Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
           --Psalm 98:4

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!  One week ago today, I arrived home from Rwanda.  It was an amazing journey filled with much laughter, catching up with old friends and meeting new friends, smiles, big hugs, holding hands with friends, eating, singing, dancing and some tears.  Yesu ishimwe!  We were making a joyful noise to the Lord!

A friend at church asked, "Why do you feel this trip was so special?  As I have thought about this question, I have come to realize that we are truly family, loving each other, sharing our joys, problems, visions, holding hands in prayer, dancing, sharing meals, laughing with each other as we tried to speak Kinyarwandan and just "being present" with each other!

                                           Liberta and Festof                   My prayer partner, Joy,
                                                                                                                   is in the middle!  Joy is also
                                                                                                                   an amazing dance partner!

Pastor Etienne is a compassionate, strong, humble shepherd of Gikomero Church of the Apostles.  The Lord used Pastor Etienne and the people of Gikomero to teach me a lesson in sacrifical loving andd giving.  Many times I heard the words, "we want to help those in much need, and  youth at risk because they can't get an education."  These are not empty words, they are being lived out!  Our friends who don't have electricity, running water, eat what they grow and walk miles to church and school, are giving of themselves to re-build a widow's home.  She lost her husband and all of her children in the Genocide.  When her home was destroyed, the church decided to come together and build her a home.  They are giving their time and meager resources to help a widow in much need!  Also, older women in the Mother's Union are walking with the young single mom's to share the love of Jesus, help them realize just how special they are, show these women they are not alone, teach them how to feed and care for their children and teach self-sustaining handcrafts.  These single mom's are understanding that "together" they can be strong in their faith and love for one another.  They can smile and laugh together!  Last year, we didn't see these precious women smile, however, this year we heard laughter and saw beautiful smiles!!   Yesu ishimwe!

They "love" their neighbors well!!  They love Jesus with all their heart, mind and soul!  They love their neighbors as themselves!  The Lord used my friends to teach me an important lesson, "they give all of themselves to love and support their friends/families in Christ, who are in need."  This is a powerful lesson for me to learn as Craig and I prepare to move downtown this Fall.  My prayer is to be the "light" of Jesus to our new neighbors, as my family in Gikomero is to their friends and neighbors!  It is too easy for me to stay in my comfort zone.  Jesus has been calling me out of my comfort zone the past 3 years and I pray He doesn't stop, even though sometimes, I do get anxious and uncomfortable.  This move is a new beginning of getting out of the boat to walk on water with my eyes focused on Jesus.  I know that there will be times that I begin to sink, but also trust if I look into the eyes of Jesus and remember the faith of my dear, sweet prayer partner Joy, I will walk on water, follow Jesus and "love well," through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Walk before God in the light of life!

Amahoro y'Imana abane namwe

(God's peace be with you)

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?"  And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I.  Send me!"
--Isaiah 6:8

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  At once they left their nets and followed Him.
--Matthew 4:19

                                                                                   In 2012 I heard these words from the Lord and I stepped way out of my comfort zone to make the journey to Rwanda with Church of Apostles Rwanda Partnership Team.  I fell in love with Rwanda and wonderful friends, who are now family!  As my friend, Clementine, and Belise, Compassion child we sponsor, said, "our hearts are attached."  Oh, how I feel this in my heart!   Now it is July 3, 2014 and I depart for Rwanda for the 3rd time tomorrow.  I am an ordinary child of God's, like the fishermen Jesus asked to follow Him.  
Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
---Mark 10:27  
WOW, it is amazing to live this promise!  God is faithful to accomplish His plan and purpose for my life and I am truly, truly grateful.  He has taught me and continues to teach me that we are never too old be to be used by the Lord!  Yesu ashimwe!!  (Praise Jesus)

While in Rwanda last year, the Lord spoke to me heart about becoming an Advocate for Compassion International.  When I arrived home, that was one of the first things on my "To Do" List.  What an amazing experience!!  The Lord has provided 54 children in Rwanda with Sponsors through Compassion International from our Church!!  Six members on our Team this year will meet the children they sponsor on July 10.  Four will meet their children for the first time.  Eric and I met our children last year, but Thierry, our new little boy we sponsor for Cayden, and I will meet for the first time!  It is soooo exciting!!!  Cayden wrote Thierry a letter and drew a picture with a star and planets.  Cayden wrote, "Thierry, you are the star of the planets!"  Cayden also dedicated a story he wrote for their end of the year "Author's Tea" to Thierry!  This brought me to tears.  Cayden has such a sweet, loving heart for Thierry and I am so grateful!! 

I am praying, listening and waiting with hopeful expectation for what the Lord will call me to this year!  I know and trust He has a purpose and plan for my life...Jeremiah 29:11.

This week our Team has been praying Ephesians 3:14-21, so I will close with these beautiful verses.
     For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in Heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen!

My Grandson, Cayden, wanted to write a blog, so we are writing this together today.  He wants to introduce to you, Thierry, his new friend in Gikomero, Rwanda.  Nana and Pap sponsor Thierry through Compassion International for Cayden and Kody.

Thierry is 5 years old.  He lives with his mother and father.  Thierry is in Kindergarten and likes school.  Thierry's birthday was February 16 and we sent him Birthday money.  Compassion Staff took Thierry to the market and he purchased a pig for his birthday gift.

I will be in Rwanda and meet Thierry on July 10th and I am waiting with eager anticipation for this first meeting with him and his family.  Cayden said, "Nana, I am tracked out then, so why can't I go with you? I would love to go with you, please!!"  I just love Cayden's heart for Thierry and desire to meet him.

Here is a picture of Thierry and his pig, also a picture of Cayden holding Thierry's picture.  Love both of these boys!!!!

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 
One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.  They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works...I will proclaim your great deeds.  
They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
                                                                                                                 --Psalm 145:1-7

 Nzabazamariya Alexia has a birthday on February 15th.  She will be 11 years old.  Nzabazamariya's home was destroyed this past Fall.  My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for His provision of a new home, which Nzabazamariya's family will be moving into soon.  What an amazing 11th Birthday she will celebrate!  Thanks be to God for His abundant goodness.  I can't stop singing His praises and offering thanksgiving to Him!
(Alexia'smother, Alexia, her sister and Compassion Project Accountant).
Photo below:  Alexia's mother, her sister, Alexia and Daniel the Project Director.
                                                                                    

Craig and I very grateful for the experience of walking this journey with Nzabazamariya and her family.  We have prayed daily and watched the progress through the pictures Daniel has sent, as well as, his faithful updates.  We praise God for the Compassion parents, the Shyogwe Parish Church and others who raised funds to build another home for Nzabazamariya's family.  
I am deeply moved and humbled by the generosity of those who sacrificed for Nzabazamariya, her mother, brother and sister.  What a joyful moment it will be to hold Nzabazamariya in my arms when our Partnership Team returns to Rwanda in July!!!

My dear friends in Rwanda consistently are teaching me lessons in waiting, complete dependence on the Lord, hope in His faithfulness to provide, hearts of gratitude and willingness to give with a sacrifical heart.  The Lord has much more to teach me through my Rwanda family!

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever!  Thanks be to God for Compassion International!!!  They are the hands of Jesus reaching out in obedience to provide for the least of the least.  My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the Lord's protection as Nzabazamariya has waited for her home and His abundant provision!  I joyfully sing of glory and honor to God, our Father!