Prayer makes a difference...
This past week I experienced moments of heartache, happiness and peace.  My mother-in-law, Elaine, was diagnosed with bone cancer, she shattered her pelvis and was transported from the hospital to a Nursing Home in Winchester, KY on Friday.  I am deeply grateful Craig has been with Elaine as he sat by her bed, held her hand, and cried with her as the reality of death came to her and the family.  Elaine is a strong, courageous, compassionate, loving mother and grandmother!  We are grateful Elaine is accepting and at peace, also for her faith in Jesus.  We are grateful for the many prayers that are carrying Elaine and the family through this difficult time. Hugs and prayers at church this morning were such a gift from our Apostles family.  Thank you Lord!

The happiness I experienced came when we received 3 letters from the children we sponsor through Compassion International in Rwanda.  What a smile these letters always put on my face!  God always knows when a special gift of love is needed and he certainly delivered 3 gifts the day those letters arrived.  It is such a joy to pray for Solane, Belise and Alexia daily.  They told us in the letters how we are prayed for daily, as well.  The girls always ask what our prayer needs are and share theirs with us.  Prayer connects our hearts and lives despite being thousands of miles apart.  The Holy Spirit intertwines our lives through prayer!  What an amazing gift that is changing my life.  Thank you Lord!

This was also a special week because two of my dear friends in Rwanda celebrated their birthdays!  I am so grateful for the amazing lives of Clementine and Venant!  They are faithful servants of Christ!  Clementine works with the HIV/Aids Dept. in our Sister Shyogwe Diocese and Pastor Venant is a wonderful shepherd of a Parish where 79 people were baptized a few weeks ago!  Clementine and Pastor Venant are brothers and sisters in Christ.  Through prayers of gratitude for their lives, I was able to celebrate with them.  Thank you Lord!

Clementine and her mother 

Pastor Venant and Pastor Eric


Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do to give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do be not be afraid."
John 14:27

Thank you Lord Jesus for the gift of prayer this week which made a difference in my life.  Prayer brought peace and joy this week in times of heartache and times of complete happiness.  Thank you Lord we are never alone...You are always with us!

Saturday at 4 p.m. Craig and I received a grand surprise!  I was checking my FB.  Need to say now that I quit FB  few years ago  never to return, but after several friends in Rwanda ask me to sign back up, well upon arrival home, I did just that!  Now back to our grand surprise.  While scrolling through FB, suddenly a notice came up indicating I had a call from John Baptiste!  John Baptiste is the Director of the Zion Compassion Project where I had the visit with my sponsored children.  We have been communicating since my return to Raleigh via email and FB.  He told me that Grace was expecting a baby.  I have been praying for Grace and her baby. On Aug. 17th, John Baptiste and his wife had a baby boy, Isaac.  They were calling to show me Isaac!  I couldn't believe that right before my eyes on the computer were the beautiful smiles of John Baptiste, Grace and their sweet newborn boy, Isaac!  What an incredible blessing!  I could hardly sit still I was so excited!! :)  I am very grateful Craig was close by so he could meet my friends in Rwanda that he knows I miss very much.   The Lord has planted a love for Rwanda in his heart, as well as mine, therefore meeting John Baptiste, Grace and Isaac was truly a special gift for him.  It was great to share this opportunity with Craig!  

I have been blessed now with two FB Face time calls from Rwanda.  My dear friends, Joseph and Clementine, called a few weeks ago! Amazing, also to see their faces and hear their voices.  It is difficult to describe the feelings in my heart when my friends from Rwanda call.  My heart fills like it will explode with joy and excitement!   God is so good to provide all of our modern technology!  I never thought I would be grateful to be back on FB, but I am because of how it is being used to connect me with my dear friends in Rwanda.

John Baptiste is in the yellow shirt behind me.  Daniel, Dir. of Shyogwe Compassion Project is in the blue shirt.  Both love the Lord and serve Him faithfully!

Each day is filled with unexpected blessing from the Lord!  When He surprises me like He did today with such a gift of His love through a friend in Christ, my heart overflows with joy and gratitude.  Thank you Lord Jesus!