Spent the day before the team got here with Ron Neufeld and Floyd Mohr buying wool refugee blankets and wash basins and plastic cups and 'lessos'...fabric from Tanzania that can be used as clothing wraps or space dividers in the refugee tents.
We will be going to Kibuye Refugee Camp close to the Congo border in a few days...after Pastor Rick launches his Nationwide 40 Days of Purpose Campaign at the Kigale Stadium on Sunday...what an event that's going to be...singing and African cultural dancing and worship...sounds to me like the Praise Venue in TENT 3 at Saddleback.
Met 3 delightful girls in a back alley fabric shop in Kigali ...
Janet,17
her sis, Julliette, 16
their Islamic friend, Ameni, 17
Couldn't really understand a single word at first , but over an hour we bought $1000 of relief supplies, invited them to Kingdom Christian School for a distribution of Samaritan's Purse Gifts, and a gospel presentation, and invited them to the National Stadium Event on Sunday.
All 3 girls, orphans from AIDS and the Genocide...came to the Sam Purse Shoebox event and helped us give out boxes to 400 schoolkids, 70% of which are orphans. I AM COUNTING ON ANYONE READING THIS BLOG TO STOP RIGHT NOW AND PRAY FOR THESE 3 GIRLS TO TRUST CHRIST OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. I am trusting the Lord for their salvation...I just know it will happen.
All 3 girls, orphans from AIDS and the Genocide...came to the Sam Purse Shoebox event and helped us give out boxes to 400 schoolkids, 70% of which are orphans. I AM COUNTING ON ANYONE READING THIS BLOG TO STOP RIGHT NOW AND PRAY FOR THESE 3 GIRLS TO TRUST CHRIST OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. I am trusting the Lord for their salvation...I just know it will happen.
Send me a word of encouragement...please...
I've been in freezing Ukraine, burning Kenya, and now drenched Rwanda.
I've been in freezing Ukraine, burning Kenya, and now drenched Rwanda.
Our team is all healthy and working great together.
Hi, Steve. I'm getting more and more interested in your blog, and closer to Christ. What stories, what love, what grace. I especially thank you for asking us to pray for the three girls today. I'm glad you gave me such an important task, and it's great to join with you in this. Love, Marsha (MR)
ReplyDeleteJambo Rafiki, Priv'yet Dobre Droog Myo and Hola Pastor Steve -
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the team arrived, is healthy and meshing. I think there will definitely be more stories of the 3 girls in the store - how they gave their lives to Christ!
So many of us are traveling along with you in prayer and thoughts. In our minds we're dancing and singing with you all in Kigale.
Praying the rest of the journey goes very well.
Blessings, Carolyn
Hi Steve! I'm so happy you're doing good, I talked to your daughter at church the other day, it was good to catch up with her!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait till you get back so we can talk about Kenya, I'll keep those 3 girls in prayer, and I'll keep praying for you and your team!
love you!
Hi Pastor Steve:
ReplyDeleteScott and I just caught up with your blog again this morning. I have to say that I wished I was on that trip to the Ukraine with you. It sounds like God is really moving in an amazing way in that country. His power and grace are awesome and I feel blessed to be able to witness a small part of it.
I agree that Vlad is the man! Thanks for sharing the "Vladisms" - I especially liked the one about the football huddle. They are Christians, yes?
I am praying for you and your team as you travel through Rwanda. God will keep you strong to the end. "With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine." Eph 3:10
I also pray for all of the people you come in contact with but specifically the 3 girls you mentioned. What beautiful faces! I pray that their hearts will be open to God's word.
Thanks for taking the time to write this blog. It keeps my heart open to God's urging in my own life.
Take care,
Mary (and Scott)
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal 6:9
Steve,
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your team and the 3 young women this afternoon. Hope you get a few minutes to rest before the crowds gather.
blessings,
Eric
Hi Pastor Steve! I'm so glad you set up this blog so that we can be a part of what God is doing through all of you. You have gift of making those of us who don't normally do things like the P.E.A.C.E Plan at easy.
ReplyDeleteI will pray for the three girls that you wrote about. I have fait that God will reveal His gift to them and their lives will be changed forever. God is soooo amazing and faithful!
Can't wait to hear more about the Nationwide 40 Days campaign and the 3 girls!
Hey there Steve! The photo of these three girls at the fabric shop have such beautiful faces and smiles. Yes, I'll be praying for them, for their salvation. Wow, it's amazing to be able to travel with you through bits and pieces of your journey as you share your heart with us. Thank you, Steve, for caring so much for these people - you got a BIG heart!
ReplyDelete"Dear brothers and sisters, honor those among you who are you leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other. .... Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." I Thes. 5:12-18
Steve, thanks for being such a great example to us as our leader! God's best to you, Jo (ann)
Hi Pastor Steve! God is using you in a such amazing ways: rioting in Kenya, freezing in Ukraine, burning in Rwanda :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are my HERO like the Apostle Paul.
Acts 20:22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit,I am going (Pastor Steve) to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
I am praying for you and the team. God will bring awesome harvest from this trip!!!
Love in Christ.
Lena Walls
Say hello to my parents (Larry and Carole)... I think they are in your group :-)
ReplyDeleteSteve, I love your blog! Anyone can tell you are in your groove when you are "in country"... doesn't matter which one. We continue to pray for you, the 3 young ladies and the rest of the team. My heart aches to be there with you. I sense God stirring.
ReplyDeleteJim D