Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 9

Preschoolers at snack time

Walking back from school

Walking back from school

Kids on the monkey bars

Kristen with Claude

After school, waiting for crafts

Afternoon karate

Chris demonstrating how to break a hold

Walking back from school with a local young man

Walking to school with my new friends

Craft time is fun!

People always say that when you go on a mission trip to bless others, you are blessed in an incomprehensible, life-changing way. Today was an example of this. I’ll speak for everyone on the team and say that it’s an understatement, to say the least.

As we made our way yesterday to our new destination (Mike, Lauren, Alaina, and Leah went to City of Joy where Alisa, Kristen, Chris, and I were previously staying) we knew we were in for a brand new experience. Victory Home Orphanage is a beautiful place full of beautiful people serving an AMAZING God. Our team knew we were in for a new experience that would bless us, but I’m not sure we ever expected it in the ways we received.

It was an early morning with a wake-up around 6:00. It was a quick start and we walked some of the kids to school. The school is approximately two miles away, so the four-mile roundtrip walk at 6:30 in the morning woke us up very quickly. Once we returned home to the orphanage, we had a delicious breakfast (Serena knows how to cook……really well) and did our morning devotions. We discussed faith without works being dead and our ability to serve others.

The whole day was about serving the kids at the orphanage. After breakfast and devotions, we went around the vicinity and played with some of the kids whom were not at school. A little football and climbing with the preschoolers on the monkey bars was a large portion of our morning. Following that, we walked the afternoon kids to school. Another four-mile roundtrip…more time getting to know the children and spend time with them.

Returning home for the afternoon, lunch was ready, and once again…the food was delicious. We instantly got up and prepared our afternoon craft (Butterflies made out of yarn) for the kids. They loved it. Following crafts, we had activity time where Ed and Chris taught the kids karate. Pressure points, self-defense, and some more advanced moves had the kids interested and moving.

Next up: The most anticipated part of the kids schedule. Football. Ed is extremely pleased because it was the first time that his team didn’t lose…the teams tied. He was still satisfied. These kids know how to play well.

Tacos for dinner. Yummmm. Except I used way too much Akabanga (hot sauce) and burned my mouth. Fail.

Immediately following dinner we went to Family Time. This is where all the kids gather in the common room and spend time with one another. Tonight, we decided to play them some music. We played worship music with Chris on guitar, Ed on the drum, and myself on a garbage can. It was wonderful. We had the kids dancing, singing, and smiling. One of the most breathtaking parts was when we sang Jesus Paid It All, and they all started singing in their language. Our God is an Awesome God was sung too and they sang for us in Swahili. To end family time, they sang and danced to one of their songs….a fifteen minute song…of dancing and singing. Super tiring. Singing with them and praising God together, although having a language barrier, didn’t stop us. It was wonderful. It was perfect.

Overall, today was an incredible experience. The kids are beautiful, God-loving, and more than excited to spend time us. God is alive and working. These children have hope and faith. Today was indescribable.

Love and miss you all, Kevin.

Victory Rwanda 2012 Day 8

Singing and dancing at Worship!

Pastor Isaac preaching the Word!

Fellowship following Worship services

Following this petrol truck from Tanzania: African "Michelin Man," "soccer" balls," and "Hatari!"

City of Joy (L to R): Emmy, Ed, John

Dr. Ed missing Nick!

Chris calms the beast!

Dancing and singing at our first Family Time

Kevin, Alaina,and Alisa "wrangling" their goats!

Goats wrangled: Mike shows Alaina his new friend

John speaks to the folks who will be receiving goat donations

Goat giveway gathering

Lauren and Leah  subdue their goats with womanly-charm!

This Sunday began with an incredibly powerful worship service at Victory Family Home of Champions.  If you have ever participated in an African worship time, you know what I mean.  The service begins with singing and continues praising God through singing, dancing, clapping, simply praising God with all we've got!  Following the opening of worship, a series of choirs serenade the congregation before the preacher leads a message.  Today, Pastor Isaac preached on Luke 14:15-24, The Parable of the Great Banquet.  Pastor Isaac has mastered the art of sermon delivery to children, while having to use a translator, too.  His message was, "spot-on."  He reminded us of how important God's call is to each person and that when we are called, we best not miss the invitation!  I continue to admire Isaac, Serena, and Henry's service to our Lord in Rwanda.  Their actions are an example to all who are Christians--wherever we serve--to honor God, have fun and look forward to impacting the world in ways we cannot even see!

Following worship we packed up the team from Victory and traveled to City of Joy in Gataraga.  The team serving at Victory is was now to serve at City of Joy and vice versa.  Before we traveled back to Victory Home we enjoyed lunch together--and with the team from Arizona serving at City of Joy, too. 

A few days ago we purchased goats, donated for a giveaway, from City of Joy.  Today, was the giveaway.  The team stayed to present the goats to the Rwandan's chosen by City of Joy and the local government executive secretary (working together).  The pictures above show some of our goat "wrangling."  Papa Isaac laughed as the "muzungus" played with the goats as pets and the Rwandan's looked upon the goats as a pathway to a better life and......FOOD!  What can I say.....American Christians abroad!  (No, we are not auditioning for the television show, "An Idiot Abroad!") 

It was an awesome experience enjoyed by all.

After a trip to the Gatagara Twa pottery barn, we departed for Victory Home. 

Serena regaled the team with a stunning dinner to welcome the team.  Then it was off to Family Time to introduce the team to the children.  Following introductions, spontaneous singing and dancing began with the team dancing with the children.  Yes, we FELT the presence of the Holy Spirit among us!!!!!!

Following devotions, we all reflected on the awesome day God gave us.  It is such and honor and privilege to serve our God in Africa.  Children who love us unconditionally, hug us whenever they see us, and want so much to know about America and each of us.  Glimpses of Heaven on the other side of our world.....Wow, God, You truly are AWESOME!

Ed

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