Kids Small Groups

The team started off with a visit from Emmanuel from the Rwandan PEACE Office.  He and Dorothy Mutabazi provided an introductory orientation to Rwanda & PEACE.  The team learned so very much from their wisdom, experiences and hearts.  It was a touching time to get to know them, the story of Rwanda and the power of PEACE.  Great way to start their day. 

After a delicious Rwandan lunch at Chez Robert, the team had some much-needed prep time.  They organized, prepared and prayed over God's ministry for the later afternoon and days to come.  And they were ready to roll as Kris, Mickey & Cindy ministered to about 15 Children's Ministry leaders.  They challenged them in their faith and ministry to children.  Well done!  At the same time, the rest of the group taught about 75 kids about what it means to GROW in their faith.  Ultimately, both young and old were challenged to grow in their walks with Jesus. 

Now the team has finished up another yummy Rwandan meal at their hotel and are preparing for a FULL day of ministry tomorrow to leaders, children and more.  The team's spirits and energy are high as they get in the groove of things in Rwanda.  Excited to hear what God has in store for an action-packed day of ministry tomorrow!

What a FULL first day our Saddleback Kids Rwanda PEACE Team enjoyed.  Here is a FULL update on our 12-person team:

*  Saturday night the team arrived all safe and sound AND with all of their luggage.  Think this is a first in the history of Saddleback Kids PEACE Trips.  Praise God for His provision!  After a LATE night dinner the team hit the hay hard eager to rest up before a full day of ministry

*  Sunday morning the team was blessed to praise and worship alongside the Christ Gospel Fellowship (CGF) family.  They were thrown right into ministry as the team divided up amongst different age groups to serve in Children's Ministry CGF.  And they had a blast teaching, leading, sharing, singing and dancing.  Tristan, Ashley, Maya & Alicia stepped up BIG time sharing about WORSHIP.  Alicia even shared her personal heart story, inspiring the Rwandan kids.  The team's highlight was teaching the kids Jana Alayra songs and then the Rwandan children would teach them songs.  What a special time of WORSHIP back-and-forth.

* Despite fighting fatigue, the team pushed through with their first full-fledged Rwandan meal experience.  Let's just say lunch at the New Cactus was not typical fast-food like they are used to here in the States.  They fully enjoyed the time to sit back, relax and dine together over Rwandan pizza.

*  The afternoon was more of an emotional challenge as they visited the Genocide Memorial.  The team is processing all they saw and heard, but left the memorial site speechless.  It was a truly impactful time to see what the people of Rwanda endured and how far they have come from 20 years ago.  The power of God's forgiveness is incredible!

*  As we speak, the team is unwinding over dinner back at their hotel.  They are debriefing on their first full day of ministry.  They are preparing for what God has in store for Monday.  And they are restoring still recovering from long travels.

Day one, it's a wrap!

The SaddlebacK Kids 2014 Rwanda Team officially landed safe and sound on-schedule at 6:40 pm Saturday evening.  As you can imagine, everyone was tuckered out so upon retrieving their luggage they all hit the hay.  Pray for a restorative night of sleep as the team gets ready to kick off their trip with church services.  Sunday church promises to be a great kickstart to the trip!