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.
August 3, 2011 at 9:46 AM
When you choose to "surrender" to serve on a PEACE team, your heart full of love for Jesus, it becomes "Dangerous" because you are never the same, your heart broken for what matters to God, your willingness to share, to serve, to teach and seeing daily answers to prayer, amazing miracles as God is with you. These people you have met and touched, will be in your heart and in your prayers, for you are changed: "Gloriously Ruined". As you leave, full of emotion, may God continue to work in your heart, in your words and in your future as you give testimony to God's faithfulness and mercies in all things, in all places! Love, Nani