aaaaaand - we're back!

It's been crazy getting back into the swing of things and the jet lag was much more than we expected it to be.

So as not to overwhelm you (or me), I'm going to put up some posts with pictures off and on for the next few days.

The first pic is before we left the Denver Airport. It amazes me how tired we all look considering the trip was just beginning.




This is Brandon and Yamid on the plane.




I wanted to show you the above picture as it's a nice preview of what Brandon taught the kids in Rwanda (see below).





yup... that's my boy.


On the trip we had a 13 hour layover in London, so we thought we'd make the most of it and head out for some sightseeing.

So here we are... Big Ben and Little Ben






Honestly though, we were so exhausted we should have found a few chairs at the airport and slept.
This is how Ben spent his lunch in London, England...











After 20-something hours on a plane and a short layover in Nairobi, we made it to the Kigali International Airport...





... where we made our way to our first "home" - Moucecore.




We were told to be sure and take a picture of that sign. That way if we were ever lost, we could show the picture to a Taxi and they can take us back. A good thought for anywhere you are visiting.


At Moucecore we were greeted by old friends and new.

Below: Pastor Ernest and his wife Martha with Tammy, Matthew, Brandon, and Ben.




Below: Ben, Willy (giving thumb's up in the back) and the CMP Team




It had been a long haul, but in this first destination I (Tammy) found one of my favorite "spots" in the entire world - the balcony of our room at Moucecore in Kigali.

This balcony had one wicker chair, lots of sunlight, and a beautiful breeze.



NOTE: This picture is hard to see when it's smaller. If you click on the picture itself it will bring it up in a larger format for you to see.

To the right (out of view) is the American Embassy. To the far left are some nicer homes and down in the center is the stark proof of the undeniable poverty that is there.
Yes, in many ways it's sad to see, but I was blessed to observe something else while I sat in that chair... a community that is alive and thriving.

If you observe carefully, you can hear singing at almost anytime during the day. People walking the dirt roads - taking their yellow water jugs to be filled or working in the fields that sit between the village and our hotel. If you closed your eyes, you might think you were at a campsite from the smoky smell in the air as families cook their meals for the evening and/or burn their trash. One thing that can definitely be said about the people there... they are not lazy. I've never seen a group of people work so hard in my entire life. From little children to old women... they know a life that none of us can or ever will. Before you thank God for the goodness He has bestowed on your birthright, you need to know that this has also come at a cost. They have something there. Something that we're missing. These are the most friendly people I've ever met in my entire life. They don't know a stranger and everyone they meet is done so with a hardy handshake, a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. You are now family... and that my friend, is truly a blessed thing.



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Welcome to Rwanda

An Unending Flow of People

After almost 24 hours on various planes we finally arrived in Kigali, Rwanda. At first, it was hard to take in the reality that we were really half-way around the world in Africa. It was an unbelievable thought, but there we were.

We passed through customs and found our way to the main lobby of the airport. We were completely exhausted and felt very lost until we saw a small group of men with smiling faces. We quickly realized that this was Pastor Willy and his team from Comfort My People (CMP). That was a true "God moment" as we immediately felt as if we had known them all of our lives. They made us feel right at home from day one and for that I am truly grateful.

As we were heading into town the first thing that got my attention is the unending flow of people walking in every direction. We quickly learned that it doesn't matter what time of day it is - people are always out walking - to work, to get water, to get food, to school, to see friends.... everywhere/anywhere/anytime.

There were cars there, but the combination of the two made me nervous. I was so thankful that we always had a driver and didn't have to get behind the wheel ourselves, regardless, we could still see. There were a few times that I closed my eyes and prayed that I wouldn't hear the thump of the car taking out one of the walkers. I finally started sitting in the middle seat because I couldn't take the stress of being by a window.

I am glad to report that after two weeks of driving through the country - nobody was hurt and I got in some good prayer time!

A Vision Brought to Life

As you know, our mission for going to Africa was to help the village of Cyanika build a soccer field (or as they say - football field). The village of Cyanika is located in the northern part of Rwanda and is an area that is breathtaking in it's beauty. The village is bordering a large volcano and is in a valley where you can see five other volcanoes nearby.

The first day in Cyanika we were introduced to many of the pastors in the area and Walt (our senior pastor) did a teaching. He also explained what we were going to be doing that week in the village.

Next, I went to check out the field we would be transforming and I just stood there in amazement at what God was doing. I just kept thinking, "One year ago Lord, You gave me a vision to reach the children of Africa. You told me to go to Africa and take this vis

ion and change a community - and here I am standing in the field You have prepared."
I was actually here! It brought tears to my eyes.

Little did I know how much God was going to do through that field. All I could see was the field itself.... but God had much bigger plans indeed!

Brief Rundown

I have to be honest, I'm absolutely wiped out and at a loss for words.

There is so much to tell you and share that I don't even know where to start.

Because you were such a big part of this trip, I don't want to leave you hanging so here are some of the major highlights that happened because of your support, encouragement, and prayers.

• The soccer field was completed, but not without a few hiccups. Those hiccups provided a chance for God to move in this community in a way we never could have imagined or manufactured ourselves.
  
  
• Uniforms were provided for four teams! Those uniforms will be lent out by the church so that they can be used by ma ny others to play.
  
  
• The Rwandan military chief not only came to the dedication of the field, but he also played in one of the games!
  
  
• We had the opportunity to cast vision for Children's Ministry for about 60 pastors (and some of their wives)! Some of these pastors have thousands of people in their churches.
  We didn' t think we would get this chance, but as it turned out they were very excited and hungry for something like this. Right now, there is nothing in place for the kids at church. As of last week - that's changing.
  
  
• I was blessed with the opportunity to teach at a nondenominational church in Kigali on Sunday.

This is just a sample of some of the amazing things that happened. When the jet lag gets better, I will fill you in on more, but I didn't want to make you wait any longer.

Because you allowed God to work through you, a community came together and a country celebrated. Because you opened your hearts, thousands and thousands of children will be coming to church to learn how much God loves them.

From the bottom of our hearts... Thank you



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Monday, Sept. 7

It's been an amazing week, so much has happened.
I don't have much time, but would like to let you know that God has opened up the door for us to get to speak to two groups of pastors in Cyanika/Ruhengeri area on the importance of Children's Ministry and how to begin one in their church.
That will be tomorrow (Tuesday) we would love your prayers. We will also get another opportunity to speak to another group of pastors in Kigali. That's more than we could have imagined at this opportunity. Please pray that God will give us the correct words and lead us as we teach.

Update on the infection from the yellow fever shot in Tammy's arm - it's completely healed.
Thank you!

Prayer Request - UTI problems

Prayer Request for the team, especially as the harder work begins.

We saw the soccer field today. It's perfect. We are so excited! The kids met us with such excitement. When we went into the church, they climbed up on the outside windows to see us. They are so sweet.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, support and encouragement.

I will update again as soon as I can...


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Arrival

We're here and it is wonderful. The travel... not so much. It's taken some time and a shower/bath of sorts to help us feel normal, but it's well worth it.

I don't have much time, but hope to update more on what has happened - to say the least we've had some adventures on this trip. I should have more time later so I will update then.
Just a few quick notes for now.

If you would pray for the site of Tammy's Yellow Fever immunization, it's infected or something. It was raised up, red, and warm. She took to Benadryl on the 10 flight from London to Nairobi and that seemed to help. It's still red and large, but not as big and it's not warm anymore.


Also, please pray for Benjamin. He's not eating well and very lethargic. I'm sure most of it is travel and he will be back to himself soon.

Time to go much love to you all.

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