So I'm Going to Rwanda...

I previously mentioned that I'm serving on a mission trip to Rwanda, Africa this summer. I'm joining the Hope 221 team that is partnered with a church in the Butare, Rwanda via World Orphans.

I've had three opportunities to meet my fellow teammates, and I am so excited to be a part of this fabulous group. This past weekend, we had a training retreat. We camped, got to know each other a little better (I should say they got to know me a little better; for the most part, they know each other), completed training for the Christ centered sports outings for the kids, shared our testimonies, and completed team building activities. We worked together as a team in a low ropes course. Wow, what a challenge! It was quite fun even if I did feel a bit awkward & uncoordinated. I would do it again & hope to with my small group. My fellow brothers & sisters in Christ were so encouraging. I know that I have made connections with people that will extend beyond our trip.

So, here's the game plan:

• Visit a Rwanda Genocide Memorial. Learn more about the genocide here. Immediately upon committing to serve on this trip, I started learning about Rwanda & her dark history. It's vital to understand what Rwandans experienced in 1994 as we go to serve them.
• Conduct Christ centered sports outings known as HisKids Sports (sorry no link).
• Conduct free medical clinics through the local church.
• Visit local schools.
• Caring, praying, and loving the people in Jesus' name.

Could you please join me in praying for the following needs:

• Logistics of the medical clinics. There are quite a few details that need to be hammered down.
• Safe travel. The flight is going to be long.
• Health of our team.
• Our team! Pray for God's will in every and all situations. Pray that our team will be His hands and feet in sharing Christ's love for the people of Rwanda.
• Pray against any and all stumbling blocks that the enemy would use to discourage us. Several team members have already experienced situations that was meant to discourage. However, I know that God works all things for His glory.
• Pray for the people of Rwanda & their hearts. We are not going to "westernize" them or solve their problems. Rather we are coming alongside of them, listening to them, caring for them & loving them wherever they're at in life.
• Above all, that God is glorified in all that we say and do.

Please ask any questions that you may have! I'm humbled that God has ordained this season of my life to serve Him in Rwanda. At the age of ten, I was moved by the Holy Spirit to surrender my life to serve Him however & wherever He would lead. I knew it had to be a total surrender, however I prayed, "Lord, just please not Africa!". What a wonderful God I serve! He has broken my heart for the different people groups on the continent of Africa--from adoption to child sponsorship to serving on trips.



Isaiah 56:10
And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.