Kids Small Groups

Our final of three Saddleback Kids PEACE Teams is homeward bound!  Pray for their energy and rest as they started today (Thursday) off bright and early with a long game drive and journey back to Kigali.  The team has done incredibly pushing through exhaustion, slow security/check-in at the airport and more.  But they covet your prayers so they can rest and refuel on the flights home.  Specifically, pray for an easy transfer at Amsterdam as their plane looks to be delayed by a little but they should still be fine to make their connection.  Can't wait to see the tired but eager to share faces at LAX Friday!

Sorry for the lapse in updates...SK Philippines and Buenos Aires have touched down with a safe return back to the states.  Each team member was filled with funny moments and powerful memories of how God worked in and through the SK PEACE teams.

As for SK Rwanda, their final two days of ministry were special as they formed new friendships and bonds with the leaders of Divine Destiny Church.  Two full days of children's ministry training with this group left the team both exhausted AND uplifted as light bulbs went on, passions fueled and relationships began.  Great things to come in this partnership as we all invest in the eternity of children.

Wednesday & Thursday are all about the debrief process as the team winds down their time in the Land of a Thousand Hills.  Pray for this process as it can be difficult for some as they recognize all that they saw, felt and experienced over the last almost two weeks.  Pray that the team comes home transformed, living new lives of hope, gratefulness and joy.  Pray for the long journey home as it begins late Thursday evening (Rwandan time) to arrive home later Friday morning (LAX time).  Can't wait to see our SK Rwanda PEACE Team soon to round out three successful, life-changing PEACE Trips for Saddleback Kids!

The team was blessed to worship alongside another part of our Rwandan family at Omega church.  Additionally, this church family was "hungry" for what they had missed out on the past few days of children's leader training so the team stayed after services to meet with 10 of their key children's ministry leaders to fellowship, discuss and mini-train.  It was a special time to bond with a select group of leaders passionate about reaching the next generation.

The remainder of Sunday was a true Sabbath as the team enjoyed a delicious meal at Bourbon and then got to explore the craft village for fun memories and trinkets of their time in Rwanda.  Also, some time to prepare and refocus for the final two full days of ministry.

Pray for the team that they end well as the final two days are FILLED with full day trainings of children's ministry leaders at Devine Destiny.  This church has heard about the incredible things in Saddleback Kids while out in California and from previous SK Rwanda teams.  So now they are eager to invite church leaders around their community to learn and grow together in ministering to children.  Pray for inspiration, wisdom and strength in these final days of teaching.  Pray for health as some tummies and heads are aching.  Pray for peace as they wrap up this life-changing trip to Rwanda.

The team spent a wonderful morning participating in the country's monthly honoring of umuganda - the last Saturday in which the entire country "shuts down" to work together as a community to clean-up and care for their land.  Weeds were whacked and grounds picked up alongside the staff at the team's guesthouse.  A simple yet special morning of service.

Then the afternoon held deep discussions of children's ministry with some of the top ministry leaders in Kigali.  We were blessed to partner with CLA last year in their hosting of the Purpose Driven Children's Ministry Conference.  This year, the team took the PDCM seeds and watered them to help them grow.  Incredible discussions on mission, vision and value peppered the Saturday afternoon/evening.  Exciting things to come as the leaders of CLA dream of what lies ahead for the children of their church.  They are thirsty, especially, for Kids Small Groups CLA.  Can't wait!

Hard to believe the team is on the "downhill" with only a few more days of ministry.  Pray that they end well and strong.  Pray for powerful worship alongside new friends at Omega Church.  Pray for a time of Sabbath and rest in the afternoon; even focus to prepare for the final two-day PDCM Conference hosted by Devine Destiny.  Go big, Team Rwanda!

The team's southbound adventure was quick and wonderful.  They worked with another branch of CGF teaching children's leaders on what it looks like to help children be CONNECTED and then putting into action what they taught.  One of the cool things was when children came back in the afternoon, there were at first only 25 which then tripled as entire classes came.  Earlier at the leader training were several teachers who decided their classes needed a field trip to the church for the afternoon.  Praise God!

After a full-day of ministry, the team then journeyed back to Kigali on Friday late morning.  They returned to Busanza to do home visits.  One of the most touching was reconnecting with the woman who pulled Brian aside just days earlier to share her incredible story.  Overall, the team was blessed to be welcomed into homes and continue to share God's love in pure and personal relationship building.

Today (SATURDAY) the team gets to participate in a very special time in Rwanda known as umuganda.  It is the last Saturday of each month in which the entire country shuts down to clean up and serve within their community.  With that, the team will serve at the guesthouse that has so graciously served them on their trip.  What a beautiful opportunity to give back to the humble workers at the guesthouse.  Special day of service before another children's leader training in the afternoon at a renowned church in Kigali.

Pray for the team's energy and focus as they are past the half-way point.  Let them end well and strong gaining more and more momentum in ministry until they enter into their debrief time.  Pray for unity, peace and power.

First, here are some FINAL pics from their ministry at movie night and painting Saddleback Kids:

The SK Argentina team's 8-day journey is coming to a close as they begin their journey homeward.  The team closed out their time with more debriefing and affirmations, reflecting on all God has done in these action-packed days in Argentina.  Then it was time to heads to the airport; grateful for your prayers as they team narrowly made it through security and onto the plane.  Nonetheless, they are in-air and resting.

For those who are picking up an SK Argentina team member, just a reminder to go to the domestic Delta terminal NOT Tom Bradley as their connection is domestic.  Which means, pray for their connection as they are a smidge late on the schedule AND need to go through customs on this connection before boarding. Pray for patience, calm and ease at the airport.  Until then, see you at LAX!

Here are pictures from the last few days of Philippines ministry:

THURSDAY:

FRIDAY:

Here are pictures from the last few days of Philippines ministry:

THURSDAY:

FRIDAY: