Kids Small Groups

The Saddleback Kids 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team was at it again today in the Bugesera region of Kigali, Rwanda.  More lives were changed forever as more people started a relationship with Jesus for the very first time.  The team had a particularly awe-inspiring story of a Muslim woman who realized she wanted a real relationship with a very real God - praise God!  Our team member's authentic sharing and ministering is adding to the Christ Gospel Fellowship church plant in this area.  And the best part is that the church body is growing more and more even before the physical walls of a church are fully constructed.  After all, that is what the church is - the people not the place.

And the afternoon only opened the door to even more future church members as 250 children gathered together.  The team pulled together an incredible lesson on what it means to BELONG to God's family.  What a perfect focus for this next generation of church leaders in Bugesera.

One more full day of ministry in Kigali before the team heads west.  Pray that God will continue to grow and stretch the team and the people of Rwanda.  Also, pray for health as a little "bug" caught a team member or two for the day.  Nothing too major for our God to overcome and heal.

The Saddleback Kids 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team made it through day one of ministry in Kigali, Rwanda.  Their focus was the "P" in the PEACE Plan to "Promote Reconciliation" and "Plant Churches" in the Bugesera region of Kigali.  And they were off to a GREAT start...

In the morning, the team broke into three teams to go on home visits.  Lives were changed as the kids shared their stories and they heard incredible stories from the families they visited.  Deep relationships were built and the hope of Christ was evident as more than a dozen people accepted Christ.  Praise God for using this team to change the landscape of eternity.  Now these friends will have a church to call their home in Bugesera through Christ Gospel Fellowship's church plant.

In the afternoon, the team ministered to more than 200 children.  Again they invited these children to find a place like CGF Bugesera to WORSHIP.  The "Worship" team taught their lesson and did an incredible job.  Only day one and lives are already eternally changed.  Can't wait to hear what more is in store for the days to come.  Oh, thank you for the beautiful cross that has made this all possible!

After hours and HOURS of traveling the Saddleback Kids 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team officially arrived in Kigali, Rwanda on Tuesday morning around 9:00 am.  They hit their first "obstacle" as 13 bags did not arrive along with the 23 team members. 

However, that seemed like the only hiccup as the team was greeted by our Rwandan friends - Simon, Jean Pierre and Gretienne.  They settled into their hotel, grabbed lunch and headed off to the Genocide Memorial.  Many hearts were broken but more importantly touched/sensitized to what the people of Rwanda experienced in 1994.  Overall, the team has done an outstanding job acclimating as they fought sleep throughout the day and hit the hay early in preparation for a full day of ministry...which will actually kick-off in just a few minutes as it is already Wednesday morning in Rwanda. 
While the prayer support in California hits the hay, rise and shine SK 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team - it is time to do God's work today!  Can't wait to hear the stories of ministry and lives changed...

PS - the luggage was only a temporary obstacle as it already all came in later Tuesday evening.  YAY!!!

The Saddleback Kids 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team is "officially" halfway there on the Road to Rwanda.  And they are SO grateful for the ways God showed up:

1) The 2nd checked bags filled with suit coats for Rwandan pastors were checked without charge.  Praise God for the airlines grace to not charge the team the normal $60 per bag fee.

2) The first flight departed 2 hours later than scheduled...slightly problematic when their layover time in Chicago was only 2 hours and 10 minutes.  God showed up again as the plane arrived 20 minutes earlier than anticipated, the next flight to London was delayed 30 minutes and the planes were just a gate apart.  WOOHOO!

Now the team is just killing time in London Heathrow after a hearty lunch.  Soon enough they'll be on the LONG flight to Nairobi, Kenya and then the short skip on over to Kigali, Rwanda.  Keep on praying because we are already seeing God's answering.

Let the "literal" Road to Rwanda begin as the 23-person Saddleback Kids team is officially OFF.  As of 9:38 am this morning (July 24) the team is LAX-bound.  Pray for the check-in process that all luggage gets correctly tagged and loaded onto the right planes.  Here we go!!!