...and He saw a poor widow put in two small cooper coins.  And He said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them."  
Luke 21:2-3

Last Thursday, I received a letter from Alex, one of the young girls we sponsor in Rwanda.  In the letter, she shared that her house had fallen down and her goat passed away.  My heart was crushed for Alexia and her family.  Immediately, I emailed the Compassion Director at the Project she attends to obtain more details.  Tuesday, I received an email indicating that Alexia's house had been destroyed.  Alexia, her mother and 2 brothers are living in a building for animals with their pig and another goat.  

In the Director's email, I read Luke 21:2-3 being lived out in the lives of other Compassion parents with the Project.  They have collected 50,000 RWF towards helping Alexia's family rebuild their home.  Also, the Parish Church has collected 118,000.  The Lord showed me what sincere, sacrifical giving looks like.  The Compassion parents are giving what they don't have to help Alexia and her family rebuild their home.  People are being the hands of Jesus as they make the mud bricks, cut trees for lumber and give their time to provide for a family in need.  Compassion International Sponsorship releases a child from poverty in the name of Jesus, but also, the Compassion parents work together to love, sustain and care for their families in Christ.  They are living examples of James 1:27 -- Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:  to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and keep oneself unstained from the world.

What a powerful lesson I have learned this week through sponsoring Alexia and my relationship with Compassion International in the Shyogwe Diocese.  My brothers and sisters are teaching me much in regard to true sacrifice for the sake of others.  Imana ishimwe for His abundant grace and mercy.

Alexia's mother in front of the house that was destroyed.

This is the building they are living in with their animals.

Alexia is on the right.

In January 2013, I began praying, "Lord break my heart with what breaks Yours."  He is answering this prayer.  As difficult as His answer is at times, I am forever grateful because He is strengthening my faith, hope and transforming my life beyond what I would ever have imagined.  I am praying diligently for Alexia and family.  These pictures are on my desk.  Now I wait for the Lord to show me what the next step is and I trust He will!  Thank you Jesus for the cross and Your amazing grace!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29: 11

PRAISE and GRATITUDE to God!

Saturday, 10/19 the Lord provided 10 children with Sponsors! Saturday, I had the privilege to serve at a Compassion Event for the first time.  It was a Matthew Smith Concert.  It was so much fun to help Moms, Dads and children find a child they wanted to Sponsor from Asia, Africa, Central America and South America.  What a blessing that 10 children received Sponsors...given hope and a future by God.  

Sunday, at Church, we had a Compassion table with 20 child packets available from Rwanda. Once again, it was amazing to help many families find a child to sponsor.  The children eagerly searched the packets for a child with a birthday close to theirs, some chose a Priority child because the child had been waiting 8 to 11 months for a Sponsor or they really liked his/her name. PRAISE GOD 10 children now have Sponsors!!  I was asked to bring the packets back next week by other people.  God's promise of providing hope and a future became a reality for these children on Saturday and Sunday.  They will be rescued from poverty in the name of Jesus Christ!  What a huge blessing this is for the Compassion children, their families, the Sponsors and their families!  My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God!

Sunday, at church, we also sold handcrafts made by women from the Mothers Union of the Shyogwe Diocese in Rwanda.  Once again, I was overjoyed with the generosity of my Apostles family as most of the items were purchased!  Many people asked us to bring back more next year!!!  What a privilege that will be for the Rwanda Team.

I am deeply grateful that the plans God has for my life include a wonderful relationship with brothers and sisters in the Shyogwe Diocese of Rwanda, as well as partnering with Compassion International to release children from poverty in the name of Jesus!  Thank you Lord for showing me that I am not too old for you to make incredible changes in my life!  Amen.

The touch of a child's hand...

This afternoon I have been writing Christmas Cards to our sponsored children, also for children that are in need of sponsors through Compassion International.  As I was writing each card, I would look into the eyes of Belise, Solange, Alexia, and Thierry and pray they know how special and loved they are by Jesus and us.  My thoughts drifted back to June when I met the girls and just how wonderful it felt when we embraced the first time and holding hands.  That memory is etched on my heart.  We went in the Compassion Project's office for introductions and learn about what the Project is doing with the children. We were sitting on a bench listening to the Compassion Directors and I had my arms around all three girls the best I could, when Solange took my arm, wrapped it around her tiny waist and held my hand as tight as she could.  She gently rubbed each finger, my heart melted and a deep love penetrated my heart these amazing children and their mothers.  I felt the touch of Jesus through those little fingers of His precious child.  I had come to meet our girls for the first time on June 13th, share our love with them, play and deliver their gifts, but with the "touch" of these sweet, sweet children and their beautiful smiles, I was the one that received an amazing gift of love! 

Thank you Lord for the incredible family you have blessed me with in Rwanda, our Compassion children, everyone at Church of Gikomero and the Shyogwe Diocese!