Day(s) 12 and See You Later...

Okay, Serena's Blog WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH! Check it out:

http://www.tyrrellsinafrica.org/



















































































































































We have been so busy with projects and playing with the children that we ran out of time to post for the last few days of our trip.

We visiting the King's Palace in Nyanza, the The Pottery Association of Gatagara, and our friends, Todd, Andria, John, Hope, and Emmy of City of Joy Ministries in Gatagara. As we discern what God has planned for us going forward, it was wonderful to visit at City and Joy and it is VERY clear that God has blessed Todd, Andria, John, Hope, and Emmy in this Ministry. For those of us that are professing believers in the Jesus Christ, it is not surprising that City of Joy is growing. God is at work in Gataraga!

We never say, "Goodbye." None of us knows whether we will be back to Victory Home. It's only by the grace of God--thus it's, "See You Later!." In this life or the next, we WILL see each other again. This we KNOW for sure....

Our Lord is beyond words to describe His blessings. Our team of six persons was welcomed by Isaac, Serena, and Henry at Victory Family Home of Champions on June 27, 2011. Christ's love is so evident at this Home--from the children to the Mama's to Isaac, Serena, and Henry (ISH), Jesus is present in this place! We were given His love and we shared our love for Him, too.

I have never been to a more loving place in Rwanda--this family cares for one another and the cross of our Lord is the highest point at Victory Home--as it should be for all who claim His name. Our team will forever remain grateful to God in allowing us to serve at Victory Home and to share a portion of our lives with the family there. Forever, they will be in our hearts!

Pictures speak louder than words and we hope these pictures will speak to you more than any words I could write. Blessed by God through His Son we are...and into this world, we go as his Apostles!

Please visit these Websites to see Christ at work through His people, and to be UPlifted!:

http://www.tyrrellsinafrica.org/

http://toddatrwanda.blogspot.com/

http://www.bloomsburgchristianchurch.org

Please contact me if you are interested in our Mission Trip or learning more about the ONLY one through whom we have access to God, and eternal life. For there is NO OTHER....Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

Yours in service,

Ed

Day 11 - Exhaustion Not An Option

So, today we realized that we had only 3 days left and lots of project work to do. We completed the projects we came to do faster than we expected and we moved on to other projects which Isaac said would be really helpful for Victory Home. The projects remaining included: painting Papa and Mama Jo-Jo's entire home on the inside, completing the repaired sewer line to the guest house, painting the Library, and completing the installation of the new water line to the exterior of the church. I must tell you that signs of exhaustion are showing on the team. We arise each morning at 6:00am to walk the kids to school and last evening, most of the team went to bed around 8:30pm. Let's just say they're not as "chipper" as they were on the first few days--when I wake them up in the morning.

After coming back from the school, we had devotions led by Ed. Then the team departed for Papa and Mama Jo-Jo's house. Let the painting begin! By the end of the day, we applied two coats of paint to every wall and would finish the trim on Thursday. Despite the team wearing green and pink paint--and we look good in paint--Papa and Mama were really excited with their newly painted home!

Looking good in our new colors, we decided to take-on the kids in a marathon game of football (soccer). We played for about three hours and saw many kids come and go. Then came Isaac. Our host likes to win. Isaac teamed-up with Mama Olieve and after a HARD fought game, Team Bloomsburg (Keller, Hare, and Ikeler) was winning 1-0. Team Rwanda (Nick Keller, Isaac,and Mama Olieve) decided to win the game and take no prisoner! Yes, we lost by a score of 3-1, but it was great fun and almost all the kids played.

As we planned our Wednesday, we also discussed Thursday and what remained to be completed. It would be hard to get everything done but we are determined.

These pictures show our wiffle ball lessons, some talent show acts (Papa Joe as Goliath), and the carrying of dry goods, too!

On a funny note, team members are falling asleep faster and on more occasions--like during devotions and morning coffee times! Only our Lord can give us the strength we need to finish!

To be sure, we are loving our time here. Victory family Home of Champions is an orphanage in which Christ reigns and everyone shares the Good News of Jesus. The highest point of the property IS the Cross of our Lord....and HE IS HERE!

Amen!