of tacos and Fanta, the team was introduced to the children of Victory Home.  We will be spending mega-amounts of time with the children over the next two weeks and sharing the pictures on the Blog.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.  God led us here safely--now we begin our service to Him!

Ed

Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 1

BCC Rwanda Mission Day 1 got off to a great start despite a rough morning!  The team was excited to finally depart--after over a year in planning.  We departed with 20 bags of luggage.  9 bags are full of our personal belongings with the other 11 carrying supplies for Victory Family Home of Champions, and City of Joy Ministries.  Yes, we are over our bag allowance by 2 pieces.  But, the reason is a good one!  We are carrying 36 hardcover study Bibles for the children of Victory Home.  All together, the Bibles weighed 126 pounds.  How cool is it that Bibles from BCC will have a direct impact on children in Rwanda.  During the next few weeks, we'll be using those same Bibles for various Bible studies, too!

The rough morning came when our adjunct mission team member went to pick-up the U-Haul trailer.  The trailer was simply not there--it was not returned by the previous renter--and then that same renter refused to answer his phone!  After almost 4 hours of seeking the van, Corey went to Berwick to obtain the only other trailer available--it was smaller--but as you see above, it worked

God made sure we had a trailer.  Corey, without your help today, we might not have made it!

In the above pictures you can see the team prior to departure, the van and trailer, and finally the team at dinner this evening.

Tomorrow morning the team is scheduled on the 8am and 8:30am shuttles to the airport.

Praise be to God for allowing us to serve Him in Africa, for bringing us together, for providing the funds through so many sources, and for our families and friends back home who love and support us in serving Christ!!!!

Till tomorrow!

Ed