Coming to an end

We have been quiet for a couple days as we have had no internet service. It's Friday afternoon here and we are about to leave to spend the night in Rwanda so we can catch our flight Saturday morning. I will summarize, as best I can, the last couple days.

Wednesday, April 30.
Morning start at 6:30am with a run/walk with Camille, Esther and Patrick. Following that at 7:30am was a prayer meeting with all the staff and volunteers of Light of Africa Network on the patio. It was a fantastic way to start the day.

We spent the morning with Esther going to Heal Africa. We got to see the hospital and visit with the founding Doctor. Part of what they due with the victims of sexual violence is teach them job skills and the best one is sowing. We went and visited the program and purchased a lot of the things that they made. We are bringing them back with the intent of selling them to fund more projects.

We spent most of the afternoon at the house preparing for Thursday's speaking engagements.

Sounds like a slow day, but is was nice to catch our breath and be prepared for Thursday.

Thursday, May 1
Day started like Wednesday, run followed by prayer. I was able to share some scripture that God gave me while we were praying. We spent time asking questions about the passage and talking about how it applies to us.

First on the schedule was a couples retreat and the Full Gospel Church. The event was sponsored by the Christian Business Men's Association of Goma. I spoke for an hour on marriage focusing on equality, love and covenant. The message was very well received and once again, Camille did an excellent job translating. When I finished, a pastor spent 30 minutes going over the main points in Swahili for those whose French is not that good.

Second we went to a youth retreat at a Baptist Church. Patrick was scheduled to give his testimony. At this point I had heard it a few times, but it gets better and better each time. The youth were very focused and we had open question and answer after. The three of us answered the questions, then Camille did a teaching on the first couple verses in Hebrews 11. He is an amazingly gifted teacher, I only wish I could understand French better.

We then where off to an event at Holywood City, this event was a week in the making. Last week, we attended an English Bible study, see entry from that day. Clark the owner had the idea to get the bible study, drug addicts, and street kids together to hear Patrick’s testimony. Clark went into the streets of Goma and found where the addicts hung out and invited them personally to the event. He told them that he had a friend who had a story that they had to hear. Thursday night came and there where almost 60 people in attendance! Drug addicts, street kids, and believers in Jesus all together, the way Jesus would want it. Camille started it out with worship and we discovered his gift on the guitar and to draw people into worship. He taught each song, in English, and to my surprise everyone was participating. Patrick was first up and gave his testimony. It seemed that some where thinking that Patrick had nothing that could relate to him, but boy were they wrong. The Spirit locked them into his journey through his bad decisions, into his great decision to follow Jesus. I followed Patrick with a message about the choice between heaven and hell and that we get to choose. Camille followed with a decision to follow Jesus time. At least 12 people made first time commitments to follow Jesus! Party time in heaven! It was truely overwhelming.

We funded and meal and Clark's people came through big. They made rice, beef and beans, with various soft drinks available. He used his good dishes and silverware, treating people as VIPs. The streets kids ate as if there was no tomorrow...Bellies where all full and the love of Jesus was displayed in tangible ways. Clark is one of my new hero's. God told him to go into the street and bring the neglected of society into his restaurant/hotel. Next Thursday they are meeting again to begin leadership training and discipleship. I just received Celebrate Recovery Material from home today, that Camille and Esther will use to meet the huge needs of recovery here. CR Goma, we will have to let Saddleback Church know that their progam has landed in Goma, DRC.

After the event, we hand an opportunity to have dinner with Clark, Esther, and Camille and reflect on the day, in a word...Transforming.

Friday, May 2

Travel day as we are off the Kigali Rwanda.

This morning Patrick Esther and I went to a hospital in the outskirts of Goma to drop off the medical supplies we brought. They were very appreciative as they do not receive much help. They serve a lot of displaced people from the war and cannot afford to pay, they are doing a great work.

In the way back, we stopped at a Heal Africa Clinic and bought more stuff to sell at home.

Well, off to Kigali. We will update the blog from Nairobi.


Grace and Peace,

Michael.