How would it make you feel if a super-wealthy billionaire that lived a world away took time out of his busy schedule, packed a few things, said goodbye to his family and friends, turned his back on his luxurious lifestyle, and hopped on a plane to come and see what he could do to make your life better? If you knew that he was suddenly there with you to spend time with you and see how he could improve your quality of life, and he wanted nothing in return but to see you happy and loved? You would feel important! You would feel valuable! You would feel loved! And if he told you that he was doing it because Jesus told him to make sure you were taken care of, wouldn't that make it hard to distrust a savior that loved you? That's exactly how the precious people of Rwanda viewed it when we visited them.
Since our trip in June 2011, much has happened in the tiny country of Rwanda. Please see below for updates:
* Pastor Ildephonse has started the English lessons he had long dreamed for...this will allow him to begin to communicate with "outsiders" who are looking to help the people in the region, making him even more effective than he already is...it also helps with his dignity, a very important thing for a leader in this culture.
* The orphan dorm which was under construction when we were there is complete, and orphans are settled in to it. The goats which we brought for the Bukonya region were given to the orphans living in that dorm, so they are able to have the goats provide nourishment for them.
*Three orphans were baptized Christmas Eve under the ministry of Pastor Ildephonse, and a Christmas celebration was funded by Land of a Thousand Hills supporters, in the church that we provided pews and wheechair ramps for.
* Immanuel, the 17-year-old that received one of our wheelchairs, was able to begin his studies, and received several Christmas presents from Land of a Thousand Hills supporters.
*Mbilima, the village on the top of Ruli mountain, got so motivated that their production of coffee beans overwhelmed the coffee station! Any supporters of The Well that drink regular coffee are now drinking the result of our visit to the top of the mountain.
Land of a Thousand Hills' coffee farmers are still getting paid an average of $2.00/pound of coffee (when they used to make an average of $0.40/pound), relationships are still being built and nurtured, and most importantly, GOD'S LOVE HAS BEEN, AND IS STILL BEING, SHOWN BY THE WAY THESE PEOPLE ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY, LOVE, RESPECT, AND BY BEING A PRIORITY OF PEOPLE IN SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA.
We're homesick to be back. June 6, 2012, we will be.
No comments:
Post a Comment