Kids Small Groups

It is hard to believe, but the Road to Rwanda is now officially on its "downhill."  In fact, right this moment the SK 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team is no longer in the Land of a Thousand Hills.  Let's catch the highlights though of their last few days in Rwanda:

Tuesday was primarily a travel day as the team departed Kibuye to head back to the capital city - Kigali.  They arrived safely and enjoyed time bonding as a team...honestly, in all the years of Saddleback Kids PEACE Trips this is truly one of the most bonded teams ever.  Every student and parent gels well together in small talk to getting ministry done.  It has been an incredible process to watch.  After a refreshing lunch and settling back into Kigali, the team was able to spend time with some key members of Christ Gospel Fellowship.  The highlight was getting to spend time with Dorothy Mutabazi.  She is Pastor Francis' wife and our lady of PEACE when it comes to Children's Ministry.  She just returned from several weeks of training/teaching in Indiana and was blessed to be able to spend a little time with the team. 

Wednesday brought about the FINAL farewells and slowly but surely began the reentry process.  As I mentioned last time it was a mix of emotions.  Some are ready to begin the journey homeward.  Others could not believe it was over.  Overall, everyone expressed heartfelt change because of what they saw and did in Rwanda.  Prayerfully this spark will ignite a fire of passion and action as they return to the US.

The team has safely arrived in Nairobi, Kenya where they are fast asleep as we speak.  This also signals the end of blogging and updates as the team goes "dark."  Basically, this is an invaluable time for the team to be fully separated from communications to take in all they experienced in Rwanda.  It is not an easy process, but so valuable and vital.  So, please continue to uplift the team in prayer as they fully engage in the debrief process.  There will be many tears and many laughs as they reflect upon this LONG Road to Rwanda that began back in September 2010 and is now coming to an end.  Pray for safe travels as they return home to LAX Sunday evening.  If you are a support member picking up a team member at LAX and don't have the flight information, please feel free to email me directly at lizag@saddleback.com so I can get it to you.  Otherwise, we'll update everyone upon the team's return home regarding the SK 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team Reunion in which you are ALL invited to hear the stories and see the pictures for yourselves.

It is official, the SK 2011 Rwanda PEACE team wrapped up their final full day of ministry.  Right now, they are awakening to the Rwandan sun on Wednesday morning.  They are packing their bags and preparing to make the 3-hour plus bus ride back to Kigali.  But before we depart...

Tuesday was a true demonstration of what it means to be a PEACE Team.  The team demonstrated great adaptablity and teamwork as they were asked to teach basic and advanced English classes to the Anglican school.  Dividing up into two teams, the children really stepped up in major ways.  They taught through songs, lessons and more being creative and fun with the students.  Who knew English was such a tough language?!?!

After that, the team visited a clinic run by the Presbyterian church.  Again the team divided up into smaller teams in order to visit specific sections of the clinic to share stories and pray.  It was a deeply impactful time.  One team even got to see a brand new precious baby boy - one whole day old.  We are sure that the power of prayer will go far in this tiny clinic in Rubengera.

Finally, there's no better way to wrap up ministry than with a good old-fashioned game of football (soccer).  And boy did the Rwandans show up to play.  The teen street boys showed up in uniform (received from last year's PEACE trips focusing on the PEACE Football Club).  And they even brought uniforms for the SK 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team to don on the field.  After much running around, laughing and more the outcome was a draw...I have a feeling that the Rwandans went a little easy on us...just a hunch. :)

So that once again brings us back to this long day of travel and farewells.  It will be filled with an array of feelings.  Some are eager to once again spend time with their newfound friends at Christ Gospel Fellowship.  A few are even already anticipating the first meal or shower at home.  Others are disappointed that they could not stay another day or two (or 365) to minister to the people of Rwanda.  And yes there will even be some heartbroken at having to say goodbye.  This is where the power of prayer from the SK 2011 Rwanda Prayer Support team is KEY.  Please pray:
* For each of these mixed feelings of farewell.
* That this is not goodbye, but truly a "See you later" as many team members will return to Rwanda on a future PEACE trip.
* No one leaves unchanged or impacted by what they saw and experienced this past week and a half.

It has been a whirlwind, but it is true - the SK 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team is about to begin their final full day of ministry in Rwanda.  Then they will begin the long journey homeward (first with a few days to debrief and unpack their time minstering in Rwanda).

Monday was a fun-filled day as the Serve and Share teams taught a large group of children in Kibuye.  Just like every other purpose team, these two teams knocked it out of the park.  They did a fabulous job closing out the purpose lessons.  All I know is that at the end of the day the team was exhausted.  Each of the 23 team members has been working so hard day in and day out.  God is truly working in and through each man and woman, boy and girl.

With that, pray for the final burst of energy from the Holy Spirit as the team embarks on their final day of ministry in Kibuye.  This could be a particularly emotionally draining time as they minister to people in a local clinic and spend time with the street boys on the soccer (or football) field.  May they give it their all, leaving it all on the mission field.  Cannot wait to see the pictures and hear the stories of life-change very soon!

One of the highlights on every Saddleback Kids Rwanda PEACE Trip is attending church services on Sunday.  The SK 2011 Rwanda PEACE Team worshipped more than they ever have before.  They broke into 5 teams to visit 5 different churchs in the Karongi and Rugesera districts.  Each of the teams came back to the guesthouse with different stories and memories.  But there were many shared experiences:
1)  Worship Rwandan style with all their hearts, souls and minds.
2)  A message or sermon, short or long, was shared by every visiting team.
3)  A student supplemented the message or sermon with his/her heart story.
4)  Rwandans received the team with much love and joy.

The afternoon welcomed some much-needed rest after days of ministry, travel and more.  They visited the local PEACE Island to see the sights and reflect on all God's glories.  After all, they would need the rest for what lies ahead in the next few days in Kibuye - English classes, teaching school children, soccer, and hospital visit. 
It is hard to believe but we've reached the final few days of ministry in Rwanda.  Pray that all of God's work is seen through in the next 48 hours and that the team will leave the Land of a Thousanda Hills with no regrets or missed opportunities.  Imana igue umugisha (God Bless YOU!)